I have a T3 in 7mm-08, so does my brother. He bought me a B&C stock for Christmas or I wouldn't have bought one. He put a B&C on his, too. Mine doesn't shoot any better and it's a little heavier. His didn't shoot near as well as before, despite experimenting with torque. He put the old stock back on, sub-MOA.

Buy the T3 or T3x and shoot it first.





P

That's disappointing to hear. I just don't like the looks and feel of the factory stock, although I've never held the B&C sporter stock either. Regardless, I would hate to sacrifice accuracy for looks and add weight too.

I have a T3 in 7mm-08, so does my brother. He bought me a B&C stock for Christmas or I wouldn't have bought one. He put a B&C on his, too. Mine doesn't shoot any better and it's a little heavier. His didn't shoot near as well as before, despite experimenting with torque. He put the old stock back on, sub-MOA.

Buy the T3 or T3x and shoot it first.





P

I don't see the B&C as an upgrade. The factory Tikka stock is one of the best. If you don't like the looks a couple of cans of Krylon will fix that

Not surprisingly NO one has brought up a Tikka T3x versus a Remington 700 yet.

My son bought a Kimber Hunter late last year and it was nicer than I expected. The jury's still out on how it shoots since all he did was sight it in, miss a deer, and kill a coyote, but it looks nice and the magazine looks to be of good qualty and fits flush. I'm not a fan of trigger guards that are part if the stock, but the one on the Hunter looks very solid.

If you like the Tikka, but not the stock, get one (stainless!) with factory wood or laminated. Both look a lot more like quality goods to me than the plastic.

Old Remington 700 vs T3x no comparison. Remington by a mile. I just picked up a pre-cerberus 700 LSS and I am impressed with the overall quality of the rifle and the way it was put together.That said I have yet to shoot it . The 700 has so many options to customize compared to the Tikka that is unfair .

You mean so many sub-par things that have to be replaced. Tikka has the same number of options, just doesn't need them replaced to shoot worth a schit.

Last time I checked a rifle had an action, stock, trigger, and barrel. Didn't realize that they can only be replaced on a Remington.

New stock 700's are a pig in a poke. Triggers suck ass. Tupperware to Tupperware, Tikka is better. "Properly constructed" anything is better than off the rack, regardless of brand. So maybe Remington can start proper construction when they get out of bankruptcy.

I think I have already said that concerning current production. Just like the Tikka 595/695 are way better made then the current T3x .

Remington probably has more replacement parts than Winchester, Sako, Kimber, etc. as well.

So do VW Beetles.

Trying to compare a gun that can no longer be bought new to a gun available on shelves right now does not make much sense. And the older 700 will be close to a lb heavier than the Tikka unless the barrel has been chopped to 20”. If a guy wants a 7lb rifle then the list of comparable grows significantly. At 6 lbs give or take the options only go way up in price.

I hear ya, you can take any rifle to a gunsmith and dump money in to it for whatever reason, asthetics or to put it on a diet, it just takes money. But in the $700 or less range there aren’t many options that compete with the Tikka IN the 6lb range. Sure a guy can spend $300 more on an A7 (without the heavy ass Roughtech stock of course). But now your at a grand for a slightly different mag latch and a little more open action. I’m not spending a grand on an A7, I’d bump up to a Kimber or Barrett at that point. Of course I’m only speaking of new rifles currently available on shelves.

Remember when dealers were offloading the SS A7’s on GB for $650 that was a steal!

Been thinking about buying a Tikka T3X Lite stainless in 308 or 7mm 08 and then upgrading the stock to possibly a Bell and Carlson. What other rifle would you buy for around the same price $950-1000 before the Tikka?

I tried a 30-06 T3 superlite and while accurate, it just didn't feel right to me. I replaced it with an early serial number Forbes for $1000 and found I liked it much better. In fact its very hard to tell the difference between the Forbes vs the ULA I had owned previously. (then I bought its twin a Forbes in 270 also!)

My $0.02

Might want to consider a Wildcat Composite stock too.

You also got to think that you could just save $400 more and buy a Barrett Fieldcraft. Great stock already,and a 3" short action mag box. The Tikka might be fine and great but you can nickle and dime it until it isn't such a bargain any more and you would have been better off with different gun to start with.

Old Remington 700 vs T3x no comparison. Remington by a mile. I just picked up a pre-cerberus 700 LSS and I am impressed with the overall quality of the rifle and the way it was put together.That said I have yet to shoot it . The 700 has so many options to customize compared to the Tikka that is unfair .

