Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Tikka Experience

I'm thinking about buying a Tikka. I don't know anyone who has one. I read somewhere that they are a "poor man's Sako" made at the same factory in Finland.
A local gun shop has them on sale at a darn good price so I,m probably going to pick one up in the morning, unless I get some negative reports from a bunch of guys.
Thanks

They're normally accurate with most bullets/powders/loads.

They feel like a damn play toy to me though, and with horrible ergos to boot. I don't plan to have another...

There are things I can nit pick about T3s but I have owned 3 (223,243 and 308) and they have all functioned properly, had nice triggers and shot exceptionally well out of the box with a variety of factory and handloads.

I doubt you will be disappointed in one

I have a couple around, bought them a few years ago when they were cheaper. One of the most accurate rifles out of the box I have owned. Unlike many others they basically need nothing done to them. Mount a scope and go shoot. Great triggers, most loads in a 270 and 338 Federal shot right at 1" at 100 yards many better than that. Hand loads, cheap plain box stuff did not matter. Folks whine about it being "plastic" but nothing has broken or not worked as it should. They are more expensive now, but they just plain work well. Unless they do not fit you I do not think you will be disappointed in one.

Have two so far, a T3 Lite stainless bought 2-3 years ago and a T3x Hunter with the wooden stock I just bought a few weeks ago. I looked at the new T3x Lite a fair amount in stores, also the older T3 Hunter before deciding to go ahead and spend the money on the T3x.

To my mind the older T3 Lite stock is a bit slippery but the T3x Lite has a lot grippier checkering. Same with the T3 and T3x Hunters, I liked the older wooden stock but really like the newer one a lot more, it has very grabby checkering and a double palm swell that really lets you hang onto the grip as well as forearm.

Other than that, same same as everyone else reports. Right out of the box both of them had superb triggers, crisp as can be, minimal overtravel and set right at three pounds. They become 2 1/2 pound triggers with about a half turn of the trigger adjustment screw.

The feeding is positive and smooth and they have the slickest bolt throws I've ever felt.

And they are Accurate, accurate, accurate! The stainless is a .223 and puts three shots into the .2's and .3's just dinking around. The Hunter is a .260 and also can put 3 or 4 shots into the .3's. And all that without one iota of "tweaking".

They are far and away the most accurate out of the box rifles I've ever owned and are as accurate as my best customs, at least these two so far. I have other rifles that will match them, but those have replacement aftermarket barrels, trued actions, bedding, the whole works - meaning I had to spend more than the cost of a new rifle on top of the cost of the donor just to make them shoot as good as these Tikkas do when you take them out of the box.


And dat's my Tikka experience...

What T Inman and Jim in Idaho said. If mine wasn't as accurate as it is I wouldn't have kept it.

I really like them and they shoot! I just bought a T3x in a 223 and dropped it into a Boyd's prairie hunter...

To me there is a big difference in the feel of the synthetic stocked T3 and the wooden stocked T3x.

I never have warmed up to the synthetic stock on my T3 Lite but love the new Hunter model. I always liked their wooden stocks better than their synthetics anyway but had an opportunity to compare the T3 and T3x Hunters side by side and immediately liked the T3x Hunter mostly because of the new checkering, you can really hang onto it and snug that rifle into your shoulder. That's what convinced me to forego the close out prices on the older T3 and go with the latest version, just the great way that T3x feels in the hand. If/when they come out with a left handed T3x Hunter in .223 I might just sell my Lite and replace it with a Hunter in the same caliber.

Fwiw, there are a lot of good internet dealers but I got my latest from this place, they had far and away the best price on my rifle - a good $120 less than most others for the price of the rifle alone and no extra charge for shipping to boot.

http://www.centerfireguns.com/

I can't warm up to the tikka synthetics at all, even the new T3x....the Boyd's fits me well and i had them do the stippling on the grip and fore end which makes it very nice to hang onto

I bought my T 3 Lite 270 Win in 2003. I still have it and hunt it. It's taken more than its share of WTs.

I have NO criticism. I've never thot of the stock as slippery/slick.

Absolutely love the trigger and the bolt is slick as any you'll work. I've never 'considered' getting rid of it.

