Tikka T3 Trouble

[Carl Gustaf]

Ho dear me, seems the site is coming down with 'bradley-itus' again!

This is great yet again a ****ing up the wall contest, 'My guns is better than yours'! 'I can shoot better than you,' 'I can kill more deer', 'you don't know anything its my way or no way'.

Grow up Bagpuss. I'm finding this so boring, people who want nothing more than to shoot holes in deer and brag about it.
Just the ammunition the anti's need!

Have you heard of Deer welfare, environmental conservation, gun safety, responsible use of the countryside. These are the important issues, why don't you put your ego away and get with the bigger picture!

Go for it tiger, mummy's little hunter man!

 

[Bagpuss]

Now now!

 

[JAYB]

Now, I have never fired a Tikka and have no idea of their accuracy other than what I have read. I did handle one the other day in my local gunshop, it was a T3 lite fitted with a T8 moderator. Putting aside all the arguments about plastic magazines and stocks and other items that cause so much bother, I liked it. It really was "Lite" and not badly balanced even with the T8 on, it may have had a couple of inches off the barrel I can't remember, it came to the shoulder beautifully and felt perfect. It certainly would be no hardship to carry one all day, and even at twice it's alleged factory accuracy it would still manage 2 inch groups at 100 yards, which would suit most people. The owner of the gunshop tells me that he sells a lot of them to the FC, and they do take a lot of deer.

So to dismiss it as being rubbish is a bit drastic, the generic dismissal of any modern gun from a reputable manufacturer, just because it is not the best they have ever made, is IMHO a bit harsh.

John

 

[Bagpuss]

So to dismiss it as being rubbish is a bit drastic, the generic dismissal of any modern gun from a reputable manufacturer, just because it is not the best they have ever made, is IMHO a bit harsh.

John

The slow erosion of quality, by all of today's leading manufacturers in order to maximise profits is a relentless downward spiral.

Acceptance of this decline by the majority of consumers does nothing to halt the production of shoddy goods like the T3 and the inevitable slide in to mediocrity at best.. Only by consumers voicing their dismay, and demanding better quality products will the downward spiral be drawn to a halt.

Just look at some of the comparisons available in the market place.

There is no need to accept indifferent, mediocre products. Those that do? Well, they have made their beds let them lie in them!

Just don't expect those of us who have learned life lessons to join them.

 

[malcolm]

Well at the end of the day, they never make rifles with bent barrels, even cheap ones. It is the shooter not the rifle that makes the shot.

I have owned a Tikka 270 for over 20 years, never let me down, shot all the Britiah species with it, and many in Africa, using a 150 grain noslers.

I am sold on plastic guns, especillay in Scotland, where good wood stocks can suffer over a long period of use. I have a 25,06 Ruger in stainless and plastic and its one of the best rifles I have had, along with the Tikka.

I also have many hunting friends in Finland, where Tikka are common place, never heard a bad word about the rifle yet. Fancy wood on guns is great if you can afford it and it wants to stay in the cabinet and look good. Guns are made for using, not ornaments.

 

[Carl Gustaf]

Hi Malcolm,
The reason that I started this post was to get information on the shroud cover fitting correctly. It went on fine once the wife had read the instructions! I am very pleased with the T3 Lite and now that the Carl Gustaf is fixed I'm enjoying some productive range time. Straight out of the box and the Tikka shoots very nicely!
I'm very satisfied, thanks also for the 'heads up' on the Leupold scopes, I've got a VX III fixed 6x42 as well as the one I'm getting off you. Nice well made scopes.

 

[malcolm]

JAYB would that be Gregor McLeods you where in (aka winkies) Good shop, I know Gregor very well, and I take a good many clients into his shop.

The estate I deal with on the west coast also bought 2 rifles last year, both Tikka I believe, and in stainless and plastic, 270 and 25.06 two of the best calibres for Scottish Red deer in my humble opinion, and both calibres I have used for nearly 20 years stalking and managing Red and Sika in Scotland.

Look forward to the pint with you later in the year.

 

[Bagpuss]

Malcolm

That's the whole point 20 years ago Tikka M55's where first rate. Unlike their latest pile of junk the T3 Lite or otherwise.

The things with be nothing more than scrap iron and recycled plastic in 3years time let alone 20.

 

[JAYB]

Malcolm,

Yeah I was in winkies, and as you know that man knows a thing or two about guns, and if he is telling me they are good and that he sell's a lot to the FC I do tend to believe him. Like I said, never fired a Tikka, although I did fire the Frog's Sako, but if the likes of you and winkie are telling me that they are good, I can think of no reason to dismiss them out of hand.

So I am sorry Bagpuss but your bad experience, against other folks good, is not going to sway me one way or the other. I still liked the gun I saw and handled and could easily be tempted by that.

Malc forgot to mention the Hotel does real ale now, very nice it is too.

