T3 why do folk like them?

Absolutely.
The flaws with the T3 which you have highlighted are all valid and since you are a professional user, obviously these affect you more than the average T3 owner who are not using theirs on a daily basis.
Would be nice if Tikka would make some improvements to resolve these issues, but due to the costs involved it probably won't happen.
Saying that if they offered an upgraded version at additional cost (in addition to the standard one), there could be a lot of interest.
They do, it’s called a Sako? Tikka are meant to be the basic model
 
As far as I can see, he isn’t saying that the rifle is not a good shooter - he is saying that using it every day, there are things that drive him mad. I’m also pretty sure he puts a lot of bullets through his T3 and kills a lot of deer with it - doesn’t meant he cant dislike it.

I have an M595 and the single stack drives me mad too for loading / unloading. Do it a few times in a night and it soon grates compared to one you just shove the round back down into. It’s fiddly and a pain in the arse and I don’t use my rifle as much as Ranger does.

Worth bearing in mind how many hundreds of rifles the FC have / have had. They are always going to be a group who see the problems more than a normal user from a purely numbers point of view.

From the FC point of view though you can also see why they might choose the T3 - they are a pretty good all rounder albeit with some niggles but what product doesn’t. However, with that many people it doesn’t matter what you are buying there will be someone who doesn’t like it.
 
I've got mixed feelings on this subject because I totally see where Ranger 22 is coming from and tend to agree with him regarding the inconvenience of single stack detachable magazines where you need to make safe for crossing ditches or climbing into high seats etc.

However I think the T3 is a much better made rifle than the Remington 700. I bought a 700 once, absolutely hated it and quickly sold it resolving never to buy a Remington ever again. Not only was mine dreadful but the attitude of the importers (Edgar Brothers) and of Remington themselves to resolve issues was simply appalling. Can you believe that both recommended installing an aftermarket trigger to address issues with the trigger. If I bought a Ford Focus and discovered that the engine was poor do you think that they would recommend substituting a Honda engine, I think not.:cuckoo:

A couple of years ago I asked a friend who is a forest ranger what is the best rifle he has ever used or been issued with for work. He said he couldn't really say that one stood out as all had issues of one kind or another. I pressed him further and he said the Sauer 202 was his favourite but that they had had serious safety issues with the trigger at one time. His comment was that while most rifles are great for recreational shooters those using them daily tend to discover faults or issues fairly quickly.

In the end I think a lot of it comes down to personal tastes and preferences. What works for one person may not work for another. In a professional environment perhaps a policy of allowing a choice of rifle within certain parameters and budgetary constraints provided it was from a reputable manufacturer/builder would satisfy most operators and result in a happier workforce. I'm speaking as someone who for a very long time had been issued with crap kit and told to may do and just get on with it. We found that when we started issuing decent kit the guys tended to value it and look after it, rather than try and destroy it hoping that the replacement would be better.
 
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If an operator can’t screw up one screw so it doesn’t come loose....giving them two screws means they will have two loose screws!

Never had a trigger retaining screw on a tikka or sako come loose

Give me a one screw tikka trigger over a roll pinned Remington factory trigger every day of the week!!

Just so as you are fully aware, Remington triggers are held in place by two solid steel pins not roll pins. Once installed and the action is in the stock the pins cannot come out unlike the T3 single screw that has the ability to come loose.
 
Just so as you are fully aware, Remington triggers are held in place by two solid steel pins not roll pins. Once installed and the action is in the stock the pins cannot come out unlike the T3 single screw that has the ability to come loose.
True,
however there are other tiny single screws on the rem trigger making sure the thing does not go off by itself. Very unlikely just as with a T3 trigger but possible for them to get loose. Rifles need a bit of maintenance just like anything mechanical.

