I'm new here and need some opinions. I have been reading about the Tikka T3 rifles and wouldn't mind having one in 6.5x55. Unfortunately beretta from what I have read eslwhere is no longer going to import them after 2010. I have emaliled them and have not gotten a response yet, so don't know if it's true or not. As for the rifle I know it has some plastic parts and I'm ok with that as long as it works and doesn't cause problems. What I need are some opinions about the T3 rifles, accuarcy, function and such. I was also looking at the CZ rifles in 6.5x55 but noticed they have a 1-9" twist and the Tikka is a 1-8". I'm not sure how much that would effect shooting 140gr bullets but is a consideration when it comes to accuracy. Any ideas or opinions would be appreciated.
Tikka
- Thread starter thumper15
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Finprof
Member
Tikka T3
The Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 is an excellent rifle. In looking for a 6.5x55, I was torn between the Howa 1500, the Tikka T3 and the CZ. I wound up getting the Howa but any one of the three is a fine gun. The 1:8 is better for 140 grain bullets but the 120 grain do well on deer and hogs.
I shoot everything from 108 grain scenars to 160 grain maxums through mine. The 160 grain bullets lose a bit in accuracy but have OK accuracy for deer and hogs.
This is just a guess but the T3 might be competing with their own SAKO A7 so they might be dropping the T3.
The Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 is an excellent rifle. In looking for a 6.5x55, I was torn between the Howa 1500, the Tikka T3 and the CZ. I wound up getting the Howa but any one of the three is a fine gun. The 1:8 is better for 140 grain bullets but the 120 grain do well on deer and hogs.
I shoot everything from 108 grain scenars to 160 grain maxums through mine. The 160 grain bullets lose a bit in accuracy but have OK accuracy for deer and hogs.
This is just a guess but the T3 might be competing with their own SAKO A7 so they might be dropping the T3.
BrocLuno
Member
Tikka's are very nice -at lest the ones I looked at and handled. Yeah, they have plastic, so do a bunch of others. They also have wood models. The factory rings are reported to be weak, but it turns out it's the screws, so figure on replacing them with better fasteners and you are good to go 
I'll be trying to get a T3 in wood this year (2011). Hope they are still in stock when I get there?
I'll be trying to get a T3 in wood this year (2011). Hope they are still in stock when I get there?
Tikka is a great rifle. I have a 6.5x55 and love it. Also have a CZ 6.5x55. Both are great shooters. The Tikka is lighter and gets carried. The CZ is more of a bench gun. Would like to pick up another 6.5. Maybe a Howa, maybe something else.
Also have a 243 and a 7-08 in a T3. Don't be afraid about them, they are good rifles.
Also have a 243 and a 7-08 in a T3. Don't be afraid about them, they are good rifles.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
mine is the Tikka T3 lite stainless 6.5 x 55, one of my favorite rifles when I reach in my safe...thinking of putting a wood stock on mine if I can find one.
fin, that could be right but I'm not finding any A7's in the swede online so far.
The plastic really doesn't worry my any, want I'm looking for is a rifle that I'm not going to worry about getting a few scratches yet is light to pack. Thinking the T3 or for that matter the A7 is the way to go for that purpose, however, the A7 adds more $$ to it for basically the same gun.
The plastic really doesn't worry my any, want I'm looking for is a rifle that I'm not going to worry about getting a few scratches yet is light to pack. Thinking the T3 or for that matter the A7 is the way to go for that purpose, however, the A7 adds more $$ to it for basically the same gun.
BrocLuno
Member
Looks great
I've handled a few "lite" versions and the stocks feel very light. But so do most others. I think, if I get a lite version, I'll blow some high density foam into the stock cavities to give is a bit more robust feel. I don't want to add weight, but I don't think that will add more than a few grams
If I can't get the plastic stock to firm up, I'll get wood too - love a good wood stock
I've handled a few "lite" versions and the stocks feel very light. But so do most others. I think, if I get a lite version, I'll blow some high density foam into the stock cavities to give is a bit more robust feel. I don't want to add weight, but I don't think that will add more than a few grams
If I can't get the plastic stock to firm up, I'll get wood too - love a good wood stock
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WARNING! If you have an addiction problem, then STAY AWAY from the Tikka T3 6.5x55 or you'll end up like me. I grew up hunting with a 270 win and 30-06 for deer and hogs. I've graduated to more sensible calibers for these foe. It started with a 7mm-08 which I love. Then, I bought my 1st T3 hunter 6.5 swede on gunbroker last year, topped it off with a Kahles 6x42, bought some HSM ammo, 140 gr Berger Hunting VLD, shot a ragged 3 shot hole at the range @ 100 yds, and then took it hog hunting, where 2 nasty hogs between 150 to 200 yards , met my 6.5 T3 and went bang flop. Holy Crap, I said! NOW, I have 3 Tikka T3's in 6.5x55. IMHO, the 6.5x55 is the perfect caliber mating to the lightweight Tikka T3. They have a fast barrel twist at 1 in 8 to stabilize heavier, longer bullets, sweet crisp trigger at 2-3lbs, lightweight and all of mine are shooters. Needless to say, I love this gun in this caliber! Terminal performance on game has been terrific. If you can find one on a firearm auction site, don't hesitate! Oh yeah, the addiction therapy is not really that expensive
It makes no sense to me why beretta would think only american chamberings are all we want over here. I doubt they are lacking in enough sales to warrant keeping the swede available. Guess that's good news for CZ then.
