Any tikka t3 lite users here? [Archive]

ccoker

06-18-10, 13:25

I have had a few, all were good shooters
my 308 (stainless barrel) would do one ragged hole groups with 165g Sierra GameKing BTSPs, 45.5g of Varget, 2.80 COAL and CCI BR Primers

That load is .5 under max, so, as always, if you are handloading, work up

My buds T3 Varmint shot the same load just as well.

Good guns, not real popular in the tactical scene but they do work very well.

Obiwan

06-18-10, 17:24

I have one in .308 that is a great shooter

jahwarrior1423

06-18-10, 18:57

I love my Tikka T3 Lite's. I own a .243 and a .270.

USGILT

06-18-10, 20:24

Tikka T3 Lite's are great, got one in .270WSM shoots like a dream and has one of the smoothest actions.

Ryan327

06-18-10, 22:44

I've been wondering the same...since I'm a lefty I'm looking at the t 3 lite and varmit. Since the left handed varmit seems impossible to find I may go with the lite instead. Is the lite barrel up for extended range work or does it overheat too quickly?

MarkG

06-18-10, 22:44

Hands down the smoothest action on the market...

thopkins22

06-18-10, 22:51

I had one for a while back when I was hunting more, I sold it to fund ammo for a CSAT course. I'd like to get another...for the money I don't think they can be beat for a lightweight, high quality, and reasonably priced hunting rifle.

Sako/Tikka build a hell of a nice rifle. They make most Winchesters and Remingtons look like some mass produced Combloc abortion.

ccoker

06-19-10, 07:54

I have been a Sako fan since I was a little kid as that's what my dad used and have owned several. My son (13) was given the '59 243 when he turned 10.

Tikkas have use the same barrel as the more expensive Sakos.

Some people get all wrapped around the axle that they do not come in a true short action for calibers like the 308, but seeing how well they shoot does it really matter?

Rob Haught

06-19-10, 08:14

I have two. 7mm-08 and 338 Federal. I bought the 7mm-08 for my wife to take to Africa a couple years ago. They are a best kept secret in the rifle world. Im looking to pick up a 308 first chance I get. Bill Wilson got me started on them during a hog hunt in TX a few years back and he shoots them a LOT so I couldnt get a better recommendation than that. For the money they are one of the better bargains out there.

Abraxas

06-19-10, 08:19

I have nothing but praise for them. Smooth action,decent trigger and a great feeling dependable gun. The only complaint that I have ever heard, I heard when I used to work the gun counter at Gander Mt. I had one guy complain about their plastic mags, and that they cracked too easily. Maybe, but I have tried to break them in any way that it might happen accidentally, and could not get them too. I don't know that they are up to Pmag standard but they were plenty tough.I have been recommending them for years

HeavyDuty

06-19-10, 08:29

I've been wondering if a T3 Lite in .308 could be set up like a Scout - they certainly are handy enough.

maximus83

06-19-10, 12:01

I have a LH T3 Lite SS in .223, and couldn't be more pleased with it. For the money, it's best bang-for-the-buck bolt action I've owned.

And btw, the plastic mags are AWESOME. My impression is they are extremely well designed, feed well, work well, and are strong. Of course I haven't tested them in 20-below zero weather, but then I don't really NEED to use them that way, with this gun.

Abraxas

06-19-10, 12:12

I bought the 7mm-08 for my wife to take to Africa a couple years ago.
That is an awesome wife:D. I could easily get my wife to go to Africa but she would not care to hunt any

Lucky Strike

06-19-10, 12:57

I've been researching inexpensive setups (like around $1k) for an elk gun and I think a Tikka Lite in .30-06 is what I'm going to get (along with a nikon monarch). Although I'd kinda like to do a lot of target shooting with it too so I might go with the laminated version because the extra bulk will help with recoil if I'm shooting a bunch at the range.

glockeyed

06-19-10, 16:06

i am in the process of finding a bolt gun, and have read very few things bad about tikka.

ccoker

06-21-10, 09:10

chapperjoe

06-22-10, 10:12

i see the 5 round mags are available, are the 10 rounders fact or fiction?

glockeyed

06-22-10, 11:20

i see the 5 round mags are available, are the 10 rounders fact or fiction?

i haven't had luck finding them. depending on the caliber they are listed as flush or extended. seems the .223 gets an extra round (6).

and at ~$70 bucks eek!

*hint magpul* *hint* :D

chapperjoe

06-22-10, 11:24

in reality I can't see needing more than one spare mag....

operator81

06-22-10, 11:25

I owned a T3 Lite 30-06 for a while. With my handloads it was capable of 1 hole groups at 100 yards. I plan on getting another.

joffe

06-22-10, 16:50

I don't know about the OP.. But you guys have at least convinced me. T3 Lite it is..

Abraxas

06-22-10, 17:26

I don't know about the OP.. But you guys have at least convinced me. T3 Lite it is..
You wont regret it.

joffe

06-22-10, 18:33

Is there anything to worry about with the .308 as opposed to the other calibers? I'm eyeing the .308 version more than the others.

chapperjoe

06-23-10, 09:14

I have to decide between this and a 6.8 upper.

jahwarrior1423

06-23-10, 13:53

If anyone decides on a heavy caliber...the recoil lug is the weak link in the rifle, FYI.

maximus83

07-03-10, 13:26

One of the FEW disadvantages I've found with the Tikka rifles is that there isn't much of an aftermarket for parts and customization. On the other hand, if you're buying it to just get it out of the box and use it as-is, the lack of customization and aftermarket parts options won't really matter.

That has been the case for me. I wasn't intending to try and customize this rifle anyway, and given how well it shoots out of the box, I had no need to customize it. Even the trigger is really excellent for a factory trigger.

ranburr

07-03-10, 16:58

After owning a few "Whitetail Hunters" I just can't bring myself to buy a lite model. The lites just seem cheap by comparison.

Rob Haught

07-03-10, 22:22

yep, Bill bought my T3 Stainless lite 308 when I sold it last year
I really don't think he "needed" yet another 308, but I likes them.

Bill has cost me a lot of money over the years! Guns, ATV's, Hottubs, Africa. One of these days I'll come up with something neat he wants!

Rob Haught

07-03-10, 22:24

That is an awesome wife:D. I could easily get my wife to go to Africa but she would not care to hunt any

I think she's pretty awesome! 30 years and counting. I had a Family Court Judge friend tell her she could quit anytime now, she had achieved Sainthood a long time ago!

ccoker

07-08-10, 16:38

I have to decide between this and a 6.8 upper.

tough call
I love the 6.8

get both!

ccoker

07-08-10, 16:39

Bill has cost me a lot of money over the years! Guns, ATV's, Hottubs, Africa. One of these days I'll come up with something neat he wants!

he's a BAD man
you know he got thermal imaging recently?

mark1JT

07-08-10, 20:01

I have a T3 lite stainless in 30.06. Smooth action, great out of box trigger, excellent accuracy... I'm very happy especially for the price. Great hunting rifle especially if you are hunting sheep in the mountains or are humping through the bush for a long time.

The lightness of the rifle is a hindrance especially if you are going big caliber. I know a guy with a sako lite in .338. He is a big dude and has a hard time not flinching if you get my drift. There is a lot of wallop to that one. :D