On a total impulse buy, I pick up a Tikka T3 Super Lite in .308win. Ordered a EGW rail for it, and will have to play swap a scope to get it to the range for load work up.

You will problably be the only guy that has one that doesn't shoot .250 groups all day long. LOL ED K

Will load it up with some 178gr Amaxs to start and see how it goes.

My Tikka Superlight is in 270 Winchester.
it does not shoot .250 but it shoots 3 shot groups of .75 with Federal Fusion 130 grain ammo,Hornady Whitetail 130 Grain ammo 130 grains ammo shoots .85
Shooting without any fouling from a clean barrel.

I haven,t had any problem with the factory rings as of yet
Torqued the ring base to 25 inch pounds and the ring tops to 20 inch pounds.

Handloads might help to decrease the groups but I am happy with the accuracy of the factory loads for the purpose of a hunting rifle for deer out to 400 yards.

I torqued the front and rear stock screws to 35 inch pounds and lowered the trigger pull to 1.5 pounds.

I am thinking you are gonna really like it !

All the Tikka and Sako triggers I've ever adjusted stopped at 2 lbs.

The reason that the trigger pull On the Tikka T3 cant be adjusted lower is that the head of the trigger adjustment screw contacts the bolt that holds the trigger to the action.

Take the bolt out that holds the trigger to the action and take the trigger off and file down the head of the trigger adjustment screw and that will allow the screw to back out farther before it touches the Bolt.

That will allow for a lighter pull.

This is for the Tikka T3

Aha. Thanks for the tip. Never thought of that. Would likely work on the Sako too. So far I've never wanted them lighter than 2 lbs but I'll keep this in mind.

I've filed a few down to get a little lighter pull. But the Better option is to spend $7 and get a Yo Dave trigger spring.....

16bore Talleys are great also, the lows house a 40mm objective quite well.

Why is the spring a better option ??
It didn,t cost me anything but a little time and a 1.5 pound crisp trigger pull is fine with me.
Mine would only adjust down to about 2.25 pounds before I filed it down.
so it reduced it by 3/4 of a pound.
I didn,t bother trying to get it lower as this is a hunting rifle and 1.5 pounds gives me a trigger that is light and easy to shoot but stll heavy enough to feel in cool weather.

Because it allows for an even better adjustment range, and is much more reliable resetting the sear. The factory screw is much thicker, and a bit shorter... it's only job is to make sure the sear engages. So, as you back the screw out the spring is under less compression (and it doesn't have much range)... sometimes to the point of having the sear not reset and the hammer drop on a rigorous run of the bolt. I've had it happen more than once with the screws way backed out. Take yours out, make sure it's empty.... and cycle the bolt hard... see if the hammer ever drops when closing the action.

The YoDave spring is lighter, that allows you to keep the spring under good compression (thus maintaining solid sear engagement), yet maintain the lower trigger pulls achievable by filing the head down.

Here's the pic of the two screws.... OEM on top, YoDave below...

No offense to anyone, as I'm a Tikka fan too.......but I've been hunting Tikkas for the past 15 years, and consider the stock triggers to be very good. What's the infatuation with trying to improve on a great factory trigger?

Yes I believe there would be a point that would happen if backed off to far.
I always work the bolt hard and bump the butt on the floor.
Trigger remained set and constant in trigger pull.

Thanks for the concern and the tip and the Pics about the spring though.

Although the seems to be no issue at the time if it ever gives me any issue at all I will get the spring.

I may go ahead and order one anyway.

Thanks again

Not an infatuation just a preference.
Yeah the stock trigger would adjust down to 2-1/4 pounds which is pretty darned good but I prefer lighter and when it doesn,t take much Investment in either time or money why not ?

Don't be a peasant. Establish a surplus of rings, bases, and glass prior to delving into the world of rifles.

Here is a group I shot with my Tikka .308 last week. Pretty uber.





Travis

500 or 600 yards ?

8.

155gr Scenar going full UBER.



Dave

I like Tikkas. Don't really love 'em. With that said, I own two and working up a load will be easy. These rifles will shoot just about anything inside 1.5" and several into 1/2 MOA or better. They just lack something that a solid old Remington or Winchester have. Maybe its 'metal' the Tikkas lack in some places, but they sure as hell shoot.