Generally I think there is just about no factory rifle produced in large quantities on the market that is even close to being fault free. That is why we have custom parts, custom rifle builders who set up rifles purpose specific. Most rifles have very useable parts but other parts are just made to get the price down or of bad design.
That is why I do not have a factory rifle, mine all have bits exchanged.
edi
 
Just so as you are fully aware, Remington triggers are held in place by two solid steel pins not roll pins. Once installed and the action is in the stock the pins cannot come out unlike the T3 single screw that has the ability to come loose.

yes very secure....
and quick to swap out ...as anyone who has ever owned one will no doubt have done when they feel/shoot the standard one...
 
True,
however there are other tiny single screws on the rem trigger making sure the thing does not go off by itself. Very unlikely just as with a T3 trigger but possible for them to get loose. Rifles need a bit of maintenance just like anything mechanical.

Generally I think there is just about no factory rifle produced in large quantities on the market that is even close to being fault free. That is why we have custom parts, custom rifle builders who set up rifles purpose specific. Most rifles have very useable parts but other parts are just made to get the price down or of bad design.
That is why I do not have a factory rifle, mine all have bits exchanged.
edi

Give me a factory rifle and I’ll find fault with it. Give me a custom rifle and I’ll still find fault, nothing is ever perfect. Hell I have faults !
 
Sounds as though your needing some (me time fella). You could perhaps go down the Ruger route, a change is as good as a holiday!
Can l ask ..being FC you’ll be exempt from holding an fac. ?
If so can you not apply for one in your own right and use whatever you want.
Ps. personally lm a Tikka user have never seen an issue with mag or having to put off safety to empty.
After all we’re all safety conscious or should be :oops: l like the idea of locking the bolt.
Let you’re hair down Al. chill.
 
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Give me a factory rifle and I’ll find fault with it. Give me a custom rifle and I’ll still find fault, nothing is ever perfect. Hell I have faults !
If you spec a custom rifle and find faults or wrong components afterwards... who's fault is it? We all have our preferences on bits that should or should not go on a rifle sometimes to find out later how stupid one was.
What I like about the young product engineer at Sako is that he listens to customers. He tries to sort out the whiners and what is really something that should be fixed. For example the change of the T3 to T3X, small things but exactly what was needed or were proven to be weakness of the older rifle. They made the rifle better. You will not improve a rifle for the majority if you listen to the minority.
edi
 
Actually your wrong, if Tikka listened to the minority, me, and built a rifle round what I have said. It would be a cracker, would suit professionals and recreational hunters down to the ground.
But this wouldn’t suit custom rifle builders, gun shops, stock makers would it, as their market would get smaller
 
Actually your wrong, if Tikka listened to the minority, me, and built a rifle round what I have said. It would be a cracker, would suit professionals and recreational hunters down to the ground.
But this wouldn’t suit custom rifle builders, gun shops, stock makers would it, as their market would get smaller


Can l ask ..being FC you’ll be exempt from holding an fac. ?
If so can you not apply for one in your own right and use whatever you want.
??????
 
Can l ask ..being FC you’ll be exempt from holding an fac. ?
If so can you not apply for one in your own right and use whatever you want.
??????

Work firearms are held on crown exemption certificates. We can’t use private firearms for work, not been allowed to do that for years.
 
Actually your wrong, if Tikka listened to the minority, me, and built a rifle round what I have said. It would be a cracker, would suit professionals and recreational hunters down to the ground.
I am sure the minority can build themselves a custom rifle as far as they are concerned. The majority also includes professionals views. Why would a company change their production line to suit one or only a few hunters/professionals? Have you met the product development guys at Sako? Talk to them.
Either way if one can't shoot a few deer with a T3 rifle then there is something else wrong.
edi
 
I’m really surprised if you were using a legal Calibre...had appropriate paperwork ( Rfd safety check)
Ah well good luck.

Ps. look on the bright side when the rifle goes “Pete Tong” you’ll get a new one free... not to mention all that lead free Norma ammunition... costs a bloody fortune..:doh:

Rgds, Buck.
 
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