Just read rumors that Tikka will bring out a new rifle in 2016, at Shot show.

The T3 are beeing sold at bargain prices in Finland now to make room for the new modell.

Well they jacked the prices up in the United states

A Worldwide plastic shortage has forced them to cease production.

Funny stuff. I'm betting that a few of the most bitched about items on a Tikka T3 will be a thing of the past....

mags that don't allow bullets too slam forward on recoil, a real recoil lug, and bolt stop?

How about some cross slots on the grooved reciever and a better recoil pad ! And a 9 twist .284 barrel..

Aviator -

I would NOT hold my breath on that 9 twist .284. Altho I like the idea.


Jerry

I'd like to see action sized to cartridge, and a top loadable receiver.

Now there will be a run on T-3's and they will be more difficult to find than 22 ammo.


drover

These rumours may have some truth, but don't bet on the fact that the T3 is being replaced.

Aleks9210 - yes,IF the T3 is discontinued IT will return in the time honored tradition as a "new & improved" T4. It'll make coffee, brush your teeth AND fetch a brew - in your dreams!
Homesteader

Tikka has figured out they can make more money consulting for companies like Kimber and LAW. (flame suit on)

Sako/Beretta discontinuing the T3 sounds like Ford's endeavor at one time to discontinue the Taurus or Coke being replaced with "New Coke".

It's time. I'm not surprised. We just had a thread about how lots of folks buy them,try them and flip them. New sales must be down with the prices what they are considering the number of lightly used ones changing hands. Time to mix things up a bit and inspire more sales of "New" model Tikkas. I've personally run through 6 of them,and have one for sale right now. How about some direct competition for the Montana without the Kimber roulette? Pretty wide open niche. The $1,000 plus bench mark might be such as to inspire an attempt at a Finish Montana.

I hope it turns out to be a STFU magnum....

It'll never be a success unless it has a USB port, to charge your cell-phone.

.........and weighs considerably less than 5 pounds wet.

FjLee Denver CO

fjleea - "'USB port, to charge your cell-phone. .........and weighs considerably less than 5 pounds we - " but of course. Silly me, how did I miss those. Hey, Tikka fetch another beer...will ya. Homesteader

Maybe Finland has a shortage of recycled plastic that needs to go into more important items than building Tikka rifles.

Maybe Sako feels the Tikka can no longer compete with the RAR?

I think JB and others have made note of the industry trend towards "budget" rifles like the Ruger American, and higher end rifles. But less interest in the mid-range.

Every time I'm in a local shop it seems like a RAR is being sold.

Its just like any other industry, you either need to be the lowest cost solution or offer the premium product. Overtime the companies in the middle are squeezed from both sides and lose out. I'm betting this Tikka will be cheap.

I wish it were true and they start selling the Super Lites at clearance prices so I can buy another stainless rifle that will weigh less than 7 pounds scoped ,shoot into less than an inch with factory loads,have a crisp less than 2.5 pound pull trigger straight from the factory(and easily modified to 1.5 pound with less than 30 minutes work and no cost)) and cost less than $700.00
Yes I am all in favor for discount prices on Tikka T3 rifles to make room for the new ones !

Maybe "new and improved" will mean no more one size fits all action length......My biggest gripe with the current rifle, also the abundance of plasteek is a turnoff.............I am looking forward to getting a look at this new model.................Hb

SAS told you what the new rifle will feature. Y'all are just too stupid to listen.

You think a guy who works in the industry doesn't know what's coming out next year?


Keep stroking your own wieners though. Don't let me interrupt...

Yep.

They got "T3" removed, now they just need to do away with "Tikka" and they'll have a winner.




Travis

You didn't quite understand what I meant. There is a new rifle rumoured to be unveiled at SHOT 2016. Nobody said it has anything in common with a T3 at all, or that it is making any attempt to be a new/improved T3, or a T3 replacement. Think outside the box. I can't say anymore. Sorry. Hint.

4th_point - " local shop it seems like a RAR is being sold."

Not knocking SAKO/Tikka or the Finnish people BUT RAR's are American made and supporting American jobs. Just so happens Ruger products can compete in this rifle class on cost/quality.
Homesteader

Aleks9210 - I understood your original post...just being a bit snarky. I have no idea re: T3 discontinuance or possible replacement. Homesteader

The only way Ruger could compete was to copy the T3 and try to make it cheaper. You'd never pay $600 for a RAR and couldn't buy T3's at $300 fast enough.

But this has been beat to death and now we can look forward to another year of election and Tikka threads....

I've messed with 7 of the Tikkas and 3 of the RAR... those being a combination of my rifles and buds'. In terms of accuracy, I'd say it's a wash. Trigger and stock go to the Tikkler but you pay more upfront for it.

