Tika Rifles

[WD242]

Any suggestions on the Tika Light in 7-08.  I like the idea of a detach magazine and this feels light for mountain hunting herein the Adirondacks.

So post your good and bad about these guns !!!!!!

[Empty Quiver]

The rifles are routinely excellant. The included scope rings are on the light side of average, most folks are happier when they are replaced. That mag is a very spendy item treat it like gold, around here $60 is the usual asking price, sale about $50 very rarely at that.

I have one in 300winmag, great shooter. I would love to get one in 7-08 or maybe even .243, something a little more venison friendly. I'm using Warne rings on the dovetail and have no problems to report. The factory rings may work out in the lighter calibres though.

[usherj]

The chances of you being very happy with the rifle are very high. I hunt in steep terrain and my T3 hunter is handy and easy to carry all day. The lite, is, well, even lighter. I had slippage with the factory rings, even with my 6.5x55, so save yourself the hassle and change them out right away. I have the Talley Lightweights on that one, as well as my 338 WM, no problems whatsoever. There have been good reports on the Warne and Deadnuts as well. It's a personal choice. The chances of having a problem are low, but one of the only downsides is that Beretta customer service on the slow side. Still better than bringing a Rem 700 back to Ilion and finding out that their accuracy standard is 3" and there is nothing they will do for you, although other service reports have been good. Tikka apparently has excellent quality control and consistency.

[charles p]

The 7mm-08 is a great short action round.  I've owned a few rifles with detachable mags and see no advantage.  What has been your experience with these and what attracts you to the detachable magazine?  It would not be a "decision maker" for a rifle selection to me.

[usherj]

So you can unload at the end of the day quickly without cycling each round through the action and not dump some of them into the snow when when removing the floorplate. Some don't like the polymer components, but I've never had a failure and that is one of the compromises made to have a lightweight rifle (my 338WM with scope weighs 7#) that costs less than $600 and still is highly accurate.

[Arizona Jake]

Better yet, if you can find a used Tikka 595 White Tail Hunter in good to excellent condition in 7mm-08. The Model 595 is a little sturdier that the T3, and in my humble opinion, a much better quality rifle.

Best of luck,

[Happy]

I am on my second T3 starting with a '06 and this year one chambered in 338F.  With the Federal cartridge I found reciol  is  steep with this lite rifle. Some thing to think aboutt as the calipier choice goes up . To over come this buy a Limbsaver pad , to am happy to report saved the day as well as the shoulder .
I find after about 150 rounds the rifle settles down and does it's best shooting groups. My guns too as per manual see no brush , rather just a patch and foam cleaners .
As a smooth operating rifle I see years of happy use.

I would think something in 6.5 x55 to 7/08 would be grand  to use on deer and the like.Not much hurt on the shooter but lots on game . If I bought another rifle , I would go either round and reload .

[deerandduck]

I do not have a Tikka Light in 7mm-08, but I do have a Tikka 595 in 7mm-08.  It is absolutely a great gun.  It's my "always ready" gun.  Shoots great, has a great trigger (without messing with it).  Light weight.  It's almost boring its so good.  Shoots 120 gr and 140 gr bullets good (reloads).  I believe the Tikka light is almost as good.
Good luck,
Deerandduck

[smong2000]

I have a T3 lite SS .270 and can't say enough good things about it.  I think it's the best bang for your buck out there by a huge margin if you want a rifle that shoots out of the box and requires no mods.  I wanted a 7-08 but unless they changed in the past year, there is no short action Tikka.  I figured if the action was going to be the same length, may as well go with a larger capacity case.  I would have got a .280 if they made it in lefty...kind of a stretch 7-08.   I don't think you could possibly go wrong with rifle.

[charles p]

I have several rifles, two with detachable magazines.  I never give a thought to this feature.  I select a rifle for my hunt by other features, normally the weight of the rifle and the choice of scope for the circumstances of the hunt.  I don't see an advantage or disadvantage to the detachable magazine.  It just doesn't matter to me.

[poncaguy]

I have a Tikka T3 22-250 and a heavy barrel 308, both have excellent accuracy, great rifles.