As has been repeated, accurate out of the box, no gimmicks, no muss, no fuss.


Jerry

wyomike,

Yes, Tikka's are made in the same factory as Sakos, and in fact the barrels for both brands are the same--including that the bores of the heavier contour barrels are lapped to very consistent dimensions. Which is one reason heavy-barrel Tikkas shoot so well.

Might as well throw in my $.02...

Personal tastes are just that...personal. Some look at rifles as only tools and have differing opinions on what level of precision those tools need posses.

Others view rifles as objects of beauty and personality and demand a fair share of both be present or a firearm is not worth 'stooping' to own.

Some, like myself, have room for both. I love Ruger No.1's and view them as classy, beautiful rifles. I could be happy hunting with a No.1 for the rest of my life. I also own a few Glocks....firearms considered butt-ugly by most yet they are tools of the highest function.

The Tikkas tend to fall into the 'just a tool' category. My two SL's don't 'move' me aesthetically but boy do they deliver on the function spectrum. Super smooth action, totally reliable and tough, lightweight and almost unbelievably consistent and accurate (and with little to no effort).

A rather long winded way of saying that, depending on what you're looking for and expecting, you won't be disappointed.

I can't determine your subjective criteria but, objectively, they are great rifles.

P.S. I do believe a rifle (even a 'soulless' one like the Tikka) can grow emotionally on you to where it becomes more than just a 'tool' as you continue to make fond memories with it.

My brother got one years ago and I thought it was junk. Plastic stock, plastic magazine, it just felt cheap. Then we took it to the range and it was the most accurate gun we had that day.

After that they started growing on me. Everyone we have is sub moa and works. It's not the prettiest gun out there, but one of the best values when it comes to accuracy and function.

Very well put Mojo.

Totally agree.

Jerry

I'm glad there are folks that like 'em!

+1 ( or is it +P?). Regardless, excellent post Mr. Mojo.

Bought my wife a Left Handed T3 Hunter with the nice wood stock last year in 270Win. Two boxes of the Cheap blue box Federal 130s to get in on target and get the once fired brass to work up some loads. Slapped a vortex scope on it and took it to the range.

One shot at 25, made adjustment, bullseye.
Moved to 100 yards, one shot , made adjustment, bullseye. Thats four shots. Moved to 200 yards, Used two rounds to get the POI where i prefered it. thats 6 shots. I then used the next 24 shots to shoot 3 shot groups at 200 yards and ever one of them was 0.75 to 1.25 inches. 8 groups.

It was bloodied soon after

This is the second Tikka that ive had that same experience with, the other was a T3 Lite in 7mmRemMag.

I will say that i like the wood stocked models.

Don't like 'em. Good barrels and triggers, everything else sucks heavily......

I guess the "just a tool" thing is subjective.

I have a LH in 30-06. T3 light.

I think I will build a wood stock for it, because I like the gun.

My co-worker found one locally, RH blued T3 unfired for $400. I told him to buy it.

He was getting accustomed to the the smooth bolt throw and the next thing I know, he closes his office door, pulls the shade, and I thought I heard Barry White music playing.

I have one and had a another one but sold it. If the price and cal. were right, I would buy another one.

Over time I've gotten to where if a new rifle is really accurate I try to leave it alone. My T3 223 is in that category. I don't like the stock but it has been the most accurate out of the box or modified 223 I've owned. Are owners that have restocked the synthetic stock models getting the same kind of accuracy they had before with aftermarket synthetic stocks?

I am, my T3 Superlite 7MM-08 now sits in a McMillan Hunters Edge and is scary accurate with factory ammo. Like everyone else says they are hard to get excited about, don't really care for the factory stock but it is pretty good. But when it comes to shooting they do impress.

Wyomike,

Sounds like the very few "negative reports" you've gotten so far have primarily been from shooters who still haven't accepted synthetic stocks, and maybe not even Remington 700's, though both have been around for decades.

Apparently they believe that if they do some Internet-pounding on any "modern" rifle that doesn't fit their vision, then the new rifles will go away. Stores will suddenly be filled with pre-'64 Model 70's, or perhaps 8mm Lebels, or whatever their definition of a "real" rifle happens to be.

