Tikka T-3 7mm-08 never seizes to amaze me.

[bozo699]

I shot a coyote the other day at 487 yards, not really anything to brag about but his buddy stopped at 612 yards so I spun the night force and fired and he ran off, I wasn't to surprised but I usually don't miss broadsides like that but went to re-zero the scope and the clicks didn't feel right, when I got home I shot one at 100 yards and it was 2.5" high, re-zeroed and shot one more, right on, I load 140 accubonds and 140 Bergers for it normally but I got a good buy on 1K federal's loaded with 140 Nosler BT bullets so I been shooting them, it doesn't shoot quite as well as my loads but usually will put 3 in under 1/2" So I ran 10 moa and hit my 500 yard gong, dialed another 3.25 moa and hit the 600 gong 3 times, ran her up to 29.75 and lined up on my 960 yard gong but there was a deer in front of it, it was getting dusk so I was getting in a hurry, big rim rock at exactly 1000 yards just to the right of the 960 gong, whaked the rim and the deer ran up the hill along with about 10 more I didn't even see, shot 3 quick one at the gong, bi-pod and rear sand bag, then dialed back to zero, and racked off three more at 100 yards, went out to get the target and all three were a little less then 7/16" c.c with a pocket tape, so I was curious what it did at the other ranges, it was almost dark now so I only had time to look at one without getting a flashlight, so I took the pickup down the county road and walked up the hill to the 960 yard gong,....5.5" , thought I was low right on the 18"X18" gong but no!!! it center punched it, I have safes full of custom rifles, and semi-custom rifles and this totally factory Tikka always seems to amaze me, it just flat shoots! I am not bragging just thought I would share with you, I don't know what you fella's have found with the Tikka's but the few that I have delt with this is the norm with them.
Wayne.

P.S sure glad I wrote this post, just remembered I left the reticle turned on,...needed it to see the last two targets as it was almost dusk.

 

[pmarauder]

Boy, I wish I had a range in my back yard!! On a different note...... I need to chat with you about a light weight project i may do in 6.5x284. Wanted to pick your brain so to speak.

 

[bozo699]

Boy, I wish I had a range in my back yard!! On a different note...... I need to chat with you about a light weight project i may do in 6.5x284. Wanted to pick your brain so to speak.

Would you like me to call you Derek, it is 10:51 in Montana right now?
Wayne.

 

[jonbearman]

I built a 7-08 out of parts I had laying around.It shoots amazing.I am with you on the caliber but mine is savage.I used to work at a gander mountain and those tikkas were by far the best value for the money.I wish I had bought one when it was offered due to customer dents etc.I was stupid,should have bought it.Tikka builds an incredibly smooth cycling rifle compared to anything in that price range.

 

[bozo699]

I built a 7-08 out of parts I had laying around.It shoots amazing.I am with you on the caliber but mine is savage.I used to work at a gander mountain and those tikkas were by far the best value for the money.I wish I had bought one when it was offered due to customer dents etc.I was stupid,should have bought it.Tikka builds an incredibly smooth cycling rifle compared to anything in that price range.

I agree Jon, there is nothing wrong with Savage either though, I own several Savages and find there very accurate or not very accurate, not much middle ground with them.
Wayne.

 

[boltfluter]

Wayne,

I have a T3 in .223 that is an absolute tack driver. These rifles just flat out shoot. I would have to say that this is the most accurate factory rifle that I have ever owned. Doesn't get much better than this, IMHO ;D

Regards,
Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[dtucker]

Wayne,
After i received my first Tikka and not long after i was totally hooked on these rifles and actions. I think they are the best rifles out their for the money. I sold off all my Remington actions and parts for builds to invest in some more. They are down right accurate right out of the box and never cease to amaze me. I have spoke with many top smiths and many people who have been shooting these rifles long before i stumbled on them and their is no need to do anything to these actions when you decide to rebarrel one. They are flat bottomed and closed top and very rigid and strong actions. The bolt is silky smooth when working it and it feeds so easy and effertlessly. They have the side bolt release and removing the firing pin is a breeze if you should need to. I really like the options for mounting a scope and have nothing but high praise for these rifles. Their are more and more aftermarket stocks being offered should you want to change into something different. I have nothing against remington and have had so many built in the past but will never put another dime in another 1 of their rifles or actions. I plan on buying a few for varmint hunting and ordering some barrels to have on hand for them. The only thing for an upgrade i will be buying for them is some new bolt shrouds. Some people cry :'( about the bottom but it is very strong for it,s intended purpose and see no issues with it. Most all who have comeplaned about it want to thrash the rifle around in these comps and if thats what you want to do then go buy the aftermarket bottom metal offered for it. Excellent rifles, excellent actions and the price for these rifless are a bargain.

Dan

 

[GSPV]

I bought a T-3 Lite in 243 for yote hunting. I brought it home, mounted a Redfield 4-12x in the factory rings and went to the local range to sight it in.

Shooting 10 year old Federal 100 gr that I was just using for break in, the very first shot went into the 1" X ring on the prairie dog target I practice on. I moved it up 2.5" and using the 100 yard dot on the reticle proceeded to hammer the remaining 29 in the X ring.

Brand new barrel, old factory loads, bipod off rickety wooden benches and a dude with an AK-47 on the second bench down raining brass on me.

That rifle has won my heart.

