Tikka T3 Suggestions

[77mmspecialmod]

I'm looking to buy a Tikka T3 Tactical Rifle 20" (threaded) chamber 308 win.
Thanks in Advance fro your input
1) General impressions from people who shot this model
2) Recommendations on a threaded muzzle brake (looked all over could not find one). The Tikka is threaded - not sure the thread type.
3) Can you mount an Atlas bipod without damaging the sling mount
4) Is the scope rail solid - had issue with other 308 rifles weaver scope mounts
5) I will shoot standard box ammo - no hand loads. Will this shoot consistent MOA at 100 and will it group well out to 300, 500, 700, 1000 yards
6) Will be using mostly at bench shooting - not taking out hunting
7) Any issues encountered. Saw a you tube vid where trigger got loose
8) Nightforce scope has been recommended. How about a quality Vortex?
9) Any recommendation on very solid 30mm scope base mounts
10) Should I hold out for the Ruger 308 precision if it ever become available
11) Is this Tikka worth the $1500

[Varg Vikernes]

Ruger PR is probably a better starter long range option. A bit more features at a cheaper price.

[thegamettt]

I would wait for the rpr. one of the ffls on here said he has some incoming. 2azone I think.

vortex is fine.

for 1500 save that for the RPR, and you'll have some left over.

have you considered any other brands? you can get a pretty damn decent rifle for 1500 from savage or Remington.

[killshot44]

I'd recommend a Remington 5R over the Tikka.

I can't recommend any .308 with a 20" barrel for the distances you mention.

Sorry not to answer your numbered questions.

[JMP]

I think the Tikka Tacticals use TRG barrels, probably the less desireable ones, but they are still generally very good for factory barrels. The downside is that they are only imported with the 20" barrel now as far as I am aware.

[BigBamBoo]

I was lucky enough to own a Tikka Tactical when you could get them with the 24" barrel. At the same time I owned a Sako TRG-22. The Tik Tac would actually out shoot the TRG-22. Not by a large margin, but enough to make me a bit peeved that a rifle at half the cost and made by the same company would out shoot their flagship precision platform.

Now, I am am not trying to step on toes, but I have owned TWO Remmy 5R's and was VERY dissapointed in them. They never came close to shooting like TRG or the Tikka. And I did a bunch of upgrades to one...trigger, stock, etc., and it still never shot as well as I felt it should. So I can not recommend one.

As to your questions:

If you want to try and park a .308 at a grand your going to want to replace the factory Picatinny rail with a 20 MOA one. I used EGW on mine. Very solid no issues.
The threads should be 18X1 if I recall. I used the factory Sako TRG brake. Worked just fine. There are plenty of aftermarket ones available now days.
Never tried an Atlas bipod when I had my tactical so I can not comment.
The factory trigger is very good. You can get it down to under a pound with a simple spring change or just clip two coils off the factory spring.
On my Tikka T3 hunting rifle I have the trigger at 1 1/2 lbs.

I have owned 5 Tikka's...never had a trigger get loose.

If you really want to upgrade the Tikka Tac's trigger, you can buy a TRG trigger and put it in the Tikka. Not cheap, but the TRG's two stage trigger is very nice.

Overall, I am with Killshot...shooting a 20" .308 to a grand is going to be..uhh...challenging to say the least. Much better options out there at around the Tik Tac's price.

But if you have your heart set on one, then go for it. They are a good quality rifle and their fir and finish is much better the anything Remmington or Savage has to offer.

Again....I have owned 5 Tikka's and have used their actions for custom builds...all of them have been great shooters rivaling my $3500-6000+ Custom rifles...BAT action built, Surgeon, DTA, HS Precision, etc.

.

[thegamettt]

I'd recommend the 5r too. I just got one. It's submoa and I'm not a very good shooter. Maybe the above posters experience with the 5r was a rare fluke? It gets generally good reviews. Completely satisfied with mine.

[TMB 1]

Remington 783

[ar15barrels]

I'm looking to buy a Tikka T3 Tactical Rifle 20" (threaded) chamber 308 win.
2) Recommendations on a threaded muzzle brake (looked all over could not find one). The Tikka is threaded - not sure the thread type.
5) I will shoot standard box ammo - no hand loads. Will this shoot consistent MOA at 100 and will it group well out to 300, 500, 700, 1000 yards
10) Should I hold out for the Ruger 308 precision if it ever become available
11) Is this Tikka worth the $1500

The 20" barrel will realistically limit you to about 400-600yds if you want to hit 1moa sized targets.
That model has 18x1 muzzle threads. Surefire and Accuracy International both sell 18x1 threaded muzzle brakes.
Good quality (federal, black hills) 308 match ammo should shoot well. If it won't, something is wrong with the gun or shooter.
The 308 RPR also has a 20" barrel so it would have similar issues shooting at long range. For the money you are looking at spending, a Remington 700 5R Milspec would do better at the distances you expressed interest in shooting.
$1500 is too much money for that rifle in my opinion.

[JMP]

5) I will shoot standard box ammo - no hand loads. Will this shoot consistent MOA at 100 and will it group well out to 300, 500, 700, 1000 yards

Right here is a key question. If you are looking for just 1 MOA at 100 yards, it will do so with flying colors if you do your part. You will have no trouble hitting steel targets out to 700 yards. With factory ammo, you won't be able to consistently hit 1000 yards with the 308. If you are just taking a few shots at a big target at 1,000, you will get some hits, but it won't be pretty.

Usually, the reason people want 20" threaded barrels is for the use with a suppressor. However, in CA, where you cannot have a suppressor, there still seems to be a lot of demand on Calguns for 20" threaded barrels. I think it is a good gun for someone who simply wants to buy this rifle without upgrading.

The sub-$1k rifles are going to need some work to be as nice as the Tikka. $1500? I don't know; I do not own a Tikka, but my observation is that most Tikka owners seem very happy with their rifles.

[MongooseV8]

For $1500 you would be better off with either a 700 5R or one of savages top tier target series.

[penguinofsleep]

Not to derail the thread, but since everyone is already talking about a T3, how would a T3 compare to a Weatherby of any sort (all of their models seems pretty similar to me mechanically aside from obv differences like caliber and barrel length)? I've tried both (own neither), they both felt very similar, and am considering a T3 or Weatherby as well but for hunting.

[TMB 1]

For $1500 you would be better off with either a 700 5R or one of savages top tier target series.

For $1500 you could make a really nice Savage Axis or Remington 783 tack driver.

[haw1144]

You can always consider the T3 CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle). It's ~$1000 (considerably cheaper than the Tactical Model). No adjustable cheek I believe, but still 20", threaded barrel (tho slightly thinner profile)... and uses metal mags.

I just picked one up earlier this year.

[MongooseV8]

For $1500 you could make a really nice Savage Axis or Remington 783 tack driver.

True but that requires knowledge and time. For an out of the box target rifle a 5R or savage target are tough to beat.