Tikka T3 Lite SS?

[kx90]

I'm a ways off from buying my next rifle but I like to put it plenty of research time regardless of how far out I plan to buy. 

Typically I'm a Remington rifle kind of guy, however I was looking the subject rifle on Berreta's website and I noticed MSRP is around $600, what could I expect to pay at the dealer?

Also, I have concerns that I apply to each item I wish to buy and in this case a few of them are:

 - Can this rifle take a beating?
 - How is the accuracy of this rifle?
 - Is it consistant?
 - Is is a Out-of-the-Box shooter or will it need tweaking?
 - How's the aftermarket (ie. scope rings and mounts, etc.)?
 - Is it finicky with ammo?
 - If I fire 5 rounds as fast as I can will the only effect on accuracy be my abilities?
 - Service, if I call the manufacturer will it be a pain to deal with them?

The caliber I'm looking to go with is 30.06Sprg.

TIA

[Tikkabuck]

 Hey KX
  I have 6 now all have shot right on out of the box. Being a hobby gunsmith and a stickler on my rifles performace ,the Tikka's are the only rifle I have ever had that will come out of the box shooting,other than my Sako's. Others I've either had or had have been all the big American Names ,Remy,Winy,Ruger,Savage. Foreigen Weatherby,Browning,Interarms and Howa(Weatherby).

  2 of mine will shoot anything I put through them,the 7mm-08 and the 7mag. I've has them in hot weather and freezing cold,without a hickup. But I take care of my rifles when I know I'm going into really cold weather I make sure my rifles ready,any rifle you don't take care of is gonna let you down sooner or later.

 Seems everbody's making scope monting set ups for them know. Take a beating,I had a bad wreck with my 4-wheeler and the Tikka was on the front rack still shot perfect,another guy in our club tipped his and it rolled down a hill,the T-3 Lite in .270 actually buried the muzzle into the ground and ripped from the rack,scratched up the barrel and crown . After cleaning the rifle it still shot right on,weird part of that was he has a Simmons scope on it and still did it's job.

 I can't answer your question about rapid fire,I shoot a new rifle shoot clean ,shoot clean then I shoot in 3 round shots. I've never had any problems with Berretta,did take them quite awhile to get a buddy a stock once.

 There two place's I try to get mine from .
  http://www.onpointsupply.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=2566

  http://discountgunner.com/

 
 

[84jeepj10]

I recently got my first Tikka T3 Light Stainless in 30-06 springfield. Mounted a cheap Simmons 3-9x40 scope on it with Tikka's factory aluminum rings and fed her some Korean MilSurp 168grn FMJ to get used to the buck and break-in. Theat cheap @$$ stuff still gave me 3/4" groups at 100 yards! Because it's really light I'm investing in a Hi-Vis X-Coil recoil pad for it, Limbsaver also makes one prefit for it for a few dollars more but the X-Coil is still better. By far the smoothest action I've ever handled. Functions perfec, an absolutely awesome rifle. Stock fits me like a glove and puts my scope right in line with my eye every time with those rings.
I'm also investing in a Weaver Classic V-10 scope (2-10x38 in silver) to top it of and am planning on trying out Federal Fusion, Remington Managed Recoil, PMC Silver HPBT, and Seller and Bellot SP ammunition to see what she likes the best within reasonable prices.

[kx90]

Thanks fellas.  I'm really leaning towards this rifle.  I wonder if Cabela's carries these rifles? 

[Handwerk]

Yes cabelas should have some in stock, if not the cabilber you want they will find it for you.

[Old English]

Well I have 2 Tikkas, 223 Varmint model, fantastic, accurate with all ammo that I've used with it. I now load my own and it's even better.
I then bought a 308 last November. It had to go back to Beretta as the stock was faulty. I sent it on Dec 12th, I didn't get even a reply from them until March 20th. Rifle will not be back until end April at the earliest. Customer service is the worst I've ever seen.

Having said that, the 223 has been with me for over a year. It has been out in all weathers and is my favourite rifle, out of the 10 I own. Both rifles have the synthetic stocks, very durable and POI never shifts. I know some people worry about the synthetic trigger guard and magazines, I think they're great and less noisy than steel. The triggers are on these things are an absolute delight!!

[kx90]

I tried calling Cabela's three times yesterday and each time the phone at the gun counter just rang and rang, I've been up there on Fridays before and I know that are not all that busy. 

