Tikka T3 first impressions

[lilabner]

My T3 Hunter in 6.5X55 came today. Until I get some brass (Lapua) and can assemble some loads, all I can do is look at it. The trigger was crisp but a bit on the heavy side for my taste. Two minutes with the included hex wrench and she was at 2.5 lb. and still crisp. You don't even have to remove the stock. The walnut stock had figure and contrast in the buttstock and straight close grain in the fore end and that is as it should be. The checkering is functional but the pattern isn't pretty. The bolt slides almost on its own - never saw a slicker one. Bluing is matte and non reflective. Stock has satin finish also non reflective. Stock comb is high and straight for a solid cheek weld. There is no cheekpiece. Detachable magazine, trigger guard assembly and cocking piece cover are plastic which is how the rifle can weigh 6 lb. 10 oz. with a 22 + inch barrel that is medium weight and a walnut stock. Balance and handling are excellent. I like the rifle but some would be put off by the dull finished stock, bluing that isn't highly polished and the liberal use of plastic. I consider rifles tools and am mainly interested in their function.

[Buckfever]

I have the exact gun and caliber, wait until you shoot it.  It is the most accurate firearm in my gun cabinet. 140gr Nosler Partitions over 46.5 gr. of RL-22 put whitetails into deer heaven.  Really kills beyond it's caliber size.  Easy to shoot.  Break it in easy and slow so as to not over heat.  Just a great firearm for the money!
Buckfever

[lilabner]

Hope mine will work out as well as yours. I forgot to mention that bolt lift is considerably lower than most rifles which makes it easier to work the bolt with a scope mounted. I wanted a light rifle with moderate recoil and good killing power for large mule and whitetail deer and hope this rifle will be the answer.

[Zachary]

In Scandanavian countries, hunters have killed many a moose and other large bodied deer with the 6.5x55 every year, so the cartridge is indeed more than sufficient on smaller mule deer and whitetails.  I think that the 140 grain bullet is ideal for this cartridge.

As for the T3.....well......you will be more than happy with it as well.  It's a quality rifle that is relatively light and well balanced.

Zachary

[270Handiman]

I have a 25-06 T3 Lite that I just can't say enough about.  It is a true shooter!  Groups with all kinds of ammo, both factory and hand-loaded, are very nice.  And recently I have stumbled upon a factory load that the gun REALLY loves.  I have taken 2 deer this year, and the gun worked flawlessly on each.  I have a Burris FF2 3X9 mounted in the factory rings and the scope stays locked down regardless of what I do in the field.  The biggest problem I have is finding a sling that's as good as the rifle. 

Good luck with yours!  I'm sure you'll love it.

270

[bigjeepman]

The Tikka is most likely going to be my next rifle. I have read very few negatives on this rifle. I am looking to fill a gap in my calibers (I need some kind of reason, don't I?) and am considering a Tikka T3 stainless in 7mm-08. I have been very interested in the .284 in a 140/150 gr bullet range for sometime now. My plans include an antelope hunt in 2007 and I am thinking the Tikka in a 7mm-08 would be perfect. I reload and I understand this cailber can be fine-tuned to be a very accurate round. I handled a Tikka in a gunshop about a year ago and my first impression was a good one.

[usherj]

Conrgratulations! I have the same rifle -wait til you shoot it. My hat is off to that company - they really did their homework, and they back it up with a 1MOA guarantee. I had a REM ADL in 308 that wouldn't shoot. They sent it back and said it met their accuracy standard (3"). They claim amazing out of the box accuracy but will not back it up. Sorry for the rant...Back to the Tikka...You can't help but fall in love when you pick it up and work the bolt, let alone the trigger. I really like the finish - highly polished bluing and glossy stocks look nice in a cabinet, but are not desirable in the field. The polymer bottom and mag don't bother me anymore, that is how they got the rifle to weigh well under 7 lbs. The trigger area is pretty well protected anyway whether hand carried or slung. I have some 140 partitions and RL22 - can't wait to try them. I was using Barnes 130 TSX with H4350, but had some fouling and pressure problems. Good luck!