Come on now JB.

There are actual legit reasons, IMO. Tikka has even decided to address some of those issues with the newer model coming out. Maybe that is why this one is so cheap? On closeout maybe due to new model? I don't know.

There are reasons that have been documented right here for over 10 years now. Same with the Browning A-Bolt, in which they also decided to address said issues with the X-Bolt.

Tikkas are good shooters, and will serve most buyers well. But they are not for everyone.....

I'll go out on a limb -- and probably catch a little heat for this, but...

...as a whole (not just a sample of one), I consider the Tikka T3 to be the most accurate production rifle available on the market today.

Some may not like the plastic mag. I didn't consider the aluminum lug or plastic bolt shroud to be appealing either, but they've changed those parts on the T3X.

There isn't a less fussy rifle on the market, period. They're excellent tools.

This doesn't mean that I'm in love with them...but I don't mind owning a few either!

Admire them, but they don't suit my Johnson Administration era sense of style. I might just go wild and crazy someday and give one a try.

The new X-models are an improvement in several areas, including looks.

No heat here. IMO, though, they made the changes for a reason. Like I stated, stuff many of us have griped about for over a decade. I always considered them a budget rifle with a non budget rifle price. They really aren't that cheap, given the corners cut. Are the improved models more expensive now?

I like my short action rounds housed in short actions. As for accuracy, there are plenty of guns priced less than the Tikka that shoot well. I have owned Vanguards and Savages that drive nails. And I hear the new Americans aren't too shabby either.

Another thing I don't care for is the price of factory parts. They are way over priced. And since Beretta took over, customer service has been horrible IME.

Like I said, everyone has their own tastes, and they are not for everyone. Some obviously love them....

Been shooting them for over 17 years, going back to the Tikka 695. Nothing in their price range can match the accuracy, durability, and ease of use, all of which have been proven to me, by me. Research area: 200 big game animals later, from Sonora MX to South Africa and Namibia, and many states here in the US.

Yep; I just got my first Tikka recently, a T3 Lite in 7-08 which, if I think it could use a little more weight may get a nice Boyd's Prairie Hunter with upgraded wood and checkering.

This is my first SS rifle and I usually go for blued/walnut packages and I really think this thing is slick.

I HATE Tupperware stocks typically but this one doesn't seem bad at all. We'll see!

My T3 Lite is going on close to 3k rounds through it w/ out a problem. The trigger is good and the action is slicker than buttered slugs. Mine is in 308W and was purchased as a truck gun. It has far exceeded my expectations.


mike r

Like I said, I have had plenty of rifles that shoot great. Not sure why Tikka shooters feel that Tikkas are the only very accurate rifles made. Reminds me of Savage shooters. Maybe because that is all they have to go on. That said, accuracy has nothing to do with why I don't buy Tikkas.

If you feel that recoil lug, plastic shroud, and mounting system are the most durable ones made, well,..........OK Better call Tikka and tell them to change them all back.

I don't think Tikka made all the recent design changes to fix things that weren't broken. But I DO feel that the improvements made make the new Tikka T3X a much more viable option than it's predecessor. Although I haven't priced them so....

JMO.....

I have had about 1/2 dozen over the years. Never had one that wasn't very accurate out of the box. Still have a couple and the only reason I ever got rid of any of them, is like many, I found something I just couldn't live without.

99% chance you'd be most definitely wrong.

People complain about the tupperware stocks... Granted they're not a McMillan but they're 100% better than the junk tupperware stocks that Remington, Winchester, Savage and Ruger puts on their rifles.

People complain about the bolt shroud and the recoil lug. My rifles have thousands of rounds fired and I've not had a problem yet.

People complain about the closed ejection port receiver....A closed port action is more rigid/stronger and in many cases more accurate than an open port receiver. Remington 788s were know to be more accurate than 700 actions.

There are better made rifles an T3s and there are also a LOT worse made and less accurate ones that compare in price.

Tikka's aren't the only rifles I own but my experience owning 4 of them has been that ON AVERAGE Tikka's will shoot circles around most domestic brand rifles. So will Steyrs.

YEP, of ALL the rifles I have & have had, I only have 1 Tikka, 13 years.

