Tikka Accuracy

[ArtP]

Please tell me how accurate your Tikka T3 is.

I would like a custom bolt action target rifle, but the wallet says no. I own several rifle brands now, and hands down my Tikka T3 in .243 is the most accurate. With handloads, 1/4" Groups are routine. On a bad day it'll throw a half inch group.

I'm tempted to buy another Tikka in .260 or .270, but each rifle has its own accuracy personality and I'd like to know what others get from their Tikka's. The new WBY Vanguard is also appealing.

If you chime in here about your Tikka, please tell me the caliber and whether it's wood or synthetic and if you use handloads or factory ammo.

 

[Poper]

Art,

Check out the 5-round group at 200 yards in this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=744367
It was shot with a Tikka T3 in .270 Winchester and a handload.

I'm satisfied. Just how much better can a custom rifle shoot?

Poper

 

[hardluk1]

A hunting friend has a t-3 in 7mm rem mag and for me the barrels a bit short but it is a very accurate rifle but its also a thin barreled hunter. I have never seen one of there heavier varmint or super V barreled rifles they will cost more. .

But if the heavier barrel for match shooting is what you want don't over look the savage model 12 LRP in 260 or 6.5 creedmoor. Shop price can be attractive for another 1/4"moa rifle that's also easlier to upgrade down the road.

 

[ArtP]

Have you been able to duplicate that result?

 

[jmr40]

I've owned Tikka's in 308 and 30-06, my brother currently has a 223. All 3 have been outstanding. I no longer own mine because of other reasons, I just like other rifles better. But if pure accuracy were my only concern a Tikka would be at the top of my list.

 

[RainDodger]

I have a Tikka T3 "Forest"... the walnut stock version, in .30-'06. Frankly, when I got it I expected it to be average. What I found out was, it shoots every bit as well as my rifles that cost twice as much, including a heavy barreled Sako Forester in .243. In addition, the trigger is better than nearly all of my other "fancier" rifles.

The first range trip was with hand loads that had been tailored for a different rifle and I didn't expect anything more than adequate groups. Once I got the new scope (Zeiss Conquest) on the paper, I was shooting less than 1" groups... with a light weight hunting rifle, and on my first outing with it!

Personally, I'm sold on the Tikkas. A rifle doesn't have to have all the "pretty" that $$$$ buys. It just needs a well made action attached to a quality barrel, all set in a stock that fits it correctly. My Tikka is a keeper. I think the ONLY criticism I have is the recoil of this caliber in such a light rifle... and that's not a criticism. It's just the way it is. I hear all kinds of similar stories about Tikkas, and not many complaints.

 

[C-grunt]

I had a T3 in 270 that shot very well. With the ammo it liked (high end hunting ammo, cant remember which) it was a solid 3/4 MOA rifle. With run of the mil soft point it was 1.25-1.5 MOA.

I got rid of it because it just didn't feel right to me. No fault of the rifle as it was well made and shot incredible.

 

[ArtP]

Thanks fellas, for your responses. Anyone got a horror story? I'd love to hear it.

I did own a Sako L61R from the 80's that shot horrible groups despite almost every combo of handload in the book, factory ammo, different scopes, a gun smith once over, a bedding job, JB bore paste treatment. Pretty and smooth could not overcome 2-3 inch groups and I got a restraining order against it, so it could no longer live here.

The new owner was informed and bought with the intent of rebarreling.

 

[hoghunting]

No horror stories with my T3 Lite in 300 WSM as 1/4" - 3/8" groups are the norm with handloads. Replaced the factory recoil pad with a HiViz X-coil and it made a significant difference. Limbsaver and Kick-Eez make fitted pads for the T3.

 

[Water-Man]

I recently gave one of my sons a four year old Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 SE. It was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.

Fortunately, I have another one, unfired, to take it's place.

Great rifle. The best in it's price range IMO.

 

[ArtP]

oops

 

[jimbeaux82]

I have a new T3 lite stainless in 308. I get routine 3/4" - 3 shot groups with handloads.

 

[hentown]

If your random-sampled Tikka is shooting in the 2s, then I'd say it'd be safe to buy another. Unless you're going to be one of those fat old guys sitting around doing benchrest all day, then you probably wouldn't benefit from a custom, expensive rifle.

