Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 06:43:54 PM

Title: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 06:43:54 PM: I'm getting ready to purchase a new Tikka T3, stainless, .270 WSM. Can anyone talk me out of it and convince me there is a better rifle out there in that price range ($700).

Or...can anyone who ownes one confirm to me that its an outstanding rifle?
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 28, 2013, 06:51:20 PM: I confirm that is an outstanding choice. Try as I may I could not talk you out of it and be honest.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Wea300mag on January 28, 2013, 06:53:20 PM: I would talk you into it. They are very accurate right out of the box, very reliable, but the part I like the best is they are light weight. Great for packing around all day. My Weatherbys have become safe queens since I got my first one.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: splitshot on January 28, 2013, 06:55:13 PM: go for it! i thought they were about $600. my t-3 25-06 was $499. the are light and don much. mike w
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 06:59:39 PM: Quote from: Wea300mag on January 28, 2013, 06:53:20 PM
, but the part I like the best is they are light weight. Great for packing around all day.

That's the first thing I noticed when I put my hands on one...I fell in love.

Any complaints about the factory scope rings? Seems nit picky but I loved the ones that came with my ruger.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: wildweeds on January 28, 2013, 07:00:55 PM: My buddy bought one,took it to the range shot a five shot group that was sub inch,shot his deer with it at 400 yards,his kid watched and said "Can I use it to shoot mine"?.He let the kid use it and the shot was 450,the kid was taking too much time fiddling around and my buddy made the fatal mistake of saying " If you don't hurry up and shoot he's going to walk off,if you kill him dead with one shot right there you can have that gun". Kid dumped the deer dead in his tracks and Dad had to go buy another just like it. That one grouped the same right out of the box.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 28, 2013, 07:01:15 PM: Quote from: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 06:59:39 PM
Quote from: Wea300mag on January 28, 2013, 06:53:20 PM
, but the part I like the best is they are light weight. Great for packing around all day.

That's the first thing I noticed when I put my hands on one...I fell in love.

Any complaints about the factory scope rings? Seems nit picky but I loved the ones that came with my ruger.
Quite a few complaints about the rings. I never had a problem but had a rather light scope.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:01:27 PM: Plastic garbage, go with the Vanguard II. Cheaper and a better gun.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 28, 2013, 07:04:09 PM: Go for it! The best gun for the money hands down. My family is up to 7 now :tup: 22-250 to 7 mag.

Never had any problems with the rings.

All shoot under a inch. the only thing you will hear negative is that the clip is plastic and the stock is cheap feeling. Nothing has anything to do with how the gun shoots and keeps the weight down.

Most that will talk bad with them have never even shot them :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 28, 2013, 07:07:28 PM: You will be hard pressed to find a better factory trigger. It can be safely adjusted down to about 2 pounds without a smith. Piece of glass breaking crisp.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: ML_Hunter on January 28, 2013, 07:13:18 PM: Excellent rifle :tup:
I've shot and sold many of them over the past five years and have only had one customer return his due to "manufacture defect". The extracter broke, replaced the rifle with same mod and cal, returned it again for the same reason. I then asked what ammo he was shooting and when he informed me that he was shooting Wolf STEEL cased ammo...I almost wanted to slap him :bdid:
After giving him a THIRD rifle, he came back and only had good things to say about it. Overall, all of my customers have been very pleased with this rifle.

Just don't shoot steel! 8)
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:16:14 PM: And you'd be hard pressed to find a bigger POS stock. From the front sling stud falling out, to hollow "loud" plastic poor fitting flimsy junk that it is. To the junk plastic clips that are expensive, and yes they break. To the plastic bolt shroud, and the "one size fits all" smooth as butter action. I won't even get into the clunky ugly cheapo rings they supply. Besides are they that "cheap" anymore?
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Ingwe on January 28, 2013, 07:17:24 PM: Great guns. Mine is a .338 win mag. Shoots great groups and weighs 7.5 lbs with scope so is very easy to pack. I did put Leupold rings and bases on it.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:17:50 PM: I had a final 3 list that included the Browning x bolt and the sako a7, but I really wanted to save a few hundred dollars so I can put some quality glass on it. I think I'm sold. This is only the third brand new rifle I've spent my own money on, so I'm pretty excited...you blue collared guys no what I'm talking about. ;)
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:19:50 PM: I'd go with the X-Bolt
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: haugenna on January 28, 2013, 07:21:59 PM: Step one- throw away the rings. They are junk. Get Talley one piece rings
step two- change out the recoil pad to a limbsaver.

I have two and love them. They are great shooters and very affordable.

I think i saw a 270 wsm on seattle guns.net. I hardly buy a new rifle anymore.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:24:03 PM: Quote from: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:19:50 PM
I'd go with the X-Bolt

Are you not a fan of any plastic stocks (or parts)? Or just the ones that come with the t3?
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 28, 2013, 07:24:13 PM: I have Brownings and like them but the Tikkas shoot just as well if not better.. My friend had an A7 and the stock broke when he shot the gun with a bipod. The Beretta rep told him it wasn't meant to be used with a bipod and offered him a replacement stock for $650. He's not an A7 fan any longer.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 28, 2013, 07:26:38 PM: The A7 is great shooter. I got the 270wsm before they stopped making it and the 300wsm. Little better fitting stock and a little more steel in the magazine. Both great guns :tup:

I have shot 10 critters in 2 years with the A7 and drug it threw a lot of stuff and it has been nothing but great for me.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 28, 2013, 07:27:57 PM: For the money you can not beat them .. They shoot great right out of the box and the cal . you picked will fit the bill just fine ! :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:30:10 PM: Quote from: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:24:03 PM
Quote from: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:19:50 PM
I'd go with the X-Bolt

Are you not a fan of any plastic stocks (or parts)? Or just the ones that come with the t3?