Load for "Full Uber?"

46gr's of VarGay.



Dave

thanks

Good lord !
Now thats some shooting !

Yep. Takes a lot of beer to shoot that well.




Dave

Yes sir.



David

I have an old Mauser 98 8mmJS with double set triggers when I really feel the need for old world Craftsmanship !
My Tikka Superlight does .75 at a Hundred with 130 Grain Federal Fusion and Less than an inch with Hornady Whitetail 130 grains.
Itchin to try the factory ammo out to around to a least 400 yards and see if it still maintains this accuracy at longer ranges.

I will post pics and do a range report in the coming weeks.

Agree totally. Never had a Tikka where I couldn't get down to 2 1/2# pull.
Plenty light for fieldwork.

My T-308 is one of the most accurate guns I have ever shot. It will shoot just about any weight well and some surprisingly well. As others have said, I am not in love with it like I am my 35 Whelen CDL classic or my Marlin 45-70 26" cowboy but they are shootin' sums a birch beers!

So uber... even Tanner can run one. He showed up and put three rounds on wax with my CTR.... here they are...

[video:youtube]LDmIJTQKVvg[/video]

The only thing Tanner can dial is my COCK.



Dave

Does it have a cheeseburger on the end?

Dave's not here man....

Please advise Tan Man my phone took a dunk in a bucket of water.

Long story.

Thanks.



Clark, not Dave

Will advise.....

I'll have none of that on my sled Clark....

You missed the arm and the hammer!

Here is some 355yd action.

20mph winds.




Travis

Mr. Flave-

Sounds like the Tikka is growing on you. Correct?

Respectfully,

Bat Fastard

I can't help but sorta like it.





Travis

I've never seen a Tikka that didn't shoot extremely well.

They are doing an exclusive run for me this year. I had them do 500 rifles. 125 each...8" twist 223, 260 Remington, 6.5x55 and 308. Blued rifles, fluted barrels. They wouldnt do stainless because of the exclusive for Sportsman's Warehouse.

My CTR is the best $825 I've ever spent on a rifle, even my mom can hit stuff at 500 with it. They're so solid, that I just bought another one in .260 for my girlfriend, and have a .308 on order.

I think I need one...

Thanks. Thinking I'd like to try one. The LA for a SA cartridge hurdle would be easy enough to get over. Now if I can just find a couple of nickels to rub together...

Oh you bastard....

I wear my Whittaker t-shirt everywhere now that it is summer. I don't think it's doing you any favors.


Dave

I hate everybody else's Tikkas but I love mine.




Travis

On the CTR, it's a 3.4" action for a 3" magazine.... not exactly a 3.7" Rem 'long action' with a 2.8" mag box. And you get: solid bottom metal, a 10rd mag, a Sako TRG barrel that's can ready, a pic rail, sweet trigger, etc. to compensate you for packing that extra .4"......

That's the huge boon that folks look past when criticizing the action length.... you get a 3" magazine.... that makes the .260 the titties, and gives the .308 all kinds of room for the high BC pills.

The whole CTR concept is well thought out.... only the $180 for an extra magazine sucks.

10 year old running a CTR .260....

[video:youtube]E2XUo5OEQUM[/video]

Is the CTR the only model with a 3" magazine?

Yep...

Somebody had their head outside their ass when they came up with the CTR.



Travis

I'm sorry, I didn't hear that.... I had my head in my ass.



Remington SPS Tac

Thanks. I was thinking light one since I already have a heavy 260. But a CTR is probably nicer and more suited to hunting than the one I have...

Of course, you can AICS the Tikka and get the same results. And AICS steel mags with the Ruger Gunsite label are $50 all day long.

What'd it cost you to "save" that money on mags?

What does CTR stand for? I must have missed it in the postings.

Compact Tactical Rifle....

Thank you.

After reading this thread, I'm sure I need another Tikka.

Only reason you guys group like that and hit the steel in those vids is the wind tightening up your shooting; and the Bud.

Shooting sober is for losers.




Dave

69-2625

Kinda like BR549...

Dogshooter

What scope and rings do you have on your gun?

16bore Talleys and a Leupold 3-9x40 Mark AR.

The new bottom metal was $200? And I have three extra mags.

