[EaZ8]

Thought I would give you a update on mine.
I finally got her out to the range today. My LOP with the VX2 is plenty of space, no issues at all.
The recoil on it is very punchy though, very similar to my slug gun.
My rem700 heavy barrel is about half the felt recoil using the same ammo.
Im going to put a limbsaver on and just be glad its a deer rifle so 1 shot, not a target gun.
U would say it is more felt recoil than the t3 stainless, im kinda curious to het my friends stainless out and give it a side by side compariaon though, its been a while since I've shot it. Im going to try for next saturday.

[EaZ8]

this may help you, i put a tape measure there so you can tell the spacing. again the scope is as far forward as i can mount it with optilocks.
notice where the dial is for the magnification, it fits in there perfect for the VX2, im not sure if hte VX3 would fit the same with the extra low mount rings.

[EaZ8]

Also, do you plan to spend $200 on just the scope or the scope and mount?  Your T3 should have included 1″ rings that mount to the integral rail,

Did anyone in Canada get these rings that i keep hearing is included with the rifle??
i know i didnt, my buddy didnt, and every tikka at lebaron didnt… i think 2 yrs ago when i was at AlFlhertys they said the tikka came with rings but when i just bought my compact there this year obviously it didnt.

[EaZ8]

the VX2 is now mounted up, ive got it as far as the rings (optilocks) will allow me to mount it forward and there is still tonnes of eye relief available. i can literally put my eye at the back of the stock and the eye relief is still very usable. my bushnell on my remington is going to get replaced with a leupold for next summer. im going to be changing the mount to a 1 piece rail with good ring combo. eye relief on the bushnell is just horrible.
i almost bought a redfield scope for the tikka, eye relief is equal to the leupold, glass is amazing and the price is about half. i just really didnt want to buy it and keep kicking myself for cheeping out $200.
if you are considering 3-9 optics check out the sako A7 combo, its about $1300 with a burris scope, seeing that ive got $1350 into my tikka that A7 combo seems like a good deal.

im not concerned at all with the eye relief spacing even with the short LOP of the compact, i would like the optilocks to allow me to mount the scope a little further forward, so maybe on the compact a better mount setup would be a good quality rail/ring combo rather than the very limited mount location options the optilocks give you.

[EaZ8]

i ended up ordering a Leupold VX2 and Optilock rings and bases.
im kinda curious why the pin in the optilock bases is much smaller than the drilled hole in the receiver?
i assume i mount it with the pin in the hole and pressed as far back as possible?

Good choice on the scope and mounts (btw, a quick “no thanks” on CGN would've been polite…)

As to the recoil stop pin, it's diameter is fine as-is. However, push the front mount base FORWARD as you install it. I hope the following description will help:

The fired bullet and the burning gases propelling it result in a force driving the rifle backwards (towards the shooter.) The optics and the mount each have their own mass, which want to “stay put.” This results in a force “pushing” the optics and the mount forward. However, these will start moving backwards as well. As the shooter absorbs the recoil, both the optics and the mount remain mass in motion backwards. This secondary inertia is much less than the initial force, so it puts less strain on the contact surfaces between the rifle and the mount, and the mount and the scope tube.

The pin is there to deal with the with forces stemming from the first motion only, and it does not need to be a “tight” fit. So, when you install the front mount, put forward pressure to it with your thumb, then tighten the mount screw to the recommended torque settings. As to the mount screws, they have to be tight, but do not over-tighten them either.

thanks for the mounting advice, ive got her all together now.
not sure who you are on CGN, but i decided it was just better to buy everything bran new for this setup, also got everything on sale and i saved quite a bit over canadian list price on everything.

[EaZ8]

mine is 308, im sure its going to kick much more than my +12lb Rem 308 heavy barrel lol.

if it helps you any im going to mount my scope at my buddies house tomorrow (optilock mounts and Leupold VX2 came in today), hes got a T3 stainless also in 308 so if you want any side by side pics for comparison i can get that done.

i have a rem supercell recoil reducer kicking around, and i noticed it will fit on the Tikka compact if i put the LOP extension on. i just have to widen 2 holes slightly so it will slide over.
i assume it would also fit on the full size tikka stock.

[EaZ8]

ive got one, and from what ive seen there isnt a aftermarket LOP adjuster.
thicker grind to fit recoil reducer could help.

i got the compact so i could get as small of a rifle and as light as i could. my scope should be in monday and i can take any pics and measurements you want.

i found that irunguns.com had great prices on the t3 compact

[EaZ8]

i ended up ordering a Leupold VX2 and Optilock rings and bases.
im kinda curious why the pin in the optilock bases is much smaller than the drilled hole in the receiver?
i assume i mount it with the pin in the hole and pressed as far back as possible?