Author Topic: About to Buy a Tikka, a Question About Rings and Scopes... (Read 10992 times)

Power167 · « **on:** September 25, 2008, 11:05:14 AM »

My father has been talking up and down about wanting a stainless 7mm from Finland. So, I decided to grab one for his birthday. Have my eye on a Tikka T3 in stainless/synthetic (the "lite" version, I believe).

Another dream of his is a Zeiss scope, which I'm also going to buy to go with this. I'm going back and fourth between a 40 and 44mm, but either way I don't want to put a $400-$600 scope in the factory rings, which I've heard are el cheapo. Any recommendations as far as rings go? I heard the Tikka has some kind of special base to it, will this require special rings? Also, if I go with the 44mm over the 40mm, will I need a different size set of rings (taller, I suppose)?

Would there be a noticeable difference between a 44mm and a 40mm in terms of brightness, resolution, etc? He's got a 40mm Leupold now on his 300 mag, and I want him to look through the Zeiss and notice a difference. I would go up to 50mm, but I've heard that the scope has to be mounted so high that it's awkward to use (have to lift your head up off the gun). Would a 44mm have this same problem?

Thanks for your time.

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2008, 03:05:49 PM »

I have the Zeiss 40 mm on my .338, and just like you, I was not about to trust the cheapy factory rings. I went with Warnes and love them. Tally is another brand I would go with. Both are good.

This pic show the Zeiss with Warne mediums. Not sure if they'd work on a 44 mm or not. Would be close.

Power167 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2008, 03:38:20 PM »

How do you like the 40mm? Would you say it's worth the money? How does it compare to other 40mm in it's class, like the Leupold (assuming you've tried some others). Also, with the rings, do you need to buy a base as well, or does it just thread onto the receiver?

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2008, 04:08:46 PM »

I love the Zeiss 3x9 40 mm conquest. I also have leoplold VXIII 3.5x10 40 mm. To me, it's kinda ford/chevy type debate. Both are comparable, but personaly if I had to pick one for life, it's be the Zeiss. The Warnes on my Tikka are the dovetail style.

The Tallys on my remmy have the screws that go into the reciever. I actually wish I had gone with the Talleys on my Tikka too, though for cosmetic reasons only.

Tally lightweights on my Remington

pbcaster45 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2008, 04:26:12 PM »

I'm a big fan of Burris Signature Rings but the Tikka Optilock Rings and Bases I used on my T3 Lite are plenty tough - and they don't mar the scope tube.

sholling · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2008, 05:05:04 PM »

I have the same rifle in 300WM. I love it, but much prefer the DedNutz (aka DNZ) one piece rings/mount.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2008, 05:15:32 PM »

I chose the Talley lightweights for my 338 WinMag.

Tim

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2008, 05:39:23 PM »

Tim,

That's a good pic of the Talleys. There ya go, power167. Can't get more graffic than that!

IMO, the Warnes and Talleys are both good quality, but the Talleys rate higher on sleek appearance.

Power167 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2008, 06:04:56 PM »

Very much appreciated fellas. Are the Tallys medium sized as well?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2008, 07:37:25 PM »

The Talley's on mine are the low #930714, the scope is a 40mm.

Thanks,

Tim

Old English · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2008, 02:12:47 AM »

I have the Talleys on my 308, Dednutz on 243 and factory on 223. The Deadnutz are my favourite, absolutley solid and lightweight one piece mount.

Carroll B · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2008, 01:06:28 AM »

I used Warne mediums on my 7 mm mag. You dad will really like the Tikka.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2008, 06:41:19 AM »

I'm using med Warnes with a 50mm Leupold 3x9. It is a close fit and eye relief of your scope or length may make them unacceptable, the scope bell starts getting into the chamber area of barrel. For a big scope it's pretty low down on the gun.

Take the photo of Shillings rig and push the scope about 3/4" forward and there is about two Dollar bills air gap. The contour of scope and barrel sorta follow each other.

Big Blue · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2008, 12:42:35 PM »

I'll add my vote to those of the others in recommending the Dednutz scope mount. It is absolutely rock solid, ALWAYS!
Don

Old English · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2008, 04:39:04 PM »

If you don't pick DedNutz, you will be buying something which is second best. I am in no way affiliated with their company but they are on most of my rifles and ML now. I'm with Big Blue.

Tunaman · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2008, 02:15:19 PM »

1+ for ded nutz. I am in the process of putting them on all of my rifles.

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2008, 01:58:36 PM »

I like the Warne. I haven't tried the others.

Phins74 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2008, 07:59:30 AM »

The Deadnutz are my favorite, absolutley solid and lightweight one piece mount.

I'll add my vote to those of the others in recommending the Dednutz scope mount. It is absolutely rock solid, ALWAYS!

1+ for ded nutz. I am in the process of putting them on all of my rifles.

What they said!

