Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles A Tikka T3 Lite question for owners of them...

How does the Tikka T3 Lite handle recoil? We all know that stock design and factory pads can make a difference in felt/perceived recoil.

Shooting the same ammunition in a T3 lite and Rem 700 SPS do you think that one is better than the other for recoil? Any improvements you've made to lessen that recoil? Better pads?

Reason is that my father currently shoots a 300 Weatherby for deer and elk, he's 65+ in age and I think the recoil is getting to him and making him shoot worse. I'd like to buy him a Tikka T3 SS/Syn Lite rifle in 270wsm. Based on the recoil charts it appears the 270wsm has 30%+ less recoil than the 300 wby with 180's. Just want to make sure that the charts aren't lying to me.

I'd even be willing to get a Manners EH stock if that helped, but would like to save the money if it shoots just fine as is.

I added a limbsaver pad to my 30-06 before I ever shot it. Dont notice recoil being particularly bad on mine.

A limbsaver pad will definitely make it a nicer to shoot rifle.

My 6.5 Swede is a honey to shoot, but it doesn't recoil like a magnum --- it just kills like one. Those long bullets just keep plunging through animals.

Well if I could find a RH and LH 6.5 in SS/Syn I'd be happy to go that route! lol However, even the RH ones are rare and command a silly premium, so 270 wsm will likely get the call.

Figure 140 VLD Hunters will lower the recoil and still have plenty of oomph for deer and elk at 300-400+.

I never had an issue with any of them

A friend has a T3 lite in 270wsm and he usually wears a past recoil pad when shooting his, says it hits him worse than his 835 with 3.5" shells.


I've never shot it just passing along what he has said.

I just picked up a stainless 270wsm put a limbsaver on it and waiting for some ammo to show up to shoot it. I'll let you know what it feels like. My 300win mag with limbsaver isn't bad (I don't think anyhow)

Used to own a 3006. Before the limbsaver recoil was stout. After, it was more like a 243. A remarkable difference.

Personally I like the factory stocks just fine and wouldn't change it. But B&C makes an aftermarket stock that is a bit heavier and comes with a better pad on it. For a little over $200 an option to consider.

I prefer to have the stock cut and a Decelerator pad installed.....just adding the Limbsaver makes the rifle uncomfortably too long for my frame.
A 338 Win Mag or a 300 WSM....will get your attention in the factory stock with the original pad.

I've got a T3 Lite Stainless in 260 and recoil isn't an issue. After shooting it the other day, I dragged out the grandson's lightweight Ruger 308 and shot it a few times. I clearly remember saying "ouch". My 270 Sako is pretty heavy and it doesn't hurt. My Dad's Ruger Ultralight in 270 will rattle your teeth with full power loads.

They are light, and recoil for myself is felt more than a heavier rifle. Mine is in 338 Federal and I have a Limbsaver on it. Don't feel the recoil hunting LOL, never do with any rifle, but off the bench..

I have T3 lite .338 win mag. I took the factory pad off and put a limbsaver pad on. It kicks a little but I don't think it is bad. I just like to carry a lite weight rifle. When shooting at animals, you will not notice the kick.

Have you considered using a lighter, premium bullet like a 130 gr. Barnes or GMX? That would cut the recoil considerably. I doubt you'll get much benefit from going to a slightly smaller cartridge in a light gun and a light .270WSM would likely be pretty lively and difficult to shoot well.

Be careful that you don't piss the old man off. Us geezers can get pretty cranky when people start telling us what we need!

limbsaver pad tamed my T3 that was rebored to 35 Whelen.

smithrjd - I have a T3 in 6.5 Swede and found the factory pad just plain hard. Changed it for a Pac Declerator and I'm happy.
Also have a Ruger M77 All Weather in .338 Federal. Despite its factory pad (NOT your typical Ruger 'brick') it handles recoil just fine. The Ruger synthetic stock feels a tad stiffer than the T's. Homesteader

Now you see, I find the factory pad on my T3 Swede to be just fine, and I don't really feel the recoil, but I do shoot a 405 Winchester and a couple of steamed up 45-70s, one with a case hardened butt "pad" AKA plate.

Compared to the 300, a 270 WSM has a lot less recoil and still performs well, but why a 270 WSM?

A 7-08 is plenty of power and more shoulder friendly without the extra blast...remember the Tikka is a 6# rifle. With discerning bullet choice, the 7-08 can deliver better performance at long range due to better bullet performance. Terminal effect is more than adequate, and end results are determined by bullet design, not by the chamber.

Or, you could just load up some good bullets in 30-06 level loads and tame the 300 down by quite a bit...feels more like it cuts recoil in half to me, and only costs about 50-100 yards in equivalent range... a 150 TTSX at 3200fps has a lot of zip and doesn't kick much.

I have a 300WM and a 338Fed T3. Both kick just like a light weight rifle with a $hitty recoil pad The 300 will get your attention quickly, but it's not too bad when testing small batches. It kicks a hell of alot more than my 700s, but there's a large weight difference.

I have two T-3 Lites - a .243 was my first and it shot so well that I had to get one in .300 Win. Shooting from a bench is not pleasant even with the Limbsaver I added. It just plain jumps since it is so light. As others have said, I don't notice it while hunting, but sighting in is a chore. Since I have a .300 Wthby and have shot larger rounds off a bench that don't bother me, I have to say the light weight of the rifle is a real factor for me.

Naturally, the factory pad is just fine with the .243.