Tikka T3x Live up to the HYPE?! Long Term Owners Review

[@leaningfree]

The T3x has an aluminium bolt shroud, the T3 was plastic (and would occasionally crack - which is why it was fixed). The recoil lug is metal, but it isn't the "greatest" metal. I run mine in a KRG Echo these days, anyway. What I really like about the Tikka is the pre-fit barrels. You can get any Tikka factory barrel (or a variety of aftermarket) and just run it. Since Tikka only has one action size, you just need to potentially replace the bolt stop from short to long if you want to go for 308 to 7 Rem Mag or whatever. Mags are all the same size, but they have blockers in the back for the short action stuff. But with a new mag (say going from 308 to 7 Rem Mag, for example), you can fit the longer mag in the same chassis / stock, because they are the same size.

[@user-wal67]

Writing all the way from South Australia, glad to see you love the Tikka too. I watch your video because I have nearly the identical set up in .308win and interested in others thoughts about the rifle. I did a few upgrades to mine that has improved it even more. Pistol grip, beaver fore end, threaded the barrel and installed a muzzle break, but the cheapest and one of best upgrades was to replace the trigger spring to lighten it to just under 2lb. Running a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 that has made the whole set up even better. New to you tube, couldn't tell, great video, keep them coming mate. Well done. Wal

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

@@user-wal67 hey Wal! Appreciate it big time. Sounds like a sweet rig! Always thought .308 would be a great combo in this rifle

[@wayneschenk5512]

Got the tikka T3x in 223 use it in competition around 3500 rounds through it hasn’t missed a beat.

[@WayneGent-t2l]

I have one in 270 Winchester it's shoots everything expectable and most very well most handloads around 1/2 MOA. I believe they are best rifles under 1000 they shoot better than most rifles over a 1000

[@davecollins6113]

Be about 7 yrs ago I bought myself a Ruger #1 in 7-08 for a retirement gun. Already had a 700 in 7-08 since about 1985, that has done everything I ever needed it to do, and a few things I didn't buy it to do, just happened to be carrying it at the time. Wanted a range gun to play with, bought a 6.5CM in a TACA1, liked that enough that I decided to get another T3X to hunt with.. Happy with it too. If it shoots the way you want it too, they are all good guns, like the trigger on the Tikka though. didn't have to hone & polish it, didn't have to buy another trigger assy, just a spring. Ruger is pretty much gathering dust the last few yrs.

[@noelslater458]

Really enjoyed this review. You're not out to become the latest influencer, and you just kept it real. I've always been interested in getting a Tikka. I hope to do so sooner rather than later. Can you tell me the bipod you have on yours? Thanks!

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Thank you! I updated the description to have a link in the description of the video, wasn't sure it would allow me to post a link in the comments, lol. Thank you for watching! Highly recommend a Tikka.

[@rally6824]

Hunt sub zero with my tikka T3 lite from 2012 and it has never had light strike issue. Still my favorite rifle have it in 270.

[@stevecochran9078]

Alaskan here. I've never had any issues with my Tikka in the cold. Of course I've never had a reason to take it out in the real brutal sub-zero cold either. But it has been in the single digits. I would think that anything built in Finland will work just fine in deep sub-zero cold since our winter climates are pretty similar if not identical.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

I would imagine! I’ve never witnessed that issue myself but heard it a couple times. I’m sure it’s very few cases.

[@buddyd493]

Tikka is hard to beat!

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Very hard! Love mine

[@benjaminhamm3957]

Just bought my second Tikka and am already contemplating a third! If anyone is concerned about "light strikes" disassemble the bolt and degrease the internals.

