Tikka T3 issues?

[p2pjunky]

I was looking at getting a used hunting rifle for the gf. Remmy 700's pop up a lot of course, but I have also seen what seems to me to be an unusually high number of Tikka T3's on the market - a lot of them very lightly used.

Are they so common because they are as widely produced as the 700 (seems unlikely?), or are there problems with the rifle that cause a lot of first time buyers to dump them quickly? Anyone with a personal experience?

Thanks!

[The Flint&Fly Guy]

I don't have personal experience with them, but I would think two possible problems. 1, the t3 lites, which seem to be the most common, seem a little on the plasticky side of things. 2, it seems to me that their lite weight might increase the felt recoil to undesirable levels. then again I have heard that their design is very good at minimizing the felt recoil.

[fish_e_o]

they lack the refinement that would keep a rifle like that in my safe.

but that's just me. i find the actions smooth at least...

[bang_on_sk]

I have the Forest model in .270 and I haven't had the slightest problem with it. It's not too heavy, nicely made, slick action (the bolt will close under it's own weight), nice to shoot.

It probably doesn't hurt that I went from a .303 sporter to the tikka, but I think it's a keeper

[raab]

I find a lot of the ones that pop up for sale are of the magnum variety. Due to the weight of the gun they kick like a mule in the higher recoiling rounds.

[elkhunter11]

I have owned two T-3s , both had good triggers and were accurate. Both were sold when I reduced my collection prior to retiring, but I never had any issues with either one of them. I would highly recommend the T-3 to anyone looking for a good rifle, at a reasonable price.

[CNP]

They are fine rifles. People will buy a T3 Lite in a magnum chambering and are shocked at the recoil and that is one reason why many are up for sale. Any featherweight rifle in a magnum chambering is going to rock you. Your gf will not like a T3 Lite in a .300 Win Mag let alone a 30.06. Tikka makes rifles with wooden stocks (T3 Hunter series). If the rifle you are considering for your gf is a T3 Lite, a .243/7mm08 or a 25.06 chambering would probably fit the bill.

[gtr]

If your not expecting much , you will not be disappointed.

[Hawkeye]

My son shoots a T3 lite in .270 WSM. It still has the factory recoil pad.
He started shooting it when he was about 15, he is not a particularly large fellow, and recoil has not been an issue at all. I load 130 grain Nosler Auccubonds for him (just under a max load of IMR 4350) and he drops stuff like it got hit by lightning. He likes the light weight and the very smooth slide of the bolt.
YMMV

[sns2]

Originally Posted by raab

I find a lot of the ones that pop up for sale are of the magnum variety. Due to the weight of the gun they kick like a mule in the higher recoiling rounds.

This ^^^

[Dean2]

T3s are very accurate, come with a 1 MOA guarantee, which not many others do. They are light and benefit greatly from having a Limbsaver recoil pad put on to replace the factory hard one.

Due to their light weight they make a great hunting rifle for rough country and long walks but don't make great bench guns. Use a sissy pad when sighting them in and the recoil won't bother you. You will never feel the recoil shooting at game and since you carry a big game rifle a lot more than you shoot it, the light weight is a big advantage.

Price for quality and performance they are petty hard to beat.

[p2pjunky]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm liking a .270 right now.

[Icatchfish]

I have had mine for 2 yrs in 30-06. it shoots great and consistently sub moa with whatever ammo. on the other hand it kicks like a mule when shooting from a bench. I got me a slip on recoil pad and it reduced the recoil to manageable levels.

I'd buy it again

[elkhunter1234]

I have 12 Tikks T3 in my safe right now and will be buying more as other calibers come available. For the price you won't find a better bang for your buck rifle. If I feel like going to the range and shooting groups that look like snowman I'll grab a tikka every time and leave my coopers at home..
There are cheep ways to reduce the recoil of the bigger magnums which involve a limbsaver and some spray foam and a bit of weight for the stock on the Tikka lite and super lite..

Jim..

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

I have 12 Tikks T3 in my safe right now and will be buying more as other calibers come available. For the price you won't find a better bang for your buck rifle. If I feel like going to the range and shooting groups that look like snowman I'll grab a tikka every time and leave my coopers at home..

hmmm i find the tikkas to be a good bang for buck rifle but not a keep the coopers at home rifle!