I like most people, used to think of Tikka as a budget gun. However after using them heavily, seeing the results of how they performed in two military trials, and seeing about every failure that can happen occur with every popular action/rifle/trigger- I would take a Tikka over any other action/rifle for general hunting and shooting. The Barret is an excellent true mountain hunting rifle, but for a general shooter and hunter the T3 Lite is unmatched.


Regardless of how they were advertised or thought of, and regardless of how many issues and custom Rem 700’s and clones I’ve owned and used, the Tikka T3/T3x’s get more right.






All Remington’s and all Remington clones (Surgeon/Stiller/GAP/etc) suffer from the same problem, and there is no way to replace it... the trigger. The way Remington 700 compatible trigger are made means they will have reliability issues. It has shown up in every military dust and ice test. AI, Sako TRG, and Tikka T3 triggers all do better in the same conditions. Couple that with better reliability of the bolt design in dust/dirt and ice conditions, better barrels with chambers cut correctly, bolt handles that don’t fall off, actions that don’t need to be squared and trued, scopes mounting holes that are concentric and square, a 2.5 lb factory trigger, not to mention one of the/the smoothest actions made that is extremely resistant to binding, and you are right.... there is no comparison.

All enclosed trigger actions will suffer from dust conditions. How many Tikka actions are used in combat ? Why is the bolt design better in dust/dirt and ice conditions? You making that up? They might have smoother barrels, I'll give you that but If my gun can shoot dime sized groups then the squared and trued, scope mounting holes yada yada is just conjecture . Bolt that binds, didn';t they do something about that 20 years ago ? I have a Tikka T3x and an older 700 and I cannot tell the difference in bolt smoothness. There is a gunsmith here that has seen Tikka bolts crack right at the dovetail.

I’m not making anything up. And no, not all enclosed triggers work the same nor do they all suffer the same issues. The most reliable action and trigger system by far is Accuracy International SWS’s. That has been proven by every single military trail where the rifles were legitimately tested. They have an closed trigger, and have outdone M98’s, M70’s, M700’s, etc. in multiple tests. The next closest guns have been Sako TRG’s (especially their newest 2 stage trigger) which is at worst a sister to the T3. The T3 has been tested by two countries, and is fielded by more entities than most know.

Someone who has shot a gun before can immediately tell the difference between a Tikka and a Remington action. Saying that you can’t is telling on multiple levels.

Hint, you don't have to even shoot the gun to be able to tell the difference. I could care less about the other brands you mentioned like that is really going to impress me dickhead. I think you are full of chitt personally.

You old grumpy dudes are a hoot...

PS - you are barking up a tree way over your paygrade.....

Shot all day and am just now dragging ass home.

The Teeker were in tow and shot #1 was at 580yds,to see how Guesstimated DOPE jived. Didn't bother to chronograph the load,as I know/knew ES/SD was gonna be welllllll under control,due load density and quality componentry(Lapooey Virgins,400's,Lever and rech through die 75gr A-Max Smooches). I plugged in a velocity hunch,with the one and only load tried(bumped my tried/true Krunchenticker ASC 75HPBT load a halfa grain,due the increase in COAL latitude inherent the platform in AICS footprinted steel AM 5rd mags). Called it 2900fps and loaded the data to elicit projected DOPE and caught some fair to middlin' weather to boot.

Shot #1 was at 580yds and dead nuts on the money in height. It was shot "up the pipe",less any wind holdoff and the elevation dots were connected.

Shot #2 was at 1030yds and the same thing correlated,so I felt purty good about DOPE. Pard said it best "nowadays you can just throw your [bleep] chronograph away!"...which is a fact.

It got banged around pretty hard,hither and yon',with the 6x MQ doing what they always do. I asked him "would you buy one?" and he replied quickly "I'd rather have a S/S RAR in a Chassis". Be curious to see/hear the thoughts of everyone,after the next pass and some real trigger time. The '06 action is a common complaint amongst others and I mighta noticed that myself,some time ago.(grin)

If Teeker tossed the '06-223 in a plywood handle and it fed from an AICS footprint DBM,they'd have sumptin'. Doubly so,if the receiver was 1913 slotted.

Alas..................(grin)

Where is Big Stick In The Mud for this conversation? Did he hit his 1 post quota for today? It's funny, he's bad mouthed TEEKER for years and now, he's gone and bought one and played with it.

What did I say that was out of context? We are discussing T3's and 700's, I own them both and shoot them both. He is a condescending azzhole.

