Trigger upgrade for Tikka T3x - Single/Double stage?

[TomChi89]

Greetings

I'm thinking about upgrading a trigger for Tikka T3x and I'm wondering what is the best option.

I've quite nice and not that expensive trigger from a Timney Triggers. Have some of you had any experience with this trigger and can share opinion?

PS. Any recommendation for a single stage trigger? I can't find anything fitting this action.


Thanks

 

[Koenig]

I have fitted one of the aftermarket bespoke springs to the factory unit. It turns an already acceptable trigger into a very smooth predictable one and is much cheaper than fitting a whole new unit. There are various different brands to choose from including Mountain Tactical in the US who make very good quality aftermarket stuff for Tikka Rifles.

 

[TomChi89]

I have fitted one of the aftermarket bespoke springs to the factory unit. It turns an already acceptable trigger into a very smooth predictable one and is much cheaper than fitting a whole new unit. There are various different brands to choose from including Mountain Tactical in the US who make very good quality aftermarket stuff for Tikka Rifles.

Thanks, I will have a look and see what pull weight those spring kits offer and what is the price. I haven't thought about it. What brand do you have?

 

[User00040]

Hi there @TomChi89,

I've researched this topic and ended up staying with a stock trigger.

If you want some crazy good yet crazy expensive options here they are:

2- stage: KRG Midas

This was designed to mimic the Sako TRG trigger. There are reports that TRG triggers can be fitted to the T3 series but don't know for sure.

Single stage: Bix'n Andy

Seen to be one of the top triggers you can get, also one of the most expensive (nearly half the price of a Tikka T3!)

To be honest with you, a trigger is not going to increase the rifle's accuracy (barring lock time, but the design of the firing pin/striker mechanism has more of a role).

If you clamped the rifle into a vise and wired up some sort of firing mechanism that didn't move the rifle at all, the trigger quality would make very little if any differnce.

What a trigger does is make it easier for you to fire it without moving the rifle off aim. The standard Tikka trigger is one of the best factory options out there on a hunting rifle, its adjustable too (and well within the weight range for a hunting rifle) so why spend more money on it?

Any modification you make to the trigger group is a risky one, so why bother when the factory unit works so well?

 

[AndyCM]

Changed the spring here too, very pleased with it.
I’ve not tested the weight and don’t feel the need to.

I have 1 Timny & 3 jewels on other rifles.

Glad that I saved a few hundred

 

[TomChi89]

Thanks @caberslash it is very interesting answer, makes me think about it again.

PS. that Bix'n Andy trigger, wow, that looks solid but you're right, price is a little killer

 

[Donnachaidh]

I fitted a UK Gunworks trigger spring to my T3X; £20-ish initially seemed a lot for a small spring, but it was worthwhile as it made a big improvement to the trigger.

 

[fallow me]

I fitted a UK Gunworks trigger spring to my T3X; £20-ish initially seemed a lot for a small spring, but it was worthwhile as it made a big improvement to the trigger.

Plus 1 for this, The t3x trigger is ok, but change the spring and its superb, no need to spend hundreds

 

[User00040]

Thanks @caberslash it is very interesting answer, makes me think about it again.

PS. that Bix'n Andy trigger, wow, that looks solid but you're right, price is a little killer

Happy to help, I was considering this for a long time but thankfully saw the light.

Another thing, don't bother with a bloody trigger spring!

Not sure if you have tried winding the factory screw out a little bit by bit and checking, was able to get very good breaks on both of my t3x and t1x.

The whole trigger spring thing comes down to the fact that US (and hence North American) guns need to pass the SAAMI standards which includes a drop test to see if the trigger goes off. As a result the '3lb standard' applies and most US made factory guns will have a heavier trigger when compared to European makes, hence why the US aftermarket trigger market is huge.

There is a theory (no one has confirmed it, but it floats about on forums like SnipersHide, don't want to mis-inform) that Tikka and Sako ship North American firearms with lighter springs. Not sure if they can get set triggers either (no loss there!). But anyway, as a result, the 'light spring kits' have become a huge aftermarket thing. If you lose the spring plunger when changing springs or install it the wrong way round you are in for a costly replacement.

If you really are set on changing the spring, you could measure the dimensions yourself and look for a replacement with a thinner gauge or simply less compression. There are guys who are charging £20 for a £2 or less part. Another technique is to 'collapse' a few coils of the standard spring by heating them, thus giving you a shorter spring.

Please take all of the above purely as information and not advice. If I am giving any advice, it is to leave it alone!

Cheers.

 

[Koenig]

I think mine was a Valkyrie Arms model. I would probably get a Mountain Tactical one if I could choose again as I like their aftermarket stuff.

 

[User00040]

Happy to help, I was considering this for a long time but thankfully saw the light.

Another thing, don't bother with a bloody trigger spring!

Not sure if you have tried winding the factory screw out a little bit by bit and checking, was able to get very good breaks on both of my t3x and t1x.

The whole trigger spring thing comes down to the fact that US (and hence North American) guns need to pass the SAAMI standards which includes a drop test to see if the trigger goes off. As a result the '3lb standard' applies and most US made factory guns will have a heavier trigger when compared to European makes, hence why the US aftermarket trigger market is huge.

There is a theory (no one has confirmed it, but it floats about on forums like SnipersHide, don't want to mis-inform) that Tikka and Sako ship North American firearms with lighter springs. Not sure if they can get set triggers either (no loss there!). But anyway, as a result, the 'light spring kits' have become a huge aftermarket thing. If you lose the spring plunger when changing springs or install it the wrong way round you are in for a costly replacement.

If you really are set on changing the spring, you could measure the dimensions yourself and look for a replacement with a thinner gauge or simply less compression. There are guys who are charging £20 for a £2 or less part. Another technique is to 'collapse' a few coils of the standard spring by heating them, thus giving you a shorter spring.

Please take all of the above purely as information and not advice. If I am giving any advice, it is to leave it alone!

Cheers.

Meant to say heavier than European springs (or at least different), not the same as Europe bound ones.

There is an equally scandalous report of 'grey market' Sako/Tikka's that came into the UK outside of GMK, through a North American source, but I won't get into that!

 

[norcan]

I dont see what if anything can upgrade the T3(x) trigger..
Yes a new spring will make it lighter. Or an "upgrade" to two stage trigger if thats what you need.

But buying another trigger to have the same 1,5-2lbs trigger pull is not an upgrade...
The T3(x) is one of the finest factory triggers out there!!!

You can adjust it from 1,5-3lbs with a small umbraco key..

Now, if it was a Rem 700, I could see the point of upgrading.


.

 

[Craigsaun]

I have 2 t3s , 308and 223 I changed the trigger springs and it trance formed them . It cost me £20 job don

 

[paulbshooting]

I went the UK gunworks route with spring swap, cheap & simple, big benefit

 

[monarman]

I've used the timney 2 stage in the tikka... and all I can say is wow!.....
If they made them for left handed tikka I'd have one in a heartbeat!....

 

[safer]

I am happy with weight of the trigger pull but would like to get rid of the "creep" before it fires. I would like it ti fire like my Sako hutter did. How do I do that? Is there a single stage trigger like that for Tikka?

 

[monarman]

One on ebay atm..... or if yours is a lefty I have 2 as I swapped out for 2 stage triggers which are far better....

 

[safer]

One on ebay atm..... or if yours is a lefty I have 2 as I swapped out for 2 stage triggers which are far better....

Thank you monarman. I will stick to two stage for that money