 

[viking499]

I recently gave one of my sons a four year old Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 SE. It was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.

Fortunately, I have another one, unfired, to take it's place.

Great rifle. The best in it's price range IMO.

Will you adopt me?

 

[sniper58]

7 shot group with my brand-new Tikka T3 a few years ago.
56.0 gr IMR 4831 and Remington Core-Lokt 130 gr. bullet.
The same load shot the same day from my Ruger #1 was 1/2" (3 shots)

 

[dubbleA]

I drank the Tikka koolaid several years ago and was quite disappointed. From the plastic parts/stock, the goofy recoil lug, cheap scope rings to the rust on a new stainless rifle in my opinion it's junk. That Tikka T3Lite 270 WSM was a POS. Nothing I tried in it would group better than 2-3 inches at 100. I didn't try it at any longer ranges due to its poor results. It's actually the first and only rifle I took back to the dealer and got my money back on it. Feel sorry for the person that wound up with it. Wound up giving away the Warne rings a limbsaver pad I had installed on it.


That's my experience with em, nawh I will pass on them from now on.



A typical 3 round group from my Tikka before taking it back.

 

[willymike]

I own four Tikka's and the attached group was shot from my son's T3 in 30-06. That is a three-shot group at 100 yards. Winchester brass, CCI Primer, 58.2gr IMR 4350, Sierra 165gr Gameking. I've found all of them to be extremely accurate if you find the right load or factory ammo.

So, I'm a Tikka Kool-Aid drinker for sure. I just make sure to leave the tequila out of mine so as to not impair the rifle. Haven't mixed the two in the last 40 years.

 

[ms6852]

I no longer have the proof to post but I shot a 1 5/8 inch 5 shot group at 200 yds using remington core-lokts. Tikkas are moa shooters out of the box, the question is...are you? I used 150 gr 30-06, I also shot a 1/2 inch 3 shot group using 180 gr winchester supreme silvertips at 100 ys.

 

[viking499]

My Tikka 6.5 Swede will shoot Wolf Gold under an inch. Would do better if I would ever work up some loads it.

My 243 would also do that with factory 100 grainers. Try some 80 grain bullets and it opened up to around 1"-1 1/4". The 243 was picky on bullet weight with factory loads.

 

[ArtP]

I appreciate negative feedback. I once owned a Model 70 270 WSM which refused to get with the program, and fired the same shotgun groups, no matter what it ate.

While I understand your gripe about the plastic and cost saving shortcuts, I'm looking for a tack driver for this purpose, and willing to compromise and go away from tradition. A beautiful rifle which shoots ugly groups or a ugly rifle which shoots beautiful groups both have a place at my house. But I'm not a collector and function usually wins over beauty.

I drank the Tikka koolaid several years ago and was quite disappointed. From the plastic parts/stock, the goofy recoil lug, cheap scope rings to the rust on a new stainless rifle in my opinion it's junk. That Tikka T3Lite 270 WSM was a POS. Nothing I tried in it would group better than 2-3 inches at 100. I didn't try it at any longer ranges due to its poor results. It's actually the first and only rifle I took back to the dealer and got my money back on it. Feel sorry for the person that wound up with it. Wound up giving away the Warne rings a limbsaver pad I had installed on it.


That's my experience with em, nawh I will pass on them from now on.

 

[ArtP]

Can anyone say how their wood stocked Tikka shoots?

 

[viking499]

Accuracy should be the same.

If walking and hunting, the synthetic stock is nice. If it was going to be a bench gun, I would probably get a Boyd's or a custom stock.

 

[Gtscotty]

My wood stocked Tikka T3 in 270 WSM was a fantastic shooter, I got several 3 shot groups with it that were in the .4's. In retrospect it was kind of dumb to sell that rifle, but it was way overkill for the kind of hunting I was doing at the time.

 

[RainDodger]

Post #6 - it is wood stocked. And it's real plain wood!

 

[willymike]

Post #17 was from aT3 Hunter (wood stocked). I have three Hunters and one Tikka White Tail in synthetic (pre T3). They all are extremely accurate.