Both decent rifles... one for low cost, the other for a bit more. Keeping jobs here is a bonus.

Local gun shop guy told me that there will be no Tikka's on the Sako Select program for 2016. Supposedly Tikka is 'maxxed' out on production.

(Sako Select is an offering to certain Sako/Tikka dealers, and allows them to place a once a year order for certain Sako's and Tikka's. These select guns, are generally not standard offerings in the US, either in configuration or caliber selection, nor are they cataloged by Beretta USA - the importer.)

I see the point is a new model, but I don't see where this would fit. Sako/Tikka has the M85 for the high end, the A7 for the mid-range buyer, and the Tikka T3 for a budget rifle. I could see a update to the T3 for marginal manufacturing cost to make the T3 an even better value. A real recoil lug and two action sizes would go a long way. Options like a steel magazine could be a factory accessory at a premium price.

Different recoil lug, action lengths, and metal mags wouldn't amount to a hill of beans.

Blind mag, faster twist and a carbon fiber stock would be a game changer.

16Bore - couldn't agree more. Homesteader

Quality is a relative word ... they may be accurate, that I cannot dispute, but from the handful I've fondled at the gun shoppe ... there is not much quality & I like most things Ruger.

I understand most folks feel quality and accuracy are synonymous, I'm just not one of those folks. The rifles have not been on the market long enough for durability and ruggedness to tossed about.

Just my $0.02 and it's worth what you paid

I don't know exactly when the T 3s first were available. I learned about them in 2003. I ordered 1 in Lite S S in 2003, so that's at least 12 yrs.

I have no reservations about getting another.

Jerry

Good choice by Tikka if true. Almost $800 here and that's a rip-off.

Got to have a barrel nut to compete...

I have no special knowledge, but would bet that it's time to re-invent the Tikka. The T3 has been around for over 10 years. Time for a refresh.

I'm not going to speculate until after my visit with Sako and Tikka in Finland next week.

You just opened Pandora's box.....

I like the Tikka rifle, and I will buy plenty of them when I find them in the $450 range. I try to stick with the wood stocked stanless models when possible. Right now I only have 2 Tikka's but I like them both and have no issue taking them out to go hunting. I could pick up a few more if they lower prices and try to close them out here in America.

I think they call it the "Sako A7".

Ha Ha,

John,

I was just reading thru the rest of the posts while doing other things also and was thinking about the OP's "rumor", and someone mentioning SAS's "hints" and I thought of your post on another topic about going to Finland. I wondered if you will be hunting with any "rumors" while there

I was also going to suggest that the T3 lovers here start a "go fund me" account to have you do a large purchase while there and put them in your luggage and "conveniently" forget they were there when you went through security. You do have a few BIG bags, no?

Then I come back and find you have posted here.

SO, will you be nice enough to end our "speculations" when you get back or will you sign a "gag order" while there? Trade secrets and all that.


I hope you enjoy your trip. Do they have the capercaillie there and will you get a chance to hunt them. I know how you like bird hunting. They're on my "I've won the lottery" list, my regular bucket will probably never have enough cash for that.

Geno

So there it is...... JB stated he was going to Finland to use guns built there in another thread. Being unusually indifferent to the question. Now there is rumors of a new Tikka. JB will have time to pen a glowing report on the new gun in time to hit the newstands at the release at Shot Show.....
Somebody hurry to JB'S house and start stuffing bamboo under his finger nails til he talks.

I'd also bet that JB won't talk about what he finds out!

Hence the need for bamboo.......

avagadro - as you stated "quality is a relative word...". RAR's compete at a price point with other similar rifles i.e. Marlin X7, Savage AXIS etc. Tikka does the same at its level. I agree with "it's worth what you paid". For sure, you're not getting bespoke H&H quality at $400 (+/-) per. Homesteader

Or the threat of an olfactory nerve block so he can't smell gunpowder (black or smokeless) until we reverse the block. As "bull goose loony" he'll be spilling the beans right quick!

Geno

Geno,

Will be hunting moose and whitetails, but no capers. Finland has a good population of whitetails, due to a transplant that took place decades ago, and they should be rutting hard!

Dunno much else except will be shooting either Sako or Tikka rifles, and doing factory visits as well. This one of those gun-writer surprise! trips. Didn't even know I was going until a week ago, which happens sometimes. Don't even know which rifles I'll be hunting with yet, much less whether I'll be sworn to secrecy....

Tikka has been producing exceptionally accurate rifles, with smooth actions, and good triggers for decades. I have a sneaking suspicion that whatever they introduce will continue along this path.

Heck I have an old LSA that was made in the late 60s (I think). It is a smooth old 30-06 that could last a few generations of hunters.

I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.

If SAS is correct, then I'm guessing no more plastic bolt shroud.