Troy

bigjeepman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2008, 01:20:28 PM »

It is possible that tomorrow I will own my first Tikka rifle. I am trading for a Tikka T3 Varmint SS .308 and have read about all the mounting systems you have put on your Tikkas. Will my Varmint T3 accept any and all of what you have? I haven't decided on what I will get but am considering the Deadnutz one piece system, the Talley's, and the Warnes. I am mounting a 40mm scope so the lows should be fine on no matter which system I choose. Where did you guys buy your mounting systems at if you don't mind me asking.

bjm

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2008, 02:38:00 PM »

Personaly, I have not owned any deadnutz products, so I can't say one way or the other.

As for the Warnes and Talleys, IMO, I would recomend either/both. Talleys would be my first choice (just from a cosmetic standpoint if nothing), but again, JMO. Yes, the Talley lows will work on a 40 mm.

As for where to buy - I have bought my rings from both Brownells and Midway. Call them up, tell them what ya got for a rifle, and they will ship the ones you need, whatever brand you choose.

Again, the Warnes and Talleys are on the same plane in my book, quality wise. But scroll up and view the pics above and you can see which brand rings look better to you, cosmeticaly speakin'.

Good luck..

bigjeepman · « **Reply #20 on:** December 18, 2008, 02:56:13 PM »

379 Peterbilt ...
I appreciate the quick response. You provided some good info there and I will decide what I want this weekend. I have ordered quite a lot from Midway over the years and just recently placed an order with Midsouth to give them a shot at some of my business.

Again ... thanks.

Doug

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2008, 03:12:43 PM »

Glad to help, if I did, if by personal personal opinion if nuthin' LOL

Post a pic when ya get the rig complete.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2008, 10:42:27 AM »

Well, I traded for the T3 Tikka Varmint SS .308 rifle and I have decided on the Talley Lightweights for this rifle. I plan on a T3 Hunter 7mm-08 in the very near future and i might try another setup for it.

My question ... will the low Talley Lightweights work with a 42mm scope? Tim used the low Talleys on a 40mm scope and it appears to still have some room but I am unsure if it is enough clearance for a 42mm. It's no big deal if I need to go to the mediums. I'll probably order them from Brownell's.

What do you think?

bjm

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2008, 01:44:30 PM »

The obj bell on the my Omega is 1.94" in diameter, there's .115" clearance to the barrel, if it helps.

Merry Christmas!!

Tim

bigjeepman · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2008, 04:55:36 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on December 20, 2008, 01:44:30 PM

The obj bell on the my Omega is 1.94" in diameter, there's .115" clearance to the barrel, if it helps.

Merry Christmas!!

Tim

Hey Tim ...

Merry Christmas to you too! I was considering putting my Sightron II 4-16x42mm scope on the Tikka but it would definitely need the "medium" Talleys as my bell is 2.214." I am still not sure if that is the scope I will use but your info helped a lot. Again, you came up with some needed info for me as you have throughout all these years.

A "thank you" to all and I will post a picture of the scoped Tikka soon.

bjm

Chief GEEK · « **Reply #25 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:17:45 AM »

Good info and pics. This helped a lot. I require the forward backward range of the dovetail rings but my Tikka rings have let me down. I love the look of the d-nutz but your range of scope mount seems limited. The talleys being two piece don't provide the range I need and could require alignment as all two piece do sometimes. The warnes are sure ugly but they do supply the range I need from a dovetail mount and seem to be no problem for those that have used them. I am leaning that way. I wish I had normal scope mounting requirements. Life would be so much easier.

I know this is an old thread but it sure was a good one.

Chief GEEK · « **Reply #26 on:** June 05, 2009, 01:30:38 AM »

The warnes were a bear to install. They seems very solid but so did the factory ones when I put them on. It will take a couple years to judge. That is how long it took the factory ones to fail. Did I say these things are ugly.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #27 on:** June 05, 2009, 06:12:48 PM »

They will grow on you. I think they look like a good pushbar on the front of a pick-up. The other rings I see out there look kinda light duty now that I've become accustomed to the Warnes.

Chief GEEK · « **Reply #28 on:** June 06, 2009, 02:04:25 AM »

Empty Quiver, How did you install the things? Did you used the silver pin in the front mount? Did you put the scope in and loosely tighten them and then try to get them to go on the dovetail mount? what order did you tighten the screws?

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #29 on:** June 07, 2009, 09:03:34 AM »

Yes, I used the pin, I would be afraid of the scope walking without it. I loosely mounted the front to the scope and placed it on the rifle. I got the eye relief pretty close then assembled the rear ring on scope and rifle at the same time. I slid the rear ring as far back as I could get away with to give the cartridge the longest space to elect from. I'm not sure it would be a problem with spent cartridges but loaded seem to want plenty of the length. I tightened the rings down slowly going in an x pattern with the base about a half turn ahead of the top. You'll want to keep track of reticle alignment, as it seems that as it seats the first time mine wanted to turn a bit. I ended up loosening mine and turned it a touch and tightened it down one last time. I have a T3 lite in 300wm and it has been rock solid. I have put around a 140 rnds through it and am happy with the scope and mounts.

I could see a short scope causing the rear mount to be very close to an ejected round. Whether it would be a problem or not I don't know. This is from memory about 5 yrs ago so I'm not positive about having the rings assembled on the front first, I do remember dropping the pin a couple times trying to get it all together. I think I put a bit of grease in the notch to hold it in place.