The receiver borrows heavily from benchrest actions with a small ejection port for rigidity. The 695 was much more open. Some models in synthetic only weigh 6 and one quarter pounds but weight is kept in the barrels for accuracy.
The steel recoil lug is permanently embedded in the stock and fits into a groove on the reciever. It's a variation on pillar bedding. Much different than the 695.
It has parallel grooves for scope mounting. 70 degree bolt handle lift. Trigger is as about as good as you will find for the price.
The barrel is free floated and a Sako. It's a cosmetic and ergonomic redesign from Giugiaro, an Italian firm.
The detachable mag system is different than that of the 695, releasing in front of it rather than the side as in the 695.
It weighs a good pound less than the 695 but is just as accurate. The stocks are very different with the T3 more sleek and ergonomic.
These are notes from Boddington, Petzal, and van Zwoll. All were impresssed by the accuracy, claiming much less than the inch guarantee.
Gun writer dogzapper bought a 30-06 stainless T 3 and wrote it up here. He couldn't say enough good about it, except it perhaps was a tad too light for the recoil of a 30-06.
