Tikka T3 Facelift project

[MT_Fin]

My old Tikka has been an accurate, dependable, and enjoyable workhorse for a long time and is a straight up killer so I decided to start upgrading and customizing it. I’ll be doing it a bit at a time as a side project and figured I would post it all here in case anyone is interested. It won’t be anything new or surprising, but should end up being pretty sweet.

Started life as a standard T3 Lite in 308 win and has a Leupold VX2 sitting in Talley LW’s.



The plan is to paint the stock, put on a new scope, and install an array of Mtn Tactical parts to replace the plastic parts. May put on a limb saver to replace the recoil pad that is starting to get gouges in it.

So far I’ve had Snowy Mountain install a pic rail for my Atlas Bipod. They had to mill a backer plate to secure the bolts to due to Tikka’s barrel channel design. They did a great job for a reasonable price with super fast turnaround. It’s rock solid on there.




I started the stock by roughing it up with a Scotchbrite pad, cleaning with denatured alcohol, and spraying on the base coat.



Next step is to let the base coat cure for a while, and install the trigger spring I already have. I have a new set of hardened action screws to replace the factory ones that have gotten buggered up over the years.



Im going to be ordering more parts and picking up the next stock colors today. Stay tuned.

 

[MT_Fin]

Time for the next color!



Most of the Mtn Tactical parts have been ordered and received. Still need the bolt handle and recoil pad.

Installed the trigger spring. Quite the difference!

More to come.

 

[JJJ]

What does the trigger action spring replacement do?
I have a tikka t3x lite, and I replaced the trigger guard with a high desert rifle works trigger guard, but would be interested in different upgrades for sure

 

[MT_Fin]

What does the trigger action spring replacement do?
I have a tikka t3x lite, and I replaced the trigger guard with a high desert rifle works trigger guard, but would be interested in different upgrades for sure

It decreases trigger pull weight and seems crisper break due to less force needed but maintains functional safety even when set really low.

Tikkaperformance.com has a bunch of upgrades.

 

[JJJ]

Didn’t know the trigger could get any better than it already is. I’ll check out that site, thanks

 

[silasbowhunter]

Looks great! Excited to see your paint job


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[amassi]

Didn’t know the trigger could get any better than it already is. I’ll check out that site, thanks

Night and day difference

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[JJJ]

Wow that’s surprising.

I left my trigger alone from factory and I really like it as is.

did you lighten the pull on yours before this?

 

[amassi]

Yes and it was a good trigger
Then I installed the mtn tac spring
Have it set at 1#8oz and it's a huge upgrade, got one for free with a bottom metal and magazine now all my tikkas have them.

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[5 shot group]

Following

 

[MT_Fin]

Stencils were placed and sprayed flat khaki as the second color. Let it dry a couple days and placed the last stencils




Final color is Flat Olive. Now to let it sit and cure a bit before removing all the stencils and seeing what it looks like.


After removing the stencils, the next step will be to clear coat it. Then put it all back together with the upgraded parts. I think it’s going to be pretty slick.

 

[JJJ]

Looks awesome MT_Fin

I might have to follow suit.
I’m still blown away the trigger can be made better. I left it alone and I absolutely love it. Wondering now if I should venture down this road.
Looking forward to seeing the paint job results

 

[silasbowhunter]

Stencils were placed and sprayed flat khaki as the second color. Let it dry a couple days and placed the last stencils
View attachment 305790



Final color is Flat Olive. Now to let it sit and cure a bit before removing all the stencils and seeing what it looks like.
View attachment 305791

After removing the stencils, the next step will be to clear coat it. Then put it all back together with the upgraded parts. I think it’s going to be pretty slick.

Where did you get the stencils? Looks great


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[MT_Fin]

Looks awesome MT_Fin

I might have to follow suit.
I’m still blown away the trigger can be made better. I left it alone and I absolutely love it. Wondering now if I should venture down this road.
Looking forward to seeing the paint job results

For $10 it’s a cheap venture to see if you like it. I had no complaints about the trigger before, but figured while I was doing everything else, why not. For the cost it was well worth it I think.

Where did you get the stencils? Looks great


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Thanks, I’m just bumbling through it. Stencils are from Freedom stencils. Was going to do it with self made stencils or free hand but thought these looked cool so giving them a whirl.

 

[TxxAgg]

Tagged

 

[silasbowhunter]

For $10 it’s a cheap venture to see if you like it. I had no complaints about the trigger before, but figured while I was doing everything else, why not. For the cost it was well worth it I think.


Thanks, I’m just bumbling through it. Stencils are from Freedom stencils. Was going to do it with self made stencils or free hand but thought these looked cool so giving them a whirl.

I’ve looked at those. Thought about stripping and redoing some stocks I’d painted in the past! Looks great


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[thinhorn_AK]

That yellow camo reminds me of the GI Joe tiger force toys I had when I was a kid.

 

[ryjack70ss]

That yellow camo reminds me of the GI Joe tiger force toys I had when I was a kid.

Same. But I think the yellow is the stencil sticker


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[thinhorn_AK]

Same. But I think the yellow is the stencil sticker


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I think you are right.

 

[freddoswim]

When is the final reveal?