I just snapped up a great deal on a Tikka T3 in 30-06. Im really loving this rifle so far (havent made it to the range yet); but Im kinda confused why it only has a 3 shot mag. I know 5 shot mags are options; BUT 3 shots just seems odd on non magnum calibers.

As with all my mag fed guns, I like to have a couple spares-just in case. I bought another 3 shot. Now Im thinking I might want a 5 shot or maybe a couple.

Honestly I never needed 5 shots on FOUR Legged animals; but 3 just seems odd???

The 3 shot magazines in the T-3 is nearly flush with the bottom of the rifle. That's a good thing since that is the balance point of the rifle ie/ where your hand will go if you carry it in one hand. If the magazine was deeper (5shot) it would not be very comfortable to have the clip protruding well below the bottom of the rifle. However if you are sitting in a blind etc and having animals driven to you the larger clip would not be a problem.

THAT begs the question of why only 3 rounds, to begin with, instead of five. Im trying to thinking of any other rifle with only 3 rounds???

They're single stack, vs a staggered magazine. That's why 3 instead of 5.

Cooper centerfire repeaters - at least the model 52 and 54's have a single stack 3-round magazine.

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:
They're single stack, vs a staggered magazine. That's why 3 instead of 5.

Yes I know that its a single stack. My question is WHY 3 rounds? The rifle isn't any thinner than a double stack 5 shot and going with 3 shots doesn't make it noticeably lighter by excluding 2 rounds. I cant make sense of it.

Then theres the whole issue of finding 5 round long action mags??? I really wanna love this rifle, Im just having trouble understanding it

You can't make sense of why a single stacked magazine has less capacity than a staggered arrangement? That's unfortunate.

the ten shot mags work well but the barrell tends to get a tad hot

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
You can't make sense of why a single stacked magazine has less capacity than a staggered arrangement? That's unfortunate.

Im not sure if you are serious or just the product of a school that teaches to the lowest common denominator? So in the interest of camaraderie; I'll just smile in the hope that you were joking.

Have you herd of a tikka or sauer with feeding problem? I hunted wih my t3 3rd mag in the rifle and my 5rd mag in my pocket this morning all ammo i need at one place.

Save for culling type hunting, 3 shots in the magazine is generally 2 more rounds than you actually need. You can I suppose slip one in the breech when a shot is likely keeping the other three in reserve.

The Sauer 202, and the Heym sr21 also have only single stack 3 shot magazines.

quote:

Originally posted by EDELWEISS:

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
You can't make sense of why a single stacked magazine has less capacity than a staggered arrangement? That's unfortunate.

Im not sure if you are serious or just the product of a school that teaches to the lowest common denominator? So in the interest of camaraderie; I'll just smile in the hope that you were joking.

I'm sorry. I was just a tad shell shocked by such a rediculous question.

quote:

rediculous

Did you mean ridiculous? I guess Im back to the sub standard schooling, or a learning difficulty, or maybe its a language problem; but in any case since your only two comments have failed to provide ANY useful information, and since you insist on being rather boorish as well, Im going to have to request that you not respond to my posts.

quote:

Originally posted by EDELWEISS:

quote:

rediculous

Did you mean ridiculous? I guess Im back to the sub standard schooling, or a learning difficulty, or maybe its a language problem; but in any case since your only two comments have failed to provide ANY useful information, and since you insist on being rather boorish as well, Im going to have to request that you not respond to my posts.

Request denied. Single stacked cartridges create more depth. More depth reduces capacity if you want a magazine to stay flush with the bottom of the stock. They offer a five round magazine. It hangs below the stock line.

Next time research magazine capacity before you buy if it is this important.

I guess I'd have to chide in on the side of HEYM SR20 - I do carry an extra loaded mag in a pocket though .... 3 has always seemed reasonable for a "hunting" rifle to me

quote:

Originally posted by EDELWEISS:

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:
They're single stack, vs a staggered magazine. That's why 3 instead of 5.

Yes I know that its a single stack. My question is WHY 3 rounds? The rifle isn't any thinner than a double stack 5 shot and going with 3 shots doesn't make it noticeably lighter by excluding 2 rounds. I cant make sense of it.

Then theres the whole issue of finding 5 round long action mags??? I really wanna love this rifle, Im just having trouble understanding it

My guess is:

1. The magazines are made of fiberglass/plastic and they need to have a thicker walls to be sturdy. This in turn negates a staggered stack up.

or

2. Perhaps less expensive to make, seriously guessing on this one.

Go shoot it and I think you'll love it. The last one I bought was for my son in .308 Win. All it does it shoot 3 shot one holer's all day long. The Tikka's I've had were all very easy to develop loads for.

And you get all of that for about $525 out of the box, what's not to love?

What 7mm said

PPP "Price point=plastic" and euro plastic is much more "better" than US or Chinese plastic.

although savage makes a $55 all steel 5 shot flush mounted mag for their 110 rifles.

Waiting for my LH T3 Hunter in 9.3 x 62 to get out of jail. (I live in California.) I am certainly eager to see if it lives up to its reputation. I couldn't find a 5 round mag for the 9.3 x 62, so I assume the .30-06 mag will work?

Its called long for all 3006,6,5*55,9,3*62.

Composite plastic they are not even scrated by keys in your pocket.