Love the Swede!

My T3 Stainless Lite loves 120 Ballistic Tips over 47 grains of H4350 lit by a Fed 210.  Should be going around 2850 fps and very consistently 1/2 moa.

Mike 

H380,

Something must have went wrong during the process.  It seems to have moved the bolt to the wrong side of your rifle.

Looks good,

Mike

Matchman,

I have several Tikkas, all of mine are T3 Stainless Lites.  As far as accuracy goes, it is a toss up between the 6.5×55 and the 243.  Don't know if you are a handloader or not, but I have had incredible success with Win Brass, Fed 210 primers, 85 grain Sierra HPBT and 37.7 grains of Varget.  Had the bullets seated at .010 off the la… Read more

Hey RJ.,

I have a 338 Fed in a Sako 85.  Haven't made time to do any real load development with the rifle as of yet.  I did have a bunch of 200 grain Nosler/Combined Tech Ballistic tips sitting around.  I used the Nosler Reloading Manual and loaded some up in Fed brass, Fed primer and Varget at the book recommended COAL.  They shot MOA for me.

I don… Read more

Matt,

Just about the only negative reviews that you will find out there are from guys that never owned one of these rifles and are more than likely “internet experts”.

Most folks on the internet who bitch about the cost of a replacement magazine for the Tikkas, have obviously never priced a magazine for another rifle.  There might be a slight cost… Read more

Matt,

I am the proud owner of a 6.5×55 Tikka T3 Stainless Lite, and I am convinced that it is the most accurate “factory” rifle that I own.  I absolutely love the rifle.  In my opinion it is the perfect match of cartridge and rifle for hunting whitetails here in PA.  The rifle is very pleasant to carry all day, and it is scary accurate.  If (Go… Read more

Hey Gents,

I was following this post for a while, just wondering if there was any resolution to the issue.  Love my Tikka's and they are all “shooters”.  Love the 25-06 (although I don't have a Tikka so chambered) and haven't had any problems with any of mine.

I never had any success with factory ammo… at all from any of my 25-05's.  Mine (3 of th… Read more

Bear,

Congrats on finding a mag length load that shoots well!

Now just to prove it consistant and go hunting!

S/F

Mike

Bear,

I'm an idiot… this is not the first time the old 300WM – 300WSM has bit me.  I thought you were talking about the WSM.  The comments that I made about the longer magazine and bolt stop become irrelivent, as you have and were asking questions about the 300WM.  Should have given me a rap upside the head and told me to wake up.

Since you al… Read more

Blazin,

The “plastic” parts that you are referring to are polymer.  I have several T3 Stainless Lites that I use primarily for hunting.  I using these rifles for several years and haven't had a single problem.

A lot of guys are buying Magpul magazines for their AR's… “plastic” I mean polymer.

Prior to spending money on replacing any parts, I w… Read more

+1 for the NightForce Ultralites.  Just picked up 2 sets… seem to be the cat's meow.

Mike

Mustangman,

I have a T3 Stainless lite in 243 that is truly one of the most accurate rifles that I own.  85 grain Sierra HPBTs over 37.7 of Varget will shoot 5 shots that can be covered with a dime.  My 6.5×55 will do the same or better with 120 Nosler Ballistic Tips.  (Don't think you can get the 6.5×55 or the 260 here in the US at this ti… Read more

Hey Bear,

Don't get discouraged.  There should only two things currently limiting your COAL.  First, check your bolt stop.  IF the bolt opens far enough to accept and feed the longer COAL that you want… you don't need to do anything as far as that goes.  Second, take a look at the magazines for the 300WM, 7Remmag and 338WM… or possibly the mag… Read more

herbeapuce,

Don't have a Tikka in 25-06… (yet), but do have the 25-06 in a Sako and a couple of Rugers.  I don't shoot any factory stuff… but  I have been getting my best accuracy with the 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.  Tried some 120's (Hornandy) but I didn't get the accuracy of the 100 grain bullets.  My buddy swears that his rifle wil… Read more

Guys,

Late reply… but figured I would add my 2 cents.

My first T3 was a stainless lite with the 1 in 8.  Shoots 55 Nosler BTs into dime sized groups day in and day out… (when the trigger-puller does his job)  I have fired several .5 moa groups out at 300 with those bullets.

Now that the kids are getting of age, when I take them shooting they a… Read more

Justa,

As far as the mag for your set-up, you should be able to just go with a factory mag for the 30-06/270/6.5×55.  Don't know if you will need to screw around with the bolt stop or not.

Mike

280,

Sorry, I was out of touch for the weekend.  I will attempt to get some pics and post them later this week.

Mike

280,

I don't know what weight bullets you are looking to shoot.

Bought my first T3 stainless lite used.  It is the 223 with the 1 in 8 twist.  Belonged to the owner of the gun shop who was changing up to the 22-250.  Told him I was looking for a tack driving 223… my mind was set on a bull barreled rifle.  He went in the back and brought out a sta… Read more

YoteHunter,

PM Sent

Mike

YoteHunter,

I have a condition (mental) that makes it nearly impossible to sell off a rifle.  I did manage to sell one to my best friend who fell in love with it.

To make things worse, I am always coming across things (or people) who spark my interest in something else.

Perfect example, I was talking to my smith about the AI project and he… Read more

YoteHunter,

Got thinking about this a little more… I don't think that you will need to do any work to your bolt-stop.  The 284 was designed as a short action round.  Unless you are really looking to shoot the VLDs or long and heavies, you should be more than fine in a short action configuration.

Mike

YoteHunter,

Did some chatting with my gunsmith late last week and the 6mmAI reamer should be in his shop by the end of this week.  I also ordered a Redding Body Die for the AI… figured I could use my Redding Neck Sizing die that I already have.

