My Tikka T3 270Win & my 2008 buck

[Chopaka81]

I am wondering how other guys (& gals) are doing with their Tikka T-3's. I have the Stainless Steel Lite version of the rifle and I am developing a very deep trust in it.

For bullet choice in my 270, I went for my old favorite a Sierra 130 gr SBT. My tikka is a little slower than other 270 Win's I have owned previously, it crono's @ 2940 fps.

I sited it in at my normal 4 inches high at 100 yds (zero'd at 300). Making 400 to 500 yd shooting an ease.

The Tikka cold barrel shoots 3 shots into the .4's @ 100yds. The first 2 shots always touch. I use a Leupold VX-1 2-7x33mm LR Duplex scope.

This season on the 3rd morning I found a 2x4 buck @ 386 yds on the laser, the ACI indicator showed 0.906, so I punched in range, angle cosine dope, and the altitude corrections into EXBAL on the PDA and confirmed the hold. I sent a round and all I saw in my scope were legs and antlers as he tumbled 100yds down the steep hillside he was once calling his safety net. I did not even bother to reload the rifle, just stood up, folded away the legs of the bipod and began the cross hill climb to claim my buck. Post mortum examination showed that I broke his shoulders and spined him.

I have grown to have a very deep trust in this 7.5 lb rifle, however based upon it's current optics, I am thinking 500 yds is the limit. I am thinking about upgrading to a Leupold 4.5-14x40mm 30mm tube LR scope and take it out to 700 yds.

In love of percision weapons and the sport of marksmanship, one shot - one kill.

[DeerHarvester]

So you really carry a PDA with you on the hill?  That is some high tech hunting. 

[Ridgerunner]

Where's the buck?

[Chopaka81]

In my freezer. 
GMU 215
I carry a Nkon 1200 yd range finder, a kestrol weather station, a IPAQ PDA with EXBAL Balistics SW, hard copies of balistic tables, FRS Radio, spotting scope & tripod, and 3 road flares.

[carvermoe]

Nice buck,I have the t3 stainless in 300wsm.I have not shot any game with it yet, but it sure does shoot small groups.I put a kdf muzzle brake on it,and recoil is that of a 243.Its a great feeling rifle.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

I have the short mag and love it oh yeah I guess you could look at my name.  I shoot the 130gr. bullet have killed deer, elk, bear with one shot its all in the placement.  I site it in about an inch or two high at 100yds.  From what I saw on ballistics is it flat shooting to about 300 then really starts to drop off.  I killed a deer at 469yds two years ago.  I would recommened this gun to anyone great rifle.  I do love the lightness of the gun my buddy has the 7mm and a bi pod and it weighs right around 10 lbs now thats a load to be carry over your shoulder.

[Chopaka81]

I have the short mag and love it oh yeah I guess you could look at my name.  I shoot the 130gr. bullet have killed deer, elk, bear with one shot its all in the placement.  I site it in about an inch or two high at 100yds.  From what I saw on ballistics is it flat shooting to about 300 then really starts to drop off.  I killed a deer at 469yds two years ago.  I would recommened this gun to anyone great rifle.  I do love the lightness of the gun my buddy has the 7mm and a bi pod and it weighs right around 10 lbs now thats a load to be carry over your shoulder.

I just ran the ballistic's on your rifle assuming 3250 FPS with a 130gr BTSP, 3000' elevation, 35 deg F, with a 300 yd zero, you would be 3" high @ 100yds, 4" high @ 175 yds, 250 yds +2.6", 350 yds -3.8" (come up 1.00 moa), 400 yds -8.3" (come up 2.00 moa), 450 yds -14.5" (come up 3.25 moa), 500 yds -22.8" (come up 4.25 moa), 600 yds -44.1" (come up 7.00 moa), & 700 yds -73.5" (come up 10.00 moa). The 270 WSM is a very flat shooting rifle, and in field ballistics adjustments based upon laser range finder numbers, barometric pressure, and accurate incline numbers 800 yds is very do-able with your rifle. Piece of cake.

Are you getting bug hole group sizes with a cold barrel too?

In love of percision weapons and the sport of marksmanship, one shot - one kill.

[BuckHunter23]

This was my first real year of hunting, so I decided to purchase my own rifle and setup, rather than borrow again.  I was persuaded by the dealer to look at the T3, and eventually settled on the .270 Win version.  I wanted something light and easy to carry.  This has definitely been a great purchase, in my opinion.  I had it bore sighted, and the scope mounted onsite.  I took it to the range within the first week after purchase.  Basically, straight out of the box first 3 shots were placed within a 1.5 inch grouping about 1 inch high from center.  Being a newbie to the sport, I was impressed and glad I found myself a reliable rifle.  Now I just need to connect on my first animal and I can really rave about how great this gun is.  At my friend's recommendation I added a bi-pod, which really doesn't make too much difference in weight.

Congrats on the nice buck!!

[Turkeyman]

I have a 300 T3 short mag and am very pleased with it, it is the best rifle i have owned.

[Elk4me]

I have the T3 Lite Stainless in 30-06 with the Leupold VX-I 3x9. I love the gun. I killed four mule deer, buck & 3 doe in Montana last year using handloads of Hornady SST 165g.

[300wsm]

I love my tikka!

[jackelope]

i am so confused right now....huh? pda?

[Chopaka81]

i am so confused right now....huh? pda?

The PDA is used to run EXBAL Balistic SW in the field. Go to this web site if you are interested.
http://www.perry-systems.com/
Perry Systems developed the EXBAL Balistics program, it is the same balistics SW sold by Nightforce.

[saylean]

I have a Tikka t3 .300 wsm also, I have enjoyed it also.

[DeerHarvester]

Well Chopaka81, it seems you have really done your homework.  Its good to see guys like you on this site, you seem to have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to balisitics.  On a side note do you get your balistics charts from a website, if so do you care to share? 

Jackelope, A PDA is one of those hand held palm pilot computer thingy mabobbers. 

[Chopaka81]

EXBAL is a purchase only SW package that is very popular with both Military and Tactical marksman. My pocket pc (PDA) runs windows mobile 6.0. I do not recomend the HP IPAQ - mine crashes on a regular basis. Other shooters seem to have better success with the DELL Axium (about $80).

[NORRISKI]

I have T3 lite in 300 win mag. I have killed 4 mule deer with one at 515 yards, this is the best gun on the market in its price range IMHO.

[big_bucks]

This thread is sooo hi-tech. 

My head hurts now so I'm gonna check out.

[RailRob]

I plan on buying a tikka t3 very soon..really excited! glad to hear everyone loves it... still stuck between .270 and 7mm mag..

[Chopaka81]

If I were to do it again, I would go with the 270WSM instead of the 270Win. It would be very nice to be able to drive a 150gr@3000 fps. This load would make a very nice 800yd deer rifle.
Don

[Pathfinder101]

I don't have one, but my sister hunts with a Tikka in 6mm.  She loves it.  Taken 2 bucks with it so far.  I posted the pics on one of Rail_rob's other Tikka threads. 

[Chopaka81]

I have a 6mm (Ruger #1 Bicentenial) and the buck I put the pic up of could have been taken with the 6mm just fine. I did not know that TikKa chambered anything in 6mm Rem. That is definately a keeper.
Don

[Buckblaster]

Killed this one with my Tikka T3 300wsm. Its a tack driver with handloads.

[Pathfinder101]

Nice buck buckblaster.  Looks warm and comfy there..