Tikka t3x ?

rebs · January 9, 2019, 09:16 AM

Does anyone own this rifle in 223 ? I looked at one and it felt really good in my hands and fit me well. The only thing I find odd is its a long action why is it a long action when its 223 cal ?

taylorce1 · January 10, 2019, 01:21 AM

Tikka only manufactures one size action, the just block magazines and use different length bolt stops. It keeps the manufacturing costs down to only use one length action. If you want a properly sized action for the cartridge then you have to go with something like SAKO.

NHSHOOTER · January 10, 2019, 03:36 AM

I have a T3 lite in 223, very nice rifle to shoot, very accurate, 1/2" groups at 100 yds , nice adjustable trigger. I didnt care for the synthetic stock so I put a boyds on mine.

rebs · January 10, 2019, 04:43 PM

I guess there are not many Tikka shooters on here. I was hoping t hear from more Tikka shooters

NHSHOOTER · January 10, 2019, 04:51 PM

What is it you were looking to learn?

jmr40 · January 10, 2019, 04:52 PM

I've had a couple of original Tikka T3's, not the lite version. Both were well above average in the accuracy department. I liked them right well, but had other guns I liked better and can't keep them all. I'd not hesitate to recommend one though.

My brother has one in 223. I've seen him turn in 2" groups at 450 yards.

603Country · January 10, 2019, 07:08 PM

I was having accuracy issues with my Ruger Hawkeye in 223, so decided to buy a Tikka 223. It wasn’t that easy to find one nearby, and since I finally solved my accuracy issue, I quit pursuing the Tikka. I wanted to handle one, but nobody had one. I had expected all the big gun stores to have one on the shelf, but no. They had Tikkas in all the big calibers.

rebs · January 10, 2019, 08:52 PM

I was looking to hear about accuracy, dependability and customer service

NHSHOOTER · January 10, 2019, 09:47 PM

I will tell you, the accuracy of my rifle and all that I have heard is out standing, consistant 1/2" groups at 100 yds. I have never had a issue with the operation of my Tikka and I will say that I have fired no less than 1000 rounds out of it, as far as customer service, from what I read here on TFL the customer service is about non existent but since I have never had a issue I cannot attest to that.

taylorce1 · January 11, 2019, 12:12 AM

Ask Wyosmith about them, I think he's had to fix a couple. Customer service is one thing from what I've read is pretty nonexistent.

Water-Man · January 11, 2019, 01:04 AM

I've had two T3 Hunter rifles for almost ten years. Both used for hunting and target shooting.

They've been the most accurate rifles I've ever owned and completely reliable.

I can't speak of Tikka's customer service because I've never needed to use it.

MrBorland · January 11, 2019, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebs

I guess there are not many Tikka shooters on here. I was hoping t hear from more Tikka shooters

Lots of Tikka fans here, but you asked about a specific one - the T3x in .223

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebs

I was looking to hear about accuracy, dependability and customer service

I have a T3 CTR in .260 Rem. The action's slick as snot, and the accuracy is everything Tikkas have a reputation for (see pics). The T3s use an aluminum recoil lug that's got a reputation for eventually bending, but I've got no dependability issues to date and I can't comment on CS, since I've never had a need for them.

I understand the T3x is a bit improved over the T3's (steel recoil lug instead of aluminum, IIRC), so I imagine they'd run rather well, too.

Tikka T3 CTR .260 Remington:

Best 200 yard group*:

* edit: 3 shots don't represent a "group". That requires 5 shots minimum. But in this case, I happened to have loaded 3 rounds in the rifle simply to confirm zero. Just happened to produce a wall-hanger of a target

. Also, no claim is made this is representative. After shooting a good number of 5-shot groups with different loads, I can claim it typically shoots in the .45MOA range at 100 yards.

100 yard keychain fobs:

Picher · January 11, 2019, 12:25 PM

I have two Tikkas, a .243 Win, T3 Lite and an older, wood-stocked, .223, 595. Both shoot sub .5 MOA, some loads will group even better on good range days.