PS I am not evaluating rifles and scopes for military use Hint. I could care less what works in a sandbox

What did I say that was out of context? We are discussing T3's and 700's, I own them both and shoot them both. He is a condescending azzhole.

PS I am not evaluating rifles and scopes for military use Hint. I could care less what works in a sandbox

Condescending? Not at all. I try to post as bluntly and unemotionally as possible, with the least amount of bias as I can.

I never stated one couldn’t hunt with a 700. You, and a lot of people believe that Remington 700 rifles (and others) are superior designed and better/more reliable/etc. From a mechanical and execution perspective- that’s not the case. Mechanically and executionaly the Tikka trigger, barrel, stock, and action is better.


This has little to do with the “sandbox” and everything to do with lots of rounds and lots of examples of both. In hunting and competition I have personally seen or had happen to me with 700 based guns- frozen triggers and frozen firing pins from both ice/slush and dust/sand. One bolt handle come off as well as a couple of triggers that failed and fired when the safety was taken off. Multiple locked of bolts due to sand/dust, and bolts that could be closed due to same. A T3 isn’t an AI, but side by side they have not suffered the same rate of issues as 700’s.


The Tikka isn’t perfect, but it’s very good.

That Mountain Tactical BM looks to be decent.

Tell me then why does the military insist on using Remington 700's and their clones?
.

I’m not Form, but I have laid eyes on internal trade industry memos, not SAAMI or firearms specifically, that MILSPECS are written by and for the benefit of certain companies and trade group members.

The better question is why are our soldiers and Marines given R700 and Leupolds rather than Accuracy International and Nightforce?

I personally have lent a Nightforce to a soldier deploying because the Leupold issued to him did not work correctly. I’ve watched parents buying Nightforces and S&B’s to mail to their deployed sons to replace the garbage Obama gave them.

Don’t even get me going on this subject. Every single Congress member should spend a few weeks with a front line unit, eat what they eat, wear what they wear, carry what they carry, shoot what they shoot, and follow the rules of engagement they follow. Same applies to riding with some patrol officers on an overnight shift for a few weeks.

I’m not Form, but I have laid eyes on internal trade industry memos, not SAAMI or firearms specifically, that MILSPECS are written by and for the benefit of certain companies and trade group members.

The better question is why are our soldiers and Marines given R700 and Leupolds rather than Accuracy International and Nightforce?

I personally have lent a Nightforce to a soldier deploying because the Leupold issued to him did not work correctly. I’ve watched parents buying Nightforces and S&B’s to mail to their deployed sons to replace the garbage Obama gave them.

Don’t even get me going on this subject. Every single Congress member should spend a few weeks with a front line unit, eat what they eat, wear what they wear, carry what they carry, shoot what they shoot, and follow the rules of engagement they follow. Same applies to riding with some patrol officers on an overnight shift for a few weeks.

I’m not making anything up. And no, not all enclosed triggers work the same nor do they all suffer the same issues. The most reliable action and trigger system by far is Accuracy International SWS’s. That has been proven by every single military trail where the rifles were legitimately tested. They have an closed trigger, and have outdone M98’s, M70’s, M700’s, etc. in multiple tests. The next closest guns have been Sako TRG’s (especially their newest 2 stage trigger) which is at worst a sister to the T3. The T3 has been tested by two countries, and is fielded by more entities than most know.

Someone who has shot a gun before can immediately tell the difference between a Tikka and a Remington action. Saying that you can’t is telling on multiple levels.

I had a Tikka. Nice little rifle, accurate, real nice to hunt with. I just couldn't get used to all the plastic, and the long bolt throw on a 223. Sold it to a guy for his kid to deer hunt with, and it's done the job just as it should.

I have 5 Model 700's and 4 Model 7's, a couple old, the rest mostly new. All are every bit as accurate as the Tikka was, and for my hunting and shooting needs, they shoot better than I do. Yeah, the new Remington triggers suck, and those on the Tikka don't. But, you get used to something, as I am the Model 700's and 7's, and it's hard to change. I just happen to prefer the Remington 700, just as a lot of people do. That doesn't mean anything else won't work, and I'd buy another Tikka if the opportunity arose. But, I can guarantee you one thing, I'll always have more Remington's.

I don[t think the Remington is the perfect rifle nor do I think a Tikka for that matter is either. I seriously doubt the Tikkas being evaluated for extreme service are out of the box T3's or T3x that anyone can buy. I have had more failures with a 700 then any other gun I have owned , I had a firing pin freeze up on a montana elk hunt and it was all my fault because I didn't maintain the rifle correctly. I have I have had a 1971 700 25-06 go off when taking off the safety, the gun was pointed in the right direction or I would have had a very dead friend. Yes they have had QC issues and still do but when one finds a good one they can be a good rifle.

