It may be of interest to see what can happen to the aluminum scope rings that come with the Tikka T-3 Stainless.

I was testing 338 WM loads with 300 grain Woodleighs at 2400-2470 fps. The stabilizing pin under the front ring ripped out the back and the scope slid forward to the end of the rails.
Here are two pictures





Tikka was good to their product and the US distributor sent out new rings.

However, on examining the small bit of aluminum backing that needs to hold the pin, I decided that something more substantial is needed for handling the 338 WM. I was able to get some steel Warne rings for the Tikka. So far I am very happy. they are slightly wider rings than the Tikka so they should provide more grip on the scope itself, and the steel pin feels like it will hold.

Had the identical issue with my Tikka in 270 win.

Great rifle but you have to replace the stock rings right out the box.

I went with the warne as well and I have no regrets.

Damn! Did they used to ship steel and downgrade to aluminum? I never really looked at mine (I have a stainless lite I got in late 2005) - but it's a 308 win and haven't had any problems. I have a pretty small scope - Weaver 2.5x10 38mm.

Looks like rimfire rings.
Most be a reason why they dont provide ring in europe.

I am happy with my warne stainless!

quote:

I have a pretty small scope - Weaver 2.5x10 38mm.

I should add that the scope in the failed rings was a 3-9x40 Nikon. Reasonably light, 13 ounces.

In Africa I have a Tikka in 338 WM with the Nikon Monarch 2-8 scope, also 13 ounces. It has only been shooting 225 grain bullets and has not had a scope ring issue, YET. But a set of Warne rings is waiting to be ferried over on our next shuttle flight. That Africa-based rifle needs steel rings before an 'incident' occurs.

I had the same thing happen on my Tikka T3 Hunter - in a 338WM. The only difference is I caught it before the ring completely failed. I too went with Warne steel rings.

The only issue I have with my Tikka and the available scope rings set up is that I had to move the rear Warne ring pretty far ahead in to the ejection port to allow enough eye relief and sight picture. Any further forward and I don't think it will allow the 338 cases to properly eject. The scope turret housing is already up against the forward ring as far as it can go. I am using a Leupold Vari-X III in a 3.5-10X40. It seams that every scenario, even intalling Weaver style bases and rings would not allow the scope to go forward enough. In it's current setting, I have a complete sight picture and plenty of eye relief.

All of my Tikka rings which came standard stock issue as far as I know ,have quad screws mating upper an lower ?.

I remember seeing someone Else's with rings like yours , wonder why mine came differently ,Maybe mine were Sako rings ?.

As they look alike except base is an integral part of the Tikka action ,11 mm dovetail I believe if memory serves me .

I'll have to drag one out an check to be sure .

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/specs/Optilockring.pdf

http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/Optilockring.pdf

For Rae,

I used a Leupie v-III 2.5-8 for years on a couple of other 338WMs. Recently, I've gone over to Nikon Monarch 2-8 and love them. The African Tikka 338 has a Nikon 2-8 with plenty of clearance room over the port to match its 4.0-3.8 generous eye-relief. I use the scope on a 416 Rigby, too, because its 2-power is actually 2.0 flat, which is better up close, and its 8-power is a full 8.0, sufficient for 400 yards, even on oribi-sized game.

To be honest, the best usage for factory tikka mounts is to pull out the pin and use them on the CZ .22 and HMR rifles, they are just perfect on these type of dovetail rimfire actions.

I have Leupold on my tikkas

Regards
S&F

After reading about this problem I examined the rings that came with my .270WSM T3. After trying to put them on I realized the rings themselves were not the problem. It was the super soft, cheesy lateral screw that didn't allow adequate tightening. I went to the hardware store and replaced these 2 screws with good, hardened button head cap screws. I mounted the scope, tightened the lateral screw really tight and drew witness marks on action and rings to make any slippage immediately apparent.
Bottom line, after hundreds of full power rounds the rings didn't slip a bit.

For what it is worth, I recently had some Burris Signature Zee rings, the ones with the plastic inserts inside a ball socket inside the the steel rings, slip forward under recoil from a 270win. They actually rotated inside the socket. I tightened the sh...t out of the screws and also put tattle-tail marks on the scope with a pencil. I noticed the impact point changed slightly.