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Looking at a Tika Lite in 7-08. Any opinions on the Tika rifles?

Excellent choice, and welcome to the Fire!

Dober

I'd own several if I could get myself to accept the plastic parts. or if someone made aftermarket replacement components from steel and or at least aluminum.

Welcome.

Drop back and look for an older Model 595, 695, or 658 - less plastic, more wood, same accuracy.

I've got a Lite (stainless) in .308. It's light, shoots straight, nice trigger, and was priced attractively. Other than aesthetics (and maybe not being a fan of the factory rings, I put Dednutz on mine) I've got nothing but good things to say about it thus far.

I've never liked the their looks but that's a subjective thing. After handling one I've got to admit the fit and balence seemed pretty good. They're supposed to be accurate and a lot of people like them. They look like they'd be durable and they've been around a little while. Don't know why it wouldn't be a good hunting rifle.

Logically thinking, I can't see anything wrong with the plastic mag... um, trig guard? bolt shroud? I can't remember for sure if they use plastic for those exact parts but it really doesn't matter if it doesn't matter to the buyer.

There are tons of those rifle out there in use & everybody seems to love them.

I'm a self admitted dullard of sorts when it comes to my plas-phobia.



seriously it's not a phobia for me either tho, I trust the parts, they just don't appeal to me.

Very nice rifles.

I've owned two, a 7-08 and now a .223, both are accurate as in easily sub MOA with ammunition they like. I'd prefer walnut and such but for the price I've not been able to get better. The good news is you can't hurt them and they shoot well, both of mine are/were Tikka T3 Lite Stainless.

My Tikka 695 in 280 is one of the best shooting rifles I own. I don't see why the newer ones would be any different. They also have a super slick action and feed flawlessly from the single stack magazine I wouldn't worry much about the plastic parts, they're probably tougher than the aluminum other makers use. It's just older codgers, me included, that think everything should be made of milled steel.

Had the same rifle. Put a Limbsaver on it and used Talley Lightweights . Had it not cracked its bolt shroud I would probably still own it. My rifle shot better then a custom .308 I had built on a 700 action.

I'll admit that plastic parts on my shooting irons don't really turn my crank, but I have carried a Glock with a plastic frame in a duty belt for the last 7 or 8 years, getting in and out of a car, beating all the crud out of it, and other than being shiny in a place or two, it looks mostly like it did when they issued it to me.

Tikkas are fine rifles. They shoot very well, and at an attractive price.

Any thoughts on stepping up to an Sako A7 for a little more? Basically an improved T3 - I tried and tried but just could never warm up to the feel of the Tikka's but will admit they have a stellar reputation.

That is assuming the Materials used on the Tikka are the same as Glock. WHen I called Beretta customer service and told them about it I was told to just send it in and they would send me a new one. 10 minutes later they told me they were out of stock and it would be 2 weeks before they got there. I ordered one from Bolsa Gunsmithing 45 dollars for a piece that if made of plastic reinforced with steel or aluminum never would have cracked. The Shroud does not serve any purpose except that of being a decorative cover for the back end of the bolt and covering the back end of the firing pin/cocking piece If one broke it would not mean the end of a hunt but a lot of crap could get back there.

Like I said before had it not happened I would still own it.

Sako A7 advantage is the model 75 action where you can feed cartidges thru the ejection port easily. The feed lips are made of metal as well(wonder why?) . Your better off with the T3 for the price they are charging for the A7

I own quite a few different guns. All my Rugers have aftermarket triggers. All my Remingtons are bedded and have aftermarket triggers, I even have a couple of customs with all the bells and whistles. I did nothing to my Tikka but throw a scope on it, and that is all it needed. It is a true hunting rifle. Nothing to dick with, no trigger job needed, no bedding. Just shoot tiny groups and go hunting.

What Dogcatcher said!
Mine is a T3 Lite SS in '06. Shot the first load I tried under 1". I just went back to the store and bought 20 more boxes, good to go.

Oh! Federal blue box 150 gr. soft point.

Shooters & hunters that know the Tikka rifles know the quality and accuracy that comes along with the budget priced rifle built by Sako in the same factory in Finland as the new 85 Sako series....same barrel/trigger as the $1400 Sako..kind of a no brainer...once you get past the space age plastic that is used in the trigger gaurd...bolt shroud and magazine...the earlier 595/695 series are at least one pound heavier than the T3 series...Beretta imports the T3s and Stoeger imported the 595/695 series...I have several of each series in ass't calibers/variations....my favorite being the 6.5x55....pick up one and cycle the bolt...I'll bet it comes home with you...pic shows average three shot group from my out of the box Swede with my handloads....Leo bases w/Burris Sig rings...T3 rings suck big time...toss 'em.....

I set up my son-in-law's T3 300 WSM. Wasn't real impressed until I shot it. First box of ammo, Fusion 165s, it's shooting sub-MOA 3 shot groups one after another. I think bedding the action would be a waste of time and dough.

First rifle I ever handled that the trigger didn't need adjustment, or more commonly, replacement...see Remington, f'rinstance. Broke like glass at about 3 lbs.

I love the clip! Stacks the cartridges straight, not staggered. It flawlessly feeds the WSMs as smooth as butter. It doesn't rattle, installs and releases with ease, and I think it would take an 8 pound hammer to break it.

My next rifle, if and when that happens, almost certainly will be a Tikka T3 in 270 WSM. About as sweet as it gets, especially considering the price.

Ugly, Ugly, Ugly. Hate the plastic but my do they shoot

Greg

T3 6.5 Swede in lam/ss w/Nikon 3-12