 

[tome]

caught on to tikka early on..shoot a left hand 695 in 25-06..this was pre plastic mags and bottom metal..the trigger is easy to adjust for pull..resulting in a crisp, no creep trigger. I had it restocked , pillar and glass bedded by lone wolf in Montana..shoots great..my go to deer rifle

 

[Tozguy]

Wayne, mine never seizes either Great rifle, my 222R Super Varmint is not for sale.

 

[bozo699]

Yep, I just read all your comments, and there really just mirrors of my own findings with these rifles, they won't shoot with my high dollar customs but for there intended purposes they are awesome, and in some cases they will out shoot the customs, I have had bad barrels and other problems with customs that really burn you when they don't perform! I have been wanting to put a krieger on this one but then I think to myself WHY!! this is my daily pack around rifle and has been for a couple years and it just doesn't miss,..I bought it so if my pickup got broken into I wouldn't lose a couple grand that I had been packing so I bought this and a Nikon 4-12 with hold overs and I learned where to hold it, it was pretty good out to 600 yards but I am always wanting to go further and it was guess work at best, a hunting friend of mine bought a 3.5-15 NSX with a NP2dd retical, he hated it but I am used to them as I run them in my 12-42 BR scopes so I bought it, and put it on the Tikka,.......I know a $2000 scope on a $600 rifle is ridiculous but I dial and shoot and usually always hit what I intend to, I love this little setup.
Wayne.

 

[bozo699]

I shot a coyote the other day at 487 yards, not really anything to brag about but his buddy stopped at 612 yards so I spun the night force and fired and he ran off, I wasn't to surprised but I usually don't miss broadsides like that but went to re-zero the scope and the clicks didn't feel right, when I got home I shot one at 100 yards and it was 2.5" high, re-zeroed and shot one more, right on, I load 140 accubonds and 140 Bergers for it normally but I got a good buy on 1K federal's loaded with 140 Nosler BT bullets so I been shooting them, it doesn't shoot quite as well as my loads but usually will put 3 in under 1/2" So I ran 10 moa and hit my 500 yard gong, dialed another 3.25 moa and hit the 600 gong 3 times, ran her up to 29.75 and lined up on my 960 yard gong but there was a deer in front of it, it was getting dusk so I was getting in a hurry, big rim rock at exactly 1000 yards just to the right of the 960 gong, whaked the rim and the deer ran up the hill along with about 10 more I didn't even see, shot 3 quick one at the gong, bi-pod and rear sand bag, then dialed back to zero, and racked off three more at 100 yards, went out to get the target and all three were a little less then 7/16" c.c with a pocket tape, so I was curious what it did at the other ranges, it was almost dark now so I only had time to look at one without getting a flashlight, so I took the pickup down the county road and walked up the hill to the 960 yard gong,....5.5" , thought I was low right on the 18"X18" gong but no!!! it center punched it, I have safes full of custom rifles, and semi-custom rifles and this totally factory Tikka always seems to amaze me, it just flat shoots! I am not bragging just thought I would share with you, I don't know what you fella's have found with the Tikka's but the few that I have delt with this is the norm with them.
Wayne.

P.S sure glad I wrote this post, just remembered I left the reticle turned on,...needed it to see the last two targets as it was almost dusk.

The set screw had came loose on the turret, that is why it felt funny it was slipping a little, I know the BR models are a pain because they have three set screws but I have never had one come loose, I have had this happen before on other NSX scopes ( only one set screw )I own, guess I am just going to have to go tighter but I am always afraid if stripping them!
Wayne.

 

[K22]

My T3 Lite stainless in 243 is 1/2 moa gun with 85 grain Sierra BTHP's and IMR 4350. Agree with others, great value and wished I had more of them.

 

[bozo699]

My T3 Lite stainless in 243 is 1/2 moa gun with 85 grain Sierra BTHP's and IMR 4350. Agree with others, great value and wished I had more of them.

Wished I had a 6.5X55 but I have never found one, I know people that have them but you never see one at a store.
Wayne.

 

[bozo699]

You guy's that have bought after market stocks for the T3- light what have you been buying, and what all is available?
Wayne.

 

[dtucker]

B&C makes a sweet sporter stock and has the bedding block as HS does. Manners and McMillan are offering several stocks also. I am on the hunt for a KKC stock and will not give up till i can find a place that can get me 1. Go to the Tikka forum and they have a store site also. They have stocks and some parts and the fellow that ownes it is a nice fellow to talk to. I need to call him on the KKC stock as he was going to dig into it for me and see what he can do.

 

[K22]

My T3 Lite stainless in 243 is 1/2 moa gun with 85 grain Sierra BTHP's and IMR 4350. Agree with others, great value and wished I had more of them.

Wished I had a 6.5X55 but I have never found one, I know people that have them but you never see one at a store.
Wayne.

The 6.5x55 is a great cartridge - a friend of mine has one (not Tikka - but a custom job). Agree would love to have one also but I really can't afford to gear up for loading another cartridge unless I hit the lotto which isn't likely since I don't play it.

 

[tome]

5 years ago ,trying to by a left hand long action 695 action aftermarket stock was look for hens teeth. I settled on lone wolf stocks , as he would make me anything I wanted. settled on a light weight " walking around hunting stock " a synthetic . I sent him the complete rifle and he made the stock. it's pillar and glass bedded .excellent workmanship. it shot good, now it shoots 87 gr spritzers into 5 shot clover leafs @ 200 yds . the tikka comes with a smooth action, great trigger and as good a factory barrel as out there. mine came with a wood stock that I was never pleased with. the custom stock was the missing piece in this rifles accuracy puzzle.