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Tikka T3 Lite Stainless
Posted by Brian Richardson on Aug 31 2005
Tikka T3 Lite Stainless – Lightweight, Practical, Smooth, Accurate and a Great Value
Without doubt there is a lot of discussion and debate on lightweight, all-weather hunting rifles for the often unforgiving hunting conditions found here in Alaska. Local traditionalists have their mainstay firearms along with sensible foundations for their choices in rifles substantiating the Alaskan demands from the rugged mountain tops, sweeping tundra, soggy swamps, boreal jungles, salty soaked coastlines, and windswept snowy winters. It’s all too often hunters squabble with reference to what caliber is best for this and that or greatest-all-around. Here I will communicate on what I see as an innovative rifle choice. Maybe a bit modern for the old school… nevertheless a lightweight rifle, no-nonsense practical, operationally smooth, guaranteed MOA accurate out of the box (& is), plus having such a great value is appealingly pretty hard to beat --- bring on The Tikka T3 Lite Stainless.
In concept The Tikka T3 Light Stainless is the consummate pattern for the contemporary day hunting rifle. Case in point is a one gun blueprint for all the calibers it is designed for – both long and short actions, all right hand actions, fewer options, injection molding, short bolt throw, sans iron sights, and a colossal distribution net. What is out of the ordinary about the Tikka T3 Light Stainless is that it maintains outstanding enchantments like a crisp adjustable trigger from 2-4 lbs., a truly rigid injection molded stock, a hand fitted hammer-forged barrel, all in an uncomplicated/simple design. In short the T3 Light Stainless is an efficient modernization having accomplished an accolade of long-established refinements where it counts.
Picking up a T3 Light Stainless off the storeroom shelf you might say…
Wow, this is really lightweight!
Yes, it is at 6¾ to 7¼ pounds with generally representative scopes in standard and magnum cartages respectively.
It has a handy feel!
Yes, the barrels are 22 7/16” standard --- 24 3/8” in magnums and have the right weight forward balance.
That action is Slick!!!
Yes, with the shorter angle throw of the bolt action it is as smooth an action you’ll find. An additional reason to the silky-smooth action commonly a little overlooked is that it is straight feeding directly into the chamber.
*(see my large, dangerous game recommendations)
Here are a couple general comments to note:
T3's use the same long action…
That said - short action cartridges still have short bolt throws because the bolt throw is controlled by the bolt stop.
For example: if you get it in .308 WIN. You’ll have the same design and size action as the .30-‘06 with a bolt stop installed. The single stack detachable magazine will also fit identical with the exception being a molded plastic spacer differing for the lengths of cartridges.
They are good looking practical, shoot accurately with several brands of ammunitions, have an incredibly smooth action, representative of good value, and a crisp light adjustable trigger.
My criticisms:
The T3 is not a first-class design for large, dangerous game!!!
Why???
One of the things many argue over in a dangerous game confrontation is controlled round feeding in a firearm (I really do not agree with this)… However this is not a main concern here and not due to a no controlled round feed. The straight feed in fact is smooth and very reliable particularly with the short mags.
The problem is that loading is done “easily” ONLY into the chamber directly from the detachable box magazine. The port is essentially an ejection port only and single cartridge loadings or an extraction problem would be extremely undesirable chiefly under stress.
Detachable mags can also get misplaced and single loading is a very real hitch to the T3 design.
I’m NOT completely impressed with the rings provided… so far acceptable, but I’ll either go to Warne T3 specific rings or go with a Weaver-Type rail and suitable rings. A good barrel and trigger deserve far better than the factory T3 rings!
Accuracy:
So far 100 yard and 100 meter groups are ¼ to 1” as guaranteed out of the box with several different brands of ammunition --- as long as I stay to upper end brands or premium ammo. Mine spurns cheap junk ammo… I do not use it anyway – but I tried a few for groups and assessment.
200-250 yards have also been within quite reasonable, but more testing at this time is needed for a more comprehensive review from me. More optic, brands of ammo, cold & hot barrel understandings, etc. Often the case with super lightweight rifles is paying the prospects of operator error - especially after about 200+ yards. No matter the marksmen lightweight rifles are more sensitive to any and all external (even ever so slight) factoring.
All in all, I’m comparatively certain I am getting what I paid for. The Tikka T3 Light Stainless is an impervious, lightweight, dependable rifle for Alaska’s all weather all-terrain hunters. Fit and finish is superb – no corners where cut here! I would buy another positively! The price point makes it easier to purchase higher quality weatherproof optics and other essential gear. Hope this has shed some light and specifics to those out to get the new gun for the hunting season.
Best wishes and luck this season –
Brian Richardson
http://www.northernrim.com
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