Why can't I find a Tikka T3 Laminated Stainless in 260 Rem or 6.5x55?

[huan]

I'm in the market for one and have been completely unable to locate this gun in either caliber.

If anyone could point me in the direction of where I can find one it would be much appreciated

On the subject of 260 rem versus the 6.5x55 swede, would I be restricted to a lighter grain in the 260 rem due to the 9" twist versus the 8" twist in the 6.5x55?

Thanks!

 

[Drue]

Try Gunsamerica:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/90985600.../Tikka_T3_Lite_Stainless_6_5_X_55_Swed_Ne.htm

This rifle has a synthetic stock and I could not find one with a laminated stock. As far as I know, Tikka does not list a .260. Generally, longer bullets require a faster twist.

Drue

 

[rust collector]

The T3 is a long action gun, so not much to be gained by 260 instead of 6.5 x 55. Consequently, I don't believe a 260 chambering is offered. I haven't seen a laminated stock option, but you could get an aftermarket stock such as Boyd's offers.

Twist should not be an issue in this instance, but generally a faster twist is used to stabilize heavier bullets.

The 6.5 x 55 cartridge is my top choice for deer, and I would have purchased my T3 in that chambering if it had been available when I bought mine some years ago. Instead, I got the 308 lite stainless and have been very happy with it.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Horsemany]

On the subject of 260 rem versus the 6.5x55 swede, would I be restricted to a lighter grain in the 260 rem due to the 9" twist versus the 8" twist in the 6.5x55?

That's really not a big deal with the 260. I have a friend who bought a Sako 75 in 260 and here's what I learned. 1 in 9 is good for up to 140 grain bullets. 1 in 8 is good for the EXTREMELY long 150-160 grain bullets. You will find very few good 6.5 bullets over 140 grains and when you do see the bigger bullets they are so long they look like welding rods. For what it's worth the new Sako 85's come with 1 in 8 twist in the 260 and 6.5x55. IMO there's no reason the 1 in 9 would not be sufficient since virtually every good bullet you'll want to try will be 140 grains or less.

Now. The advantage of the 6.5 x 55 is since it is a mid length cartridge it always comes in a receiver that's slightly longer than it needs to be. This means you can seat the extra long bullets out to the lands without rounning out of magazine length. However on the Tikka the point is moot since they are all long action guns no matter tha chambering.

Both cartridges have pros and cons. The 260 is easy to load for, inherently accurate, and will feed easily.

The 6.5x55 has greater case capacity, 25 deg. shoulder so it will headspace more positively, greater availability of good quality brass. One negative is it's got a slightly tapered case which is not a quality one looks for in inherently accurate cartridges. However the accuracy potential of a properly loaded 6.5x55 is phenomenal.

 

[huan]

Thanks for the input guys, it's very helpful.

As far as I know, Tikka does not list a .260

Per their spec sheet at:
http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/T3LaminatedStainless.pdf

Both 260 Rem and 6.5x55 are listed as options. I guess it's possible their spec sheet is flawed. Their website isn't exactly amazing...

I know I am being picky, but I really want this rifle in laminated and it's very frustrating not being able to find it in either caliber anywhere.

Thoughts on T3 Lite versus T3? Pricing seems similar so I am assuming the guns are identical aside from the stock?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I don't know why you can't find it but I wish you luck. Sounds like a great rig to me - I'd go with 6.5x55 for more versatility.

On the subject of 260 rem versus the 6.5x55 swede, would I be restricted to a lighter grain in the 260 rem due to the 9" twist versus the 8" twist in the 6.5x55?

Short answer is yes. Long answer is well-explained by Mr. Horsemany.

 

[viking499]

I think their spec sheet lists all the guns they make, but not all of them imported into the USA.

I called Beretta last year when I was looking for a 6.5x55 stainless synthetic. They told me it would be a few months before some would be imported. Was told that some models they continually import, some are imported from time to time(depends on want from a "large number" of consumers) and some are not imported at all.

 

[huan]

I put an availability question in to Beretta through their website.

Are there any other 6.5x55 rifles with comparable out of box accuracy in laminated/stainless and under $800? I'm willing to spend a little more if necessary.

I was dead set on the M77 Mark II Compact in .260 until I held one last night and it felt punier than my first pellet gun. Why doesn't anyone offer a carbine length 260 with a full sized stock? My '79 10/22 is without a doubt my favorite gun in terms of where my head rests on the stock. And that gun was $60.

 

[Horsemany]

Check gunbroker for a Sako 75 Grey Wolf. These were available in both calibers. They are usually in the $800 to $1100 ballpark since they've been replaced by the 85's. These will give you the accuracy you wanted, and laminate stainless. There are still plenty of 75's NIB still for sale around. My local Scheels just sold a NIB 75 Grey Wolf in 260 for $799. I wished I'd snapped it up.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve rifles in both cartridges and see no real world difference with handloads. Factory stuff favors the 260 if you don`t load due to its being loaded to higher pressure.
There is about a 3-5 gr difference in favor of the Swede for case capacity, but no more then ~50 fps max difference in speed at same pressures.
The 1/9 twist will do fine with the 140 gr bullets. The 1/8 & 1/7.5 twist were needed for the old 160 gr NR the 6.5x55 was originally loaded with.
Both are as accurate as 99% of the shooters out there. The 260 Rem was develope for 1000yd benchrest and the Europeans have found the 6.5x55 excellent for long range targets for almost a century.

 

[USSR]

On the subject of 260 rem versus the 6.5x55 swede, would I be restricted to a lighter grain in the 260 rem due to the 9" twist versus the 8" twist in the 6.5x55?

For extreme accuracy, maybe. My 6.5x55 F Class rifle has a 1-8.5" twist, and it does fine with 140gr bullets at 2925fps. If you can drive a 140gr bullet fast enough in a 1-9" twist, you will be fine. The problem with the .260 Rem is the lack of case capacity. You will probably find the 1-9" twist liking the 120-123gr bullets better.

Don

 

[litman252]

I have been looking at 3 wholesalers for the last year. One had in 8 SS synthetic 6.5's a couple months ago when I was low on cash, almost used "the card" but decided not to.

I don't see any SS instock right now............

Hae you considered the CZ?? In stock, $80 more than the Tikka but walnut and blued............. Great set trigger