Jerry

2muchgun,

A little over a year ago I was in the Tikka factory, listening to the changes being made for the T3x. They were primarily made because some shooters wanted them, not because there were vast, across-the-board problems with the T3. The major requests were from the relatively few shooters who wanted softer recoil pads and stiffer recoil lugs for harder-kicking rifles, but tens of thousands of T3's have been working for a long time now without any problems--including a T3 Lite in 7mm Remington Magnum a friend bought a number of years ago for hunting this part of Montana. He hunts hard and shoots quite a bit and nothing has gone wrong with his rifle, despite often hunting in temperatures below zero.

The other factor that went into the changes was profitability. The demand for Tikkas has been growing very steadily, and the U.S. is by far the largest market. So they could afford to make some changes if that's what some customers wanted.

Yes, there are a bunch of accurate, affordable rifles out there today. I've owned and do own a number of Savages and Ruger Americans, but while their triggers are OK, they do not compare to Tikka triggers. The accuracy of Savages and Rugers is normally better than average to very good, but on average they do not match Tikkas right out of the box. Few rifles do. I would also rate the T/C Venture as better out of the box than Ruger AR's and the cheaper Savages, because the trigger and stock are also better, but the Tikka is definitely a step up from there--which is why there's some difference in price for all four rifles.

Personally, I don't care whether a rifle chambered for a "short-action round" uses a short action, especially when there's so little difference is action weight in typical modern cylindrical actions. In fact I kind of prefer short rounds in longer actions, because there tends to be more flexibility in seating bullets--and if the magazine isn't quite long enough, it can often be easily swapped for a longer magazine. But I do find most arguments for short actions pretty much irrelevant; there are more details why in the column Rick posted a couple of days ago at the head of this forum.

The latest Tikka to show up here was one of the T3 Lite .260 Remingtons offered a Whittaker Guns run last year. The trigger was superb out of the box, unlike the triggers on Savages and RAR's, and it's superbly accurate with almost any load, including Remington Core-Lokt factories. It also weighs only 6-3/4 pounds with scope, which I happen to like since so much of the hunting country around my home is steep and high--and I'm not particularly young anymore. So far it just keeps plunking 140-grain Accubonds into the same tiny groups, which is one reason it will be the rifle I plan to do most of my local hunting with this year--and I do have plenty of choices.

If it wouldn't be your choice for any hunting, well fine, the world also offers plenty of choices. But don't try to convince me Tikkas don't work well.

That is really going to happen now, since BassProShops bought Cabelas.

I saw an 8mm Lebel the other day at the LGS.

I was close.

Really close....

If an 8mm Lebel in decent condition showed up at my local shop, I'd definitely be interested. But that doesn't mean all smokeless rifle development stopped in 1886!

Me, too, but only if it was a fast twist...

In my view, T-3 ss/synthetic rifles are functional, reliable and accurate tools. They just work. Moreover, it is important to me to have the bolt lockdown in battery on my hunting rifles when the safety is on and that is how it works on Tikkas. Although I have never had any accuracy issues with Tikka's aluminum lug, I did purchase a steel lug from some outfit in Norway just in case one of my T3s started to wander. However, I'll bet that this Norwegian metal is still in my spare parts drawer when the kids have to pack my ashes up to the top of Goat Mountain. CP.

We could argue the accuracy thing all day. I feel there are other guns that shoot just as well. They aren't god's gift to accuracy like some think. Either that or I have just gotten lucky with my bolt guns as far as accuracy goes. I have had 700s, CZs, Savages, Vanguards, Rugers, etc. that all shot exceptionally well.

But again, never once have I said Tikkas don't shoot well. Never. Or said that they don't work well. Meaning I don't need to see pics of groups shot or critters killed with Tikkas. But they are not the only rifles capable of such feats. Nor close.

My problem is mainly with what you get for your money. Other than barrel and trigger, corners have obviously been cut everywhere else. They have plastic shroud/magazine/stock/trigger guard. 2 Piece bolt. They come in one action length and utilize a bolt stop. They have an enclosed port, they have an absolute joke of a "recoil lug", rings suck as does mounting systems/options, stock, and customer service. And replacement parts are ridiculously priced for what they are.