Currently I have (3) 6mm Rems.  I am thinking of having him AI the Rem 700SA which has a 1in12 twist b… Read more

Hey YoteHunter,

Still driving yourself nuts over this…  Can't help you much with the what does it take.  Someone here should be able to answer your question on the bolt stop.  Hell, you might be able to do the mod yourself.  Does your bolt actually stop where the casehead of the cartridge in the mag is or does it go all the way to the rear?  I ne… Read more

Hey Ataka,

What type of bullet are you using?  Here in Pennsyltucky, I shot a whitetail doe a couple of years ago with the 6.5×55.  I had chose the 120 Nosler Ballistic Tip because I figured it would be pretty explosive on a whitetail.  Well, punched her through the ribs, dime sized hole going in, quarter sized hole going out.  She ran 75-100 yar… Read more

Shooter,

Thanks again.  First time I have heard about Density Altitude.  This appears to greatly simplify things.

Like I said… I'm always learning.

Mike

Gents,

Funny thing… I find the same thing.  I very much agree with yukonal… 1 grain under book max=accurate load.  Don't know if this would hold true for others, I usually use the slowest burning powder I can… I like a pretty full case.

Mike

Shooter,

Very well written.  Not only for the new shooter, but those of us who continue to try to improve our skills… it's a good thing to reveiw the basics, catch our bad habits that can sneak in there on us.

Nice Job!

Mike

Deano,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have any of the varmint versions, but all of my Tikkas are outstanding shooters.  Others here will be able to give you more details on the varmint versions.

There is another post from a member (Yomm) who has the exact same rifle that you are looking at.  You may want to chat with him about his new purchase.

Good l… Read more

Yomm,

Good deal.  I have two T3 Stainless Lites in 223 with the 1 in 8 twist.  The first one was the first Tikka that I bought… and it sold me.  Even in the lite configuration, that rifle will throw 55 Nosler ballistic Tips into 1/2 moa groups all day long.  Last fall I tried some intitial load development with the 69 SMK's… still have some mor… Read more

Yotehunter,

The 6mm Rem (and the AI) are one of those cartridges much like the 7×57,6.5×55 and 284 Win.  They all will fit into a short action, but depending on the throat and type of bullets that you decide on may be better off in a long action.  I have one 6mm Rem in a Rem 700 short action with a Hart Barrel.  It shoots very well at mag le… Read more

Yomm,

Let us know how she shoots!  I would be surprised if you weren't happy with it.  What chambering?

Mike

Yotehunter,

Very Nice!  Good Shootin'.

Please keep us posted on the 6mmAI project.  You have my itch started again.

I have the same scope mounted on two of my tikkas. Mine have the fine duplex… I think it is just the right balance for hunting/target.  I have to try some of those VLDs… Looks like they make a mess!

Gotta love the accuracy that yo… Read more

Yotehunter,

I am partial to the 6mm Rem, have really given a lot of thought to the AI. I've read a lot of good things about it. I have 3 6mm Rems and 2 243's.

I don't think the 243AI will get you where the 6mmAI can take you.  Basically gets you up to a straight 6mm rem.

The biggest “downside” of the 6mm (I have read… But but not experienced) is… Read more

Russ,

Welcome!

Say it isn't so… I love my Tikkas too, but you ditched your Sako?  Didn't you have a couple of Remingtons, Savages or something else you could have sacrificed instead?

The only factory rifles that out of box shoot as well or better (depends on the mindset of the shooter that day) are my Sakos.  Even after a lot of work and $, a c… Read more

Yomm,

This may be a silly question, but have you fired the rifle and reason to feel that the fact that it is not fully floated might be a problem? 

The reason I ask is that I have a couple of custom rifles and my smith beds the action and the first couple of inches of the barrel. Not saying that it is right or wrong, but I have had ZERO issues… Read more

Hammbone,

The twist for both of the 223's are 1 in 8.  Figured if I loaded some of the heavies, it should somewhat match the ballistics of my larger bore target rifles.

When I bought my 357 marlin, it had a 2.5x BSA short and stubby scope on it.  I was going to yank it off and ditch it until I shot it.  That darned thing will throw bullets into 2″… Read more

Hammbone,

The trouble with me is that I can't ever seem to part with anything.  Once it comes home, it seems to stay.  I must say, if I need to start “thinning the herd” my Tikkas will be the last to go.

The 223 was the first one I bought.  So far it shoots 55 Nosler Ballistic Tips into ragged one hole groups very consistantly.  I tried some 69 SMK… Read more

Gents,

Got 4 Tikkas and all of them have the EGW rails on them. Never a problem with any. I just replaced the “standard” rail on my 300WSM with the HD (not HD Steel) model. Not that the other one didn't work just fine, but the HD allows the scope to be mounted slightly lower. I have the EGW rails on various other rifles as well. They are a great… Read more

cb_tikka,

Just another thought.  You may want to give a call to Alex out at EuroOptics a call and see if there is anything he can do for you.  I don't know when they started carrying the Tikka line, but they have been a Sako dealer for years.  Maybe he has a 6.5×55 laying around in a corner somewhere that they forgot about.  Their website is Eur… Read more

cb_tikka,

Wish you the best of luck in finding one.  I have a T3 Stainless Lite that is probably one of the most accurate rifles I own.  After I became smitten with the rifle and cartridge, I was going to pick up one or possibly two more for my kids who are starting to hunt… but I waited about 6 months too long and then Beretta stopped i… Read more

Gents,

New here to the forum, but I am a true Tikka Junkie. 

Bought my first one when I was in a local gun shop, asked the guy if he had any bull barrelled tack driving 223's.  He said here try this… pulled a used Tikka T3 Stainless Lite in 223 and handed it to me.  I went to hand it right back and said I was looking for a tack driver, not a sp… Read more