I was walking around Scheels checking out rifles. I am in the market for a new .243. This will be a ride around shooting coyote rifle and used on deer and antelope. I looked over the Ruger American and it just didn't feel good. My son has Gen1 Ruger American we put into a Magpul stock and the gun shoots well for a $199 rifle. I picked up the Tikka it was in 22-250 the threaded barrel was $100 more but worth it to me. Man the action was super smooth when you worked the bolt it just slid open almost like an Enfield. Are the Tikkas good to go? I bought one brand new about 20 years ago that wouldn't fire. Light primer strikes put the round in a Ruger and pulled the trigger and it went off it did this with multiple rounds . I was shooting factory ammo and the rifle was new. I took it back to cabelas and they refunded me. But man the one I handled just felt good. If they are good to go I might have to give Tikka another try if I can find a 243
Tell me about the Tikka T3
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Hammsolo
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You’ll get rave reviews I am sure. I adore mine. Point, shoot, kill. It’s super smooth and always reliable.
In my opinion, they “need” some tweaks to be really dialed though. I need a picture with even more tweaks. It’s now on a Spartan bipod, and has a different scope and ring system. It has the Mountain Tactical Raptor on it, and it is beautiful. It also has a new bolt, and a carbon fiber cheek piece.
In my opinion, they “need” some tweaks to be really dialed though. I need a picture with even more tweaks. It’s now on a Spartan bipod, and has a different scope and ring system. It has the Mountain Tactical Raptor on it, and it is beautiful. It also has a new bolt, and a carbon fiber cheek piece.
Their barrels generally shoot good. Never have had a lemon. Bolt is butter smooth and can be disassembled with a keychain to clean it if needed. One of the best factory triggers out there. Lots of aftermarket parts. Can rebarrel yourself if you are into that type of thing. They just started twisting their 243 correctly with the 8” twist. Can get either an 8” twist or 14” twist in 22-250
Very smooth action and many boast of its accuracy. I couldn't get past the plastic magazine and trigger guard and a barrel that was very poorly centered in the forearm channel. No surprise replacing the bottom plastic and new stock are common upgrades for new owners.
Potsie
Well-known member
This may be a bit of confirmation bias, but I have 3 tikka and all shoot very very well.
If you can find the tikka vertical grip insert in stock somewhere it’s well worth the $30 - $40.
If you can find the tikka vertical grip insert in stock somewhere it’s well worth the $30 - $40.
Tikka06
Well-known member
I have a few. I have owned several. None have shot bad. All have been great rifles. I guess it really depends on what want out of a rifle. My favorite has turned out to be the Superlite in 308.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Can't comment much on the tikka but bought my nephew one a few years back in 7-08. Picked up 5-6 boxes of that cheaper Hornady factory ammo with 139 grain bullets. Right out of the gate it shot 1-1.25 inch groups with the factory stuff so decided to just let him shoot that stuff up before reloading for it. It's been a great rifle he's killed both deer and elk with it and seems to have no issues and that factory ammo has worked just fine. As noted, the plastic feel of it doesn't do much for me, but the accuracy, action and trigger are all excellent for a factory rifle right out of the box.
I've been toying with the idea of picking up a 22-250 with the 1-8 twist, we'll see.
I've been toying with the idea of picking up a 22-250 with the 1-8 twist, we'll see.
Thanks guys. I have a savage 308 I have thought about putting a 243 barrel on. I have a magpul stock I could put on it also. Just trying to decide which way to go here. The action on the Tikka was really smooth and Buzz they had 2 22-250 one threaded one not and since I am sitting on about 2K factory rounds on 22-250 it was awful tempting. I could still go that route.
Potsie
Well-known member
I picked up a stainless lite this winter for $650 off EuroOptic, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite pea shooter.
Lawnboy
Well-known member
Best prices are on Eurooptic.. I just bought one for a 22 creedmoor build
Lockedloaded.com is tough to beat too for the new threaded models. I just got a stainless 7PRC for $709. Just have to make sure to click the email quote spot before adding to cart
Mule Kick
Active member
If you’re wondering about Tikkas you might check into Rokslide.. The boys over there basically worship them lol 
And there is a lot of info on the site about them.
I have one in .270 that is my go to gun for big game. I like it!
And there is a lot of info on the site about them.
I have one in .270 that is my go to gun for big game. I like it!
Wind Gypsy
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- Mar 12, 2017
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- 2,480
How's it shoot?
Dougfirtree
Well-known member
I like mine a lot. I've replaced the stock, action screws and bottom metal, as I didn't care for the plastic, but mine shot well out of the box. It's been pretty easy to handload for, too. I wish the short-action receivers were a little shorter than the LA ones, to cut down on weight, but really there's not much to complain about and the price is good! I'm in the process of having the barrel chopped on mine and I'm putting it in a new carbon stock. They do seem to invite tinkering...
Shows up today to the gunsmiths to have the barreled knocked back a little
Forkyfinder
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- Dec 13, 2023
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- 4,551
How long?
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2016
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- 1,443
I'm the worst rifle hunter in the world.
I wanted a single "all around gun" so I bought a tikka T3 in .270WSM, put on good glass, good rings, mount, and a butt pad.
I've owned the thing now for 11 years, it still shoots way better than I ever can, and has killed a bunch of stuff.
It's killed coyotes, deer, elk, and steel out to 927 yards.
I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
I wanted a single "all around gun" so I bought a tikka T3 in .270WSM, put on good glass, good rings, mount, and a butt pad.
I've owned the thing now for 11 years, it still shoots way better than I ever can, and has killed a bunch of stuff.
It's killed coyotes, deer, elk, and steel out to 927 yards.
I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
18” or 20”. Haven’t decided yet
I have a Tikka T3x compact, .308 win. With a 20” barrel.
It is my still hunting rifle and weighs 6.8 pounds unloaded.
I got the compact as I was looking for something along the lines of a “scout” type rifle. Something quick, agile, and easy to carry all day.
I did replace the bottom metal with a mountain tactical one, and also picked up a five round mag and two three round mags from them.
My rifle is approximately 38-39” in length making it pretty good for the thick woods and brush I like to hunt in, but also very good out to 300 yards on some ag fields I can hunt.
I painted the black stock and made a paracord sling for it.
It shoots way better than I am able to, and with my handloads I am able to get 3 shots touching at 100, and I have gotten softball sized groups out to 300 yards.
It is my still hunting rifle and weighs 6.8 pounds unloaded.
I got the compact as I was looking for something along the lines of a “scout” type rifle. Something quick, agile, and easy to carry all day.
I did replace the bottom metal with a mountain tactical one, and also picked up a five round mag and two three round mags from them.
My rifle is approximately 38-39” in length making it pretty good for the thick woods and brush I like to hunt in, but also very good out to 300 yards on some ag fields I can hunt.
I painted the black stock and made a paracord sling for it.
It shoots way better than I am able to, and with my handloads I am able to get 3 shots touching at 100, and I have gotten softball sized groups out to 300 yards.
Its hard to beat the confidence of functionality and off the shelf accuracy you get with Tikka's. I keep going through various rifle brands and then circle round to swapping for Tikka T3's in desirable calibers, they just shoot. Plus they are in the sweet spot for weight for active hunters while still maintaining an accurate platform, plus they are highly customizable by a home smith. There is a cult following of which I subscribe.
