Tikka T3 Lite Owners - Need Info

[K22]

I recently purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 243 but I can't get the rifle so shoot consistently; experiencing vertical and horizontial stringing, and groups averaging well over an inch.

My question is this: the barrel is suppose to be free floated but the free floating ends approximately 6 1/8 inches from the end of the forearm leaving the last 3 1/2 inches of the barrel to the receiver in contact with the stock. Is this normal for this model?

PS: Using a proven loads that have always worked for me in a 243 and an a scope of know quality. Mounts, rings, bedding screws all checked.

 

[LRPV]

I had to dremel and sand the barrel channel on mine to get it free floated. It grouped better after the alteration. 22-250 T3 lite SS. It'll shoot half inch @ 100yd fairly consistently.
Jason

 

[Tozguy]

Just in case it relates, I had a similar situation with the synthetic stock on a T3 super varmint. I had to relieve the barrel channel to get the barrel to float all the way to the receiver. Did this before shooting it so I don't know what it was like before the work was done. Also, it was not shot much with the OEM stock because it was replaced with a stiffer stock.

 

[Woodman]

I am having the same issues with M595 in 22-250. The stock seems to have a ridge line down the center for the barrel to contact. I am thinking of removing the ridge and free floating it. Does the T3 have the same odd recoil arrangement where the forearm action screw holds the recoil assembly in place? I was thinking this may be an accuracy problem area. Does anyond know the correct action screw tork sequene and foot pounds? Looking for help also. George

 

[Tozguy]

The 595 is different than the T3. Woodman, check this out, maybe they have some info on torque.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f37/tikka-t-3-vs-m595-detail-views-changes-shown-55517/

 

[37Lincoln1]

The T3 lite has two small pressure points that touch the barrel at the point noted by the OP. I read somewhere (maybe here) that Tikka engineered it that way, none of the Tikka T3 lite wooden stocks have these pressure points due to the effect of humidity and temperature has on wood.

I'll look around and see if I can find the post pertaining to this.

 

[bozo699]

My Tikka T-3 Light 7mm-08 luckily shot 1/2" and under with little to no load work up from the get go however the flimsy factory stock leaves little to be desired and my smith has located me a B&C stock for it that is aluminum pillar bedded, I am going to purchase one sometime this winter for it. Also mine is completely floated from the factory I never noticed the pressure points that have been noticed by others.
Wayne.

 

[K22]

The T3 lite has two small pressure points that touch the barrel at the point noted by the OP. I read somewhere (maybe here) that Tikka engineered it that way, none of the Tikka T3 lite wooden stocks have these pressure points due to the effect of humidity and temperature has on wood.

I'll look around and see if I can find the post pertaining to this.

Thanks for this info - I didn't want to start sanding away on the stock if the rifle was designed the way. I'll try some other fixes before I go that route. The stock is touching the barrel for about 3 inches from the receiver. There also seems to be an obstruction at the bottom. I haven't removed the stock yet to examine the channel. Again I try some other fixes like changing the COL on my reloads before I take on a more extensive fix.

All my other rifles are free floated all along the barrel to the receiver. I wonder why Tikka engineered their rifle with "pressure points." If their wooded stocks don't need it why would the synthetic's need it? If you find out I'd appreciate a post, Thanks again.

 

[LRPV]

I gradually worked my stock over and shot it in between each change that I made working towards a complete full float. Each change that I made the groups tightened up even more shooting the same loads. Once it was entirely free floated the groups were good and without the flier that would ruin an otherwise good group. I actually kind of like the stock myself.

If anyone is interested, Mcmillan has a Sako classic painted black for the T3 in their misc. stock specials for $325.
Jason

 

[Woodman]

There are a bunch of T3 stocks on the Beretta Site also.

 

[michaeljp]

I recently purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 243 but I can't get the rifle so shoot consistently; experiencing vertical and horizontial stringing, and groups averaging well over an inch.

My question is this: the barrel is suppose to be free floated but the free floating ends approximately 6 1/8 inches from the end of the forearm leaving the last 3 1/2 inches of the barrel to the receiver in contact with the stock. Is this normal for this model?

PS: Using a proven loads that have always worked for me in a 243 and an a scope of know quality. Mounts, rings, bedding screws all checked.

I'd start with the reloads. Just because you have a proven reload that worked in another 243 doesn't mean it will work in the T3 Lite. Start from scratch with this new rifle, try different powder charge and different projectile seating depth. No 2 rifles are the same.

 

[Tozguy]

The T3 lite has two small pressure points that touch the barrel at the point noted by the OP. I read somewhere (maybe here) that Tikka engineered it that way, none of the Tikka T3 lite wooden stocks have these pressure points due to the effect of humidity and temperature has on wood.

I'll look around and see if I can find the post pertaining to this.

Thanks for this info - I didn't want to start sanding away on the stock if the rifle was designed the way. I'll try some other fixes before I go that route. The stock is touching the barrel for about 3 inches from the receiver. There also seems to be an obstruction at the bottom. I haven't removed the stock yet to examine the channel. Again I try some other fixes like changing the COL on my reloads before I take on a more extensive fix.