Well, they produce quality, but they are notorious for cheapening down the rifles. From M55 - M595 - T3.. even though the T3 is accurate and feel nice when repeting.

As with all manufactures less and less work is going into rifles. Even though the quality is high due to CNC manufacturing.

If this is true it will be interesting to see what tikka make.

In the meantime I have just ordered a Superlite Stainless in 6.5x55.......

Going to be watching with interest, if it looks good I'll be ordering one in 270 Win to replace another 270 that just sold.

Yep

Not to be argumentative, a serious ?

What do people do or how do they treat their rifles to break the 'bolt shroud', EVEN on a T 3?


I bought this one in 2003 before our Deer Season, so I've been hunting it for 12 yrs and about to start its 13th. In 2013 I took the hardest FALL I've had in many yrs. I 'thudded' when I hit the ground and the T 3 hit the ground on its left side. NOTHING broke.

I really don't understand HOW people break the bolt shroud.

People break the shroud while removing it. If you twist the wrong way it'll break.

For those who are wishing for less plastic parts, I wouldn't hold your breath. The new Sako Finnfire II released last year has plenty. The plastic parts they use are generally low impact parts and work as intended. Remember the US service rifle has been half plastic for over 50 years.

Horseman - Thank You. I never understood that before.

But what does the military know ? Really! <G>

Jerry

Man, I'm jealous, not really, I guess envious would be a better word. You wrote your own life and my hats off to ya.

Can I go as your luggage handler, bodyguard, driver, chef, tracker, medical assistant--something?????? I'm a master at espionage . You could distract them while I take photos and gather intel secretly for all the fellas here at the fire.

Deal???? Yes, no, maybe, or never........

Operation Luggette. Top Secret stuff.

Continuing onward with my resume of skills; I'm also well versed in bourbon and cigars. I could simply be the bourbon and cigar boy. Off the top of my head; I'm thinking Nubs accompanied with some Basil Hayden would be wondrous for this adventure. Just saying.....

That also falls under the "operator error" category. Check my sig line.

Jerry

Aviator, I picked up a like new .284 Win in of all things a Model 100 Win Carbine 15-20 years ago in a pawn shop. I try to keep an eye out for that caliber. Don't know why it never really became popular. If I am not mistaken, it was the first cartridge with a rebated rim like the WSM rounds of today. I have seen a few custom bolt guns in .284 Win. Any of you guys know why the round never really caught on. Was it the 7mm Rem Mag that pushed the .284 Win aside?

G2

Gramps -

I'm no authority/expert and don't pretend to be. Over the yrs. I heard more than 1 reason why the 284 Win faded.

Partly and maybe mostly because it was chambered in the Win. 88 and 100 therefore the operating pressures were held back.

Also the 284 was too long to operate well in a true S A rifle. Therefore if you needed a L A, it might as well be 280 Rem, 270 Win, etc.

I'm sure and expect others to add to those things.

Jerry

horseman is right Factory T3 shrouds are chit....spend an extra $49 at Glades armory for an aluminium shroud and forget about it......another nice touch i also do is replace the action screws with stainless from Tikka Precision for $20........Good hunting......Hb

The best aftermarket shrouds will be available in 2 weeks from Mountain Tactical. They actually tighten up the action to improve accuracy and remove the bolt wiggle.

Hey John, saw you at BZN Monday afternoon the 16th of November... you looked beat and I was in a hurry coming back from Mississippi, so didn't bug you. Coming in from Finland perhaps?

Tell me more, I need 4.



P

Yes.....Tell us more. I just ordered a T-3 stainless in .260 and would like to know more about the bolt shroud.

I have read lots of complaints on this thread about Tikka but I have owned a half dozen and everyone of them was a very accurate gun. I never had a complaint about a reasonably priced accurate rifle. I guess some people are never satisfied.

If tikka comes out with a new model, that is fine. I really hope the keep the t3 around though.

Would you mind explaining exactly how that works ?

Tikka is an accurate lightweight hunting rifle right out of the box.

I have learned the advantage of using a clip over the years. In and out of the truck, spot and stalk, moving to a different area for the evening hunt.

I like the clip and hope this isn't an issue that needs fixing.

Most people that don't like Tikka are just pissed off they shoot so accurate without all the tinkering that is required by other rifles.

Brad,

Missed this post, as I hadn't checked this thread for a while.

Yeah, I arrived back from Finland at the Bozeman airport on November 16th, after another international flight-schedule adventure.

Was originally scheduled to fly back into Helena the evening before, but was delayed in Finland by high winds in Amsterdam, where I'd change flights to the U.S. Left Amsterdam late enough to miss my Minneapolis connection to Helena by five minutes, so ended up spending the night in a motel and getting re-routed to Bozeman the next day.