The same guys who brag about how great they are out of the box, are the ones who replace recoil lugs, rings, and shrouds. Lol. Making an already over priced rifle even more so.

All this adds up to a rifle that does not interest me in the least. I am sorry but there is no way I can justify Tikka prices in my mind, given the individual parts. They have to be making a TON of money on these things, cuz I guarantee they can't cost any more to produce than rifles that sell for less. Rifles that give you metal where Tikka gives you plastic. And come in more than one action length. And that allow decent scope mounting/rings.

I feel these are legitimate reasons, Facts, not opinions. At the very least, they are legitimate enough to make some not buy them, and make Tikka make some changes in their designs/materials/offerings.

They just are not for me. Too many nicer looking rifles out there that are made of better quality parts, than for me to waste my time with a half baked, over priced, over hyped, cost cutter rifle made by an overseas company who seems to not care if you are happy or not, as long as they get paid.

You all can like them though

You need to stop while you're behind. You don't like them, fine and dandy, but quit making dumbasss statements like this one, and the "they haven't tried any other rifles" BS. You're obviously talking out your wazooo and have no basis for any of it.

How does it being 100% accurate make it a dumbass statement?

I think you need to start seeing things for what they really are, not pretending they are someting they aren't, start looking at things objectively rather than subjectively, and quit being butt heart so easily....

These two jewels come to mind very recently....

Your "most durable" comment in regards to plastic shrouds and floating aluminum recoil lugs, etc. is EASILY the most dumbass comment in this entire thread......LMAO

17 years shooting aoudad with a Tikka....killed over 100 of 'em. That's probably more game than you've ever shot at. I know lots more about how well they work than you ever thought of, since you basically have no experience, just opinion.

So you killing sheep somehow changes the facts in regards to Tikka design/materials?

Gotcha.....

You remind me of the x-ray proof, plastic junk guns, geniuses who said Glock were junk and would not last. Any hot stock tips???

With regards to your stupid dependability comment to me, absolutely. I've proven to myself they are not plastic junk....very, very durable over the past 17 years, proven in the US, Africa, and Mexico.

Well I haven't shot tons of game or shot 10,000's of rounds with the Tikkas in the house but they have been hunted and shot a bunch. Never felt the need or had a need to replace anything, including the supposed crappy rings. As long as you don't go gorilla on the screws they work fine and have for many years now. No they are not the answer to all rifle questions, but they do really work well. I have recommended them to friends who are not say a GUN NUT and none of them have been disappointed. Like JB, I have never understood the whole short action thing, but the choices are ours to make. I do think that a choice to buy a Tikka is a good one.

The difference between you and me is that I don't get butt hurt if someone doesn't agree with my tastes in rifles. You get your panties in a wad if I don't like your rifle, but I don't get frustated in the least over your choosing it, or not liking my choices.
Then you start in with the " I have killed more animals, my dad can beat up your dad" crap. Please, spare me.

If I told you how many rifles I have owned and shot you may not believe me. And again, I wouldn't care. If you would like to continue down this road, so be it. But you may not like where it leads.

I'd rather you just chilled your azz out. They are only guns....

It's always a good idea for you to keep quiet about something you know absolutely nothing about, which you proved in this thread. A guy can get shaken down pretty quickly on this forum when he's talking about something he has zero field experience with. Adios Amigo.

Hilarious. I have forgotten more about rifles than you will ever know.

Something you have proven all on your own with your outlandish comments.

You may have killed some critters in your day, but it doesn't mean you know rifles. Obviously. That's okay though, lotsa guys fall into that category.

Later....

JG - Mule Deer is very informed on the subject of Tikkas BUT some people have the 'blinders' and 'ear muffs' on so they are not going to see nor listen .

As MD stated earlier in this thread it's the majority here who report satisfaction with the Tikkas. I am only 1 but in 13 yrs the bolt shroud, scope rings and recoil lug have not given me any trouble at all.

Jerry

I think you have VERY GOOD evidence from 'actual use'.

Jerry

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels this way about the short action vs long action thing.

Smithrjd -

your experience mirrors mine and others who have 'actually' used the Tikkas.