[@CBHAustralia]

At around 10:17 you mention a plastic recoil lug. The original T3 model had an aluminium recoil lug. There are some aftermarket steel and titanium recoil lugs available for that reason. The recoil lug was upgraded to steel in the T3x models. Yours appears to be a T3x as it has the interchangeable grip. The T3x also has an aluminium bolt shroud where the original T3 was plastic and aftermarket options are available. Shame its not a 7mm-08. Great review, make a 7mm-08 video.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Gotcha! That makes sense. I really really wanted it to be a 7mm-08. I don’t really “regret” the 6.5 at all, in fact I like it a lot more than I thought I would. Still have a sweet spot for the 7-08 though. If this rifle were a 7-08 it may get the nod more often on things like black bear hunts. The bears in my area are pretty small in general but still, it’s a constant mental debate lol

[@colinarmstrong1892]

Here in UK I have had a Tikka T3 supervarmint in .308 for well over 10 years for hunting (deer) and target shooting to 500 yards. Well over 3000 rounds through now and its still going strong. For 5 years it was in my landrover every day out hunting. Yes the stock does not feel Quality, but its still going strong after all this time. And if you did not know, every Tikka rifle is shot at the factory to ensure it will pit 3 shots in less than 1 MOA at 100 yards. My Howa i scrapped after 6 months as the stock was poor and the accuracy wandered far too much.

[@ULFISHGETTER]

I have one of these in 30-06. Never any issues with the gun at all besides one thing. It rusted in the field on a clear sunny 30 degree day and I don’t even live near the coast. They must use a cheaper stainless or something bc my model 70 EWSS has been used as a walking stick in swampy creek bottoms and no issues with rust.

[@genghiskaitiemuzhen564]

Dang. Was looking at a tikka for my first hunting rifle too. That's sucks.

[@ULFISHGETTER]

@ yeah, after all the hype I was kinda disappointed. Especially when I had to get the chamber reamed bc my headspace was off.

[@ctom4103]

I have a Tac A1 in 308. Very nice rifle but it loves going rusty. Shame as otherwise it’s a superb rifle. Has small pits in the bore , still shoots ok but not quite as good as it was.

[@geneorgeron5943]

I own the Tika 300 win mag My daughter likes it I gave it to her I liked it too just can't shoot it anymore I have a 6.5 creedmoor ticket now I have a 270 Tika I love teachers myself

[@mr.mr.3301]

They have a $75 rebate right now. And some rifles they have tightened twist rates. 308,243, 708. Maybe some others.

[@jameswilson5562]

I own one in 300wsm great rifle now trying to get one in 270 wsm

[@bushleague3472]

I think the light strike issues have to do with the fact that if the bolt is rotated upwards even a little bit, it will start to interfere with the firing pin travel, meaning the bolt must rotate back when the trigger is pulled. Due to the position of the closed bolt handle, and the very smooth action on this rifle, its an easy mistake to make especially when wearing gloves. Now add a dash of ice or cold oil to the mix..

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Very possible for sure. I’ve never had the issue myself so I’m not totally sure.

[@gregpace4676]

Every soldier was taught to clean his rifle and not lube it if cold

[@bushleague3472]

@@gregpace4676In some conditions, heavy snow for instance, your going to have problems with minor ice buildup making the bolt stiff. Especially in an action with as tight of tollerances as the Tikka. So your options become a light coat of synthetic oil or ice problems.

[@ironhand_straken]

Great video, really helped

[@WayneGent-t2l]

I am not sure why people think the stocks are cheap they are actually very rigid. I think people just think cheaper rifle cheaper stocks. That's the case with most rifles but not the tikka

[@AkaComeau]

I have a T3X lite in 300 win mag. Has an Amazon bipod, Vortex Diamondback tactical 6-24x50 FFP. I’ve shot 700+ rounds out of it. No brake no after market recoil pad and yeah. You definitely feel it. I love my rifle and it’s deadly accurate WHEN YOU FIND THE AMMO IT LIKES. Trigger set to 2lb and I live in Canada. Never had any issues with the rifle. It’s got a 1:10 twist and hates light bullets. I’m shooting Federal Premium Berger hunter hybrid 185gr at almost .5 moa at 100 yards and 3” at 300 yards. It’s a big game and target rifle for me. I’ve owned 2 other tikkas, roughtech in 6.5 creed and T3X lite in 30-06. If you are sensitive to recoil. Do not get a long action without a brake. Either buy a Tikka with a threaded muzzle or buy a barrel and thread it (IBI barrels). Tikka sucks for recoil but they’re so accurate. The best rifle you’ll ever buy that’s not custom. Tikka/Sako is 100% worth your hard earned money if you want reliability and accuracy.