[Smokinyotes]

Between my son and I we 6 left hand tikkas. 22-250, 243, 270 win, 2-300 wm and a 6.5-284. All shoot great. My son got his T3 lite 243 win he was 12. When he got his first moose draw at 14 I bought him a T3 hunter in 300wm. He loves the 300wm and only uses the 243 for coyotes know. All of them wear a limbsaver recoil pad. Not so much for recoil on the lighter calibers but I put the pads on to increase the LOP.

[James 1]

Started my son out with a tikka t3 lite in .270 when he was 12. Ran reduced loads. Now he is running 130 gr accubonds, put a bi-pod on the front for extra weight. Everything he has shot went bang flop. Including golf balls at 300 yards. Love the gun.

[huntwat]

Originally Posted by p2pjunky

Thanks for the feedback, I'm liking a .270 right now.

I would really look into the weatherby vanguard s2 for value for your money.

[CanuckShooter]

Most of the Tikka guns you see being sold lightly used seem to be WSM, rumour has it that many of them have issues, probably a good idea to avoid a wsm Tikka.

[H380]

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

I have 12 Tikks T3 in my safe right now and will be buying more as other calibers come available. For the price you won't find a better bang for your buck rifle. If I feel like going to the range and shooting groups that look like snowman I'll grab a tikka every time and leave my coopers at home..
There are cheep ways to reduce the recoil of the bigger magnums which involve a limbsaver and some spray foam and a bit of weight for the stock on the Tikka lite and super lite..

Jim..

Agreed Jim , both my Tikkas are LH T3 lites , a 22-250 and a 300WM ., both ends of the recoils scale with a pile of good calibers in between . Tho I didn't find the recoil on the 300 all that bad I put on a limbsaver and it was noticeably less , I am now able to watch my hits thru the scope even with that rifle . I'm sure your recipe of foam would reduce it even further but it is OK the way it is . Accurate , smooth action and not a bank buster makes me a Tikka supporter . If I was to get another , it would be in the 270 wsm neighbourhood.

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Most of the Tikka guns you see being sold lightly used seem to be WSM, rumour has it that many of them have issues, probably a good idea to avoid a wsm Tikka.

Horse pucky. I have 2 T-3 lites in 270 and 300wsm. Never a second of trouble with them.

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by Huntnut

Horse pucky. I have 2 T-3 lites in 270 and 300wsm. Never a second of trouble with them.

x2

[Redneck Tommy]

I was not satisfied when I picked one up all that plastic on it.to tell you the truth I was expecting more gun for the the money a model 70 Winchester is in the same price range but a night and day difference .

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by Huntnut

Horse pucky. I have 2 T-3 lites in 270 and 300wsm. Never a second of trouble with them.

they're all the same action so i don't see that being an issue

Originally Posted by gtr

If your not expecting much , you will not be disappointed.

very true from a mechanical aspect. They are functional. Better looking than a Savage or Barnard .......designed to keep the company in business. The t3 is also generally accurate. In life you get what you pay for. Personally I am not a proponent of plastic parts on a rifle or the sloppy bolt handle dovetailed into the bolt body. The accountants motivated the designers to save a pile of money when compared to m65 and m55 models and that they did!!

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

they're all the same action so i don't see that being an issue

Yup

[Stricks]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Most of the Tikka guns you see being sold lightly used seem to be WSM, rumour has it that many of them have issues

Links?

[gtr]

Originally Posted by H380

Agreed Jim , both my Tikkas are LH T3 lites , a 22-250 and a 300WM ., both ends of the recoils scale with a pile of good calibers in between . Tho I didn't find the recoil on the 300 all that bad I put on a limbsaver and it was noticeably less , I am now able to watch my hits thru the scope even with that rifle . I'm sure your recipe of foam would reduce it even further but it is OK the way it is . Accurate , smooth action and not a bank buster makes me a Tikka supporter . If I was to get another , it would be in the 270 wsm neighbourhood.

You must have quite a grip to see your hits, with a 300..LOL

[Bolete]

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

very true from a mechanical aspect. They are functional. Better looking than a Savage or Barnard .......designed to keep the company in business. The t3 is also generally accurate. In life you get what you pay for. Personally I am not a proponent of plastic parts on a rifle or the sloppy bolt handle dovetailed into the bolt body. The accountants motivated the designers to save a pile of money when compared to m65 and m55 models and that they did!!

That "sloppy" bolt handle doesn't break off though, unlike the odd Remington.

[fish_e_o]

small ejection port. depending on your oal you may not be able to eject a loaded round. really handy if you have a misfire and need to get a shot off