[msgtmike]

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 

[msgtmike]

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

[msgtmike]

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 lands.

This load has shot very well for me out of 3 different 243's, and has been very consistent.  I loaned that rifle to my buddy's daughter for hunting deer about 3 years ago… wondering if I will ever see it again.

I suppose it could be a bedding issue, but I never give up on anything until I have tried several bullet/load combinations.  If you aren't a handloader, I would try some other types of ammo… cheaper stuff too.  My brother in law's 308 Tikka shoots yellow and green box Remington into a quarter very consistently.

Mike

[msgtmike]

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't feel that premium bullets are required this this chambering as the velocity is not screaming.  From what I have read, most of the 338 bullets are designed to work with the 338 Win Mag and up velocities.

In a little 7 lb rifle, this chambering is a little thumper for sure.

I'm anxious to hear what you and others come up with for loading this round.

S/F

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 difference, but none feed as smooth as the tikka mags.

I currently have 5 rifles in the T3 Stainless Lite variation, and I can tell you that they are always my “go to” rifles.  The 300WSM (even with the muzzle brake) is a handful shooting off the bench, but every one of them are a pleasure to carry and will put the bullets where the cross hairs are.

As Yukonal posted, the parts are not “plastic” but rather polymer, much like the parts on the M16A2 service rifle that I carried for years.  Never had a problem with the M16 nor any of the T3 polymer parts.  The stocks are more rigid than just about any other composite stock out there, and the magazines have fed many many rounds without a single problem.

Aftermarket parts are becoming more readily available… check out the store on this site.

You will not find a better trigger that is as user friendly on any factory rifle out there for similar price.  Other bolts may get to be as smooth as the Tikkas about the time the barrel is shot out.

Never had to use the customer service… so I cannot comment on that.

I have purchased from Europtics, they are only about an hour from me and they are a great bunch of guys.

As long as you don't mind the wait, I would continue the research and make up your mind for yourself.  Don't want to sound like a marketing guy for Tikka, but I like mine that much.

For a while there, Europtics had the T3 Sporter in 6.5×55… which really is the “Cat's Meow”.  Might be a little more, but you get the heavier barrel, and that stock…nice.

Best of luck in whatever you decide,

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 (God forbid) I had to liquidate all of my rifles but one, that tikka in 6.5×55 would be the last one in the safe.

I was going to purchase another for my kids as they are coming of hunting age… only to find out that Beretta is no longer importing them to the US.  I even tried to order a 260 Rem and was going to have my smith rechamber it… apparently they currently were not importing any 6.5 cal rifles.  That was about 2 years ago… maybe they smartened up.  Please post if you find that they are importing the 6.5×55 again.

Best of luck with your endeavor.

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 them) just seem to love 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips over 52.5 of H4831SC.  I am close to finalizing some load development of the 115 Berger VLDs over H4831SC.  Looks like my Sako 75 really likes between 53.0 and 53.3 grains of powder and the bullets seated .020″ off the rifling.

How about an update on that Tikka?

Mike

[msgtmike]

Bear,

Congrats on finding a mag length load that shoots well!

Now just to prove it consistant and go hunting!

S/F

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 already have the longest magazine, there really aren't any longer factory mags to try.  As well, the factory bolt stop is already allowing the bolt to be opened as far as it can.

So, that being the case… My other thought(s) in hopes of helping you think about a solution…

I am far from a ballistics engineer… or even a pretty smart guy.  But from my experience and reading on the topics of precision handloading and shooting, here are a couple of things to throw around.

Seating depth is a function of barrel timing.  Getting the bullet to leave the barrel when the harmonics are best.  This “timing” can be changed based on powder type and charge weight.  You may want to try seating the mag length and changing your charge weight to see if you can get it to tune in.  If that doesn't work, maybe a powder change.

Another option is to take the rifle to a smith and have him take the barrel off, cut a thread or two length off the chamber end and re-chamber with a reamer with less free-bore.  I would guess $125 job.

You may want to check out this website… some good info on the OCW concept if you haven't seen it before.

http://practicalrifler.fr.yuku.com/

Good Luck and sorry if I caused any confusion.

Mike

PS.  Glad to hear you are going to hang onto that rifle.

[msgtmike]

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 would try them out.  I think too much emphisis is put on the “plastic”… which they are not.

Spend the money that you save on the best optics and optics mounts you can get your hands on.

Mike

[msgtmike]

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

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 time).

The 243 will be a lot more versitile, not like you are hunting PDs.

No need for a heavy barreled rifle… Those Lites just shoot lights out!  Top 'em with some good optics  and you will be very happy.

Great for carrying, put the bullets where the cross hairs are.

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 magazine for the 30-06.  I'm not sure about how they will feed, but it may just be picking up another (different size magazine).  Others may chime in with a solution.

I have 5 of the Tikka T3 Lites, (2) 223s, 243, 6.5×55 and the 300WSM.  I have developed loads for all but the 300WSM that are 1/2 moa loads.  The 300WSM has been hovering between 3/4 and MOA… but I haven't worked on it real hard.  The only bullets that I have tried have been the 168 Amax and the 150 ballistic tips.  So far, I've tried RL-17 and H4350.  The H4350 has been winning in the accuracy department thus far.

I had a machinist modify a couple of 223 magazines so that I can fit the longer bullets.  I can seat the 75 grain Amaxs right out there, and the bolt opens far enough to chamber the rounds. 

I noticed the same problem with my 300WSM and the short mag length.  Maybe when the weather warms up, I will get back to it. 

That 300WSM is a pretty good thumper in a light weight rifle.  I have a brake on it and the Deaccelerator pad… and she is still pretty snotty.

While I don't have a 300WM/7Rem/338WM to look at those mags, but I will take a look and see if one of the 300WSMs will fit in the 6.5×55 mag.  Maybe someone here has one of the full lenth magnum magazines that they could see if the 300WSM will work with.

Have to say, the Tikka's are my favorite rifle… and that says a lot!

S/F

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 will only shoot the 120's accurately.

The TTSX should be a BOMB in the 25-06!!!  No worries at all with that bullet!

S/F

Mike

[msgtmike]

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 are fighting over that rifle.  Just happened to stumble across another used one in excellent condition… didn't hesitate.

Absolutely no problem getting accuracy out of the “mid-weights” with the 1 in 8 twist.

With that rifle you will get the best of both the worlds… very nice walking rifle, and it will shoot scary accurate.

S/F

Mike