[@genghiskaitiemuzhen564]

Is 6.5 prc too much power for the t3x?

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

I wouldn't think so. I had a 6.5 PRC for a while and it wasn't very harsh recoil wise. Would be a good pairing. Touch more recoil than the non "magnum" cartridges but not much.

[@JamesWilliams-cc1ow]

What I do not understand is the grief given to Savage over the Axis 2 due to the one size fits all receiver and yet so does Tikka? And an 8.5 pounds rifle is not light. My Kimber is nearly two pounds lighter and my Savage Axis 2 is 8.2 pounds in a Boyds stock and is .5 MOA all day. And I got it on Walmart crazy $99 plus the Boyds reject stock and it is stainless steel.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

@@JamesWilliams-cc1ow I have no issues with the axis rifles….. my tikka by itself is 5.9 pounds. As mentioned, I intentionally got slightly heavier components to make it more of a “not heavy” build than a “lightweight” build. I could easily put the 3 round mag back in, toss my 3.5-10 Vx3i on and convert to the spartan bipod system and have a damn light rifle.

[@JamesWilliams-cc1ow]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors You have a nice rifle, just saying, per the Tikka website their lightest rifle bare is about 6.2 pounds which is heavier than my Kimber with scope. These are hardly ultralight rifles. The Tikka does have a excellent build quality and accuracy is incredible for out of box rifles. But to me, ultralight is a rifle with scope no more than 6 to 6.5 pounds ands even that is a bit portly for a rifle meant to be carried, from a blind or fixed position weight does not matter so much.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

@ if I were doing 6-7+ day backpack hunts I might go with something lighter. An average 5 day hunt for me maybe has 3-5 miles a day. Mostly hiking to glassing points and back, I can typically shoot prone / off a tripod after making a stalk. I’ll take the better shooting dynamics of this rifle over something a bit lighter for my personal hunts. This rifle has never started “feeling heavy” to me on any hunt. If I were just hammering woods and never shooting over 200 maybe 300 yards I’d probably go lighter. This rifle is just so easy to shoot to extended distance with nearly no recoil and isn’t “Heavy” which is exactly I wanted for this setup.

[@JamesWilliams-cc1ow]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors I understand all that but Tikka says the rifles is ultralight and it is not ultralight or even especially light. It weighs about the same as a very similar Savage Axis or any of dozens of standard bolt rifles with scope at just over 8 pounds. That is not ultralight or even light. You have a nice rifle, it fits your needs but 8+ pounds is not ultralight or even light.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

It weighs what it does in its current form because of the furniture I have on it….. I weighed the rifle bare, 5.9 pounds. I could put a 13 ounce vx3i and lightweight rings on and have a lightweight rifle. Instead, I made the decision to have a much heavier scope, bipod, 5 round mag, extra rounds, thicker grip, etc. All I’m saying is the rifle is very light by itself, the way I set up my particular rifle is heavier than it could be.

[@jbrown533]

Great video. Did you get drawn this year? I’m an AZ resident as well and got drawn for Coues

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

I did! My group drew bull tags

[@jbrown533]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors going with the 300 win mag I assume?

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Yes sir! What are you running for cous?

[@jbrown533]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors 143gr ELD-X 6.5 PRC out of my Bergara Wilderness Ridge.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Very nice! I’m likely going to run the 180 bondstrikes, might try the 165 CX Superformance. Not sure yet

[@jackbolen5001]

Jim at BackFire has a butt pad. Should turn the recoil all the way off. Lol

[@brentbusick2245]

Backfire is a joke 😂

[@gesheepistemology8050]

That little crappy recoil lug is a design flaw. There is nothing you can do with a 1mm floating piece of metal. Tikka has a smooth action and that sucks a lot of people in. Where I live, they are 3 times the cost of others and double the price of many others. One fact I can't argue with is so many people like their Tikka's. I can't see anything they do to make it better accuracy wise. It is still just a factory gun and with that comes all the flaws that contribute to inaccuracy, like cheap stock, inferior bedding, pencil barrel, machining tolerances, cheap trigger and parts. I have a Howa Elevate, carbon on carbon 6.5CM and that thing was 0.6moa out of the box with first factory ammo I tried. Can't wait to load some high-quality stuff for it. Tikka is not really light either... I bet with scope, bipod and strap it may be struggling to be under 10lb, my Howa with all that and brake 8lb exactly. My howa, carbon on carbon is cheaper than bottom Tikka, it has composite chassis bedding, it has huge integral recoil lug, it has 1.5lb trigger, it is 24" carbon thicker profile, it is threaded, it is carbon fiber stock, it is trued action.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

