1st rifle 243 tikka?

[BenBhoy]

I'd compare tikka to an air fryer. Everyone kept telling me you have to have one. Then getting one and not quite understanding the hype.

 

[HonestJohn]

I'd compare tikka to an air fryer. Everyone telling me you have to have one. Then getting one and not quite understanding the hype.

Spot on.

Take a Winchester mod 70 over a T3 any day. Ceteris Paribus

 

[VSS]

and this is why we don’t tend to take advice from Bowland.
Sure you “can” you can shoot them with a .223. But like the above it’s neither advisable or legal.

A 58 grain varmint round from a 243 would be legal for deer in England and Wales.
That's exactly what I use for my park culling, fallow, all head shot. And very effective it is too!
But I concede it would not be advisable in the majority of situations.

 

[Acm]

A 58 grain varmint round from a 243 would be legal for deer in England and Wales.
That's exactly what I use for my park culling, fallow, all head shot. And very effective it is too!
But I concede it would not be advisable in the majority of situations.

Really? I’ve always found v max a bit crap for head shooting, fine if the deer is side on, but I’ve honestly seen hundreds of fallow headshot with v max whilst park culling and I’ve seen dozens get back up after the bullet fragged on the many fine bones & cartilage of the nasal cavity and failed to penetrate the brain. Deer would fall over stunned and get back up, without a nose. Grizzly stuff.

 

[VSS]

Really? I’ve always found v max a bit crap for head shooting, fine if the deer is side on, but I’ve honestly seen hundreds of fallow headshot with v max whilst park culling and I’ve seen dozens get back up after the bullet fragged on the many fine bones & cartilage of the nasal cavity and failed to penetrate the brain. Deer would fall over stunned and get back up, without a nose. Grizzly stuff.

Front on, smack in the middle of the forehead, empties their heads completely. Distances up to about 100 yards, although a bit further at times. I'm using Hornady Superperformance 58 grain V-max. Nearly 4,000 fps. Very impressive. And very accurate.

 

[Acm]

Front on, smack in the middle of the forehead, empties their heads completely. Distances up to about 100 yards, although a bit further at times. I'm using Hornady Superperformance 58 grain V-max. Nearly 4,000 fps. Very impressive. And very accurate.

We were issued the 75grain .243 factory ammo. Now using 93grn rws evo green in 6.5 swede

 

[zero]

I've a Schultz and Larsen classic synthetic in .243, the rifles a good fit for the build of an average farmer. If I was updating I might go 6.5mm but .243 does everything I need.

 

[CBH Australia]

No benefit in the creedmoor over the Swedish mauser in practical, real life, on the ground hunting It’s just hype, American hard sell and trends.
The 6.5 is a very capable bullet in all its chamberings.
Tikka are bomb proof rifles

Agreed, the reason I had a moment of weakness and concur it may meet the OP requirements is that @Castledeer94 has said he might want to set up some steel plates to 1000m.

The 6.5cm cartridge is well supported in ammo choices and components. It was in fact designed with long range applications in mind and there are figures to support the efficiency of the cartridge out past 600m for target shooters.

The 6.5cm with a suitable hunting load would handle the op requirements on deer, easy to shoot and handle 1000 target shooting. Of course a properly loaded 6.5x55 would do the same.

I don't own a Creedmoor and generally don't advocate their use in hunting. Mainly that is because new shooters believe the hype and regurgitate the nonsense sprouting it can out do a .300wm etc.its all relevant to the application , ammunition and a person's ability.

 

[KimE]

It’s their market gap, loads selling in mainland europe, US market will like it as an AR platform type alternative, esp if US regulates against fully auto or semi auto’s.

They will compete with blaizer and merkel and beretta, and potentially win.

I see them doing something like - straight pull, left or right hand. Removable barrels, AR furniture fit, also both wood and standard synthetic tikka options

Tikka/Sako dont compete with Beretta they are in the same company group already and Beretta has a straight pull. US will never ban semiautos 110 million gunowners will not cast their vote on anyone who think of restrictions of firearms.

 

[jthyttin]

No models last forever, t3 sales are already starting to plateau and even fall - the execs will be aware and planning accordingly.

You're few years late, T3 has been binned in favor of T3x (yes I know you knew that). Back to the point, I'm quite sure execs and other relevant personnel are busy enough trying to set up production capabilties for a whole another breed of rifles. They aint't Tikka and they ain't bolt action... and the contract will go on for few decades.

And back to the real point, I don't know how the legislation is in Ireland, i.e. does the OP have "variation for 243" or can he choose different chambering? But yes, 6.5mm would make more sense, if nothing else than barrel life (target shooting is included).

Tikka T3(x) has three things going, the action is slick, you don't really need aftermarket trigger, and the aftermarket support is best in the world after Rem 700 footprint. So if you want to change stocks etc. in the future you're well catered for. And they're not overrated, they're overpriced. They still seem to retail $600 and change in US (at least with 2023 year end cash back of $75). And yes I'm quite sure we Finnish tax payers have a role at that, subsidizing the export...

Personally I think from Tikka line-up I'd choose cheapest stainless CTR available. Sell / swap stock, bottom metal and magazine for good money. End up with semiweight barreled action and either regular factory stock/mag (in T3x there's no difference in action, and in T3 CTR has relief cut on bottom of action that doesn't affect use of regular stock/mag) or aftermarket stock of my choosing. Problems with CTR mags are quite regular, you just don't hear them before someone speaks out, and others respond, "oh, I have problems too"

 

[ejg]

No models last forever, t3 sales are already starting to plateau and even fall - the execs will be aware and planning accordingly.

