This is a reader-submitted review as part of our gun review contest. I like all guns. If you asked me which gun you should buy my answer is always the same. Should you buy this rifle? What about this pistol? Do I really need a belt fed a6? Of course you do. If it works well, I like it. I shoot competitively, I collect, I hand load a wonderful time filler for someone with mild OCD and a chronograph and guns are more than just a hobby for me. Every gun I buy fills a particular role…which in reality is the perfect excuse to buy another gun.

Everybody wants to own that one rifle that will do it all. The Tikka T3 Hunter in 6. What makes for a good hunting rifle? I think many would correctly say it is caliber above all else, and the 6. The T3 bests the competition in both areas.

One of the biggest positives of the T3 is the rifle makes the caliber debate on. In order to keep down costs, those crafty Finns build each T3 on the exact same length action.

As a result, the. The only difference between long and short action calibers, aside from the chamber, is the magazine available in short and long internal dimensions and where the bolt stop is located on the bolt release assembly. Since there is only one action size, the whole long action vs. Every T3 has the same profile barrel regardless of caliber, so the larger the caliber, the lighter the rifle. Every T3 weighs 3 to 3. The action itself is a push feed bolt action with a Sako-style extractor and plunger ejector.

The Sako extractor is larger, grabbing more of the case rim and as a result, giving greater reliability with a wider array of cartridges. This type extractor is a desirable modification often done by custom shops on push feed rifles.

It does indeed eject the cartridges with much more enthusiasm than the competitors. The bolt throw is smooth and quick thanks in large part to the 70 degree bolt throw. The shorter throw is noticeably faster and feels more natural. The strong two locking lug bolt handles cartridges from.

The bolt glides in the well-machined receiver without any grit or hesitation. The two position safety will be very familiar to most shooters. Pushed to the rear in safe, it locks the action and immobilizes the trigger.

It is quiet, positive, and intuitive. Tikka cold hammer forges the T3 barrel on the same machinery as that of their parent company, Sako. Sako rifles are universally extremely accurate and range from somewhat expensive to incredibly expensive.

My dad, the biggest hunter in the family, used nothing but a Sako L in. When he needed something more accurate — for reasons unrelated to anything practical — he stepped up to a custom rifle built by Rifles, Inc.

The cold hammer forging of the barrel additionally ensures that accuracy lasts longer than a tour on the SS Minnow. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding…unless you shoot paper targets instead of pudding.

Tikka T3x Lite in Rem - in depth rifle review - Detailed tests & reviews on the newsest rifles to hit the market | Rifle Shooter

Pudding is much better suited for studying terminal performance. At the range this 6. Keep in mind that this is a hunting rifle weighing in at 6. This is a pretty average group for the factory free floated 1 in 8 twist barrel.

Discounting the 1st cold bore shot out of an oiled barrel we all have our excusesthe group measures a respectable. Including that first shot explodes the group to an enormous 1. Using an overall length gauge, the throat on the barrel is insanely long.

The polymer 3 round single stack detachable box magazine has no trouble holding rounds seated to extremely long lengths. The engineers at Tikka need to get with the program and comply with the rule that everything you read on the internet is gospel.

In reality, the long throat of the 6. Know why there are no aftermarket triggers for the T3? Every T3, from the bargain T3 Lite to the expensive T3 TAC, comes with the same excellent single stage adjustable trigger. There is no take up, no grit, a glass-rod like break and no perceptible over-travel. Disassembly involves pushing a button, pulling out the bolt and cleaning the bore.

While not a penny is spared on the trigger or barrel, Tikka found a way to simultaneously save money and weight. You will find polymer in the magazine, trigger guard assembly and bolt shroud. This does nothing to make the rifle look or feel cheap. The Tikka blends classic feel with modern technology and pulls it off nicely. My standard T3 Hunter came with a stock market hours 12/26/13 walnut stock with lots of figure.

This is a classy rifle. What are the drawbacks to the T3 line as a whole? I hold true to traditionalist opinion that the controlled round feed is still probably preferable for dangerous game. In addition, the abbreviated three round capacity is a drawback. Will three rounds do the job? Are more rounds better? Should you disagree and feel the need to take on things that can maim you back, the T3 is available in heavy hitting calibers that will do the job.

Honestly, all this is just being picky in order to justify the purchase of some future rifle. The polymer stock of the T3 Lite shaves a few ounces off the weight of the Hunter. The recoil pad is not as firm as the steel of an original Swedish Mauser but it could loving family deluxe work at home office improved. In heavy calibers the aluminum recoil lug might be an issue.

Obviously Tikka listens to their customers. Responding to these few minor complaints, they recently came best money making runescape old school with the T3x. The T3x addresses the feedback while keeping the outstanding barrel, action and trigger the same. Tikka T3 Hunter Caliber: Push feed bolt action Finish: I would love to see a right hand palm swell and softer recoil pad, but overall, the rifle feels great.

Pick it up and try it out. The 70 degree bolt throw is a noticeable improvement over the competition. It would take a Department of Defense design by committee approach to screw up the simple stupid reliability of a bolt action rifle and a couple hundred bucks to bring the ejection of your Remington or Savage up to the same level.

It comes with a very nice set of scope rings and sling mounts, all you have to do is fill both. There are plenty parts available out there from stocks to scope bases that fit the T3…. The former is cheap and relatively plentiful, while still being good enough for medium range shots.

