Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka negatives

I'd also check firing pin protrusion. But, I bet the gunsmith did that already.

I've been through 4, don't have any at the moment but will likely buy another at some point (if only because the Kimber Hunter isn't offered in .223). I never had pitting, but I did notice that the Tikka stainless requires more care than some other rifles I've had, in order to avoid spot rust, thankfully the spots I did get were easily removed with bronze wool and kroil.

A few other things I'd change:

- Faster twist rates in the .243, 7mms, and .30 chamberings
- The stocks seem to transmit more recoil than other designs (newer Winchesters, Brownings and Kimbers)
- I'd like more than 3 rds of standard cartridges in a flush fit mag, I'm not scared of double stacks
- The two position safety is well located and locks the bolt, but I prefer a 3 position safety

Overall they are a decent value on a solid low-feature rifle, they built their reputations as excellent values back when they were a Benjamin or two cheaper.

NOT to beat up on ya. I see you have 4. That's twice as many as I have.
I posted this later than your post here but my point is simply



This is my T3 Lite SS 270 exactly the SAME as I set it up in 2003
I've had NO problems with any of those things including the FACTORY Scope Rings.
The ONLY time I've had to adjust the scope was after a HARD fall - I bounced and the rifle hit the ground hard.


Jerry

I've noticed all I have to do is point my Tikka in the direction of deer and just pull the trigger, no aiming at all and they fall....lol

I've owned a T3 in 308 and a T3x in 30-06. Not a fan of detachable mags but no complaints other than that.


Okie John

I have two. A T3 forest in 270 and a t3x lite stainless in 30-06. Both shoot great. Only gripe is the twist in the 30-06 won’t stabilize heavy non-lead very well, but I also could just shoot a lighter Bullet or lead bullet.

The plastic stock isn’t my favorite, but admittedly it is better than most plastic stocks. Doesn’t compare to the composites like kimber Montana or Christensen IMO. With that said, the walnut stock on the hunter and forest models is excellent. The forest (maybe also hunter) has a nicely done palm swell and is surprisingly decent wood.

I wish there were easily available options for lightweight scope mounting on the factory dovetail. I know of sports match but they’re hard to find/figure out. also wish it was easier to get talleys that were lower than lows. But that’s not really about the rifle.

About the rust .... stainless is not rust proof, it just is more resistant. Keep it dry clean and LIGHTLY oiled and it won’t rust, blued or stainless.

Everyone knows that stainless is not rust proof.

What we're saying is that the stainless alloy used on Tikkas, or perhaps the finishing process, seems to render them less rust resistant than other stainless firearms. I had to be more careful about reapplication of oil or corrosion inhibitor after a wet day of hunting, or even just temperature change condensation than I did other rifles like SS Winchesters or Ruger's. I treat all of my firearms with Eezox before they ever go to the field and I touch them up regularly thereafter.

I've got 2.

A T3 Lite lefty in 30-06. I put a metal bolt shroud on it. I'm happy with it.

Also got a T3X Lite stainless lefty in 270 Win. Haven't shot it yet, but anticipate no problems. Always wanted a 270 anyway.

For a lightweight mountain-type rifle, I'm satisfied with them.

I agree ref DM's being a plus. I've had multiple rifles with DM's, including a Rem 788, Rem 7600, and several Ruger Americans. I find them convenient when leaving the truck to hunt, and when returning at the end of the day.

It is SO frustrating to see left hand models in desirable calibers not available in the U.S.!! It makes me do a hissy fit dance sometimes.

This hasn’t been my experience, I don’t believe tikka SS is any more rust prone than other makes with a similar finish.

I may could buy that an SS M77 MKII is slightly easier to keep rust free than an SS tikka, but that’s more to do with polished finish vs bead blasted IMO. I doubt a bead blasted ruger Hawkeye is any more corrosion resistant than a tikka. I’ve had all three of the rifles I’ve mentioned, with no significant rust on any of them. But I haven’t put any of them away wet either...

Ok. Where i live it rains four feet each year. To the West where i hunt it rains up to double that. Tikka T3X Lite ... zero rust. Yes, I hunt in the rain.

Funny, I can remember when there was lots of griping on this forum about SS Ruger Hawkeyes rusting easily. I had one and never had a problem. I think eventually the consensus was that it wasn't the SS on the rifle/action rusting but the media used to bead blast the finish. I wipe my rifles down when I'm done w/ them and never had a problem.

David

They are, easily, the worst rifle for me ergonomically that I have ever handled. I have wanted to buy one for years, but every time I hold one I absolutely hate it. They shoot great and are built well, but for whatever reason they just don’t work for me. I know a couple buddies feel the same.

My $.02

I have several Tikka's. I love them and find no problems with them. I just carry them a bit, shoot occasionally and mess around with them. I have had no problems with them. I try to by every one I can find that is close to local, and around $400 or so used. Best buy on the market. Accurate, light to carry and great actions to build a custom off of.

Off memory I have
T3 - 7mm Rem Mag
T3 Hunter .30-06
T3 SL .270
T3 7mm-08
T3 .243
T3 .223 1:8
T3 .308
T3 6.5x55 Swede (Fluted barrel)

They work well for me.

Ha! Thanks, I thought maybe I’d missed something.

Oddly, I remember the month and year I saw my first Glock, August 1983... an Austrian border guard was packing one, and man I’d never seen a pistol like it!

Congratulations

My parents gave me a SS Colt 1911, 45 ACP of course, as a graduation present from high school. The fella that worked at the shop told my dad I could trade it for a Glock 17, as long as I didn’t shoot it (the good old days, for sure)

My response: not a chance in hell I want a plastic pistol.

Fast forward to today...I’m quite a Glock fan.


People will catch up to Tikkas.

I think Tikkas are already pretty popular and well known, hell they were the top selling hunting rifle at a medium sized local gun store I used to frequent 10 years ago.

They're still good rifles, but between price increases and more strict MAP enforcement they are quite a bit more expensive relative to the rest of the market than they used to be. They've gone from being a must-buy deal to a frontish to middle of the pack contender. SS Tikkas under $600 and blued under $500 were great deals, now that prices are $120 to $150 higher, they just aren't the automatic buy they were, at least for me.

Honestly, I think the Kimber Hunter gives the regular Tikka Lites stiff competition these days, it costs about the same, has faster twist rates, 3 position safety, better ergos and weighs a pound less. My recent production Kimber has shot about middle of the pack, or a little better as compared to my Tikkas which in and of themselves are usually pretty good for light rifles (my CTR was phenomenally accurate, but also quite a bit heavier).

I'm certainly not a Tikka hater, but there are some things I think they could do better, especially as the price has increased.

I don't like that they don't fit me very well. The stock is a milk jug and feels like one too. I've owned 3 and only one of them was a tack driver. I also don't like the one action size for everything. In the grand scheme of things, that part probably doesn't mean anything...but I don't like it.

Before the bumped the prices way up, they did have some appeal because it is a well build gun for the most part. But when the prices got raised up...there are other guns that appeal to me more.