Which Tikka should I buy?

[K9kodi]

I had a clean miss at less than 50 yards after sneaking in at night to ambush deer moving across an opening just after dawn.

I missed because the buck I wanted was in an enexpected spot. I had to hold off hand around the wrong side of the tree I was hiding behind. The heavy 280AI I was using was hard to handle from my half assed position. I never felt steady and missed. The miss was 100% my responsibility because I hadn't trained to shoot from the position. But, my rifle didn't make it easier.

From a central/south Texas tower blind, the 280AI is perfect.

In the East Texas woods, my lighter rifles are objectively easier to shoot well.

Exactly my point. Most people won’t take an offhand weak side shot, and even with a light right rifle it’s a bad position if never trained or confident in it. Props to you for knowing where the blame was laid, and for that sound decision, I’d bet had you trained that shooting position, a heavy rifle or a light rifle wouldn’t have mattered.

 

[K9kodi]

And what does someone determine to be a light rifle and when does it get heavy? Weight should be all relative I’d assume. What’s light or bareable to me may be a hard no to someone else.
I sit at 225, 5’10 and you can find me at work or the gym, a 7 pound rifle, shit, a 10 pound rifle walking to my stand isn’t gonna matter to me. Now if I was a guy who glassed gods beustiful land from mountain top to top and hiked hours to get to the spot i saw game, yea the lightest rifle would probably be somewhere in that list. But then there are the guys who just want the newest most tactical regardless.

 

[DunnCoHunter]

Or just buy one of these.

My brother has one of those and it’s honestly pretty sweet.

 

[SoxOnDMoon]

In the market for a new Tikka rifle. Caliber will either be .308 or 7mm 08, probably .308 just due to more options on both the gun and ammo.
Rifle will be used for eastern elevated stand hunting. Longest walk I have to a stand is fifteen minutes, so I’m not overly concerned with weight. Much more concerned with accuracy. I’ll probably make two to three range trips a year, and then hunt with it. Budget is up to 1800.00.
The only real sticking point I have is I hate the black Tupperware stock on the basic Tikka rifle, which I can replace with an aftermarket stock.

Which model do I want?

Can’t go wrong with a T3X

 

[solar477]

Own the t3x lite stainless steel version in .308 and love it. The few hundred bucks extra in stainless is totally worth it considering it’s a gun that lasts a lifetime.

 

[Ringbill27]

Now that all the models are threaded. I wouldn’t spend the extra money on anything more than a stainless Lite. Probably in 7mm08, because its one of my favorite cartridges. Slap a limbsaver on it and some decent glass. Maybe I’d have enough cash leftover for a good down payment on a suppressor.

If the shop had 308 and not 7mm08, I’d buy the 308win without thinking about. Both are excellent hunting cartridges, with 308 winning the factory ammo options and cost game.

 

[sndmn11]

Yeah, the longest shots might be 250. But the average shot will be under 100 yards 90% of the time.

Open sights!

 

[Kenny Hart]

If you're going to get a better stock anyway, just get the factory T3X lite in stainless. Unless you find a screaming deal, forgo the Roughtech because they charge you as much for your eventual aftermarket stock to just put a pattern on the factory tupperware...which is also excellent BTW. Free float the barrel channel, and it's still stiffer than most others. You can also swap the grip to a vertical. Just an ugly stock.

The CTR has the heavy barrel, which isn't needed unless you are wanting a heavy-muzzled rifle for competitions. I've shot my lite until the barrel and suppressor were smoking on many occasions, and the POI does not walk an iota, nor do the groups open.

250 yards max, I would personally just opt for the 308. Recoil will basically be the same, and factory ammo is less expensive.

 

[RifleJunkie]

I bought the T3x Laminated Stainless in .308 a couple years back and couldn't be happier with it. Not the lightest setup in the world but certainly not excessive. As is typical for Tikkas, it shoots lights out with 150, and 165 grain pills of various makes

 

[Turkeytider]

You might take a look at the Super Varmint. I have one in 6.5 Creedmoor and like it very much.

 

[Turkeytider]

I have no experience with Eastern stand hunting. What ranges are we talking about? Is it fair to say less than 300 yards, maybe less than 200?

If yes, is the ease with which a heavier gun shoots significant at these ranges?

Yes. More stable. As a general rule , in the East and South, a 300 yard would be a VERY long shot. Most will be 100-200, sometimes less.

 

[deltadukman]

I hunt in Mississppi. Woods, fields, shot a deer at 588 the other day. I have this exact rifle in 6.5cm. It's a great rifle for the money. Truly a do all rifle. Mine scoped, rings, suppressor(TBAC U9) is 8 lbs on the nose.

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-roughtech-superlite-308-win-20-1-11-bbl-roughtech-coyote-tan-4rd-rifle

 

[Booolitz]

I actually went today a put my hands on a few Tikkas this morning. I think the laminate stock with the SS barrel will fit the bill. Topped with a Trijicon Credo that I already have, I should come in around 8-9 lbs of total weight. Not too light or heavy. And it’s an easy bedding job if the rifle should need it.

I appreciate all the feedback!

 

[Kauaihunter]

I actually went today a put my hands on a few Tikkas this morning. I think the laminate stock with the SS barrel will fit the bill. Topped with a Trijicon Credo that I already have, I should come in around 8-9 lbs of total weight. Not too light or heavy. And it’s an easy bedding job if the rifle should need it.

I appreciate all the feedback!

That is a great option because if you do decide to swap out the stock, the laminate will get you more money back in a sale, should you choose to even go that route.

 

[tim tarras]

A couple of wood stock options

https://www.sako.global/rifle/t3x-forest

https://www.sako.global/rifle/t3x-hunter

 

[RifleJunkie]

I think your gonna be real happy with your choice

 

[KenLee]

I cant understand why some of your guys are recomending rifles that weigh 6LBs for his intended purpose... CTR comes threaded, has pic rail, vertical grip and a good cheek riser. The factory stock setup this way shoots really really good. The magazines on ctrs are bad ass too. Feed perfectly. This is a sharp looking 308 for $1K and should weigh around 10lbs with scope and ammo.

Awesome for range and sitting in stands... Hiking around the mountains no so much.

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-ctr-mo5-308-win-20-1-10-bbl-rifle-jrtxcm05316

In my case, because the magazine protruding down would cause me to always leave it in the safe. I cannot stand not being able to tote a rifle with my hand there.

 

[KenLee]

Now that all the models are threaded. I wouldn’t spend the extra money on anything more than a stainless Lite. Probably in 7mm08, because its one of my favorite cartridges. Slap a limbsaver on it and some decent glass. Maybe I’d have enough cash leftover for a good down payment on a suppressor.

If the shop had 308 and not 7mm08, I’d buy the 308win without thinking about. Both are excellent hunting cartridges, with 308 winning the factory ammo options and cost game.

Nothing in 308 wins the factory ammo option over a 120gr NBT, imo. Recoil vs penetration and expansion.

 

[Booolitz]

Nothing in 308 wins the factory ammo option over a 120gr NBT, imo. Recoil vs penetration and expansion.

I actually saw a factory load today that was 110 gr Barnes bullet for the .308?
I didn’t realize they would go that low.

 

[KenLee]

I actually saw a factory load today that was 110 gr Barnes bullet for the .308?
I didn’t realize they would go that low.

Sounds like a mean little pill. The 120 gr tipped Barnes starts petering out at 250 yards from a 20 inch 7mm-08.