Author Topic: T3 in what caliber??  (Read 1894 times)

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Offline turkeyeye

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T3 in what caliber??
« on: January 14, 2007, 03:40:25 AM »
 I have a friend and his son who both have Tikka 25-06's that shoot excellent.  I am now wanting a Tikka T3 Stainless for myself but am very undecided on caliber, so please give me your experience with what calibers shoot great out of this gun.

 I have a 30/06 Remington already so reloading for two guns with one set of dies makes me look at this caliber.

I have reloaded for 25/06 for a couple of years and have that stuff on hand, but it is not my favorite

I like the light kick of 243 and 7mm-08

I know that the 270 is a real winner also

I will be using this gun for deer hunting only and 300 yards will be maximum in reality.  I will reload for any caliber that I get.  Thanks for any and all opinions.

Offline 379 Peterbilt

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2007, 04:57:17 AM »
Just my opinion - See'ins you alreadty have an '06, ya may as well get something else. Obviously would go up, or down in caliber. Were it me, I think I'd opt for the 7mm-08. (Actually I would go 338 Win Mag, but I dont think you were asking about that one)  ;D

30'06
7mm-08

Offline tennbuck

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2007, 05:46:55 AM »
i would go with the 270. i've used one for years. i've seen every deer i shot fall. however. any caliber you mentioned would work on deer. the .243 @ 300 yards would be stretching it though, on deer. if you got dies for a caliber i wouldn't be afraid to buy the same cal in a different model. i mean after all, it's a Tikka! ;D
I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. ;D

Offline turkeyeye

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2007, 08:52:18 AM »
(Actually I would go 338 Win Mag, but I dont think you were asking about that one)  ;D

30'06
7mm-08

Ya, I believe that 338 is getting a little big, however I do love big guns.  The most accurate gun that I have ever owned was a 375 H&H barrel on my encore.  It would outshoot my 25/06 barrel with any and every bullet that I reloaded for it.

But 7mm Remington Magnum wouldn't be too big for my consideration, but it is a kicker itself.

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2007, 09:14:58 AM »
Well I'm biased.....I love the 7/08 ;D

Of the calibers you referenced, and for deer up to 300 yds. IMHO the 7/08 is a great choice.

At those ranges on deer it will do all that a 30-06 and 270 will do, minus the heavier reciol and with less meat damage as well.

In my experience, on average the 7/08 has given me quicker kills on deer than the'06, and with lots less meat damage.

I don't own one, but several folks that I hunt with use the .270 and they all report quick kills as well and swear by that caliber. It is a fine round.

Kinda all just boils down to personal preference in the end.

If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!

Offline Rev Buck

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2007, 09:20:36 AM »
Don't forget the 6.5X55 Swede, just to confuse the issue a bit.  Everybody says that is an extremely accurate round, easy on the shoulder, and has killing power beyond its size.  I would love to have a T3 Lite in that caliber.  Rev

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2007, 09:30:12 AM »
Good point there Rev., never gave the swede much thought.

That might be just the ticket you're looking for Turkeyeye !
If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!

Offline 379 Peterbilt

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2007, 09:35:08 AM »
turkeyeye,

I'm kinda wishing you hadn't started this thread. Now ya got me thinking of what I want next, myself  ;D

(Must resist, must resist)  :D

Offline tennbuck

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2007, 09:54:59 AM »
less recoil would be a great reason to get a 6.5x55. you would lose a bit of  MPBR and killing power. but the Ballistic Coefficient of the swede amazes me. again it's one of those thing that really don't matter when it comes down to it. the deer won't know if it was a swede, a 7-08 or a 308. ;D
I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. ;D

Offline 6Shooter

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2007, 06:52:37 AM »
A friend gave me his Tikka T3 SS in 7mm/08 over the summer just to scope it and brreak it in for him and I loved it.
 I'm sure most here know these rifles are great right out of the box. Trigger was perfect and at 100yrds my very first group got me to thinking we have you been all my life!
 I am a 30.06 lover and I reload for it. I never had a desire to get any other caliber, but I've been dreaming about a 7mm/08.
If you decide to get a 7mm/08 I feel it would do the job you want and you'd be happy.
 I shot in a tourament over the weekend far distance was 300yrds and there were many 7mm/08's shooting and doing very well.
In other matches the range is 500meters with the 7/08 doing great.
 From one 30.06er to another I think you will be happy with a 7mm/08.

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2007, 10:53:08 AM »
Hi 6shooter, and welcome to the Tikka/Sako forum ;D

I see both the Tikka and the 7/08 have already "worked their magic" on you  :o

Glad to hear you enjoy shooting both, be careful, that 7/08 can make a convert outta ya real quick like  ;)

I've hunted whitetails w/ several different calibers over the years, I hunt deep woods / mountains and fields mainly, and quickly fell in love with the 7/08 when I purchased one in a mod. 7 Rem. a few years ago. For my needs, it will just flat do anything I need it to, and it does it very well.

Just a hunch, but something tells me you won't be a stranger around here  ;)

YB

If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!

Offline 6Shooter

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2007, 01:43:14 PM »
Yes, I loved shooting that Tikka 7mm/08. Most rifles used to be made like these are. Good shooting right out of the box.
 I have to admit though my last two Remingtons, both model 700's shot great out of the box but the triggers are not as good as Tikka's.
 

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2007, 02:12:41 PM »
Yeah, unfortunately Remington, along w/ most other manufacturers nowadays are turning out their rifles with the built-in Lawyers in their triggers.

The trigger was the only complaint that I had w/ my mod. 7, but a few bucks and a quick trip to the Smitty fixed her right up.

YB
If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!

Offline turkeyeye

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2007, 03:27:03 PM »
The 7mm-08 does seem to really have alot going for it.  The ballistics are impressive for this round.  They are actually very close to the 270.

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2007, 04:27:09 PM »
And a pretty good selection of boolits to pick from too ;D ;D

But I still wouldn't mind sneakin' a .270 into the house one of these days  8)
If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!

Offline Grubbs

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2007, 11:36:25 AM »
I have a Tikka Whitetail in 7mag, a T-3 in 30-06, and another T-3 in 7-08 I bought for my son.  I "steal the 7-08 every chance I get when going deer hunting.  It's a fantasticly accurate gun and very lethal....

Offline lonewolfe

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2007, 02:00:34 PM »

Yankeebill,

You will love having a 270 or even a 270 wsm.  Recoil is not a real consideration and the accuracy is wonderful.  I hope it works out sooner than later!

lonewolfe

Offline YankeeBill

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Re: T3 in what caliber??
« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2007, 02:12:58 PM »
Hi Lonewolfe,

Thanks! I've got a WallyWorld mod.70 Super Shadow in 270 WSM that I got used from a buddy of mine, only punched some paper w/ it so far, ain't no Sako or Tikka,  but it's a right good shooting rifle. I'd sure like to get a .270 Win. in a Sako Grey Wolf though....like I need another gun ::).....
What the heck am I saying, now I sound like my wife....OF COURSE I NEED ANOTHER GUN!!! ;D ;D

YB 
If there are any guns in your house, one of 'em damn sure better be yours!!!!

Noone ever "needs" a handgun, until they need one very badly!!!!