Go finger em side by side, if that doesn"t do it for ya, then a couple hundred bucks, if that must be a big deal to ya, and thats fine. I've been around lots of em, some shot well, some didn't, just couldn't get by the cheap plastic feeling. Not to mention the sling swivel issue,plastic clips that are known to break, garbage rings, etc.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:36:14 PM: This is great! My 16 yr old daughter just opened her B-day present from her daddy (me :IBCOOL:). Said rifle in .270. I came on here and first thread I saw was this one!
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: shrek on January 28, 2013, 07:38:15 PM: I'm sorry! LOL
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Wenatcheejay on January 28, 2013, 07:41:22 PM: It's a good gun. If you like them :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:42:14 PM: Hmmm, a good rifle for a 16 year old girl...that's a little emasculating...I think i'll buy a bigger caliber. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 28, 2013, 07:44:17 PM: Quote from: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:36:14 PM
This is great! My 16 yr old daughter just opened her B-day present from her daddy (me :IBCOOL:). Said rifle in .270. I came on here and first thread I saw was this one!
:chuckle: :chuckle: Sweeeeeeet .... I just love those .270s ...happy BD to her :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 28, 2013, 07:46:14 PM: Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on January 28, 2013, 07:44:17 PM
Quote from: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:36:14 PM
This is great! My 16 yr old daughter just opened her B-day present from her daddy (me :IBCOOL:). Said rifle in .270. I came on here and first thread I saw was this one!
:chuckle: :chuckle: Sweeeeeeet .... I just love those .270s ...happy BD to her :tup:
Fortunate girl. Wise and generous father. :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:49:15 PM: Quote from: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:42:14 PM
Hmmm, a good rifle for a 16 year old girl...that's a little emasculating...I think i'll buy a bigger caliber. :chuckle:
BH45 kills a lot of bears with the .270. Plenty big enough! Especially in mag. I beat the tar out of my T-3 .300 wsm in the high country every year and has quickly become my best hunting purchase ever! (besides truck)
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:54:04 PM: Quote from: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:49:15 PM
Quote from: Coastal_native on January 28, 2013, 07:42:14 PM
Hmmm, a good rifle for a 16 year old girl...that's a little emasculating...I think i'll buy a bigger caliber. :chuckle:
BH45 kills a lot of bears with the .270. Plenty big enough! Especially in mag. I beat the tar out of my T-3 .300 wsm in the high country every year and has quickly become my best hunting purchase ever! (besides truck)
.

I'm a .270 fan, but all my friends give me crap because they shoot cannons. Awesome pic of the daughter. A lot of girls (or guys) her age wouldn't know which end the bullet comes out of. You're doing something right.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 28, 2013, 08:00:53 PM: Congrats to the young lady :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 28, 2013, 08:09:57 PM: Quote from: 3nails on January 28, 2013, 07:36:14 PM
This is great! My 16 yr old daughter just opened her B-day present from her daddy (me :IBCOOL:). Said rifle in .270. I came on here and first thread I saw was this one!

You did't get her a car! Sweet sixteen and hopefully never been kissed? :tup:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: hillbilli on January 29, 2013, 11:34:03 AM: I think the Tikka is a good rifle.. my only comment would be to consider a more common caliber.. something you could walk any place that sells ammo under normal circumstances and find ammo...
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on January 29, 2013, 11:53:26 AM: I bought a T3 Lite in .243 a couple of months ago with a Vortex Diamondback scope. No complaints so far, shot groups seem to get tighter the more I shoot it. Have put about 50 rounds through so far.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: liljozie495 on January 29, 2013, 12:10:54 PM: I got the 300wsm t3 lite in stainless... I love it!
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: blacktailcody on January 29, 2013, 12:27:58 PM: Great rifle. Changing your mind would be a :bdid:.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: blacktailcody on January 29, 2013, 12:28:57 PM: Quote from: hillbilli on January 29, 2013, 11:34:03 AM
I think the Tikka is a good rifle.. my only comment would be to consider a more common caliber.. something you could walk any place that sells ammo under normal circumstances and find ammo...

:yeah: Worth considering.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: Bob33 on January 29, 2013, 12:36:51 PM: Both the 270 WSM and 300 WSM are actually quite common now;there's really not much of an issue with finding ammunition for them. Unless you're flying somewhere and you're concerned about luggage not making it, I'm not sure why you wouldn't take enough ammunition on a hunt anyway. :dunno:
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: FisherKing on January 29, 2013, 01:38:34 PM: Only complaint I've heard is they kick more due to the light stock. Some people say the "flex" in the higher calibers whatever that means. Just what I've run across during some research.
Title: Re: Tikka T3 Lite
Post by: coachcw on January 30, 2013, 06:22:43 AM: my 300wsm t3 shoots great and that crapy stock absorbs the recoil quite well . I would stick to the .270 standard instead of the wsm if your gonna shoot factory ammo . fedral premuims in tbc's would fit the bill well . every t3 iv'e seen shoot really well . I'd concider a spare clip and upgraded scope mounts . If your gonna look to smith the gun down the road then i'd go with a 700 rem.