So I saved, after three additional mags, 3*(189-50)-200 = 3*139-200 = $417-$200 = $217

You forgot the $800 stock to accept said bottom metal in your 'math'....

I'm thinking the Tikka Chicken combo is going to be the heat.

What chicken comobo is that? I am going to throw my SS 3x15 for initial load work up. wish I had a SS 3x9 to try out also so I can decide if I want a new 3x9 or 3x15

10XMD but thinking it's going to get replaced by a 10XMQ.

Any idea if they CTR is going to come out in more calibers?

It fits the factory stock with minor fitting. So my "math" is, as usual, perfect.

you're running AI mags in a factory stock and bottom metal?

The DBMs out there typically fit the factory opening with very minor fitting.. You do need a AI-compliant bottom metal

Didn't I say the BM was $200. Yes I did

So my cost was $50*3 plus the BM = $350
3*$189= $577

Savings = $577-$350= $227

I might be wrong on the BM (I'm not) but even if it was $300 I'd still be up by $127.

Copy?

It's 2*$189.... as I already have one, and the total should be three. As it is, I simply found one locally and worked a little deal on it. $160 for a total of two nice mags.... and no running around... I'll take it.

Out of curiosity, how long are the 10 rd AI mags?

2.880"

You wanna try one more time on that "perfect math" there chief?

If you need a total of three, and you already have one.... how many do you have to buy?

2.88", That's the internal length without the front plate removed, correct?

The TRG mags are 2.95"

But I was talking about how long they are externally..... as in, how far do they protrude from the bottom of the stock?

Farther than this?

[q]

Just not sure why you're being a dick?

And you asked me how much I saved with the AICS mags and bottom metal, not how much you would have saved with two magazines.

Are you going to provide a measurement with that "further than this" comment or do I just need to post a picture like yours, and say "mine is bigger?"

Not trying to be be dick..... just saying the 'savings' comes at an expense. You also tooted your own 'perfect' math horn.... I simply demonstrated it was a little outta tune. You still start with one TRG mag.... sometimes I have issues with story problems too.

As to the length.... I'm simply curious... as I see AI mags as a viable option... but I appreciate the ergos of the bottom metal/mag release/mag length set-up on the factory CTR. I also know you own one, so it'd be easy for you to compare the two set-ups. Just wondering how much further the Mag/Mag Release protrude below the trigger guard?

I agree Dogshooter is not trying to be a dick.

I think it comes naturally.



Clark

I need another Tikka for my extra McMillan. I need money first though.

Hey Clark.... is Rusty still in the Navy?

OK. My bad then for taking it the wrong way.

See below.

DS is a cyber-bully.




Dave

He sure is. He's got me bullied into thinking about maybe buying one of those.

here's what it looks like with my SS 3X15 mounted up

N

Looks just like mine w/the 3-15 SS!

so this is the initial load work up
Winchester twice fired brass, 178gr AMAX 43.1-44.3 of varget in .3 gr increments.
COAL 2.800 43.1 is the center bull and then it goes around from top left clockwise around for the rest of the groups. 43.7 looks promising. (Top right diamond)
Think I will try 43.7, 43.8, 43.9 and 44.00 then play with seating, sort of bummed that I am limited to the mag length, but I don't think it will be a big deal.

Load work done
178gr Amax, 43.8grs of Varget, COAL=2.800 and Win brass

So.....I bought another Tikka.

This time I picked up a T3 Forest in 260. Brought it home today, mounted a scope, got it on paper at 25 (one shot) and these were the next three at 100.



This was just a random load with 38.5grs or RL15 and the 129 Hornady. COAL was 2.79" in Lapua brass. I didn't get to shoot any more, as I had to start toting kids to ball games. I expect it to continue doing nice things once I get some time behind the trigger -- speaking of which -- this Tikka has a better trigger than any of my previous T3's.

Uber'er.....

Good luck with your Tikka. I have three, and they all shoot great. My 243 is a Model 558 Whitetail Hunter, my T-3 Lite is (was,I sold it) a 7mm-08, and my 30-06 is a Model 695. I have never seen such accuracy with any other brand out of the box. A plus is the slick bolt action. A local shop has a T-3 in 6.5 Swede which I may have to own.....

