Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka owners, quick question...

Well, Steely, it's like this:
1) I agree with you ref only one action length. I like long actions for long cartridges, and short actions for short cartridges.

2) I am ambivalent ref detachable magazines. I like the ones on some of my rifles, but can see the logic of a blind magazine on an Alaska rifle, where you may be way out past nowhere and having a magazine get lost or busted could cause a serious problem.

3) If a particular stock design exhibits a tendency to break, then obviously that would be a problem. I'm not sure I'm ready to cut and run with an example of just one.

4) I have Savages in .25-06 and 7mm Rem Mag, which I like. The reason I got a T3 is how light it is. I need a rifle to tote climbing mountains chasing elk, and the lighter the better, within reason.

5) I shoot lefty, which puts me at a significant disadvantage ref what's available for me, as opposed to everybody else.

Once you make clear your complaints, I am more inclined to understand your position. Until you listed them, we were left to speculate, which we obviously did incorrectly. Thank God we can all buy and use what we want and like!

Have a good day, Mr. Steely!

Dont know,but with the Federal Premium 85 gr BT's it is noticeable.They are pretty hot for factory ammo if you consider 3550 fps at the muzzle hot.

That is the draw to the Tikka to me. I lightweight, stainless rifle, with superior accuracy, at a great price. There really aren't a lot of choices in a lightweight/stainless gun, without dropping at least $1k.

Back to the original question.....my four Tikka rifles..two 595s and two T3s... all wear 2 pc Leo bases with Burris Signature rings...I really don't care for the factory supplied rings at all..nothing like good steel bases and steel rings with inserts...no slip/no stress/no scratches....

Did you have slippage problems with the factory rings?

thanks.

I have Dednutz rings on 2 of my Tikkas and Warnes on the other. I would go Dedenutz(DNZ now I believe) for $45 you get a solid and precision 1 piece mount that works great and bolts straight onto the top of the receiver. Less parts, less to malfunction.

If there was so much about it that you didn't like, why did you buy it??

I bought a set of Warne rings to have as a spare when I read about Tikka screw problems.

But so far I have not used them yet, and after 3 years have not had any slippage on my 300 WSM. I only tightened the screws reasonably tight. I don't have a torque wrench but I would guess about 20 lbs.
I can imagine if the screws are tightened until they strip out, there would be slippage!

This is the first I have read about these actually having a problem, how did you manage to crack it?

hey Dogcatcher- congrats. Betting you are going to love your Tikka. Why not give the mounts a go and see how they work before buying different ones? Do you lap your rings? I do - just makes me feel better. One tip I got here was to run a little clear silicon in them and let sit before mounting the scope. The silicon will help hold it in place and keep the rings from scratching your scope. Easy enough to remove any minor excess and afterwards you really can't tell its there. Just a thought.

That's a fair question. Honestly, because I didn't know better at the time. With more time, and exposure/experience with different makes and models I gradually learned what I liked and was looking for in a hunting rifle to suite me.




Do a search. A few years ago there was a great deal of discussion regarding the bolt shroud cracking (as well as some of their SS barrels blowing up.... bad batch of steel).

I actually had two shrouds crack. One broke off in my hand while disassembling the bolt, the other... not sure??? After a range session I noticed a crack in the shroud.

IMHO, the design and the material used are weak and don't give me a sense of "warm fuzzies". The shroud is the last line of defense, regarding gas shielding. Should a shroud let loose, it is in THE exact proximity of your frontal lobe...

I agree the Shroud is the part I like least about the gun . I took mine off when I purchased the rifle to strip the bolt. There is no reason the amount of gas slipping by would be anymore or any less then on a conventional open bolt shroud rifle with the shroud removed. The tolerances are just that good. That shroud is prone to cracking if you service the bolt a lot and use it in different weather conditions or if it falls on something. Other then that I am very pleased with my rifle.

Fost and Steelhead obviously know their stuff on the cons on these rifles, and I think the pros have been described pretty accurately, so this thread seems valuable to me in terms of guys getting good info and making an informed decision.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons for my use. It's one of the best things about being able to own several rifles - one rifle doesn't have to do it all, and I have lots of uses for a T3 where its virtues shine and its liabilities are inconsequential.

For the record, the bolt shroud probably bugs me most in my use, but the removable magazine would keep it from being my only choice for every kind of hunting.

DJ

I never had a problem with the stock rings.My T3 is in 6.5 Sweed so recoil is no issue.I did however fit it with Tally Lightweights.The Warnes were heavy.Tallys didn't leave a spot on my Lupy(contrary to what some may say).
If you listen to some of the kooks here you'll never be happy.The Tikka is well made shoots the best I have ever seen.Oh yea I dropped it, more like fell on it,nothin broke and it still cuts one hole.

I had a bolt shroud crack as well, after a .308 was fired through a .270....

The cracked shroud was the only damage and the shooter did not know anything was wrong until he tried to work the bolt. Everything checked out fine and the rifle is cutting 1/2 moa at 200yards with two loads.

I'll put another vote for the DNZ mounts, I really like the concept of the one piece base and rings.

Never used the factory Tikka rings...just do not like 'em...

No problem with my factory rings on a T3 Lite in .30-06.
I replaced the aluminum screws with steel ones from Lowe's.

Awright, yo, I picked up my T3 Lite today. One or two comments...I am not duly impressed with the plastic magazine. I would feel better if it was metal. Also, since it's a plastic magazine, these things oughta be cheap, not expensive. If they are expensive, somebody is making a killing. I remember from my days working in sporting goods that plastic is all high profit margin. I am also not entirely sure I like the magazine release.
I think I like the one on the old 595 better.

That being said, I sure as heck do like how light this bad boy is. I've put Talley rings/bases on it, and will prolly throw a Leupy VX-II 3X9 on it, for now, anyway. For the money, it seems to be a good rifle. Go metal on the magazine, change the release, and go metal on the bolt shroud, and this rifle would go from 'good' to 'great'. Those changes would add weight, no doubt, but they would add confidence, as well.

If these tropical freakin storms will stand off, to the range on Thursday I will go to zero. Will also zero the Savages in .25-06 and 7mm Rem Mag.

I don't have a problem with plastic mags, but i agree, the price is ridiculous. I figure I only need one extra mag though, so the price will soon be forgotten.

I have a plastic DPMS mag that I use in my AR's, and it has been flawless.

I agree with dogcatcher, do not fret the plastic mags, they are indestructible. I also agree that the price is a total rip off. They don't rust, don't make noise just don't lose one!