Tikka T3X Go with Sportsmatch or Rail and Rings?

[Hunter270Win]

Trying to outweigh the pros and cons.

I’m really struggling for money right now but want to make this work while on a budget.

The Sportsmatch rings are $60ish dollars (out of stock though).

The Area 419 Pic rail and rings would likely cost me between $150-$200

any recommendations for picatinny rings on a budget?

 

[ljalberta]

Might be able to find some Sportsmatch used. If you can, I’d go that way - especially on a budget!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

If you don’t have other guns with pic rails you’re trying to be compatible with just go sportsmatch. I have multiple tikkas all with sportsmatch and it makes shuffling scopes easy if I want to.

 

[dallen]

I use sportsmatch also. If you can’t find them, here’s an alternative. I have no experience with these rings. More expensive though.

UM Tikka Rings - Unknown Munitions

These rings attach directly to the Tikka Dovetail on the top of every Tikka action, no need for a rail (scope base)! Each package comes with: 2 Scope Rings, 9/64″ Driver Bit, Blue Thread Locker, 2 x threaded reoil pins, 2 standard recoil pins. Made from 6061 aluminum and Type 3 Hardcoat Anodize...

www.unknownmunitions.com

 

[Agross]

I just went through this. I posted a wtb add on here and found a set of sportsmatch rings in a couple days. Worth a shot.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

After having the sportsmatch fail I’ve went to using the UM rings. They are a bit pricier, but certainly worth it

 

[Choupique]

Use the ones that came with the rifle. I doubt they're the best thing ever, but I have used them before without any problem. My local gun store keeps a jar full of them and sells them for $3.

 

[ElPollo]

I think I’ve ordered 4 sets of Sportsmatch rings on backorder over the years. Never really had to wait long. They are really good rings and are reasonably priced. I would not do a pic rail set up with the factory stock unless you plan to build up the comb with something. The pic rail is going to be too tall for most people with that set up. It’s also an extra potential failure point that has to be epoxied and screwed on. Go with the Sportsmatch rings.

 

[morgaj1]

After having the sportsmatch fail I’ve went to using the UM rings. They are a bit pricier, but certainly worth it

This is the first incident of Sportsmatch failure I've heard of. What happened to yours?

OP, I would go with Sportsmatch. Post at WTB ad here. If you don't get a response, backorder from Airguns of Arizona.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

This is the first incident of Sportsmatch failure I've heard of. What happened to yours?

OP, I would go with Sportsmatch. Post at WTB ad here. If you don't get a response, backorder from Airguns of Arizona.

Failure on a screw

 

[Wrongside]

I’ve used both the TO84 and Area419 setups on multiple Tikkas. The 419 Tikka rail is stellar… But, unless I’m trying to eeeck out all the erector travel I can, I prefer the SM. Especially on a LW hunting rig. Add in budget concerns and it’s SM all the way. Good luck.

 

[Dust Rider]

Are you looking for 30mm or 1” Sportsmatch rings?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Failure on a screw

Screw broke, stripped, what? What was the torque value? Is the ring body good to go still?

 

[sdupontjr]

Sportsmatch was developed for air rifles. And yes they work on the tikka rail. You are limited to 44mm optic if you have a lite or super lite barrel.

The UM rings are an updated version of the SM rings and yield better clamping force on the tikka rail. It also gives you more options as far as ring placement due to the recoil pin being able to be placed in different locations to get the correct spacing according to your scope.

I also run a mountain tactical rail with vortex precision rings. This was is more expensive buy rings and rail compared to just rings.




The rail definitely gives you more options as far as scope objective, rings.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Screw broke, stripped, what? What was the torque value? Is the ring body good to go still?

Screw head popped off at 18ish inch pounds. Blue loctite was used. They sent new screws. Ring itself was fine

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

You are limited to 44mm optic if you have a lite or super lite barrel.

That’s not true at all, they make tall rings too. I have a 50mm objective on a carbon barrel in sportsmatch rings.

 

[sdupontjr]

He mentioned TO84 and they are limited. But yes you can get the higher mounts. But I would still choose thr UM rings.

 

[MHWASH]

I ordered a set of SM of off eBay last week. They’re coming from England. Ordered in the 2nd should be here the 16th. This will be my second set of SM.

 

[SamsonMan22]

Screw head popped off at 18ish inch pounds. Blue loctite was used. They sent new screws. Ring itself was fine

Had the same thing happen this year when I went to swap scopes. Ring cap screws were torqued to 22 in/lbs and nail polish was used. Used very little effort to go to break them free and broke 2 out of 8 screws taking them apart.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Had the same thing happen this year when I went to swap scopes. Ring cap screws were torqued to 22 in/lbs and nail polish was used. Used very little effort to go to break them free and broke 2 out of 8 screws taking them apart.

Mine broke at some point after assembly. I had a zero shift that didn’t make sense. Investigating I found the culprit