The plastic bolt end-cap on the 595 failed, so I got a black aluminum replacement and it's fine. That rifle is over 10 years old and has seen a lot of rounds go through.

I'm trying to justify getting another Tikka, but don't really need one.

NHSHOOTER · January 11, 2019, 04:52 PM

awesome 200 yd group Mr Boreland...

kilotanker22 · January 11, 2019, 08:05 PM

I have been really eye balling a T3 hunter for awhile now. Hmmmmm May just have to look around for the new model

rebs · January 11, 2019, 10:51 PM

Thank you guys for the replies, I am going to buy the Tikka t3x in 223

kilotanker22 · January 12, 2019, 02:40 AM

Let us know how it goes. This rifle in another caliber is on my short list

NHSHOOTER · January 12, 2019, 03:46 AM

Rebs, You will not be sorry!!!

taylorce1 · January 12, 2019, 09:50 AM

This was the thread I was trying to reference, it might be worth a PM to Wyosmith.

Is there any criticism of Tikka T3x.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyosmith

The Tikka bolt handles are dovetailed into the bolt bodies. 4 have come to my shop in the last few years that had the bolt body break at the dovetails. Not the bolt handle. The bolt BODIES!

In every case TIKKA refused to replace the bolt and they have absolutely NO warranty at all, and do NOTHING if the gun breaks and it's no fault of the owner.

I am impressed with TIKKAs accuracy and smoothness, but knowing the bolts can break and that they do NOTHING for the owner if they do, I recommend against ever buying a TIKKA

Tikka Broken Bolt!

I'm not trying to steer you away from Tikka, I think they are a decent rifle. They do have issues from time to time and you have to decide if you want to deal with Beretta for customer service if things do go wrong with your rifle.

ReloadKy · January 12, 2019, 12:22 PM

I am a Tikka shooter just not in the 223 caliber. I have a 7MM Rem Mag. The rifle shoots better than I can. I could get .800 inch groups with factory ammo and .397 with some of my reloads. I would recommend them to anyone.

std7mag · January 12, 2019, 01:08 PM

Ask Wendyj...
I know she shoots Tikka's and she loves them!
I don't know if she has a 223 though.
I do know she shoots clover leaves with her T3 in 7mm-08.

I'm with Kilotanker. Would love a Tikka T3 Hunter...

rebs · January 14, 2019, 11:53 AM

NHSHOOTER
Have you had any problems with your barrel heating up and groups opening up ?

NHSHOOTER · January 14, 2019, 05:13 PM

Rebs, I have a boyds stock on my tikka which is free floated and it has cooling ports in the forend. I never shoot more that 10 shot groups. My groups stay under and inch or smaller.

rebs · January 14, 2019, 09:23 PM

How hot is he barrel after 10 shots ? I want to shoot matches where we shoot 20 rounds

NHSHOOTER · January 15, 2019, 03:31 AM

Not too hot to touch but that all depends on the outside temp also.

January 9, 2019, 09:16 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Tikka t3x ? Does anyone own this rifle in 223 ? I looked at one and it felt really good in my hands and fit me well. The only thing I find odd is its a long action why is it a long action when its 223 cal ?

January 10, 2019, 01:21 AM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,248	Tikka only manufactures one size action, the just block magazines and use different length bolt stops. It keeps the manufacturing costs down to only use one length action. If you want a properly sized action for the cartridge then you have to go with something like SAKO. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 10, 2019, 04:52 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I've had a couple of original Tikka T3's, not the lite version. Both were well above average in the accuracy department. I liked them right well, but had other guns I liked better and can't keep them all. I'd not hesitate to recommend one though. My brother has one in 223. I've seen him turn in 2" groups at 450 yards. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

January 11, 2019, 12:12 AM	#10
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,248	Ask Wyosmith about them, I think he's had to fix a couple. Customer service is one thing from what I've read is pretty nonexistent. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 11, 2019, 12:25 PM	#13
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I have two Tikkas, a .243 Win, T3 Lite and an older, wood-stocked, .223, 595. Both shoot sub .5 MOA, some loads will group even better on good range days. The plastic bolt end-cap on the 595 failed, so I got a black aluminum replacement and it's fine. That rifle is over 10 years old and has seen a lot of rounds go through. I'm trying to justify getting another Tikka, but don't really need one. Last edited by Picher; January 11, 2019 at 01:02 PM.