IMHO, expect changes, and not for the better. It will likely be exactly like Sako 75-85

Have you talked to Sako / Tikka Management about the plateau of T3 Numbers? Let us know then.
I have and the reason for a plateau is a different one, they can't even meet US T3 demand.
edi

 

[CBH Australia]

You're few years late, T3 has been binned in favor of T3x (yes I know you knew that). Back to the point, I'm quite sure execs and other relevant personnel are busy enough trying to set up production capabilties for a whole another breed of rifles. They aint't Tikka and they ain't bolt action... and the contract will go on for few decades.

And back to the real point, I don't know how the legislation is in Ireland, i.e. does the OP have "variation for 243" or can he choose different chambering? But yes, 6.5mm would make more sense, if nothing else than barrel life (target shooting is included).

Tikka T3(x) has three things going, the action is slick, you don't really need aftermarket trigger, and the aftermarket support is best in the world after Rem 700 footprint. So if you want to change stocks etc. in the future you're well catered for. And they're not overrated, they're overpriced. They still seem to retail $600 and change in US (at least with 2023 year end cash back of $75). And yes I'm quite sure we Finnish tax payers have a role at that, subsidizing the export...

Personally I think from Tikka line-up I'd choose cheapest stainless CTR available. Sell / swap stock, bottom metal and magazine for good money. End up with semiweight barreled action and either regular factory stock/mag (in T3x there's no difference in action, and in T3 CTR has relief cut on bottom of action that doesn't affect use of regular stock/mag) or aftermarket stock of my choosing. Problems with CTR mags are quite regular, you just don't hear them before someone speaks out, and others respond, "oh, I have problems too"

To add to that the Tikka CTR bottom metal inletting is different to the other models using single stack. Sort of choose one or the other because if you want to change stocks you might need to get one with appropriate inletting to accommodate the CTR bottom metal and double stack mag. Tikka CTR mags are expensive. Mine have been ok so far but they are a Sako TRG mag , maybe €200
There are MDT type bottom metals to to go the other way and buy polymer or metal generic double stack mags.

Also, sporter, Varmint, Veil models etc have a little flat silver leaf spring for mag retention and that is not do ound on a CTR if you use that action with a different stock and standard mags etc just gotta source the flat spring .

If the op is in Ireland I think the PSE composites stocks would be a nice upgrade . I looked into them but have not handled one as I would have to import sight unseen.

There are other options other than Tikka but i have a few so Im satisfied with them

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Brno
Win 70
Tikka m65 (properly made tikka’s)
Rem
Mauser
Etc

Have had Sako 75, many PH’s, many Mauser 98 variants, and **** many T3’s with family - smooth, accurate, but deadly boring IMHO

They are a bit boring but that's what makes them work and why people love them (for the most part).

 

[Bowland blades]

They are a bit boring but that's what makes them work and why people love them (for the most part).

The T3 in its first format was a fantastic stalking rifle . 3 action sizes , well priced , perfect mounts in the Optilock range . I say this as someone who shot a tika 595 new at the time and someone who has seen many Tikka T3s do exceptionally in the field and in long range shooting events out to 1000 yards .
Remington ? not so great ! Hit and miss in both senses

 

[Border]

The T3 in its first format was a fantastic stalking rifle . 3 action sizes , well priced , perfect mounts in the Optilock range . I say this as someone who shot a tika 595 new at the time and someone who has seen many Tikka T3s do exceptionally in the field and in long range shooting events out to 1000 yards .
Remington ? not so great ! Hit and miss in both senses

I believe the T3 has always been one action length.

 

[maxmax75]

Owned a T3 and they work prfectly well but they are hard to love - some bits are made very much with cost cutting in mind. Get the Sako if you can possibly afford it.

 

[CBH Australia]

Owned a T3 and they work prfectly well but they are hard to love - some bits are made very much with cost cutting in mind. Get the Sako if you can possibly afford it.

I did not like my first Tikka when I got it. A lot of plastic and a funny recoil lug setup.

I soon realised the Tikka engineers and designers probably know what they are doing.

I wasn't keen on them being all one action length or standard size but the modularity of them gives me versatility if I want to swap stocks or use aftermarket stocks etc. I have swapped the configuration around to suit my needs and preferences.

With so much aftermarket gear available you can upgrade some parts of it's important to you, or in this case the O/P

I don't say I love my Tikka's but I've grown to like them and they are suitably accurate and reliable to date.

If I had Rem 700's or a custom clone action with a 700 foot print I would still be changing something.

I used a Sako in South Africa for a week and I can't say anything stood out to me but I t was accurate and effective. I was pretty happy to be using a Sako with a Swarovski z6 but the Tikkas I have do the job so I'm settled on what I have.

I'm hoping to shoot more with what I have and travel more in the future so I'm reluctant to buy a better rifle I feel that the expense is not warranted but each to their own.

It's all relevant to what we can afford or what an individual is willing to outlay for equipment.

 

[jthyttin]

The T3 in its first format was a fantastic stalking rifle . 3 action sizes

Somebody send him a shovel so he can dig himself deeper... (I'm on the ignore list, or so he told)

 

[Jodie5864]

I have a T3x in 243. 6 year old now. Have shot a lot of red hinds, stags and used for foxes also. I can’t fault the rifle

 

[Bowland blades]

Somebody send him a shovel so he can dig himself deeper... (I'm on the ignore list, or so he told)

Best not tag me then eh ?