I just bought a NIB Tikka T3 Forest 6.5x55 does any one own or have 1st hand knowledge with this rifle. My research showed that this is a very smooth and accurate rifle with a really nice walnut stock. I was looking for a M38 Swed but the price on a C&R M38 was as much or more than the new Tikka. I paid $629.00 shipped to my LGS. I think that price was less than the average I have seen on gunbroker and other sites. Has any one used the Bell&Carlson stock on a T3 if so what do you think?
NEW Tikka T3 6.5x55
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i have one exactly as you bought !!! freaking awesome accuracy and smoother than butter
but to get the accuracy to work i mounted a Leupold VX-R multi-dot 3-9 x 50
very happy with the setup
by the way you paid less than i did ,about 80 bucks less ,so you did get a great deal !!!
i'm happy with the factory stock ( wood ) fit and finish ,so ! i'm not throwing any more money at it, i decided to spend it on good glass in my budget .
i don't reload so i use factory ammo,Herter's(sellier&bellot) and Winchester , both 140gr. SP.
don't notice much difference in grouping .
i did break mine in (if there is such a way/thing)
1 shot clean and swab bbl. x 10 times
3 shot groups clean and swab x 3 times
5 shot groups x 2
by the time you clean bbl it has cooled enough to go on to next shot (my thinking anyway!!)
my primary hunter now .
enjoy your new Tikka !!!!!
but to get the accuracy to work i mounted a Leupold VX-R multi-dot 3-9 x 50
very happy with the setup
by the way you paid less than i did ,about 80 bucks less ,so you did get a great deal !!!
i'm happy with the factory stock ( wood ) fit and finish ,so ! i'm not throwing any more money at it, i decided to spend it on good glass in my budget .
i don't reload so i use factory ammo,Herter's(sellier&bellot) and Winchester , both 140gr. SP.
don't notice much difference in grouping .
i did break mine in (if there is such a way/thing)
1 shot clean and swab bbl. x 10 times
3 shot groups clean and swab x 3 times
5 shot groups x 2
by the time you clean bbl it has cooled enough to go on to next shot (my thinking anyway!!)
my primary hunter now .
enjoy your new Tikka !!!!!
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4,216 Posts
Good price. I had 2 Tikka T3 Lites SS. Both were great shooters, had very good triggers, and were smooth. I bought mine several years ago, and they held their value until I sold them last year so I could get a SA Scout. I paid about $570 for mine, and sold them for about the same amount as used.
there is an old man who comes to the gun range with a 6.5x55 swedsh mauser he sporterized his self and I always get a kick out of him . he has a little coffe can of reloades it takes him a couple of hours to shot a 5 shot group but always has stories of elk he killed with the swede . I always thought he was full of it until he brought pictures . what I find so interesting is he always fires 5 shots at 100 yds and I will be damned if they always look like one big hole . He then gathers up everything and leaves . any of you guys ever shoot the swede long range ?
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1,456 Posts
Sako makes great rifles. I have a FinLite 300 Win Mag that is extremely accurate. If they made a 308 with a threaded barrel I probably would have bought that vs. the Remington 700 but I cannot complain. My 700 is starting to tighten up nicely now. Enjoy your rifle. What a great choice of caliber and gun.
Thanks SteedGun and everyone else that has replied. I hope this rifle and caliber is every thing that ya'll have said. If I like it I may buy one of the T3 300 win mag. anyone have one of those's that they could comment on. The 300 win mag is the only common caliber that I don't have. I have a 243,270,308,30.06,338 win mag. and my favorite deer rifle for the last 2 years has been my little CZ 527 mini mauser in 7.62x39. This will be the 3rd deer season that I will use this rifle. The last 2 seasons I have shot 5 deer with it and taken all 5 with first shot and never had to track one more than about 15 yards. The longest shot was about 120 yards. I would'nt shoot past that with the 7.62x39. I caught a bunch of crap in camp the 1st year I used that rifle " what are going to kill with that little thing, my bullets will make 2 of yours " and on and on. Some one made a comment in camp the 1st year I used the little CZ about ammo " well I use such and such ammo and it cost $35 $40 for a box of 20 blah blah how much does your little ammo cost? I say, about $6.00 for a box of 20 jacketed hollow points and they seem to kill deer just as dead as your high dollar box of ammo. They now have a little more respect for the little CZ.
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4,216 Posts
My T3's came with rings that fit the dovetails on the receiver.
Ok gents I picked up my Tikka T3 Forest 6.5x55 and a Tikka T3 Hunter 300 Win Mag today. I know, I know it did'nt happened with photos, any way. I picked them up on the way to work. My first impressions, the rifles are very light, finish on the metal is real good, the wood on the Forest is nice, the wood on the hunter is better with tiger striping on the butt of the rifle, actions are real and I mean real smooth. I did order a set of Tally low rings for the 300 and will order another for the 6.5, I dont care for the stock rings that came with them, they are a weaver type base. the receiver is drilled and tapped for base's and i think that is better than a weaver type base. I am concerned about the recoil of the 300 so I ordered a Limb saver Air tech pad. In the manual for the 300 it shows the installation of a clamp on mussel break any one use this before? I wil try photos later but cant remember how and I dont have a photo bucket account or anything like it. I did get a Tikka synthetic stock off ebay for $38.00 might try it on the 6.5 and keep the wood stock for show and date night with the misses.
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3,459 Posts
Tikka T3's are interesting rifles since they have hammer forged barrels and the receivers are broached, rather than drilled, which is why the actions are so smooth. I have a Tikka T3 Battue in 308 and have Burris tactical steel bases on it with Warne steel rings and a Leupold VX-R 3-9 scope. I also have a Tikka CTR in 308, however no muzzle break on it. The only rifle I have with a muzzle break is a Ruger GSR synthetic with a 16" barrel and other than being loud it is has about the same accuracy as the Tikka Battue. My wife finds the Ruger very comfortable to shoot since it has no recoil.
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4,252 Posts
Reelmn, you'll love the low recoil of that 6.5. It will become your go-to for deer and elk. The older gentleman shooting the 5 rounds probably really did put them all into one ragged hole with his old Swed and you'd better believe his elk pictures. Have an M96 with 2-7 Leupold that will do it(if I do my part). Burris makes a nice Compact scope that is lite. We need to know how she shoots at the range, you know!
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39 Posts
I have two Tikka T3s in .223 and I used to say they were the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles made. Now I just say they are the most accurate factory rifles made period. Heck, I haven't even gotten into changing the factory stocks. They just feel and shoot too well. Eventually I'll blow money on higher-end stocks, but not just yet.
Tikka is the best kept secret on the U.S. shooting market.
Tikka is the best kept secret on the U.S. shooting market.
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230 Posts
Good price. I picked an identical one recently for a bit more. Where did you get yours?
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You won't be disappointed. I have several Modern 6.5 x 55 rifles. You can load them lite with the 100 gr. bullets and load them heavy with the 140s, depending on your twist rate. I haven't had very much luck with the 150 & 160 gr. bullets, but I don't care for them anyway. Those are meant for close in work.
I am shooting a T3 sporter in 6.5x55. Once the load is worked out, this has become my favorite shooter. 6.5x55 Swedes is the most underrated caliber in the US. Lapua brass works well if you reload. There is a guy from Sweden selling once-fired Norma brass on GB, which is what I am currently using
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