Tikka T3

mitchell koster · May 9, 2010, 07:45 PM

I'm still looking for a .260 but still not convinced that the tikka is the right way to go. i went into the store and felt it and it was too light. Can anyone suggest a heavier .260 that its just as good a value as the tikka?
thanks

MK

hoghunting · May 9, 2010, 11:39 PM

I have the T3 Lite in 300 WSM, and it feels just about perfect to me. With a scope and sling, it is just under 7.5 lbs.

jmr40 · May 10, 2010, 11:09 AM

Options on the 260 are limited. I think the Tikka is a good rifle. They have some different quirks that some don't like, but real problems are rare. If you think it is too light they offer a wood and laminated stocked versoins that will give you a little more weight.

loverme85 · May 10, 2010, 08:39 PM

what are the reasons behind wanting a .260 out of curiousity? Because you are kind of limited in that price range.

Palmetto-Pride · May 10, 2010, 09:18 PM

Most people complain that hunting rifles are to heavy, I think this may be the first time I have heard that one is to lite......

mdd · May 10, 2010, 09:34 PM

I carried my ruger vt model 25-06 all over the place last year coyote hunting. I know its not a 260 but it does weigh almost 12 lbs with the optic. Is that heavy enough?

mitchell koster · May 10, 2010, 11:02 PM

I've been look at the ballistics of it and it seems to have a better knock down power and a flatter shooting trajectory than the .308, the other option was a .243 but i don't think that has got enough knock down power.

I've been researching rifles and the way weight effects the accuracy and it seems to me that the weight of the barrel and how much it vibrates will affect the over all accuracy. When i felt the tikka it just felt to light and flimsy, there fore giving it a harder recoil.

I'm looking for a rifle around 1000 dollars AUS. Any sugestions. I've looked a a weatherby Vanguard synthetic with scope for about 950 which seems alright.

Thanks For all you opinions and views.

mitchell koster · May 10, 2010, 11:03 PM

I would consider a .270 or a 7mm Rem. I've heard that the MK2 is good in 7mm caliber.

Has anyone got a Bushnell scope?? what are they like on dusk and dawn?

hoghunting · May 11, 2010, 12:04 AM

Tikka has a 3-shot 1 MOA guarantee, so you don't have to worry about the weight of the barrel effecting accuracy. I don't consider my T3 as flimsy, and it will shoot my loads into 0.32" - 0.36" on a regular basis. I put a HiViz X-coil recoil pad on my 300 WSM, and recoil is not a problem.

stevelyn · May 11, 2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

I'm still looking for a .260 but still not convinced that the tikka is the right way to go. i went into the store and felt it and it was too light. Can anyone suggest a heavier .260 that its just as good a value as the tikka?
thanks

MK

The Tikka is about as perfect of an out-of-the-box mountain rifle as you're ever going to find.

Waterengineer · May 11, 2010, 07:30 AM

To the OP:

I am not a T3 fan because of the plastic parts. I would suggest looking at what is basically the same rifle in the Sako line up.

There are several used ones on Gunbroker that will approach the cost of a T3.

And the Sako will be all steel and wood, OK maybe a plastic stock if that is what you want.

I agree with the thought that 260 options are limited - particulaly in an econo rilfe.

IIRC the Hawkeye M77 and Remington model 700 cam in 260 maybe you can find one of those new.

Woodyed · May 11, 2010, 07:33 AM

I would love to find a Tikka in 260 caliber. I've been looking for well over a year now for a 260 Tikka. I don't know if Tikka is making them anymore or whether Beretta isn't importing them to the US. Just have to keep looking I guess.

mitchell koster · May 11, 2010, 10:53 PM

If you looking for a 260 and can't find one the other option is to convert a .308 to a 260. they both have the same cartridge size. you just have to change the barrel and a few other minor things. My uncle converted his sako .308 to a 260. Not a bad option. Buy a older 308 with a good condition stock and worn out barrel and then out the 260 barrel on it.

