Author Topic: Tikka T3 Lite for Deer - Please Recommend a Caliber for Me (Read 5373 times)

Chopper3030 · « **on:** July 31, 2009, 04:24:49 PM »

I'm very interested in purchasing a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless for deer hunting. I'm a little recoil sensitive due to a recent shoulder injury/surgery, so please suggest a caliber for me. I'm only interested in using factory ammo, if that makes any difference. I guess the .243 would be a natural choice, if it's enough to take deer cleanly. But I'm open to all suggestions. Again, I don't hand-load, so factory ammo is necessary.

Thanks,

Chopper

usherj · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2009, 05:08:39 PM »

I think you have selected the best caliber for your situation. Wait for a clean broadside shot and you will have no problems. The 260 and 6.5x55 are also light recoiling (although not as light as the 243), but the ammo is not as common as the 243. Especially in view of the recent ammo shortages. Since the outer diameter of the T3 barrels are the same regardless of caliber, the barrel wall will be thicker with the smaller caliber, and have a slight potential accuracy advatage, although they are all accurate.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2009, 05:23:42 PM »

mine is a 25-06

not impressed with acuracy yet but good enough

the tikka T3s are ALL long actions

if it is a long action i want a long shell..........no spacers to make it work

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:18:49 AM »

243 is as good a choice as any for your requirements.

KzoneAL · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:20:59 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on July 31, 2009, 05:23:42 PM

mine is a 25-06

not impressed with acuracy yet but good enough

the tikka T3s are ALL long actions

if it is a long action i want a long shell..........no spacers to make it work

shoot it dirty...

45-70.gov · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:26:14 AM »

Quote from: KzoneAL on August 03, 2009, 02:20:59 AM

Quote from: 45-70.gov on July 31, 2009, 05:23:42 PM
mine is a 25-06

not impressed with acuracy yet but good enough

the tikka T3s are ALL long actions

if it is a long action i want a long shell..........no spacers to make it work

shoot it dirty...

i have only tried heavy slugs to be fair to the gun

Old English · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:59:46 AM »

I've used my T3 in 243 to take down deer and hogs with no problems at all to date. This remains my most accurate and favourite bolt action rifle. I am using various lever actions for the closer style of hunting that I like.

Happy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:23:32 AM »

Quote from: Chopper3030 on July 31, 2009, 04:24:49 PM

I'm very interested in purchasing a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless for deer hunting. I'm a little recoil sensitive due to a recent shoulder injury/surgery, so please suggest a caliber for me. I'm only interested in using factory ammo, if that makes any difference. I guess the .243 would be a natural choice, if it's enough to take deer cleanly. But I'm open to all suggestions. Again, I don't hand-load, so factory ammo is necessary.

Thanks,

Chopper

You might consider a limbsaver pad first as this pad will absorb a lot of reciol . I found the t3 was not very pleasant to shoot in 338 F until I was advised to install the limbsaver pad which was gone .
I suffer from a rotater injury and can handle the rifle now. The pad might allow you to go up to a 308W class maybe a 708.

tegman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2009, 02:52:04 PM »

Chopper3030 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2009, 03:48:13 PM »

How about a .270 or .30-06 with Remington Managed Recoil loads? Even then, I wonder if this very light rifle would absorb enough recoil.

Assuming the managed recoil loads work for me as far as recoil goes, would the .270 work well at 115 grain PSP? The .30-06 is a 125 grain bullet. Would it be noticeably better than the .270 as far as killing power goes (less than 200 yards)?

Thanks,

Chopper

surveyor47 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2009, 05:23:52 PM »

The 308 Winchester has much less felt recoil than the 30-06, yet has similar ballistics with 150 grain bullets. Consider the 308 Winchester a 30-06 stepped back 100 yards or a 300 Winchester Magnum stepped back 200 yards. The 308 begins a sharp dropoff with bullets heavier than 165 grains, so it is best with 150 and 165 grain bullets, perfectly adequate for deer, the 150 giving lighter recoil.

If you want a trajectory very similar to 150 grain 30-06 but with less recoil, have a look at the 7mm-08 with a 140 grain bullet. This round has a good reputation.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2009, 10:31:52 AM »

As light as the T-3's are you will need a Limbsaver, even with a 243 and a bad shoulder. Once you have the Limbsaver pad on, I would step up to a 7mm-08 for deer. If you reload, some 120gr Nosler BTs and powder down around the starting level would be easy on the shoulder. DP

no guns here · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2009, 02:57:02 AM »

I tell ya', my .308 kicks all I want it to from the bench. Federal 150's shoot just under an inch. I added a kilo of shot into the stock and it's much better behaved. The .308 will do 99% of whatever 99% of hunters will ask it to do. Pick what you want... a .260 or 7mm-08 would be my next choices. Not to restart the old argument, but personally I'm not a fan of the .243 for general purpose deer hunting. I do shoot the 6mm Rem but only on selected shots.