I shot mine again yesterday with the same RL15 load. I really think this rifle will sizzle with load development. It's gonna be fun. I still have less than 10 shots down the barrel and it's not even been cleaned. It will get a good workout over the long weekend....

Shortactionsmoker,

Where did you get them there fancy targets at? ;-)

+1.

Honestly, I've no idea! Dad (lastround on here) ordered them a while back. Shoot him a PM, he'll be glad to help..

I have not cleaned mine either, except for when I brought it home, stripped it down and put it all back together. going to test 10rds of 43.8 to see if it will hold all 10 moa or better.

So this is a 10 shot group. I am thinking the 4 on the right are trigger control. The flyer bottom left ???
shot 1 was to the left,
shot 2 was dead center bull,
shot 3-6 were to the left,
shot 7 was the flyer,
shot 8-10 were on right, finishing out the horizontal string.
Will have to repeat the test with fired formed brass.

Tikka T3 Super Lite in .308, SS 3x15 scope
Win brass 3rd firing, fired from a different rifle, I resized the brass using the dies I set up for this rifle.
43.8 grs of Varget, CCI LR primers.

Just need to adjust my scope .4mils to the right and I will be GTG. & run the through the crony

Nice and horizontal, that's for sure! Some seating depth adjustment may be fruitful.

will try fired formed brass first, then mess with seating depth, if I still get the same results.

Well I guess, I will start seating the bullet deeper, COAL is 2.800, so guess I will start in .005 increments. These are the last two 10 shot groups I shot. Load is 178gr AMAX 43.8grs of Varget. While I am at it, I will also try a Hornady 165gr SPIL or BTSPIL.

Did you bed it?




Travis

No, only lightened up the trigger, actually it is a little too light. I did torque it down to 34 in/lbs.

Get rid of the speed bumps in front of the receiver. I've seen them cause horizontal stringing in several Tikka's. The best I've seen have all been floated all the way back....

They are Mountain Plains targets. They have all different sizes depending on scope magnification. The "red label" seems to be the one I can see the best thru a 6 power with old, tired eyes. I also prefer the blue color, but that's just me........

www.PrecisionPlusTargets.com

I first saw them in one of Mule Deer's books. They are also available from Sinclair, but a little more expensive.

Thanks Doug. I've been meaning to get in touch with you about them, but to be honest, I'd forgotten.

clos, throw some 140 accubonds on top of 42-43g of that Varget and see what happens........

they make a 140gr .30 cal accubond?

Here is 165gr Hornady BTSPIL, powder weights from 44.8 to 46 grs of Varget. COAL is 2.800 Win brass.

Removed the speed bumps and made sure the barrel channel had not contact.

Sorry......I had 7-08 on the brain.

Mr Smoker.My name is Scott from Wa.State.After reading your post about having a special run of Tikka's twisted up.I would be very interested in acquiring one or two of these special run rifles.If that is possible please PM me and we can talk about the details at a later time...Thanks for your time Mr.Smoker...ScottyO.

Wish they made one in 30-06.

So I notice Tikka uses a 1/11 twist in .308s, what benefit does that have over 1/10 twists?

None that I can think of.

Can you load a Tikka magazine through the port?
Or do you have to remove the magazine?

Thanks.

No, if you want to load the magazine, you need to remove it and then load it. But if you want to chamber a round with the empty mag in the rifle, that's not a problem.

Thanks. I've been wondering that for years.
Nice to have an answer!
I appreciate that.

Respectfully, Trevor
( aka, MIKE HUNT...a name I heard from my Dad )...good story!

None.



Travis

clos,

Looking at your targets, I would bed that sumbitch if you have not done so already.



Travis

That is next on my list.

You sure that thing is seated on the lug correctly? There's a gillion non-bedded ones around that bug hole. Also make sure your base screws aren't hitting the bolt, especially the hole that's over the bolt head.

I will take a look tonight and I'm only torquing it down to 34 inch pounds in the stock

I believe I'm somewhere between 40-45#

Torque the fugg out of 'em.




Travis

I concur.... on both fronts.

Pretty snug on the action screws seems to be the way to go, and my rifles all shot best with them farmer tight. I also took the front action screw to the grinding wheel... just a little off the top to be sure there's no contact. If you get 'bore's excellent milled Talley's, you get the shortened front base screw also.