Actually, it was nice to get a night's sleep in Minnesota--and all in all the return was a lot easier than one from Namibia, which took 3-1/2 days, including renting a car in Salt Lake City and driving the 500 miles back to Helena. Both my wife and Ingwe were on that one, which included TWO unscheduled overnights, one in Johannesburg and one in Atlanta. But such is the life of a jet-setter hunting writer....

Wish I could comment on this original question of this thread, but ain't allowed to until early March, after the IWA show in Germany, the European equivalent of SHOT.

Only 11 days until SHOT show here, so that should answer a few questions.

Cruel and unusual punishment.

No, that's not it.

Dope and prostitution both legal in Amsterdam.




P

That right there is funny stuff!

And then they see the Ruger American at half the cost of a Tikka even, shooting better than their pristine collectibles, and smoke starts pouring out of their ears

SHUT YOUR MOUTH !

That's unfortunate, I was hoping we'd see something from Tikka/Sako at SHOT, but if they aren't introducing their new products until March, that seems unlikely. I was waiting until SHOT to make my next rifle purchase, but I don't think I want to wait until March on the off chance that Sako comes out with something I can't live without.

My guess is that Tikka will have to drop its price point in order to compete in the mass market place. With Sako occupying the top end of the price structure, there is only one place for Tikka to go.

Just ask Melanie Trump (below) her opinion.

I don't think they've had a hard time selling them.

Ruger put a damper on the US sales, so they have to remain competitive

Sounds like you got to get over jetlag in stages, which IME is usually the best way, course going over is usually worse than coming back. The German show in March sounds like fun! Where's it held?

That seems right, I'm sure the RAR has captured a big chunk of the cheap, but good functioning rifle market, especially in the U.S.

Funny! And also very true......Ha!......Hb

I don't believe there is any part of a T3 that breaks as easily as a late model 700 trigger. If you have one that breaks off you will notice it is made of some cheap material that weighs much less than a dime.

;)JWALL Good lookin Rifle...What Caliber...I have .223Rem n .30-06Spr and hoping to get one more that matches both kinda in the middle...243 .25-06 .260 around there...Look the same feel same hopefully shoot same...ScottyO.

Any news on the Tikka?

Sorry Scotty, I missed this post.

It's a 270 W, I'm kinda weird that way you know. I am an UNabashed 270 W fan. I've used many other cal/cartridges and NOTHING is better. Some work well or even as well but NONE better.

This T 3 Lite SS 270 is so easy to carry, handle, shoulder and shoot. It actually feels a little better than my Ruger 10-22 Laminate SS to me.

I have a record of deer killed since 2003 but I haven't checked it lately. That T 3 has accounted for more than its share.

Thanks Again


Jerry

Updates?

Surprised no reports from SHOT. Nothing much comes up in a Google search either. Did hear they are waiting for the Europe show, but I would think they would have had a display at SHOT at least.

I can't wait to see the new Tikka vs. the Montikka. 2016 will be the year of epic cat fights 'round the fire.....

Maybe we should just let the field results of the rifles speak for themselves.

Personally I'm headed in the opposite direction of New......2016.......

I just acquired a Sako Finnbear L61 270 in excellent condition. I topped it with a 3-9X40 Conquest and personally see myself hunting this rifle for a good many years.





Shod

But I thought that speculation, ridicule, and BS was how things worked around here?

Just put an HS on my '69 PF 270, DD's, and a late 80's glossy 3X9. Weighs a svelte 8#14oz. Hoping it'll pass for primitive weapons season...

Love the Old Spice




P

Used to be where I hid my play money, until I started hanging around here!


Been empty awhile.

Any new rumors on whether there will be something big from Tikka this year? I have a few Tikkas, and wouldn't mind adding another, but I'm starting to wonder if this was just a baseless rumor... Google is coming up short on any leaks or new mentions.

The full line is still on their site, which is slightly odd. And the Sporter now shows a can on the front.

Only thing I could dig up online, was hurry up and wait.......for the Europe show.

Best speculation is that Tikka will be completely dropping it, and Sako is introducing a budget line to replace it.

Who knows. Maybe it is all rumors and they will decide to carry on as is. Now, BerettaUSA, our importer is another story. Whatever happens, if Beretta doesn't import, that kinda screws the US market.

'New and improved' means easier and cheaper to make improving corporate bottom line. What would happen if there were no more Tikka rifles tomorrow. For me it would be just another day.

Anyone know the share of Tikkas in the US vs the rest of the world? Something tells me the Europeans don't give a schit what we think.

Dunno

So is a top loading DM something new for Sako?

Sako

It's not new. My Sako 75 .260 can be top loaded which separates it from a Tikka. I still like my Tikka though.