Tikka T-3 ring choices

17 February 2012, 21:35

I'm picking up a Tikka T-3 Super Lite (flutted barrel) from Sportsman's Warehouse Saturday. I've read that the aluminum rings that come with the rifle are garbage and I will put a replacement set on.

My goal is to make this rig as light as possible but durable so what rings do those of you who have T-3 experience suggest.

Cheers
Jim

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17 February 2012, 22:02

snowman

Jim I have several Tikka's and have had trouble with the heavier recoiling calibres.The older steel Tikka rings that came with the older model 65 rifles had a large flat heated screw in the back of the front ring that had to be set against the rear of the receiver ring to act a recoil lug. They worked but are quite heavy. What I've done with most of my other Tikka's is put a set of Weaver # 61 bases (same base front & rear) and use a pair of Leupold " Rifleman vertical spilt rings".They were part #55850. Not sure if they still make them. They are aluminum (light) and very strong. Bushnell (and others) also made a similar vertical split ring. Hope that helps

17 February 2012, 22:46

Norwegianwoods

I have used some all steel Leupold bases and rings on my Tikka T3.

17 February 2012, 23:59

scott parker

I have 3 tikka's all of them magnums there is nothing wrong with the set that comes with the gun.

18 February 2012, 00:42

Austin Hunter

Maybe they changed the rings. My friends and I have had zero problems with the factory rings on 308s, 30-06, and 7mm Mags.

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18 February 2012, 00:50

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
Maybe they changed the rings. My friends and I have had zero problems with the factory rings on 308s, 30-06, and 7mm Mags.

Good to know. Were they the alluminum rings on a T-3?

I've seen these posts on another thread before.

"I think the aluminium mounts may have let me down after a bump last year, and might replace them with steel soon."

"I didn't use the aluminum ring mounts that came with it. Instead I put on Sako optilock bases and rings. They are solid."

"After the scope mount trouble I had on my T3V in .308. I found it was just too easy to knock the scope out of adj."

18 February 2012, 02:27

OLBIKER

I have no problems with the factory Rings other than their looks.

18 February 2012, 08:23

Bendite

The stock rings failed on my T3 in 270 win. I put some decent warne rings on for about $40 think. I'd dump them from the start just to be sure.

18 February 2012, 21:59

greatbasin

I'm gonna try these.

Thought a one piece set on a closed top made sense. I'll let you all know...

18 February 2012, 22:43

hoghunting

My T3 Lite in 300 WSM is half way through the 6th box of Hornady 165 gr Interbonds, so it has had about 550 almost-max rounds fired from it, and the factory rings have never had any problems nor has the scope ever been adjusted after the initial sight-in.

19 February 2012, 01:21

Frostbit

Thanks everyone for the opinions and experience. I've read about 6 different threads on different forums on this topic as well via Google search and I'm probably going with these.

Talley light weight

This set -up is going on a DIY Sheep hunt in the Brooks Range and there could always be bumps and falls involved and although some of you have had no issues with the stock rings some people have and I'd rather limit the chance of failure.

Thanks again

Cheers
Jim

19 February 2012, 02:39

DJM

I have 4 Sako 75's and a Tikka T3 the T3 is a 300wsm all of them except one have Sako / Tikka Optilocs the only other alternative I would consider is a Near Rail and One piece mount but if you want light go with the Optilocs.

I cannot comment about the Al mounts the T3's come with in the US as they do not come with mounts in the UK.

19 February 2012, 10:15

Dustin Alexander

I put warne maxima tikka rings on my .270 t3, and couldn't be happier. I would give them a look if I were you.

19 February 2012, 12:13

sambar02

i run a T3 lite in 338wm after blowing the crap out of 2 scopes went back to the originals,i use pretty stout handloads and have never had a problem in over 5 solid years

19 February 2012, 12:14

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Dustin Alexander:
I put warne maxima tikka rings on my .270 t3, and couldn't be happier. I would give them a look if I were you.

Thanks for the advice. I will. The only thing I read about the Warne vs. the Talleys was a weight issue. I realize we may be talking an ounce or two but I'm a cut the handle off the toothbrush guy when it comes to climbing mountains on a DIY.

19 February 2012, 14:14

Ingvar J. Kristjansson

Why does a USA customer get free aluminium rings and we in Europe don’t ? Anyway I personally would never put aluminium scope rings on a big game rifle....I have 4 Sako’s and all have Optilock rings, they are rock solid ! Are they heavy ? Who cares about plus or minus a few grams ?

19 February 2012, 18:24

Ken Cline

With the Talley (and Deadnutz) you are using a base and ring, or base/ring combo with screws.

Don't see why that is necessary on a receiver that has grooves and a recoil pin slot.