Mitchell Koster

Zak Smith · May 11, 2010, 11:44 PM

I am a huge proponent of the .260, but keep in mind that the T3 has one action length; the bolt throw is just less on the short-action versions of it. Thus, for no additional size/bulk of the rifle, you could get a T3 in a long-action cartridge.

loverme85 · May 12, 2010, 12:04 PM

yeah my initial thought when you said you wanted a heavier rifle is a weatherby, but finding one in a .260 wouldn't be an easy find. Honestly I don't know if they even make them. Its tough to beat the ballistics of a 270 in a non magnum cartridge, a 260 will push a 120 gr bullet 2950fps at the muzzle with 2319 ft lbs the 270 will push a 130 gr. bullet 3060fps at the muzzle with 2703 ft lbs. http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

there is a trajectory chart for both of the cartridges also the .270 is just a better round, so that would be the route I would go.

Zak Smith · May 12, 2010, 01:06 PM

Standard long-range loads in the .260 push a 140gr at 2850-2950 or a 123 to 3050-3150 fps.

publius · May 12, 2010, 01:10 PM

Not a Tikka or a .260 but how about a CZ in 6.5x55

snipecatcher · May 12, 2010, 02:56 PM

Tikka makes the T3 in 6.5x55. My T3 Lite in 6.5x55 has become my go-to hunting rifle. Accurate and light, and will do everything the 260 Rem will do. Just don't order it through Tikkaprecision.com. They are b*stards and will steal your money.
-Dan

loverme85 · May 12, 2010, 03:55 PM

Are those hand loads or factory Zak? because from what I'm reading 140 gr bullets are on average about 2750 for factory stuff. I'm sure you could get in that range for hand loads though.

loverme85 · May 12, 2010, 03:58 PM

and I will say that the numbers printed on the box of factory ammo are usually higher than what they are actually traveling from my experience.

twopatch · May 12, 2010, 09:20 PM

I was in the same boat. I was looking for a .260 with at least a 22" barrel.Not an easy chore,for around 6-750 bucks. So I started looking at the swede's. The winchester that came up ,on gun broker.it was sweet.... At $900. with a nice scope,I should have grabbed it,but I didn't. then a rem 700 came threw and 900 later it sold. this happened for a few weeks. then I stared looking at the new swede's that are still being made. I felt a tikka at a local store,and I was turned off by it. Flimsy,unbalenced,plastic... I never could find a CZ localy. The next day one turned up on gun broker... for $500. For the buy it now price of $600 ,he threw in the rings,dies , 1 box of shells,and 2 boxes of emptys,and free shipping. I am telling you this gun ,shoots better then any of my Brownings,my Mod 70,or my ruger#1. It is solid,and very well made. You will not be dissipointed with the CZ.

UniversalFrost · May 13, 2010, 10:12 AM

ok tikka t3 stainless with laminate stock and get it in 6.5x55 which is an excellent cartridge or just get a weatherby sub-moa vanguard.280 remington or .284 winchester!!

natman · May 13, 2010, 01:40 PM

It appears they don't make a T3 in 260 if the Beretta website is any indication. At any rate the T3 is a long action rifle, and if you are going to have a long action rifle, you might as well use a long action cartridge. If you are a 6.5 fan, get one in 6.5x55. You'll get the same ballistics as a 260 with factory loads, more if you handload.

UniversalFrost · May 13, 2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

t appears they don't make a T3 in 260 if the Beretta website is any indication.

i have the tikka catalog right in front of me and it does list the .260

Woodyed · May 13, 2010, 09:02 PM

I agree that they are listed in their website as I've seen it listed many times, but try and get one, that's the problem. I don't really know the reason that 260's are hard to find and why this caliber never really took hold amongst the shooters, but even US rifle makers are letting this caliber die and are not chambering the 260. It's a shame too because I think this caliber had a lot to offer and brought life to the 6.5 series cartridges. The same scenario is also happening to the 280. Two fine calibers that are disappearing.

