I just got a Cabela’s sales flyer in the mail. They are advertising a blued steel Tikka T3 Lite for $500. There is NO cheap scope included.

Ad says: blued barrel and action, synthetic stock, adjustable trigger, three shot MOA guarantee.
.243 Win, .308 Win, .270 Win, 30-06 Sp., .300 Win Mag

OK……blued versus stainless……. Is it safe to assume that this blued version would shoot, feel, and function the same as the more expensive stainless steel version?

Is the stock and trigger the same in both versions?

Is this a competitive price?

Thanks folks

FjLee Denver CO

Yes.

Yes.

And Yes.

Sportsmans' warehouse will have them for $449 on black Friday, I'm told

Any idea when their Black Friday will be?

FjLee Denver CO

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess on Black Friday...

November 27th like the rest of USA...

ingwe, I think I was talking to you guys about this very thing in TX for my son. I still need to get him a rifle for Christmas. What caliber should I get? I want something that will kill pigs all the way up to large animals, mule deer or possibly even elk if we ever have the chance to get out west. He keeps telling me he wants a Rem 700 in .308, but if I can pick up one of these am I better off?

I got one in 30-06 and as much as I would prefer a wood stocked blued rifle in the cabinet, I can't see me selling this thing considering how well it shoots the general durability of the stainless-synthetic composition.

And its lighter than hell.

If he wants to be a gun whore, let him choose his poison, but if you want to get him something that strictly gets the job done - and is durable, buy it.

308 or 30-06 will meet your criteria.

Thank you for your input. I know nothing about rifles. I was just afraid that .308 might be too much. Thanks.

It would be just right for elk

Brian if you could snag one in a 7mm-08 I would think that would be just about ideal.....
.260...if they make such a thing would be good, as would a 6.5.....

No.

Get him what he wants. The .308 Remington 700 is perfect for him.

I thought real men hunted everything with a 223 AI!

Ingwe beat me to the punch. Buy him a 7-08 and tell him it's based on the 308 cartridge but the 7mm bullets are better. Worked for my Dad. powdr

Thanks for the input guys, I'll look into it. Are 7mm-08 readily available?

buds has a T3 light and the wood stocked forest on sale, but contact whitaker guns (site sponsor) and see what he has.

For the record, isaac shoots a 7-08, IIRC.

That right there would scare me off.....

THere is validity in this, plus you should be able to buy a 700 in 308 for 300 ish bucks on sales....

I'd take the Tika over the REm, though at 300, I"d take the rem and rebarrel it if needed personally...

I just looked it up on Cabalas. It's in store only. I should have known that. The closest one is 3 hours away. I'm going to go up to the gun shop I usually use and price out both. I'll let you know what I end up with. I think he was telling me he wanted a Rem 700 because he knows they're cheaper and he'll be more likely to get one. But cheap isn't always better. I'm inclined to listen to your input more because you guys are experts.......I think?

Here's the next question. I'll need to put a scope on it, but don't want to spend a million bucks. Plus I need to replace the scope on my Encore 30-06. I caught a lot of flack on the pig hunt for my stupid Bushnell that didn't hold after the flight. I know you guys like Leupolds and I know they can get a little pricey, but again, as I found out with the Bushnell, cheap isn't better. I'm thinking 3-9 X 40. What do you think?

I appreciate any input. Thank you.

I'd contact Darrik at Whittaker's and see what he can do on a Tikka. My guess is that he'll be very competitive. It's two hours to the closest Sportsman's Warehouse and Bass Pro, and over three to a Cabela's and mega Bass Pro. It's hardly worth the drive to buy rifles by the time I add in nearly 9% sales tax and fuel for the round trip.

Yea, I'm on their website now. They show various Tikka T3's but no pricing. That tells me they don't stock them but can order. I'll try giving him a call.

Brian, call Eric or Darrik at whit takers. Darrik started a thread on a Tikka exclusive they are offering at a good price, blue super light with camo stock. Also ask about the upcoming rebate ion Leupold Scopes Nov.15

They do.



But Tikka doesn't chamber a .223AI...


And theres so few real men left....

Thanks, I'll give them a call. I'm afraid that if I tell them who sent me, they might jack up the price.

Also, Tikka does make a 7mm-08.

Words hurt Brian.....

The kid already did his research. He can buy relatively cheap .308 ammo just about anywhere he'll ever shoot.

Made me spit coffee! dog is looking at me with a concerned look...

Looking for an answer from Tikka guys...

