That Canadian ranger version is truly (to my eye, and way of thinking) the epitome of what an all around practical rifle should/can be. While I would prefer an ultra light composite stock on it, given their extremely cold conditions that they may face, the laminated stock makes a lot of sense.

My only real change would be to set it up for AI mags,… Read more

Try 155 lapua scenars and varget.

It's a combination that is equally at home at a match or on a hunt.

I would start with load development and see what the rifle likes. Most non magnum T3s don't need any stock work. What is your rifle chambered for?

Being free of debt is the only way to fly.

That said, a nice longer barreled Swede would be very cool when you get ahead, money wise.

Of course taking a standard bolt face T3 and rebarreling to 6mm Remington Ackley Improved would be very, very cool as an all around gun from ground squirrels to deer.

I have an XLR and its a machined work of art. Plus their customer service is outstanding.

Fully intend to pick up another as soon as I can.

I have never seen a tikka 308 that did not shoot well under 1 MOA. The 2 308 Tikkas that I have both are sub.5″ guns with hand loads. Mine really shine with 165 and lower weights.

It could be a gun issue, but I would load up some 155 matchmaking, driven by Varget and see what happens..

CDI bottom metal using AI  mags

Results man,results!!!

I would get a set of Talley lightweight rings and be done.

Thoughts:

The Sporter is a poor man's Sako TRG, and a dang fine one at that. There is zero need to buy aftermarket detachable mag systems for either. People get too fixated on buying a bunch of aftermarket stuff to bolt on. Save your money.

My last T3 varmint in .223 was a superb shooter. It ended up with a friend since I had plenty of .223s in the… Read more

My T3 Lite .223 was an 8 twist and a phenomenal shooter. I just traded it for a CZ carbine in 7.62×39. The only reason I swapped was because I always was grabbing an AR when I intended to shoot .223. If you can find an 8 twist, snatch it up. Great shooters.

The contact info for the Finnish sources would be most appreciated.  Just having one spare would be a bit of piece of mind, plus if we ordered together, that might save some money for the freight charges. I am looking for one on 30-06 (65).

I shot my little chopped T3 in .308 today while at my cabin. Even with the cold northern wind blowing hard,… Read more

175 SMK with 44.3 grains of Varget. Works good in my TRG.

For my T3s I run 46 grains and a 165 boat tail hollow point Game King.

Good question.

I have an LSA-65, in 30-06 and would love a spare mag, just to be safe.

If anyone has info, or a mag, let me know please!  🙂

I have a couple of T3 .308s, one is a lite, the other a varmint. Both are superbly accurate shooters. I think you will be pleased. I've also an LSA. Mine is a 65, in 30-06. Beauty of a gun. If you get tired of that LSA-55 let me know. They are a neat old, underrated rifle.

Btw, Welcome.

Now let's at least see a pic of the old LSA!  🙂

LR

I think I would check it using a scope of known reliability and repeatability. I would also just stick it in a set of Talley lightweight one piece base and ring combos.

Chances are more likely than not, the problem would magically disappear.

On my stainless .308 T3 Lite I run a 2.5-10×24 Nightforce in Talley rings and it is dead nuts reliable.

I have a T3 Lite stainless 8 twist that is a smoking good shooter. I don't know why they would fiddle with such a great package. Mine has accounted for a lot of dead coyotes, jackrabbits etc.

Fun little gun.

While I have not had the issues Yukon has had, I don't run the factory rings on hard kicking caliber. In fact the only T3 that is now wearing  pair is a 223 Lite stainless. Most get Talley lightweight rings, which I find to be an outstanding product.

Ralph,

I am not Dave.

But some members may be able to help you out with a bit more info from you.

What do you intend to hunt? Deer, elk, hogs ground squirrels?

What type of terrain and vegetation? Hunting in the thick woods of Virginia or similar area is vastly different than the wide open terrain of Idaho or Wyoming,where longer shots are almost the… Read more

We're you describing the bullet tumbling into the target?

I realize there may be a slight miscommunication/language barrier.

Glad to see it is shooting well now.

Cheers!

How about some pictures!

Nothing wrong at all with “hard” cast bullets. In fact they are preferred. They will lead up your barrel less and generally speaking you can run them a bit faster. When I shot IPSC heavily, I shot nothing but hard cast 45s by the 10s of thousands and never had an issue.

1) Are there any flaws to my plan as of yet? Anything you guys think I should do differently?

2) Suggestions for a scope, gunsmith, or reloading components?

3) I appreciate any comments/suggestions/criticism.-NateK

1) Fluting is a waste of money, and weight you need for shooting LR. Spend the fluting money on a good bedding job.

2) NightForce NXS…

Read more

I am looking for an all around bolt action rifle in 30-06.  I have access to new T3s but I am intrigued by an older m695 I have seen.  I am new to the Tikka family, does any one have an opinion one way or another?

Mags can be tough to find. Other than that, no. Go for it! Great rifles.

Will your chamber/ throat let you seat them out super long?

Your idea is good. I would just check your chamber to see how much room you have to play.

You will regret it if you do not go with a swivel model. I would suggest the Harris as well. I have used them in both a recreational and professional capacity and they are a good product.

Non swivel models are a PITA,as you never have a level surface such as a table top when you are out in the field.

I have taken a lot of coyotes with my stainless T3 Lite .223. It will do the job in a heartbeat and shoots groups that made me sell my heavy barrel bolt action Savage. Mine is an 8 twist and with 52 grain SMKs it will shoot into the .2s and .3s over bags.

Between the T3 lite and my precision built ARs, I found no need for a heavy bolt .223 any… Read more

Load 21. 

Record your cold bore shot on a completely separate target.

Then shoot the other 20 into 4 groups of 5.

If they are still shooting within your acceptable range of accuracy (.25, .5, .75 MOA  or whatever) then roll from there.

That would be my suggestion.

I have a pair of 6.5-20 MKIVs as well as a few 6.5-20 VX3s. Plus a couple of nightforces to compare them to.

In regards to shooting your .223, I don't think paying the extra $$ for the MKIV label is money well spent. I have never had any issue with the VX3 line and the 6.5x20x50 will do everything you need if that is the magnification range you… Read more

Owning examples of both would be the easiest solution. That way you would never have to contemplate if you made the right choice.  🙂

The target posted below is from a couple of years ago. I was rezeroing my turrets out on my T3 Varmint .308, due to the elevation change from my home vs my cabin. I was shooting over my pack and using a Harris bipod. The load is a hunting load w/ a 165 grain Sierra HPBT GameKing.

Do you think it would hang? Not that I worry too much either way… Read more

Perhaps two different people wrote the descriptions of the two rifles, or the same guy did it on two different days.