The Warne's work great for me, and it is a much simpler approach with no extra screws to loosen or break.

21 February 2012, 01:42

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cline:
With the Talley (and Deadnutz) you are using a base and ring, or base/ring combo with screws.

Don't see why that is necessary on a receiver that has grooves and a recoil pin slot.

The Warne's work great for me, and it is a much simpler approach with no extra screws to loosen or break.

I emailed Talley and Warne customer support because I could not find a weight listed on either website.

Talley Alloy Base/rings ------- 2.1 ounce

Warne Maxima ------------------ 5.4 ounce

I'll be going with the Talley's

Cheers and thanks for the discussion.
Jim

22 February 2012, 07:46

Frostbit

Tikka T-3 Super lite in 7 mm mag, Talley alloy one piece base/rings, and Swarovski Z3 3-10 x 42 ended up weighing in today at 6 pounds, 14 ounces. That should work!!

23 February 2012, 09:13

greatbasin

A Dead Nutz Game Reaper 1 piece, 1 in. low height ring mount is 2.98 oz. screws included

23 February 2012, 16:00

loiblb

I never got the stock rings to work, got sone Cone-trol rings to do ok after a lot of fussing. Traded off the gun.

25 February 2012, 11:57

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by loiblb:
I never got the stock rings to work, got sone Cone-trol rings to do ok after a lot of fussing. Traded off the gun.

The Talley's seem pretty solid and since they screw into the receiver as opposed to clamping the dovetail I suspect they will work well. Very light also. I'll report after some range time in the next month or so.

27 February 2012, 01:58

reddy375

I was also doubtful, but no problem with the original tikka rings on my 30-06, 800+ rounds later........

27 February 2012, 02:04

wrongtarget

The factory rings didn't look too bad, but the cheezy screws that came on them sure did, they look like something from china you'd buy at a hardware store! I opted for the Talley Lightweight ringmounts for my 338WM Lite.

05 March 2012, 07:43

Remington720

The Tikka rings on my T3 work fine.

05 March 2012, 20:10

416Tanzan

I've had three Tikkas and initially used the factory rings.

Unofrtunately, the 338WM pushed the rings too hard and the retainer post ripped thru the back of the front ring. Tikka was prompt to send a replacement set. I am keeping those as a backup for our 270, which I'm leaving with factory rings.

However, for the 338 I got Warne steel rings. The price was reasonable and the rings are solid. Talley are a good product, too, and easier too mount, if you are willing to pay twice the price. I've got a set of Talley and a set of Warne on some 416Rigbys that handle themselves nicely.

My advice? If you are shooting bullets under 150 grains you can make the aluminum rings work. If over 150 grains, then you better get something in steel.

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"A well-rounded hunting battery might include:
500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" --
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06 March 2012, 03:51

BaxterB

My brother uses they Talley lightweight but he had my dad machine out the centers to drop the rings onto the rail and make it a little less blocky looking and lower the rings. I'll get him to post pics...

06 March 2012, 09:09

16Bore

Here's the carnage before....

These are lows gone lower..Scope is M8 6x42 with BC caps and a little daylight. Plenty of room for the bolt.

I believe these were a set of Mediums we did

They pretty much look like crap until I set them down on the dovetail. There's space for a sheet of paper between the rings and dovetail..

06 March 2012, 09:14

16Bore

And for extra style points you can get a red shroud from down under....

11 March 2012, 01:56

gunsrgood

I use the Warne rings. Warne rings are heavy (compared to talley) but they are rock solid and I've never had an issue with them. I use them on several rifles

14 March 2012, 04:21

Mighty Peace

I personally use the Optilocks rings & bases on my Tikka T3's, as I used them also on my Sako m75 rifles.

Next choice would be Talleys

15 March 2012, 08:00

2Barrels

quote:
Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
Why does a USA customer get free aluminium rings and we in Europe don’t ?

They have to appease us some how for not offering the complete line of calibers and configurations here in the US.

15 March 2012, 21:33

Rae59

quote:
Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
I've had three Tikkas and initially used the factory rings.

Unofrtunately, the 338WM pushed the rings too hard and the retainer post ripped thru the back of the front ring. Tikka was prompt to send a replacement set. I am keeping those as a backup for our 270, which I'm leaving with factory rings.

However, for the 338 I got Warne steel rings. The price was reasonable and the rings are solid. Talley are a good product, too, and easier too mount, if you are willing to pay twice the price. I've got a set of Talley and a set of Warne on some 416Rigbys that handle themselves nicely.

My advice? If you are shooting bullets under 150 grains you can make the aluminum rings work. If over 150 grains, then you better get something in steel.

I had the exact same thing happen with my 338WM and I did the same as you, went with the Warne rings.

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