What price should I expect to pay for the T3 Lite SS or the T3 Lite blued in 30.06?

[kx90]

Is there any difference in quality, reliability, durability, etc. between the SS and the standard blued?

Also, my dad mentioned maybe I should consider looking at a Savage Weather Warrior or an A-Bolt, any thoughts comparing these?

[tennbuck]

you wont find a better trigger

[Tikkabuck]

 There is no comparing a Savage with a Tikka,I had a weather warrior in 300 wsm just to see what all the fuss was about,notice I said had .It was like the differance between a pair of running shoes and a pair of Navy hard hat weighted diver boots.

  I have two A-Bolts great rifles but I'll still go Tikka. For me they seem to come to my shoulder better and I like the smoothness of the bolt and the trigger way better. I'd sell both the A-bolts but one was my wife's first rifle and the other is way to hard a caliber to find so it spends it's life in the safe.

[kx90]

I like to shop for my rings and mounts at midwayusa.com, when I go thru the Tikka catergory it asks me if the mounts are for "Tikka Rifles with Flat Receiver" or "Tikka Rifles with Sako Design Tapered Dovetail Receiver ", how do I know which is which?  I'm trying to see what options I'll have if and when...or rather when I decided to buy this rifle.

[Tikkabuck]

I like to shop for my rings and mounts at midwayusa.com, when I go thru the Tikka catergory it asks me if the mounts are for "Tikka Rifles with Flat Receiver" or "Tikka Rifles with Sako Design Tapered Dovetail Receiver ", how do I know which is which?  I'm trying to see what options I'll have if and when...or rather when I decided to buy this rifle.

"Tikka Rifles with Sako Design Tapered Dovetail Receiver " Or sometimes they will say Whieteail Hunter as well. I use Burris myself.

[84jeepj10]

Cabelas origionally priced my at $620 for a T3 LSS LH 30-03sprg bt they would take 30+ days to ship and dont have the best customer service. I went to a local Beretta dealer who has an in-house gunsmith and a very knowledgible staff and well-stocked store and payed a total of $720 after tax. The shop gave me their own guarantee and I believe my overall buy to be a better deal than Cabelas offered.

[379 Peterbilt]

kx90,


These are the dovetail style mounts. They are Warnes, very similar to the factory Tikka rings, but heavier (IMO). They "clamp" on, if you will



These are flat reciever style I think you are talking about. These are Tally lows on my Remington 700. They screw into the reciever. These are one piece style btw.

[Grubbs]

I'd go to gunbroker.com and find the one you want.  I think they probably have the best prices you'll find also.  I've bought 3 rifles like this and everyting has always went well. 

[kx90]

I stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods at lunch to pick up some .40S&W ammo.  I noticed they have a Tikka T3 Lite in 30.06 on the rack ($529.99).  I asked to see it.  So I fondled it and I'm not so sure I like it how it feels in my shoulder.  It seems short and I'm not so sure that I would have enough eye relief

[84jeepj10]

Limbsaver Recoil Pad and Shims:
Limbsaver Precision Fit recoil pad #10011 fits, and also adds a little extra to the length of pull. They will send you black or white rubber cut-to-fit shims about 1/8" thick each for FREE, I asked 'em for 10, they sent 15 for free with free S&H in a large envelope regular mail. The T3 has long buttpad screws so you can add shims to fit a longer length of pull. Just call customer service and ask for them for your rifle and they'll gladly send them.

[kx90]

That doesn't sound like a very durable fix?  How has it worked out for you thus far?

How is the aftermarket for stocks for these rifles?

[84jeepj10]

Yup, the T3 was designed for it. If you order the military version with the adjustable stock it comes with spacers to adjust the length of pull. The other T3's have the same overly long recoil pad screws designed to compensate for having shims put in there so there's plenty of threads to grab on the stock. I think you can even order longer screws, not sure about that though. That's how rifles have been adjusted for longer lengths of pull for decades, by adding or taking away shims between the buttplate and stock.
Remember the shims are free from Limbsaver and can be had in either black or white, and are cut to fit, so when you install them you just trim off the excess to match. Looks good. I ended up more happy with the original length of pull so I took them off, but they DO work fine. If you like the rifle alot but not the stock, restock it.