I also agree with Dave, man.... bedding all my Tikkas has done little for the 'accuracy'... but it has helped with the consistency. Once bedded, those random little shifts in zero or 1" occasional flyers, seem to go away.

how did you bed the Tikka? Just he action or full length/freefloat, or upward pressure on the tube, or?

That's funny as schit, I'm sitting here thinking "how DO you bed a Tikka?"

Beat me to it....

Like this....

Thanks

As far as Torque goes
Nathan Foster at Terminal ballistics Research says to torque no more than 35 inch pounds,says more than that and the stock can be damaged (splayed Permanently unless bedded) and then the lug will ride farther up into the lug recess actually touching the bottom of the action potentially harming accuracy.

Don't know as I have just set mine to 35 inch pounds and it shoots fine.

Just passing on Information



.

Ok took the front action screw to the grinder, looked like it might be touching but could not see any marks on the bolt. But went ahead and touch it up anyways, because it looked like it was right there. I will have to find someone to either bed the rifle or take the time to show me as I have never done any bedding. I torqued it down to 43"lbs as the next setting on my TW is 50"lbs. I am also thinking of buying a B&C Medalist stock for it if I don't get the results I want. Going to the range tonight around 8 so I will see how it does.

I'm still wondering why nobody else has mentioned "Mr. Smoker"...

I drank the punch again...

Brought a 7-08 home Friday -- T3 Lite stainless. Waiting on Talley's from 16Bore, but thought what the heck. I mounted a FXII 6x36 in the factory rings. Loaded a few 120 NBT's to play with and out to the bench.

First three shot group. The shot farthest to the left was the first of the group after adjusting the scope.



Ran back in and loaded three more...

LMAO! This is what every one of the eight Tikka T3s that I've owned has done their first time or two out for initial testing. These rifles really spoil the reloading experience...LOL!

7mm Rem Mag from today's load development range session. Shots 2,3,4 for me (bought used here on the 'fire). Shot #1 was a sighter at 50 yards to get me on paper.


P

Triangles are boring.

That will work. Is it for sale yet?

Nope! My rambling days are done...

I've lost way too much money obtaining this education!

Good for you! Not good for me to have the chance to score that one cheap then?

Got a Tikka question for your, do you know what the shortest LOP a T3 adjusable is? Only thing I've found on the websites states that the LOP is adjustable. It comes in LH, which the Compact doesn't. Mulling over ideas for my kiddo. RAR is still leading at this point, but a T3 Adjustable or Hunter are still in the running...

I see a few are Buying Tikka T3 rifles
Anybody planning on getting Talley rings or others and dont want their factory rings?

Mine seem to be working ok so far but I am
Just wanting an extra set in case mine ever pull the Pin through the base.

Thanks

Craig

Believe I've got a coupla sets of OG Tikka rings laying around if you want.

Try Ramblers Anonymous......

My days are done. 223, 260, 7RM. JOC special w/ 130 NPT's tucked away for whatever loser shows up without rigging. Hit the wall in Tinkerville. Been loading in smaller lots and shooting smaller volleys. My "rule" now is if I get the urge, its gotta replace one of the Three Amigos. Sleep better too, which means I actually go to bed instead of the 2AM Rockchuckerthon.....

A man's gotta know his limitations.

Thanks
I will Pm you

Sportsmans is running a sale on the blued T3's for $469. Called up my buddy and talked him into buying one Sat. I told him to get something in the .308 family and he went with the ole 7.62).

I mounted a scope for him adjusted the trigger and cleaned it up. I REALLY wanted to sight it in Sunday but he wants first dibs (bastard!) he's gonna grab a box of factory ammo and try to shoot it sometime this week.

I'm expecting great things...

....and fellas are still buying RAR's

I think it is my shooting off the bench that needs some work, I pulled the rifle nice and tight against my shoulder for shots 2, 3 and 4 on the center diamond. I will still try my hand at bedding this rifle, so I can get my feet wet at bedding. Have to watch some more youtube videos first.

Well I guess the Canadian Rangers drank it too.

I just read on the fire arms blog they are going to retire their Enfields and go withe the CTR.

I got a couple tikka rifles myself thinking about a 7mm mag but keep tossing a Remington 700 around to for the mag

There's something about a Remmie 7 Remmie...

I know I'm the same way