Jerry

Your are not the only one, there are others of US that feel the same way.

Jerry

Pot meet kettle

I'd be interested to hear what malfunctions you had with the Tikkas you've owned and hunted as much or more than JGR has his.

Hint: that would mean your opinion meant almost as much as you seem to think it does

I bought a Tikka combo that included a Burris FFII 3-9. It was $499 with a sale that took another 20% off. I grabbed it and found out when I got home that Beretta had a deal in which if you purchased a new Tikka, you got 150 beretta bucks. I then used that for an extra magazine and x-mas presents for family.

I was astounded when I took it to the range. Everything I tried, factory, handloads from other rifles made itty bitty groups. I took it hunting and killed a whopper buck with it.

Recently bought a 222 with the hunter wood stock, it was like deja vu all over again, itty bitty groups, lots of dead woodchucks, no tweaking, just mount a scope.

Yup. If it was all that big of a deal, everybody'd get all anal over .223s in short actions. We''d all have to have Sako Vixens.

I've owned several Tikka T-3 SS/Synthetic rifles and they've each given me spectacular accuracy. Plus, I've killed some dandy bucks and bulls with them.

At the same time, I continue to own and shoot a stable of finest quality custom rifles; Gordy Gritter guns, Clay Spencer rifles and such.

Frankly, the Tikkas shoot as well, and maybe finer across the board, as my custom rifles ... Krieger barrels and all.

Forgetting the bullshit elitism, it is damned hard to beat the Tikka T3s. Given a rifle to grab, go out the back door and kill sumpin' with, it would be a Tikka T-3.

I don't have any of the new T-3X rifles, but they can only be equal or better.

Tikkas are just plain excellent rifles and surely the best-of-breed of off-the-rack rifles.

Good enough for this pilgrim, for sure.

kd

2muchgun...

It's blatantly obvious you don't like Tikka's but let me ask you this.....

How many Remington 700s, Savages, Rugers, & Vanguards have you and other people bought that they've had to change out triggers, stocks and even barrels to get them to function or shoot decent? I sure have and so have lots of others.

Lets talk about quality and materials on one of the most popular bolt action rifles sold, the Remington 700, which on average costs more than a T3.

Have you bore scoped many Remington 700 barrels in the past 15 years or so? Check bolt timing? Check receivers for true and checked bolt lugs for engagement? When you have please try again to convince us how superior they are in design and materials. There is a reason 700's are one of the most customized rifles in existence...they require it.

I agree with Col. Whelen....only accurate rifles are interesting. I'd rather have a T3 that functions properly, doesn't need an aftermarket trigger or stock and shoots accurately OUT OF THE BOX (design flaws and all) than many domestic brand rifles.

your mileage may vary...

Hey Rooms,

This here Tikka .260 is scheduled for some hard hunting this fall. It went some last fall, but Eileen and I had put 10 big game animals in our freezers in 2014, so weren't going to shoot anything unless it was an exceptional trophy. (Saw some nice ones though not THE ones!) But this year we're sort of in between: Could use some meat, thanks to Eileen using quite bit while writing her latest cookbook, but not so much I can't afford to look for a good mule deer--and maybe run into a cow elk along the way.

The .260 will be the No. 1 rifle, even though I haven't touched the trigger (it broke very cleanly at 2.5 pounds right out of the box), and the 6x scope is even in the factory rings. The zero hasn't shifted during considerable load tweaking and longer-range testing, so am guessing it just might work. :-)

Best to you and Karen,

I'm encouraged by this! I have a SS Swede lite that I just put in a McMillan Edge from Rick, ordered new bottom metal that's actually metal and plan to use it this year. Not as svelt as a Kimber, but still really nice. The trigger adjusted down and no creap.

All in all I'm pleased with it and I trust it shoot as advertised.