May 10, 2010, 09:18 PM	#5
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	Most people complain that hunting rifles are to heavy, I think this may be the first time I have heard that one is to lite...... __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

May 10, 2010, 09:34 PM	#6
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	I carried my ruger vt model 25-06 all over the place last year coyote hunting. I know its not a 260 but it does weigh almost 12 lbs with the optic. Is that heavy enough? __________________ So many coyotes....so little time....

May 10, 2010, 11:02 PM	#7
mitchell koster Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2010 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 211	Reply To questions I've been look at the ballistics of it and it seems to have a better knock down power and a flatter shooting trajectory than the .308, the other option was a .243 but i don't think that has got enough knock down power. I've been researching rifles and the way weight effects the accuracy and it seems to me that the weight of the barrel and how much it vibrates will affect the over all accuracy. When i felt the tikka it just felt to light and flimsy, there fore giving it a harder recoil. I'm looking for a rifle around 1000 dollars AUS. Any sugestions. I've looked a a weatherby Vanguard synthetic with scope for about 950 which seems alright. Thanks For all you opinions and views.

May 10, 2010, 11:03 PM	#8
mitchell koster Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2010 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 211	Reply to Post I would consider a .270 or a 7mm Rem. I've heard that the MK2 is good in 7mm caliber. Has anyone got a Bushnell scope?? what are they like on dusk and dawn? Last edited by mitchell koster; May 10, 2010 at 11:09 PM.

May 11, 2010, 10:53 PM	#13
mitchell koster Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2010 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 211	.308 conversion to .260 If you looking for a 260 and can't find one the other option is to convert a .308 to a 260. they both have the same cartridge size. you just have to change the barrel and a few other minor things. My uncle converted his sako .308 to a 260. Not a bad option. Buy a older 308 with a good condition stock and worn out barrel and then out the 260 barrel on it. Mitchell Koster

May 9, 2010, 07:45 PM	#1
mitchell koster Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2010 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 211	Tikka T3 I'm still looking for a .260 but still not convinced that the tikka is the right way to go. i went into the store and felt it and it was too light. Can anyone suggest a heavier .260 that its just as good a value as the tikka? thanks MK

May 9, 2010, 11:39 PM	#2
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	I have the T3 Lite in 300 WSM, and it feels just about perfect to me. With a scope and sling, it is just under 7.5 lbs.

May 10, 2010, 11:09 AM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	Options on the 260 are limited. I think the Tikka is a good rifle. They have some different quirks that some don't like, but real problems are rare. If you think it is too light they offer a wood and laminated stocked versoins that will give you a little more weight.

May 10, 2010, 08:39 PM	#4
loverme85 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2010 Location: Jamestown NY Posts: 117	what are the reasons behind wanting a .260 out of curiousity? Because you are kind of limited in that price range.

May 11, 2010, 12:04 AM	#9
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	Tikka has a 3-shot 1 MOA guarantee, so you don't have to worry about the weight of the barrel effecting accuracy. I don't consider my T3 as flimsy, and it will shoot my loads into 0.32" - 0.36" on a regular basis. I put a HiViz X-coil recoil pad on my 300 WSM, and recoil is not a problem.

May 11, 2010, 07:30 AM	#11
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	To the OP: I am not a T3 fan because of the plastic parts. I would suggest looking at what is basically the same rifle in the Sako line up. There are several used ones on Gunbroker that will approach the cost of a T3. And the Sako will be all steel and wood, OK maybe a plastic stock if that is what you want. I agree with the thought that 260 options are limited - particulaly in an econo rilfe. IIRC the Hawkeye M77 and Remington model 700 cam in 260 maybe you can find one of those new.

May 11, 2010, 07:33 AM	#12
Woodyed Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Central NYS Posts: 104	I would love to find a Tikka in 260 caliber. I've been looking for well over a year now for a 260 Tikka. I don't know if Tikka is making them anymore or whether Beretta isn't importing them to the US. Just have to keep looking I guess.

