Anyone have experience with the new Tikka T3s?? I'm looking at models with the syn stock/blued barrel AND the model with syn stock and stainless barrel.
My local gun shop tells me that the Whitetail Hunter models are being discontinued and this (T3s) are what and only what the distributors have. I'm trying to buy a gun for my grandson to use. Thanks Ray

These rifles are "Top Drawer" all the way. Very
accurate and a lot of gun for the money.
You will not be disappointed.

Newtoot,

I wish I could help you. I'm waiting to see one as well. In in Co too and no luck yet. Sportsmans wherehouse says they will get them maybe in june but who knows.. Good luck

Su35,

Have you shot one yet? Got your hands on one? I'm assuming you have. If so tell us where and how do we get one? Thanks

Greets fm CO
Yesterday, I got to see and "feel" two Tikka T3's at Sportsman's Warehouse here in Aurora. I saw the synth/blue and the synt/stainless (Lite) versions. So far, I don't feel they are as good as the older discontinued Whitetail Hunter. Also, perhaps reading between the lines a bit, I formed opinions after looking at a May Guns and Ammo mag. Believe it was Wayne Van Zwoll(sp?) who tested T3's. Quotes such as, "They are generally accurate, talking about one and a half in gps, stating that he got his best groups with a tight sling simply "confirmed" my opinions after viewing and handling the guns. I'm sure they are not "bad" guns and are a good value for the money but just not up to the Whitetail Hunter standards.
Anyone else seen or handled or shot the T3s???
I'm still trying to find a Whitetail Hunter with stainless stock and blued barrel, perhaps there are a few around in 30'06. BTW, I saw and handled 2 just like I'm trying to get at a dealer
Tuesday afternoon but the dealer is in Kansas City. I should have bought one. I'm also checking over the web. Thanks Ray

I have alway's held the Tikka rifles in high esteem. I have not owned one but I have a friend who owns two and they are very accurate. One is a vintage .222 Tikka and it shoots as good as any rifles I have seen.

Honestly and I am not trying to be bias here but cz's have a llt he features one could want on a rifle and they shoot as well as anything for the money. People winge about the actions being a little rough but as J.Belk states there is a lot of metal to play with and there a forged action that always seems to shoot well and at a good price. Get them before the price goes up or the quality goes down my friends.

What I mean is this. The groups shot with a T3 and a tight sling are not as good as those shot without with the Whitetail Hunter. Also it should not take a tight sling to make a gun shoot accurate. I agree with what was said about free floated barrels. Thanks Ray

Newtoot,

That's great that you got to see/hold them. Now I have to go over there and check em out. How many did they have? What calibers were they? Thanks

I've seen them/handle them and I think they could well be excellent rifles. Good price, the weight is right and they guarantee 1" 3 shooters for those who care.

I am waiting to get one in a 25/06 for my wife (and I may occaisionally borrow it-grins).

Personally I think they could go over real big!

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Boman and Others
They had two on display in 30 '06. Don't know how many others they had. Again they didn't look like "bad" rifles, I just prefer the old Whitetail Hunters. Guess OFs prefer old rifles, could be? Ray

Guess this issue of T3 versus Whitetail is now settled. I found a WT Hunter w/synthetic stock and blue barrel via phone and am having them "Transfer" the gun to a local dealer. This is a personal decision and may not be best for everybody but I feel the old WT Hunter is just a better gun, more solid than the T3. Reports of the T3 by other individuals and even gun writers
so far seem to agree with me. There are still a few WT's out there. If anybody needs to know where to find one like the one I am getting, Email me. Thanks Ray

Well I finally got out there and took a look at the T3's. I have mixed reviews. I thought the gun felt nice. But I just could not get over the ugly stock. I'm sure they shoot fairly well and I will still consider them. But to me the stock seemed to resemble the Savage plastic stocks. They added the texture in the palm and forearm to add to the feel of the gun. And even though they seem to weigh next to nothing (5 1/2 lbs) if I had to guess. The plastic stock is bulky looking. If I needed a high mtn backpack rifle I'd probably give it a try though. Anyways that's my 2 cents. Good luck

In my opinion, the T3 is closer to the TRG-S than the Sako 75-model. And as such the T3 is a fairly good rifle for hunting, but it doesn't reach the level of the Sako TRG-S, however. If I was to choose one rile for one for most of the North-American hunting, I'd be having some trouble choosing between the TRG-S and the Sako 75 models in 30-06. Even though I own a TRG-S in .338 Win, I'd probably choose a Sako 75.

The worst thing I think with the Tikka rifles is that the action is so ugly!

But much gun for the money it is.

How much plastic is on this new T3? Anyone?

To me the t-3 is about a couple of things

*inexpensive, it will shoot and it is light-a pure hunting machine all at a cost most all can afford.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

plus to me that action is smoother/quicker than most all especially in the sub 1000 bones category