i am looking at getting a tikka t3 stainless in 338. Does anybody have any expireice with this rifle. I am curious about recoil, accuracy and the scope mounts that come with the gun, also what would be an ideal scope for this rifle. i would like to keep it as light as possible..thanks

Hey grizz,

I have a t3 lite in 270, and have shot my buddy’s in 338. As they don't weigh very much, they tend to recoil more than normal. I'd describe my [benchrest] shooting experience with the .338 as very uncomfortable. My buddy has since added a recoil pad to his t3, and it did help some (or so I'm told). Shooting the .338 from a standing position was not that bad.

Neither of us has had any problems with them. They are accurate and easy to carry for long trips into the field. However, for being cheap plastic, the magazines are rather expensive, IMHO.

good luck

Is it a T3 Lite or a T3. Either way, the normal T3 still is fairly lite and as mentioned, in 338 its going to kick. My T3 Lite/Stainless in 270WSM gives me bruises when I load up for hunting.

Its a great rifle package. Really good trigger and simple to adjust with not having to take off the stock. Very accurate. I'd suggest if you're certain you want it in 338, get the heavier T3 Laminate. She looks pretty nice too.

Its gonna kick like a mule!
I have a T3 lite in 300 win mag and i really have to hold on in recoil so the rifle will not jump away!

quote:

get the heavier T3 Laminate.

Good advice!
Regards

I would recomend against the laminate. I had one and the stock badly cracked after less than 100 rounds. THe recoil lug setup with the T3 is very weakly designed and the wood stock can't hold up to the abuse. THe synthetic stock would probably hold up better due to more flexiblity.

I shouldn´t do this but ...all new Tikkas and Sakos are pretty shitty rifles. Personally I´d rather buy a Rem and I´d never buy a Rem!

Since the Finns sold their gunmaking to the Italians quality is way down.

I asked for it so let me have it.

Ok. Tikka is finnish for woodpecker - a bird that by the will of God hits its head into a solid surface many times and accurately. So if you get a headache you´re suppose to!

boha

I have a .338 SS with synthetic stock and have put +300 rds throught it, mostly 225-250 grns, very accurate and a kicker without the Sims Recoil pad, a must for this rifle at 6.6 lbs.

quote:

Originally posted by boha:
Ok. Tikka is finnish for woodpecker - a bird that by the will of God hits its head into a solid surface many times and accurately. So if you get a headache you´re suppose to!

boha

I've worked with quite a few T3's and there were some 338's. With the 250's they can get a bit cheeky off the bench, but not anything you can't learn to deal with (it is amazing what one can learn to deal with though....grins).

They are very accurate and are one wonderful lil hunting stick!

Just my thoughts.

MD

quote:

Originally posted by cewe:
I shouldn´t do this but ...all new Tikkas and Sakos are pretty shitty rifles. Personally I´d rather buy a Rem and I´d never buy a Rem!

Since the Finns sold their gunmaking to the Italians quality is way down.

I asked for it so let me have it.

Can't believe you're badmouthing Sako's!!

Blasphemy!!

I shot a T3 synthetic in .300 and it was a wonderful rifle, very nicely engineered. Recoil seemed very straight back and controllable, I don't know if heavier calibers really change that characteristic at all. As for a .338WM, I think it would do nicely topped with a scope in the 2.5-8x range, I find that to be one of the most versatile magnification ranges available for big game hunting.

A friend of mine has a sako in 338 and it kicks less than my 300 win model 70.
It is accurate and not very heavy.

If I was in the market for a 338 that is what I would go with!!

thanks for the replies, i did purchase the t3 in 338. now need to save for a scope.....How has the original scope rings held up for you guys or do you need to buy aftermarket ones to hold up?

I dug my own hole here, well knowing that I´d get some flack.

Just my opinion, not a pontification.

quote:

Originally posted by grizzinater:
thanks for the replies, i did purchase the t3 in 338. now need to save for a scope.....How has the original scope rings held up for you guys or do you need to buy aftermarket ones to hold up?

I tried the original rings on my Tikka, but I went with Talley rings like these instead:

(http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=390528)

Good luck.