John

 

[malcolm]

JAYB. We will have to find our way over there later this winter to sample the ale. I didnt know the Frog had a Sako, is Tank still his boss?

 

[Bagpuss]

So I am sorry Bagpuss but your bad experience, against other folks good, is not going to sway me one way or the other. I still liked the gun I saw and handled and could easily be tempted by that.

John
Perhaps you should take the time to check out the competition. The FC will by any old crap as what they buy usually ends up on the scrap heap in a matter of a fews of years anyway.

If you intend to follow their lead then go buy one off winkies, Gregor is always happy to take peoples money. Say hi to him the next time you're in there for me. I wont be able to get in there until September.

 

[JAYB]

Malcolm,

I'm pretty sure the Frogs gun has a Sako action, it was some hotrod he had built in the States, I think I am right in saying it is pretty much shot out just now. Tank is still the boss.

Bagpuss I shall say Hi to Gregor for you, I speak to him most weeks, he will know who Bagpuss is will he? or will he need a little more help?

John

 

[malcolm]

JAYB. I think its a fair bet that Bagpuss is (aka) BRADLEY. As for Gregor knowing Bagpuss, well his children might remember the programme, but I doubt that Gregor would remember. I can just see his face when you ask him John. Better make sure none of the local lads are in the shop, they will fall over laughing, most cats up that way get short thrift from any stalker or keeper I know.

I think you will find that the Frog had his rifle souped up by Marcus at Alladale. He was using a guy in America to build those Max calibre rifles. Even with molly coating the bullets, the barrels wear out very quickly although most of them where sold on the idea of having a rifle in that area. However another very good friend of mine who used to shoot for Scotland, still regularly out shot them all with his off the shelf Lakelander rifle.

 

[Bagpuss]

Bagpuss I shall say Hi to Gregor for you, I speak to him most weeks, he will know who Bagpuss is will he? or will he need a little more help?

LOL I didn't think of that.

Just say its from the guys at Glen Droinach.

 

[Bagpuss]

Malcolm
Grow up man for pity's sake! Anybody would think this Bradley had swiped your sweetie ration

 

[malcolm]

Well Bagpuss, if your replys where not so confrontational others like me would not suspect you of being that particular person. Whilst you may hate the new Tikka, and I personally have no problem with your dislike of that particular rifle, it would sit rather better with folk if you allowed them to put their point across without an agressive answer.

There are a number of new people on this site who may not have the experiance that you or other members have had, and agressive replys really put people off asking questions that to some may seem silly, but to the person asking is important.

As for my sweets, well I prefer chocolate now and again, what about you?

 

[Bagpuss]

I just tell it like I see it. Straight, direct and to the point. I cant be doing with all this piddle arsed pussy footing around peoples susceptibilities.

Blimey man the next thing you'll be expecting me to take me boots off when I come in from the yard and remove me cap when I sit down for me tea of an evening.

Mint Imperials for me.

 

[JAYB]

Malc, you are right Frog did get his gun via Marcus, no longer at Alladale, from a gunsmith in Florida I think it was. Frog used to hotrod it, we measured one load in excess of 5000 fps, too fast for the balistics programme to work out the figures, that barrel was never going to last.

Bagpuss, as you like to tell things like you see it, I shall tell you how I see it. You are aggressive in your replies and roll out your opinions like a runaway steamroller. A newcomer to the sport could easily be put off asking questions for fear of being buried under the avalanche of your opinion. You could get your point across in much more acceptable way, the same message just worded a bit more with the novice in mind. Everyone has to learn, and the learning experience should be an enjoyable one. Well, that's how I see it.

John

 

[malcolm]

No problem Bagpuss, I am much the same straight to the point, but sometimes it pays to be a bit more diplomatic. Enough said, i will agree with you on one point, Gregor does like to see the clients in the shop, especially wealthy Americans. Hope your Roe season is going well for you?
Mint Imperials, yes I will accept them as well, sometimes they can be particularly good whilst walking the hill.

Jayb. I had a fair idea that the Frog would have joined in with the crew and souped his rifle up. I know that Marcus burnt out at least two barrels on his 22 max calibre. Trouble with this type of weapon is the bullets which are travelling at such ridiculous speeds that they are easily deflected, and high winds will also give you extra problems I would think. I am aware that some very long range shooting was undertaken on the estate. I used to use their larder for our deer as we had a lease near to them for 9 years.

 

[Bagpuss]

John

Fair enough! We all have our style. Some prefer to blather and skirt around the subject for fear of bruising someones delicate susceptibilities. I'd rather tell them straight and make sure that they get the message first time around. That way you can get on with the job in hand.
If new comers are put off by a little straight talking they cant be that determined to get into deer stalking. IMO I'll leave you and Mal to mollycoddle them, with sweet words of encouragement and hand holding.