Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Impressed with the Tikka T3s

My daughter mistreated one about as badly as it could be and it functioned. She pushed it muzzle first with an empty chamber in sand on about a mile long stalk. I had a hard time getting the sand out of the bolt face with a pocket knife because it was so tightly packed. Cleaned most of the sand out of the barrel and shot a three shot group to function test. It fed, extracted and put three shots touching after that treatment. I was impressed.

Well BSA got back from the range.

Damned rifle shot like crap. I couldn't hit the little orange thingys. I used all new Nosler brass too. None of those dirty fired resized cases. I think the Finns gypped me. I guess, maybe I can still find a use for this rifle.

200grain Partition/IMR4895


175gr Sierra/Pro 2000MR

Looks awesome to me. Pretty good shooter there. I ran across 200 pcs. of once fired 8x57 nickel R-P brass the other day. I almost bought it, and I don't even have an 8mm.. An 8x57 Tikka would be a thing of sweetness for sure...

Nice! Makes me want one even more now.

Mine is at the GS now getting chopped to 20" and threaded for my suppressor.
It is a 308 and it shoots great, what kind of replacement stocks are available for these rifles?

I have two stainless Tikka 7mm-08s, if I could find another I'd buy it.




P

Tikka worked great. Took this big cow first day of CO 1st rifle season. The rifle carries very well and more and more I appreciate not having to baby a "nice" rifle on a backpack hunt. I want a 308 now too!

Hope these pics work. My first post from my phone. One shot at 80yds did it even though it was a 270. Hand loaded 130 TTSX over 59.5 g H4831sc at 2950. Complete pass through of course.

There are several on GB right now.

Very nice...

My 8x57 shoots at least as well as Paulh's

That's pretty damn good DMD... Even considering it's a 3 shot group...

Ill stretch it out more after the seasons. Just wanted to get a feel for the girl. Everything was left box stock on the rifle. Those are untuned loads, in new cases, that shoot very well in my other two. The nosler load was loaded for the M70 COAL of 3.03. The Hornady gauge has the nosler at a max of COAL of 3.265 in the Tikka, so that bullet is way off the lands. In the M70, it's only .035 off. The Pro-2000MR load was loaded at 3.06 and the Tikka's COAL for the Sierra is 3.27. So it's a bunch off the lands too in the Tikka.

3, 5 ,7, 10 shot groups I guess whatever tickles your fancy. I want my cold bore shot going where it's supposed to in hunting conditions. I see the 8x57 as a 300 yard rifle and where I hunt, 100-200 yards is average.

But kudos to Tikka IMO.

As good or better then anything currently made. My only gripe with them is the plastic bottom metal and the magazine that sticks out.

I agree Paul. We are not talking bench rest guns. 3 shot groups work good enough for my hunting rifles as well..... Generally 3 shot groups tell me everything I need to know about how the load and rifle are behaving anyway...However, I've shot a lot of 3 shot groups like the one you posted and then decided to pull the trigger 2 more times, just because.

Tikka is cutting chambers with really long throats in 8x57, but they shoot really well.

I have a CZ in 7x64 that is the same way. Generally in rifles like these I start by seating the bullet to the base of the neck. Does anyone recommend an alternate approach?

I had a CZ 550 in 7x64 but made the mistake of selling it.

I'm new to Tikkas and have been really enjoying this new one. I was buying a scope at a local shop a few weeks back only because they had it clearance priced at 30% off. I didn't really need a scope (or a another rifle to put under it), but just couldn't help myself I started with the typical slower powders (H4831, RE22, RE23, Magnum, etc.) which all shot good (except Magnum), but this one shows a definite preference for H4350 with all bullets tried so far, consistently grouping 1/2 MOA or better. Now I need to try some RE26, but 'spose I can live with it as is...

Where did you get those targets?

Thanks.

I make them with a Cadd program at work (after hours, of course)...