As far as an addiction, I spent 9 years married to a whacked out bi polar fruitcake and didn't manage to aquire an addiction or habit. I should be able to avoid a swede addiction as well lol.
As far as an addiction, I spent 9 years married to a whacked out bi polar fruitcake and didn't manage to aquire an addiction or habit. I should be able to avoid a swede addiction as well lol.
A few years ago, they were hard to find, about like right now. I looked for about 3 months until I found one. Then more and more started showing up. Maybe the same thing is happening again. I don't see Beretta stopping the importing of them. I do see Sako only sending them every so often. A lot of overseas gun makers do this from time to time. Don't understand why they do that. Maybe they only produce a certain amount in a given time period......
I had the same experience, Viking499. They appear in waves every few months on sites like gunsamerica and gunbroker. I saw 2 NIB T3 6.5x55's on gunbroker last month. Hopefully, retailers will stock some in the future. Another trick is to sign up for google alerts and enter Tikka 6.5x55. You will get an Email notification when one pops up on the web.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
Viking, did that stock from CDNN fit perfectly or did you have to do some whittlin? also what kind of wood is it?
BrocLuno
Member
I dunno - Elke Summer?
Wow! I seem to be the only one that doesn't like the Tikka. I've never shot one but have heard that they're typically very accurate and a good value. I've handled several and just don't like the way they look or feel. It must be a personal thing. Here's an interesting article about them though...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/tikka_rifles.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/tikka_rifles.htm
Buying a rifle is a very personal choice, and that's why there are so many models to choose from. I chose and enjoy my 308 T3 lite stainless, because I can depend on accuracy and function, it's light in weight, and the price was right when I bought it. The T3 was and is perfect for the deerwhacker mission, in my experience, right out of the box.
I would have bought a 6.5 T3 if it had been available, because I love shooting my model 96s. Maybe someday I'll send my Husky 3000 in for a pac-nor 6.5x55 barrel and some pretty wood, but I doubt that I will want to crawl through the bush with it.
I would have bought a 6.5 T3 if it had been available, because I love shooting my model 96s. Maybe someday I'll send my Husky 3000 in for a pac-nor 6.5x55 barrel and some pretty wood, but I doubt that I will want to crawl through the bush with it.
agoodpeter
Member
i have a t3 tactical in 308 with a leupold 4,, the barrel is very heavy,,, not a real comfortable rifle to carry though the woods just too heavy,,, but it was meant for is sitting in postion with a bipod and hitting a target at some distance
loosehorse
Member
I have a Tikka 6.5 Hunter. It is a favorite of mine. I, like rustcollector, became fond of the round using my Swedes. Now I cant get enough of them. I looked at the CZ and the Tikka before buying. CZ was not worth the extra $ IMHO.
Mine sure fits me and is scary accurate right out of the box.
I have not had the nerve to try my handloads out of my Tikka, but anything I feed it seems to shoots well.
Mine sure fits me and is scary accurate right out of the box.
I have not had the nerve to try my handloads out of my Tikka, but anything I feed it seems to shoots well.
Texaspatriot:
If you are looking for a drop in laminate stock, check out www.helmickarms.com. They make quality laminate stocks for the T3 in different models and colors. Also, Wild Dog (Australia) www.wilddog.com.au/content/default.asp , and Robertson Composites (Canada) www.robertsoncomposites.com, make quality drop in synthetic stocks and Manners is supposed to have an ultra lite hunting stock available after the SHOT show.
If you are looking for a drop in laminate stock, check out www.helmickarms.com. They make quality laminate stocks for the T3 in different models and colors. Also, Wild Dog (Australia) www.wilddog.com.au/content/default.asp , and Robertson Composites (Canada) www.robertsoncomposites.com, make quality drop in synthetic stocks and Manners is supposed to have an ultra lite hunting stock available after the SHOT show.
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WTBguns10kOK
member
click go advanced below the message box, then click the paper clip which is the attachments symbol
stormspotter
Member
Check the below link for a Tikka 6.5X55
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209471858
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209471858
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