At the time I bought my particular rifle it was about $650. To me at the time it was well worth the upgrade from other options like a Savage, Ruger, etc. Howa had the 1500 Hogue or the light version was around $1,000 if memory serves. I could make this one lighter for sure, but don't need it to be. I have it configured where I'm happy. with bipod, scope, 5 rounds in the magazine and 2 in my side holder it comes it right around 9 pounds. It's a good blend for me in terms of hunting and stability to shoot long range practice. This particular rifle is extremely accurate with pretty much everything. Can't speak to all of them but that seems to be the general consensus. Howa makes a great rifle as well. There's tons of great options today.

[@gesheepistemology8050]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors Cheapest Tikka for me (Australia) is 1800$ (range up to $2400), my Howa Elevate was 1600$. Base Howa is $600 but that stock is cheap shit even if pillar bedded. All the superlite/carbonstalker/elevate models have accublock composite bedding system, just as good as MDT chassis'. All in a carbon stock weighing 700g or around 20oz for you yanks. Mauser around 800$, Rem700 $1400 (Police $2200)... never looked at Ruger or Savage as they were pretty bad... but I think they are fixing those problems now with gen2 type releases. I am surprised you are 9lb, that is the top limit hunters like. I do not know why hunters do not use brakes... light guns benefit most by 40% less recoil. Here is free info... 4 port works best, more than 3 port and 5 or 6 port no improvement. One thing about Tikka, plenty of people happy with theirs, you can't deny that empirical evidence, even though I doubt that stock, bedding, crap recoil lug, normal machining on factory guns... could ever allow them to be top shooters. Not even factory ammo allows that! I see people say 50s/d as good from factory ammo! On my comp rifles absolute max is 13 and 7 ES/SD.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

I run Brakes on my bigger rifles, not really needed on this one. I primarily shoot prone on the bipod which is easy to do while hunting where I live. On the bipods I don’t come out of this rifle at all. This rifle is absolutely a top shooter. Again, that’s my ONE rifle, if you lined up 10,000 of them I can’t speak to what the results would be. This rifle shoots several factory loads sub 3/4” repeatedly. I have several rifles that are “nicer” and “better” than this one on paper, however it’s by far my favorite to shoot. It just works. I don’t shoot animals past 500 yards or so, so a 15-20 ES doesn’t change much for me.

[@gesheepistemology8050]

@@DesertRunninOutdoors Now I have to see a video... 5 x 5 groups at 250 yards (nice hunting distance) and 5 shots on a 1moa 5" target at 500 yards. I know what sort of gun does the 500y shots and it isn't hunting guns. Hell, I will have a crack at this with the Elevate, we are coming out of winter now. I know my 223/308 at 14 and 18lb will do it easy, my 6CM at 16lb, the 300WSM and 7PRC are still at gunsmith... 6GT and 7PRCW are still waiting on actions. Next gun is 270. I have handguns, 12g, 4-10 and a load of 22LR's.

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

I think you’re putting a little too much thought into this 😂 I have a factory hunting rifle that consistently shoots sub moa with a variety of factory loads. When laying prone and solid I don’t come out of the rifle when it goes bang. Is that hard to believe? 😂 by the way, my atrocious 25 fps ES has a trajectory difference of 0.84” at 500 yards. If I was competition shooting I would tighten that up. For deer hunting, sub 1” difference has 0 effect. For a factory hunting rifle, this one is absolutely a top shooter. I would be MORE than happy to lay down and shoot this rifle up against any custom rifle to 500 yards. Why? Because as you said…. It’s just a hunting rifle. If you shoot a 4” group at 500 and I shoot a 5” you should be embarrassed my hunting rifle is even in the same realm as your custom, heavy, hand loaded, long range precision rifle.