Is the T3 only one action length? If so, can't see any advantage to having a .308 or 7/08 in a long action rifle, or am I wrong?

Do they just use a long action for everything?

Yep, one size (long action) fits all. Funny because Sako makes 6 action sizes for the Model 85. So the T3 is a great way of getting a long magnum in a lightweight package at an affordablt price.

Anybody have one in a short action caliber? If so does it feel handy like most short action bolt guns?

I've been busy as schitt today, but managed to slip up to the gun shop at lunch because I'm out of Triple 7 50/50 pellets. It ML season here and I need to kill some deer.

I got a price on the rifles. He quoted me $689.00 on the Rem 700 and $649.00 on the Tikka. Both with plastic stocks and blued. I asked him his opinion on .308 or 7mm-08 and he said the availability on .308 ammo is better.

I might have to wait until tomorrow to call Wittaker's. I'm leaving out of here in about 40 min. to hit the woods. That's more important. I'm getting a little frustrated, I've been passing up small bucks for the past month and haven't drawn blood yet. Right now it's doe's only, unless of course this bigazz 10 pt presents himself again. This time I'll have a smoke pole instead of a bow. He might get checked in on Monday as a bow kill.

Forgive my ignorance, but what does "long action" mean? Geezz, I can see a new stupid thread being created already, kinda like the .223AI thread. But really, educate me.

If he wants a 700 in .308, that's what I would get him. There are no real warts on the 700, and it will be his gun. My daughter wanted a 700 in .243 and ended up buying one. It is a solid gun and incredibly accurate.

Most makers have different length actions.

.308, 7/08, .350 Rem mag, Short Action Magnums have an action and bolt that is about 3/4 of an inch shorter than...

long actions---30-06, 270, 300 Win Mag.


Some think they are more handy, and most are somewhat lighter.

That's why buying a .308 in a Tikka seems odd. A 30-06 gives you more case capacity, with no penalty.

Thanks. I knew it was probably something self explanatory like that, but wasn't sure. I'm trying to learn.

Except recoil.

Good point. 308 give you a bit less recoil than an 06, a 7/08 quite a bit less recoil. For a new shooter, this is important.

Any input? Well, in that case...

I got curious about the the Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8x32, so I ordered one from Doug a few weeks back. It's got really nice view, especially for $199, shipped. It's not svelte, nor ultralight, and it does have a big honkin' ocular on it (but I can fix that with higher rings, or a piece of electrical tape where the bolt handle will smack into it. ). In any case, I may end up finding another rifle, just so that scope will have something to ride on.

I don't know what else, NIB, would be as good at that price point. Another $100 would put you at the Conquest 3-9 or Meopta. Very nice glass, to be sure.

Alternatively, you could spend $200 or less here in the classifieds, and get a previously enjoyed VX-what-the-hell, or a FFII, or an Elite 4200, or something like that, which would be more than serviceable.

FC

What'll Black Friday price be on T3 Superlites?

Right now Scheels has T3 stainless for $549 in Wi/Mn

It was awfully hard to put back in the rack!

I just bought a T3 Lite with a Burris FFII 3-9 Ballistic Plex at Dicks. It was on sale for $599 plus another 20% off, so $480. I bought it before Oct 31st, so got the $150 in beretta bucks as well which I used for an extra mag and christmas presents. If they has a .223 left, I'd grab another one. My first tikka, thing is just silly accurate, well balanced and light.

Yeah. That's a steal....

Buy the Tikka in 308: add a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 from Euro Optic it is on sale for $299.
Change out the recoil pad to a Limbsaver and he will have a rifle that will last a lifetime.

Just be advised that a Limbsaver switch-out will add about 3/16" to the length of pull. Really no need to change if you make certain the boy has a sweatshirt or heavier jacket on.
The $300 Zeiss Conquest is a fantastic price, by the way.

Long actions are longer than short actions. Short actions are shorter than long actions. Short action cartridges (223, 243, 260, 7mm/08 and 308) will work in a long action. Long action cartridges (25-06, 270, 30-06) won't work in short actions.

Oh, and the 223AI thread was the best thread to ever grace the 24hourcampfire....

Im still trying to figure out how you go wrong with a Rem 700 in 308 as your first general purpose rifle???. The Kid aint asking for something off the wall. Do the kid a favor and buy him a VX 2 3-9x40 in matte. Great scope and pretty easy on your wallet. Dont forget the $100 off rebate on V3 if he has been a good boy this year. Tika would be great but he wants a 700.
Buy him what he is asking you for it the price is reasonable.