Jamaican forex traders latter has the ability to reach out to yards the longest range in driving distance of me with excellent precision. I never got into the entire ultra-long range thing. For staying inside yards, there is nothing wrong unregulated stock markets in second life sticking to.

When I see Tikka or Sako, I think Finland. When I think Finland, I think of the best Mosins ever. Oh wait, today is my birthday. Those Tikkas are incredible little rifles, and the 6. What Vortex scope is that? Is it one of the new Razor HD lite hunter models?

If so how do you like it? One hunting buddy has already bought one after shooting mine and another buddy is saving up. What has your dad used it on? He uses it for Deer and Antelope, he took an nice Antelope at yds with it out in Wyoming. Just picked up the T3 LIte in for West TX different forex trading systems hunt.

Great rifle and great round. Although my shot aftermarket stocks for tikka t3 rifles less than yards I was comfortable enough with it to go to Dropped a nice 9 point in his tracks.

Will be looking at another one soon. The Limbsaver would be a nice addition.

You wont regret buying one. I have the Savage lightweight hunter but this Tikka is probably a little better. Buy the cheapest savage or rem you can get. I know it sounds like a sales pitch, but after spending a lot of my own money doing just what you recommended, I think the Tikka is just as good if not better and at a lower cost.

Nothing wrong with a nice custombut if money is a big part of the equation a is like the house from the movie The Burbs. Always something new to spend money on. The Tikka T3x CTR in. I sold my Remington and my Cooper 52 is surplus to my needs and wants. On the rifle, if you want to see what can be done well and cheap, the Tikka is the line to look toward.

And the caliber is perfect for the rifle. All I can say is that it was a tack driver and a pleasure to shoot. Even less expensive but far less attractive shooters can be found in the Savage bolt actions. I was going to go with the Savage in. Excellent review, informative and witty. Your mention of Savage reminded me of something that bugs me about bolt guns, whether they are cheap or not, although obviously expensive ones are more confounding.

I know the armed intelligentsia does not truck with magazine reviews but American Rifleman has a well defined protocol. The current American Rifleman has a perfect example: For dangerous game guns the delta is even larger.

That said, the Browning shoots better than i do and when i sight it in every year i get holes touching. Plus it kicks so damn hard it loosened the scope mounts, so i had to go with Talleys which proved effective. But my AR10 in. This looks like the upgrade to the old trusty Win Dunno WHY I need an upgrade, exactly…; Uh…ok, scanning the catalog- TACTICOOL!

Gorgeous gun and a really great review. Definitely top 5 for the competition. Really well written and very enjoyable to read! I was surprised at how good it was and your understanding of the technical aspects of the Tikka was excellent. Today from dad to dad a TIKKA T3 HUNTER in rem. This has been my deer hunting rifle for the past 4 years. Accurate, light even with wood stock and smooth to operate. Great gun in a great caliber. Factory ammo is limited but grain Accubonds and work great. I had wanted a Tikka for several years and finally bought my Tikka T3 Hunter this year.

I thought it had a real wood stock, and found out it the walnut stock is actually synthetic,,,and the recoil was tremendous. I should have known based on the weight of the rifle. I bought the Limb Saver and it made a world of difference. Do you know if there is an actual wood stock out there that you can purchase for Tikka rifles?

I truly enjoyed the article! A great read filled with useful information for seasoned and novice alike. Thanks for putting the effort into presenting such useful well written insight. Picked up a Tx3 in recently.

Topped her with a DNZ Game Reaper and Vortex DB HPx Took her out twice to the local y range and shot about 40 rounds each. I concluded that this is most likely due to the fact that the barrel is not fully floated. I ran the old dollar bill down the barrel-stock gap and it stopped 3. This is not the gun to take ethical shots on game at yards. If found to be true they will refund the fee. But they also state that they rarely do and suggest that most of their complaints are unfounded. This alone says all you need to know about a brand.

To be fair, Tikka has the best trigger I have ever pulled on a stock gun. I was equally impressed with the silky smooth bolt.

Ironically, despite the bolt and the trigger, the thing sprays at yds and should not be taken at all seriously as a hunting rifle. I have both aT3 lite in. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Menu Gun Reviews Gear Reviews Guns for Beginners Hunting Facts About Guns.

July 25, 39 comments. Tikka T3 Hunter pwrserge says: July 25, at I too am a huge vortex fanboy. Every firearm with optics on it in my safe currently is wearing something from Vortex. Christian in Oregon says: November 17, at Even what you describe may be overkill for the kind of accuracy you are talking about.

Thanks for the compliment, it is appreciated. I am glad you enjoyed it. You can get an MDT light chassis for it! Tom in Oregon says: July 26, at You get my vote.

Tikka - - MidwayUSA

October 13, at November 3, at February 21, at March 6, at March 19, at May 14, at The barrel on my 6.

Love my rifle, wish the wood to barrel gap on the stock was a bit tighter. May 26, at June 5, at Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Read TTAG In Your Language: ATF Posts Updated Processing Times for NFA Forms. DeSantis Gunhide Question of the Day: Avatars by Sterling Adventures. Resources and links About Us Advertise Contact us. Privacy Policy RSS Feed Write For Us.