Tell me to shut up and buy the Tikka

Jrkotz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
239
I've got 2 days to 'pull the trigger' on a T3X to get in on the rebate.

I'm wanting a 223 trainer, I'm looking at the T3X lite 16" threaded (pointed out to me it is not threaded, I have a local smith that can thread it) 8 twist 223. This would be my first Tikka.

I'm having serious mental anguish over the fact that it's a long action with a full long action bolt pull. I know it may seem silly, but I'm the guy that tries to get that extra .010 BC or 25 fps, or drop that extra 2 oz. I like efficiency, and have a high attention to detail.

Does this bother anyone else? Is this a complete non issue? I just struggle with having an extra 1.5" of action vs 1.5" of extra barrel for the same overall length.

The goal is to shoot a LOT more, and a good 223 trainer seems like the way to go. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
 
Last edited:

Maverick1

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
1,859
I've got 2 days to 'pull the trigger' on a T3X to get in on the rebate.

I'm wanting a 223 trainer, I'm looking at the T3X lite 16" threaded 8 twist 223. This would be my first Tikka.

I'm having serious mental anguish over the fact that it's a long action with a full long action bolt pull. I know it may seem silly, but I'm the guy that tries to get that extra .010 BC or 25 fps, or drop that extra 2 oz. I like efficiency, and have a high attention to detail.

Does this bother anyone else? Is this a complete non issue? I just struggle with having an extra 1.5" of action vs 1.5" of extra barrel for the same overall length.

The goal is to shoot a LOT more, and a good 223 trainer seems like the way to go. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Shut up and buy the Tikka.
 

False_Cast

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Messages
167
Location
MI
Anything else even in the ballpark of the T3x price range carries far more significant compromises compared to the theoretical “compromises” you described above. Think barrels, triggers, optic mounting options, magazines, etc. I.e. the important things. I, and many others who shoot Tikkas and shot other rifles before them, await being proven wrong. It’s not emotional, just reality. They’re not recommended for no reason, despite the haters, of which there are and always will be many.
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
1,286
Does this bother anyone else? Is this a complete non issue? I just struggle with having an extra 1.5" of action vs 1.5" of extra barrel for the same overall length.

It doesn't bother me or anyone else that I know that shoots Tikkas.

The bolt throw isn't long action. The 223 comes with a SA bolt stop. As far as having the longer action it really doesn't matter at all.

The only people that I know complain about it are more concerned with how things look than they are with how they actually work.
 

TheViking

WKR
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
1,708
Location
Colorado
Anything else even in the ballpark of the T3x price range carries far more significant compromises compared to the theoretical “compromises” you described above. Think barrels, triggers, optic mounting options, magazines, etc. I.e. the important things. I, and many others who shoot Tikkas and shot other rifles before them, await being proven wrong. It’s not emotional, just reality. They’re not recommended for no reason, despite the haters, of which there are and always will be many.

Hard to argue with this. Love my Tikkas.
 
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Messages
305
Location
NZ
I have never noticed the longer bolt throw. In fact, I never even thought about it until I read this.

All I know is the rifle always works, is always accurate and never causes any drama.
 
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
371
Location
Western Montana
callate y compra la tikka

in case the earlier response in english wasn't enough

at least the "long" bolt pull is smooth. i guess i haven't cared enough. i pull trigger, manipulate bolt, prepare to pull trigger again pending results of previous trigger pull.

and think of all the savings from having a 70 degree bolt throw instead of 90!

and you're buying this as a trainer. train away!
 

bnsafe

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
661
I had the same issues before I bought my 308. Hated it wasnt a true SA. But, I wouldnt know the difference now and could care less. I get being OCD, I am to, but its a non issue
 

BCD

WKR
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
788
Location
Hudson, WI
The lack of a true SA is a major consideration for me and one of the reasons I won’t own a Tikka. That’s probably a bit silly but it’s true. I’m pretty OCD about certain things as well.
 

Schmo

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Apr 29, 2023
Messages
1,000
Shut up & buy the Tikka!!!
🤣

Seriously, I recently got a Tikka 223 set up and it is sweet! It’s a great shooter with the factory barrel. Yes, the action is a LA, but that’s also the beauty of it. If you need it to be a different cartridge, it’s easy to make it so!
 

Tahoe1305

WKR
Joined
Jun 9, 2019
Messages
2,231
Location
CO
Snag one. Outside of mini actions tough to find a lighter LA/SA combo when you consider the solid bottom “metal” that comes with it and fact it by far the lightest on market…and it’s pretty good too.

The modularity of tikka is pretty sweet.
 
Joined
Dec 9, 2018
Messages
340
Location
Northern NY
I like the long action, people look at it and think it’s a “big gun” and then I don’t have to listen to them tell me a 223 is too small and under powered to hunt with.

In all seriousness the tikka T3x in 223 is one sweet setup to shoot, you won’t regret it.
 
Joined
Nov 30, 2023
Messages
82
Location
NE Kansas
Like others have said, it's a non-issue. Besides, a 223 will have a medium bolt throw not a long one. I've never noticed the difference, but I run a bolt pretty hard.
Besides, having a long action means you can swap barrels and bolt stop and move to a long action cartridge in the same gun.
The only thing that pisses me off about the action is it having a stupid short mag length in 223!
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,604
Location
Thornton, CO
I've got 2 days to 'pull the trigger' on a T3X to get in on the rebate.

I'm wanting a 223 trainer, I'm looking at the T3X lite 16" threaded 8 twist 223. This would be my first Tikka.

I'm having serious mental anguish over the fact that it's a long action with a full long action bolt pull. I know it may seem silly, but I'm the guy that tries to get that extra .010 BC or 25 fps, or drop that extra 2 oz. I like efficiency, and have a high attention to detail.

Does this bother anyone else? Is this a complete non issue? I just struggle with having an extra 1.5" of action vs 1.5" of extra barrel for the same overall length.

The goal is to shoot a LOT more, and a good 223 trainer seems like the way to go. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
If your other guns are tikkas you ignore the fact you’re always working the same fundamentals.

I have numerous tikkas…
 
OP
J

Jrkotz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
239
It doesn't bother me or anyone else that I know that shoots Tikkas.

The bolt throw isn't long action. The 223 comes with a SA bolt stop. As far as having the longer action it really doesn't matter at all.

The only people that I know complain about it are more concerned with how things look than they are with how they actually work.
I handled a 223 at Cabelas today and thought it seemed to go the full length? It was busy and I only had a minute to take my turn fingering a rifle.

I saw this product -


Seems like it might address the throw length concern. Has anyone used one?

I think I'm gonna send it! Thanks for the vote of confidence guys.
 
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