May 11, 2010, 11:44 PM	#14
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	I am a huge proponent of the .260, but keep in mind that the T3 has one action length; the bolt throw is just less on the short-action versions of it. Thus, for no additional size/bulk of the rifle, you could get a T3 in a long-action cartridge. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

May 12, 2010, 12:04 PM	#15
loverme85 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2010 Location: Jamestown NY Posts: 117	yeah my initial thought when you said you wanted a heavier rifle is a weatherby, but finding one in a .260 wouldn't be an easy find. Honestly I don't know if they even make them. Its tough to beat the ballistics of a 270 in a non magnum cartridge, a 260 will push a 120 gr bullet 2950fps at the muzzle with 2319 ft lbs the 270 will push a 130 gr. bullet 3060fps at the muzzle with 2703 ft lbs. http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm there is a trajectory chart for both of the cartridges also the .270 is just a better round, so that would be the route I would go.

May 12, 2010, 01:06 PM	#16
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	Standard long-range loads in the .260 push a 140gr at 2850-2950 or a 123 to 3050-3150 fps. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.* Last edited by Zak Smith; May 12, 2010 at 01:21 PM.

May 12, 2010, 01:10 PM	#17
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Not a Tikka or a .260 but how about a CZ in 6.5x55 __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

May 12, 2010, 02:56 PM	#18
snipecatcher Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 314	Tikka makes the T3 in 6.5x55. My T3 Lite in 6.5x55 has become my go-to hunting rifle. Accurate and light, and will do everything the 260 Rem will do. Just don't order it through Tikkaprecision.com. They are b*stards and will steal your money. -Dan

May 12, 2010, 03:55 PM	#19
loverme85 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2010 Location: Jamestown NY Posts: 117	Are those hand loads or factory Zak? because from what I'm reading 140 gr bullets are on average about 2750 for factory stuff. I'm sure you could get in that range for hand loads though.

May 12, 2010, 03:58 PM	#20
loverme85 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2010 Location: Jamestown NY Posts: 117	and I will say that the numbers printed on the box of factory ammo are usually higher than what they are actually traveling from my experience.

May 12, 2010, 09:20 PM	#21
twopatch Junior Member Join Date: April 16, 2009 Location: capital of Kalifornia Posts: 4	I was in the same boat. I was looking for a .260 with at least a 22" barrel.Not an easy chore,for around 6-750 bucks. So I started looking at the swede's. The winchester that came up ,on gun broker.it was sweet.... At $900. with a nice scope,I should have grabbed it,but I didn't. then a rem 700 came threw and 900 later it sold. this happened for a few weeks. then I stared looking at the new swede's that are still being made. I felt a tikka at a local store,and I was turned off by it. Flimsy,unbalenced,plastic... I never could find a CZ localy. The next day one turned up on gun broker... for $500. For the buy it now price of $600 ,he threw in the rings,dies , 1 box of shells,and 2 boxes of emptys,and free shipping. I am telling you this gun ,shoots better then any of my Brownings,my Mod 70,or my ruger#1. It is solid,and very well made. You will not be dissipointed with the CZ.

May 13, 2010, 10:12 AM	#22
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	ok tikka t3 stainless with laminate stock and get it in 6.5x55 which is an excellent cartridge or just get a weatherby sub-moa vanguard.280 remington or .284 winchester!! __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

May 13, 2010, 01:40 PM	#23
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	It appears they don't make a T3 in 260 if the Beretta website is any indication. At any rate the T3 is a long action rifle, and if you are going to have a long action rifle, you might as well use a long action cartridge. If you are a 6.5 fan, get one in 6.5x55. You'll get the same ballistics as a 260 with factory loads, more if you handload.

May 13, 2010, 09:02 PM	#25
Woodyed Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Central NYS Posts: 104	I agree that they are listed in their website as I've seen it listed many times, but try and get one, that's the problem. I don't really know the reason that 260's are hard to find and why this caliber never really took hold amongst the shooters, but even US rifle makers are letting this caliber die and are not chambering the 260. It's a shame too because I think this caliber had a lot to offer and brought life to the 6.5 series cartridges. The same scenario is also happening to the 280. Two fine calibers that are disappearing.