I've hunted my Tikka 595 .243 for 16 years without any problems. Only rifle I own that didn't need a thing out of the box. Mount a scope and go shoot period. Trigger was perfect out of the box. Groups loads it likes into the .4's and .5's and damn near everything under an inch, including several cheap factory loads. In regards to the "cheap plastic" parts, I unwittingly left a fully loaded magazine on the roof of my buddies truck after a hunt last season. Amazingly got going 60 mph down the road before I heard a zzzzip across the roof. Looked out the back window to see my magazine cartwheeling down the tarmack at 60 mph, shells flying out and going every which way. Turned around and went back to retrieve it. Aside from a bit of road rash and a few pock marks no structural damage and the mag still functions perfectly. Except for the spring, the 595 mags are made entirely of that "cheap plastic".

Very pleased with my synthetic T3.

Hey, my good friend, life is great here.

Sawbones dicked a lot with my left knee and it's now in really great shape. Beyond belief, actually.

Loved your "Five Years" book (thank you again) and we dwelt on every single word. E is one hell of a writer and incredibly funny ... you are really GREAT, too :-).

We'll be in Portugal for a couple of weeks in April and will try our very best to find you guys a cook book on Portugee food while we are there (It's different and unreal good).

New dog is settling in and she is probably the finest we've ever found.

Hugs to both of you,

kd and k

Nice, interested that you are using the factory rings, I have always tossed them.
What scope are you using?

Also what brass are you using
I was wondering if Lapua 308 necked down would have any problems as it is heaps cheaper and more available than 260

And sorry but I have to ask one more question
It seems the Tikka is far more popular in 6.5x55, any reason you chose the 260 over the swede?

Steve,

That's good news on the knee! I am sure Eileen could have fun with some Portuguese recipes; we have experienced some here and there in our travels.

Glad you like Five Years of RLN, and even more glad your new dog is great. It is very hard to lose old 4-legged friends, but it's also very good to make new ones. We lost our two old dogs within less than a year about three years ago, but now we have two others who are wonderful too!

Castle Rock,

Am using a 6x38 Weaver, one of the best bargains in "affordable" scopes around.

One thing I've noticed about scope rings is many people somehow place more faith in rings attached to bases connected to the action with tiny screws, rather than rings connecting directly (and with far more contact) to the action. This doesn't just apply to Tikkas but several other brands. Have had excellent luck with direct-connecting rings on Brnos, CZ's, Rugers and several other rifles I'm forgetting right now.

I chose a .260 because of not shooting one for a while, and already having a couple of 6.5x55's. Because of my job, I must periodically retry various cartridges because of new bullets and, especially, powders, and I hadn't fooled with a .260 in several years. (There are several other 6.5's in the house, ranging from a 6.5 Mannlicher-Schoenauer to a 26 Nosler.)

Can't remember exactly where I ordered it now, but got 100 Lapua cases for a very decent price. Am sure Lapua .308's would work, though you might (but probably not) have to outside-turn the necks a little. I used Lapua .243 brass in my first .260, many years ago, but Lapua didn't offer .260's back then.

Not hardly. I am not the one here who got butt hurt and called someone a dumbass because their opinion differed from mine.

And in regards to your other comment, of course I do not have the Tikka experience of JGR. What part about I do not like/use them did you fail to pick up on? However, I do feel I clearly expressed that I may just have a clue as to what is under the hood, and why I don't like it.

The first time I picked up a Tikka, we took the stock off. The recoil lug fell on the ground. Something I have never experienced before or after with any other rifle brand.

I don't need to drive a Yugo until it breaks down to figure out it is a Yugo. It may in fact never break down, but that isn't the point. I just may not like what I see. Or feel it a solid value. But rest assured, it is an educated opinion. I have done my homework. I have owned 100s of rifles. I just may have a clue as to what makes them tick and what I like and dislike and why. I have been tinkering with guns for over 30 years. There is never not something tore apart lying on my bench waiting for attention.

Which I clearly laid out in no uncertain terms. Facts of the rifle, not opinions. We can all draw our own conclusions as to likes/dislikes from said facts. Not everyone requires the same in a rifle. I get that. But some here don't. Because it works both ways. The OP may or may not like what he sees, once all the facts are presented.......

Some pics for the guys who don't care about little cartridges in long actions:





3 Action lengths, same little round.

As seen, as action size increases, the little round gets lost in the pictures. Now I realize some just don't care. And that's fine by me. But I find the little mini length Sako and CZ actions pictured to be wonderful things. They make up for light, slick handling, shorter little rifles ( given same barrel length) with stiff actions.What is not to like? I absolutely love them, and cannot think of one good reason why I would want either to be longer. They are made like rifles should be made, IMO.