January 10, 2019, 03:36 AM	#3
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I have a T3 lite in 223, very nice rifle to shoot, very accurate, 1/2" groups at 100 yds , nice adjustable trigger. I didnt care for the synthetic stock so I put a boyds on mine.

January 10, 2019, 04:43 PM	#4
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I guess there are not many Tikka shooters on here. I was hoping t hear from more Tikka shooters

January 10, 2019, 04:51 PM	#5
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	What is it you were looking to learn?

January 10, 2019, 07:08 PM	#7
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I was having accuracy issues with my Ruger Hawkeye in 223, so decided to buy a Tikka 223. It wasn’t that easy to find one nearby, and since I finally solved my accuracy issue, I quit pursuing the Tikka. I wanted to handle one, but nobody had one. I had expected all the big gun stores to have one on the shelf, but no. They had Tikkas in all the big calibers.

January 10, 2019, 08:52 PM	#8
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I was looking to hear about accuracy, dependability and customer service

January 10, 2019, 09:47 PM	#9
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I will tell you, the accuracy of my rifle and all that I have heard is out standing, consistant 1/2" groups at 100 yds. I have never had a issue with the operation of my Tikka and I will say that I have fired no less than 1000 rounds out of it, as far as customer service, from what I read here on TFL the customer service is about non existent but since I have never had a issue I cannot attest to that.

January 11, 2019, 01:04 AM	#11
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I've had two T3 Hunter rifles for almost ten years. Both used for hunting and target shooting. They've been the most accurate rifles I've ever owned and completely reliable. I can't speak of Tikka's customer service because I've never needed to use it.

January 11, 2019, 04:52 PM	#14
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	awesome 200 yd group Mr Boreland...

January 11, 2019, 08:05 PM	#15
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I have been really eye balling a T3 hunter for awhile now. Hmmmmm May just have to look around for the new model

January 11, 2019, 10:51 PM	#16
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you guys for the replies, I am going to buy the Tikka t3x in 223

January 12, 2019, 02:40 AM	#17
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	Let us know how it goes. This rifle in another caliber is on my short list

January 12, 2019, 03:46 AM	#18
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Rebs, You will not be sorry!!!

January 12, 2019, 12:22 PM	#20
ReloadKy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2018 Posts: 191	I am a Tikka shooter just not in the 223 caliber. I have a 7MM Rem Mag. The rifle shoots better than I can. I could get .800 inch groups with factory ammo and .397 with some of my reloads. I would recommend them to anyone.

January 12, 2019, 01:08 PM	#21
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Ask Wendyj... I know she shoots Tikka's and she loves them! I don't know if she has a 223 though. I do know she shoots clover leaves with her T3 in 7mm-08. I'm with Kilotanker. Would love a Tikka T3 Hunter... __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 14, 2019, 11:53 AM	#22
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	NHSHOOTER Have you had any problems with your barrel heating up and groups opening up ?

January 14, 2019, 05:13 PM	#23
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Rebs, I have a boyds stock on my tikka which is free floated and it has cooling ports in the forend. I never shoot more that 10 shot groups. My groups stay under and inch or smaller.

January 14, 2019, 09:23 PM	#24
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	How hot is he barrel after 10 shots ? I want to shoot matches where we shoot 20 rounds

January 15, 2019, 03:31 AM	#25
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Not too hot to touch but that all depends on the outside temp also.