I'm thinking about picking up a Tikka T3 in .243Win. Never shot a Tikka or a .243 before. Wondering about Tikka's in general? Lite version with a synthetic stock or the hunter model with a walnut stock?

Primarily this will be used as my new deer rifle up here in N.Michigan.

I have a Tikka T3 in SS, in 260. Great rifle. Extremely accurate. The synthetic stock isn't pretty, but seems sturdy enough. Some folks have complained about the plastic detachable magazine and trigger guard, but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

you couldn't make a better pick in a rifle or cal. than the Tikka in 243 Win

There are folks who don't care for the Tikka T3, and they'll be along shortly to tell you about the long action with the bolt stop being a hindrance rather than the T3 being a true short action. I wouldn't worry my head about it, if you like the Tikka.

There is better than a 99% chance it will shoot very well, and if you are any kind of rifle shot at all, you will pile up deer with it for many years to come.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

tikkas are great. ive got the hunter model in 308 and love it. great lookin rifle tho im kinda wishing ida just bought synthetic/stainless.

Some good examples of Tikkas: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8093293/1

I have a T3 Lite in .243 in there that shoots in the .2's. Really awesome rifle. Super smooth, accurate and not finicky at all. I've used it to take deer out to 300 with factory 95 gr Fusions.

Eric

I've got a T3 in .243.... the blued synthetic version. Right now it's in a Boyds Laminated stock. With a Leupold 3-9 in DNZs, it still weighs under 7.5lbs. It hammers 87 Vmax and 90 NBTs.... but it won't shoot the 105 HPBTs at sea level, so it's on the block. The triggers in Tikkas are easily the best factory triggers around.

I like my tikkas , have several, one in 243 shoots very well, tikkas are one of the most accurate factory rifles straight out of the box. They do have wonderful and easily adjustable triggers, they're almost as good as Kimber triggers.

Id look at Ruger or Remington instead of Tikka. They have a faster twist (9 & 91/8) Tikka got a 10.So if you want to shoot 105g bullet more than likely it'll stabilize in a 9 twist, probably not in a 10 twist

That's pretty much BS.

Thanks for info. Gonna go get a T3 lite sometime in the next week.

Heres something on 243 barrel twist:
What Barrel Twist Should I Use? The most versatile barrel twist rate is 1:8". This will shoot everything from 62gr FB bullets to 107 VLDs with great accuracy. If you shoot mostly at 100-200 yards, a 1:14 twist will deliver 60-70gr match bullets with unrivaled accuracy. Take-off 1:14 6PPC barrels rechambered to 6BR work great at low cost. For shooting out to 600 yards, in calm conditions, you may get best accuracy with custom 75-85gr FB bullets. These work best in a 1:12 twist tube. A 12-twist is perfect for varminting with the 75-grain V-max and the Berger 80gr MEF. Our initial testing shows the 1:10 twist to be very effective with the new low-drag 85-88gr FB bullets, and 90gr boat-tails. The 1:10 twist is a great choice for varminting and Egg Shoots because you can run the 87gr Hornady V-Max and shoot Lapua's very accurate 90gr factory-loaded ammo. If you need a barrel to shoot both light and heavy bullets, the best choice is still a 1:8. For the 115gr DTAC bullet, 1:8 will stabilize in most conditions, but 1:7 is a better bet.

I don't know of any production rifles with a 7 or 8 twist. But you can get a 9. IMO I cant hurt to go 9. And IME ive seen 10's that don't stabilize 105's

Maybe your tikka is twisted tighter than mine but 105's won't stabilize in my tikka 10 twist. Most 100 grain cup and cores will. Also tried long for weight monumental 90gr. nosler E-tips they go through the paper sideways.

Then again after looking at the Tikka webpage the T3 Hunter with the stainless fluted barrel might be a nice rig as well.

My brother lives in N. Michigan, he has always used old war surplus rifles to hunt with - British 303s, Mauser 98s, etc.,
all well used and none that would keep 3 shots within 3 inches. On his visit back home to Idaho I finally talked him into spending some money and he bought a Tikka T-3 for himself in 308 and a Tikka t-3 in 243 for his wife. His 308 shoots into an easy 3/4 inch with some left over hand loads from one of his Mauser 98s that had been converted to 308 by the Israelis so you can imagine the life it has had. His wife's 243 shoots an honest 1/2 inch 3 shot group with some book hand loads, no load development whatever.

The only problem he is having now is that he is dissatisfied with the 308 "only" shooting 3/4 inch groups. This is from someone who satisfied with 3 inch groups all of his life.

drover

I've got two Tikka T3 SS lite, and would not hesitate to get another. Extremely accurate rifles. Mine are both left handed.

This seems to be about 6mm BR barrels, not 243. Velocity helps.

I just got my first tikka do not have a scope on it yet but heard great things about them. Hope to shoot it in the next month once I get a scope. It is a 7mm-08 ss. Oh and if you can find a hunter fluted stainless get it unfortunately I have never seen one where I live.

I just did the exact same thing; I picked up a T-3 in stainless (243). It is really hard for me to like a rifle but this one is a keeper. It's very very accurate and has a great trigger. They are far better guns than their price suggests. The l243 is new to me as well but has put down several deer this season. It is a really nice setup - do it.

If you have Academy sports stores near you you might check them for a Tikka T3 Stainless .243. The ones down here just had them on sale for $499!

I really like the Tikka's. They are very well built guns that I have always enjoyed.

AB

love my Tikka in 7RM...just got bored with the stock a couple of times so i played around a little... change#1 ... change #2... but still shoots like this...

Why are all the good groups way away from the bulls eye? Why doesn't anyone shoot another in the center and take a picture? Are these just fluke groups? I want my shots in the center, not 4" left.

R H.... i had to shoot around a tree that a beaver was fixin' to use it in his hacienda...lol

That's funny, and I was just BS'ing anyway, but I would like one time to see a great group exactly center or 2-3 inches directly above center.

BTW great group, even if you did miss. LOL