Tell me then why does the military insist on using Remington 700's and their clones?

I also apologize for being a bit of an azz and I won't offer any excuses for why I said what i said.

Form, I always enjoy your posts and value your advice. If a guy wanted the ultimate, bombproof rifle, it sounds like an Accuracy International SWS with a Nightforce NXS Milspec scope would be about as close as one could get?

Wow. The Tikkler wolfpack has attacked one of their own.

I have to say that Oldelkhunter and I don't see eye to eye, but if nothing else, he is a fan of the Tikka. I know, because we've argued the merits of the T3 over the years. And he has always defended it.

Seems that his preference of old 700 rifles has struck a nerve.

If there’s another rifle in the Tikka weight class with a reputation for accuracy and a butter smooth bolt throw in stainless and sub $700 in cost I’m all ears. IMO you have to spend $1200-$2000 on a Kimber, Barrett, or Christensen Arms to say you dun better than a Tikka. There’s a few rifles out there with chopped barrels that get close to the Tikka in weight but your giving up performance to get in the low 6’s in weight.

Putting a clubby 34 oz B&C on a Tikka is like smearing chit on your jelly instead of peanut butter.

The only other rifle that I'm aware of that can compete with the Tikka at it's price range is the Sauer 100. It has a few features that the Tikka lacks and it's bolt throw is as smooth as the Tikka.
- 5 round flush magazine
- externally adjustable trigger
- scope mount spacing based on Remington 700 so there is a world of options
- Not offered in LH models

The rifle comes in black synthetic or wood but the wood looks like its been finished with a hershey bar. Not a good quality wood (Beech) and not a good finish, but the rifle is accurate, priced right and competes well with the T3X.

Form- For the Tikka's you use for hunting, what, if anything, do you add/replace/modify it get it ready? IOW, how do you set yours up?

CrimsonTide, I bought one for my wife and although not a frequent shooter, she really likes it. It is extremely accurate, but most rifles today can make that claim.

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I could like plug-and-play.

The Sauer 100 or the Tikka?

Never even owned a Tikka,so help me out. I know they are all long actions but is the bolt throw longer? I thought they had bolt stops specific to the caliber?

I know the new T3X has metal bolt shroud and can't you get all metal bottom metal and metal mags? Though I think the Mountain Tactical mags have a slotted hole in the center which I see as a stupid design allowing trash or dirt or snow to get in your mags. Am I wrong on the bottom metal and mags or is there something else available?

Sako A7 roughtech, semi custom rifle feel. I have one in 308 and the other is a Tecomate 270 wsm. A shade over $1000 but worth every penny IMO

Sauer 100. I have several Tikka T3's but was able to get the Sauer through Blaser-USA

I have a Tikka T3x and an older 700 and I cannot tell the difference in bolt smoothness.

First : I have and like both Tikka & older 700s.

My first T3Lite goes back to 2003. Still got it. This year I got a T3x Lite in 7 mag.

I’ve had more 700s than any other brand. From 1976 to date I’ve not had one malfunction or breakage w/700s.

OTOH - None of the 700s’ bolts were or are as SMOOTH as the Tikka’s, Mainly because of the double stack magazine with its follower.


Some knock the D M latch on the Tikka. ? ? Since 2003 mine has NEVER unlatched itself. I’ve never dropped it. I’ve never left it (forgot).
I’ll take a D M every day OVER a blind mag, my personal preference.

Jerry

My preference for either hinged floorplate or D M is there is NO access to the mag well W/O removing barrelled action from the stock.
That's not often a problem but when it is.... it is.

Jerry

I hear what you're saying Jerry.

Call me an idiot, but I jammed a Kimber Montana while doing a timed "practice drill" where I had to top the mag to capacity, improvise a firing location on a downslope, and hit a target at 500 yards. It was cold, with deep snow. My excuse was cold/numb fingers, but it was really simple operator error under the "stress" of beating the clock.

I didn't seat the top round properly. The rifle was jammed solid with the claw not letting go, nor allowing the cartridge to feed. Game over. Had to get the allen key out of my pack.

A pushfeed with blind mag isn't a problem. Neither is a CRF with a blind mag, as long you don't do something stupid like I did. A hinged floorplate or DBM certainly makes things even easier.

Jason