Like I've said, we all have different tastes and don't all require the same of our rifles. But I hope I am not cosidered a rifle snob for liking a bit more "refinement" than a T3 has to offer......

I am thinking along the same lines.I have had Boyds Prairie Hunter on a couple rifles and really like it.

My mileage has varied. The last 3 700s I bought all shot great OTB. Still do.

They also came with metal magazines, metal shrouds, one piece bolts, steel recoil lugs, short actions, better recoil pads, and stocks at least the equal of a Tikka.

None cost more than a comparable Tikka.

I see Tikkas here all the time with aftermarket rings, recoil pads, shrouds, and stocks. But I think you can say that about pretty much any newer bolt gun....

Need to add one more thing about the Tikka experience:

They are very polarizing...

does it warrant a 'hate' thread?

If this is a hate thread, it is a pretty lame/tame one.

I am not upset in the least

Regarding the Lapua 308 necked down to 260:

I've never tried it in a 260, but I did order 100 a year or two for my two Tikka 7-08s. To be usable, it had to be outside neck-turned. It was REALLY tight if I didn't.

Right after I ordered the 308, I noticed Lapua was making 7-08 specific brass. I wish I would have seen that first. I have a nice Sinclair neck turning tool that just sits in a drawer now....

If it were me, I'd just get the 260 brass and not worry about it.

Just picked up a T3 in .260. I'm using Lapua and WW 7-08 hulls and sizing for a crush fit. Haven't loaded any bullets yet but have the Forster FL die set up for a production run.

It's the campfire; EVERYTHING is polarizing!

Silly me I assumed, since you responded to a thread entitled Tikka experience, that you would have some experience to offer.

<forehead smack>

DOE!

Thanks for the info
I have pretty much decided to get a tikka in 6.5x55, but your idea of the 260 has me interested
Does the swede have much of an advantage in velocity when loaded to equal levels?

Not really. The difference in powder room is only about 2-3 grains, which means a potential increase in velocity of around 1 to 1.5% with both rounds loaded to the same pressure.

Quit assuming things then. As of now you have contributed ZERO to this thread. Where is the experience that YOU have offered in YOUR 4 replies? All I see is stupid comment after stupid comment from you.

Talk about "pot meet kettle".

You may wanna try practicing what you preach...

If you haven't noticed, JGR has talked about killing with the same 2 Tikkas for about as long as he has been on here. 7-08 and 7 mag. Why would you assume that someone who doesn't like them would have equal experience? Would you hunt for over a decade with a rifle you don't like? Pretty poor assumption there.

And I don't need to hunt with a Tikka for 10 years to know what I am looking at. And if you read thread, it should be readily apparent that I have experience with them, for anyone without a learning disability.

I see you just bought your first one. You must be a wealth of knowledge by now

Well...your incessant criticisms and slams certainly indicate you don't "love" Tikka's.

"Experience" would give you 'some' credibility IN a thread entitled " Tikka Experience" .

Since you don't have Tikja experience...why would you be so negative OR even comment ?

What's the saying about "open your mouth and remove all doubt"?


....yeah, I'd say you are a hater.


Jerry

Is it reading comprehension disability day around here or something?

I clearly said I had experience. Read the damn thread. I said I did not have the experience of a guy who has been using them almost exclusively for over a decade. I don't want to ever have that much experience with Tikkas......

I've offered what I know about em and haven't spouted off. Where did I claim to be a wealth of knowledge about anything? There's only one pompous a$$hole in this thread worthy of honoring himself as such.

Post some more pics and repeat your ramblings some more you're on par with Savage99 right now in completely missing the point.

The Tikka is a lightweight precision machine. I've had one for 9 years and just bought my second Tikka. I still have two M70s but don't use them much anymore the Tikka just feels so light, handy, and precise.

You may as well buy a new one, I rarely see a used one.

Haven't spouted off? You have done nothing but chirp and make stupid comments. You have offered nothing. Zero. Show me something to the contrary.

Although I do believe you when you say you have offered what you know....