All my other rifles are free floated all along the barrel to the receiver. I wonder why Tikka engineered their rifle with "pressure points." If their wooded stocks don't need it why would the synthetic's need it? If you find out I'd appreciate a post, Thanks again.

If pressure points are engineered into a stock, they would be very deliberate and obvious. If Tikka does have pressure points designed into their stock they would use it as a selling point and provide information in the manual about it.
It is easier to produce a rifle with a free floating barrel than one with pressure points. Stocks with pressure points are finicky and will change their POI for various reasons. Tikka's T3 Lite stock is designed to be light in weight. The plastic stock I have is very flexible. It is not a precision item. The barrel channel is not 100% parallel to the barrel on mine. If your stock is crooked enough to touch the barrel at some point it needs to be corrected before you can rely on it for testing loads. You might be wasting a lot of ammo while waiting for official confirmation of pressure point design in the Tikka Lite.
I stand to be corrected but I can garantee that the pressure points on my T3 were accidental and it shoots great without them.

 

[K22]

After testing with various reloads (different powder, bullets, seating depth) I was convinced something strange was going on since groups were very erractic and some of the worse I've ever shot in 40+ years of rifle shooting.

So I removed the stock and indeed found a pressure point (by design) on the stock approximately 3" from the receiver. In addition, the stock was touching the barrel at other locations in this area (not by design). I completely free floated the barrel and the results were dramatic - my group size was reduced by 60%. More importantly, vertical and horiztonal stringing was eliminated producing groups in clusters.

I'm not ready to declare victory yet until I do some more testing but it appears I'm on the right track.

PS: Was shocked to see the design of the recoil lug! It's imbedded in the stock and fits into a key on the receiver! I hope they know what they're doing with that design since it appears unstable.

 

[37Lincoln1]

When you completely free floated the barrel, did you remove the pressure points?

How about some before and after pics of your groups, if you wouldn't mind?

 

[K22]

When you completely free floated the barrel, did you remove the pressure points?

How about some before and after pics of your groups, if you wouldn't mind?

Yes, I sanded the stock all the way back to the receiver so no part of the barrel touched the stock. The manufacturer's pressure point was approximately 3" from the end of the receiver.

My groups before free floating were all over the place - 1.83, 1.72, 1.40, 1.01 with vertical and horiztonal stringing.

After free floating I shot a group two 5 shot groups yesterday with nice clustering - .761, 1.01
(38.0 grains - IMR 4350 - 100 Sierra Pro Hunter - Federal 210M primers - COL 2.700)

Today I shot two 5 shot groups with a different load again nice clustering - .701*, .521**
(40.0 grains - IMR 4350 - 90 Nosler BT - Federal 210M Primers - COL 2.700)

* four shots measured .387 in this group, two almost in the same hole
** three shots measure .288 in this group.

These groups are nothing to brag about but I have definely notice a significant improvement. I'm now going to refine a load for this specific rifle varying COL and charge weights.

Sorry, don't have scanner so I can't post.

 

[37Lincoln1]

Thanks for the response!

I'd be interested to know where your first shot goes with a cold clean barrel.

I still can't find the post that referred to the pressure points but I do now remember that it said they were there to provide some upward pressure to the barrel which was supposed to enhance accuracy.

 

[1000yardstare]

My T3 Lite stainless/synthetic in 6.5x55 has been very accurate right out of the box, never touched anything. Excellent trigger. Has the pressure points 6 1/8 in from the fore end tip.

Shoots sub-moa at 100 metres with just about any bullet weight except the Hornady softpoints. Opens up to one moa with the Hornadys. But sub-moa with VMax and SST. Just proves every rifle is an individual.

Bill

 

[Tozguy]

Bill,
This is the barrel channel from my T3 Super Varmint stock. Is your plastic stock like this ? If not could we see a picture of your stock please?

 

[bozo699]

Bill,
This is the barrel channel from my T3 Super Varmint stock. Is your plastic stock like this ? If not could we see a picture of your stock please?

Tozguy,
I am not Bill but that is exactly what my stock looks like and I bought it new and there are no pressure points, free floated and shoots awesome.
Wayne.

 

[K22]

Thanks for the response!

I'd be interested to know where your first shot goes with a cold clean barrel.

My test groups were fired from a fouled barrel so as to eliminate any variation due to clean barrel. Cold barrel shots were all within the group - no flyers. I waited 5 minutes between each shot to assure that the barrel do not overheat.

I went out today and did some more testing using my most accurate load (40.0 -IMR4350 - 90 Nosler - Federal 210M primers) and adjusting the COL. Results were very promising - fired five 3 shot groups with varying COL - all groups were under 3/4", two just slightly over 1/2". I'm encouraged since in serveral of groups, two rounds were either touching or very close to it. Before free floating, none of the shots came close to each other.

I very pleased with these results. For my rifle, the free floating definitely made a huge difference. Ready to go some predator hunting!