NGH

JNielson317 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:40:00 AM »

I have a Tikka T3 Lite in 300 WSM. I put a Limb Saver on it and it still kicks pretty hard. ( I do only weight 120lbs) These guns are so lite (mine weights only 6.5 lbs with scope) that even a 308 or a 30-06 is probably going to kick a little more than you want. I live in Wyoming so I wanted something I maybe hunt an elk with. Thats why I got the 300. But just like everyone else is saying, the 243 is a great choice for deer. I know you'll be happy.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:32:22 PM »

do they all being long actions

bother any one else like it does me

to shoot short bullit in a long action?? or is it just me

if its long action i want longe action cases

that spacer in the clip looks stupid

25-06 is smallest long action

6.5x 55 i might live with

270.........doessnt get any more classic

30-06......it is even more classic

jb fastcat · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:45:12 PM »

25-06 would be a excellent choice. Just my .02

jager · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2009, 04:20:05 PM »

I too have an avertion of using short cartridges in a long actions. I have a T3 in a 30/06 and it is very light for the caliber, but it allows me to put any scope I desire on it without fear of making the rifle too heavy. I don't find my gun that unpleasant to shoot even when the "all-up" weight is under 7.5 pounds, except long sessons at the "bench".
If minimal recoil is your goal, and the T3 your choosen rifle, the .243 should meet your requirements for any deer that "walks" on this Earth and not on the pages of some gun magazine. Because of the long/short action "issue" for me, I'd have to go with the 6.5X55 for the total "Nordic" package that certainly doesn't kick anymore than a 25/06.

JASmith · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2009, 05:15:39 PM »

Looks like you've started a good debate!

From my perspective, and putting myself in your shoes, I would ask what you plan to do with the Tikka as your injury heals more completely.

By this I mean, are you thinking of varmint or prairie dog shooting? If so, the .243 is probably as good a choice as can be made. I would also suggest you look around in the various forums to see how valid the complaints about lack of blood trail for well-hit deer that go for more than a few tens of yards before dropping. Those complaints seem to be more frequent with the .243 than with the larger calibers.

If your focus will continue to be deer class game, the folks advocating the 25-06 have the best advice. Only a handful of standard cartridges that are flatter shooting and are good for deer and antelope.

Last and my favorites, are the .270 and the 30-06 -- the managed recoil loads will work very well for the conditions you describe and you can go to more significant bullets and loads as your shoulder heals. Most people compare the .270 130 gr with the 30-06 150 gr and wonder why the .270 works so well. In reality, the 130 gr .270 has within three percent of same sectional density as the .308 165 gr bullet and penetrates almost as well. The 150 grain .270 has about three percent more sectional density that the .308 180 grain bullet. This relationship helps explain why the .270 is so popular and the .30-06 remains the standard-setting cartridge.

Ethan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2009, 01:28:54 PM »

I wiuld get a T3 lite in 243 win or 25-06.

Brithunter · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2009, 12:59:16 AM »

Well although I don't own a Tikka I have shot them and my experience with the T3 Lite did not leave me impressed. In fact the friend who's rifle it was is selling the rifle for something else as the accuracy has not proved to be very good from his rifle unlike that from his T3 tactical. Both were in .308 Winchester chamberings.

There is also a fellow at the club who has had one devil of a time finding an accurate load in his T3 Lite again it's a .308. This is strange when so many report excellent accuracy for them

I must admit that I didn't like the T3 much, it just felt wrong to me, of course havign a plastic/synthetic stock was a turn off from the get go as I dislike these stocks intensly.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2009, 04:07:18 AM »

I have two tikka's Now and admitt At first the accuracy was not leaving me impressed . How ever after about 100 rounds and cleaning as per manual instuctions ,things quickly improved.
After a right shoulder injury and now with arthritis to boot , I quickly installed a limbsaver pad on the 338 F as the rifle recoiled quite a bit . (Two shots today and pain the next three)
Now with a winter coat and pad I can shoot this gun all day.
If you had the 308 chambering and a pad ,I can not see where you could go wrong , as I too , have a new Savage in that cal, and require no extra padding to shoot this rifle . How ever I think I still prefer the tikka as the gun is a lot smoother to operate .
I have hunted with the 6.5x55 in the deer woods , and was always pleased with the round . You might not get ammo in every store but since I reload that was never an issue . Same maybe with the 2506 .
Notice you can always buy 3006 and 308 Ammo just about evey where , so why not the 308 Winchester chambering .

It has a lot less reciol than the odd 6 yet the power to take down moose and beer , should you consider bigger game down the road . And that my friend , unless your over a hundred years old . could well happen .

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2009, 07:59:24 AM »

mospurs · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2009, 02:01:58 PM »

1/2" GROUPS DON'T CARE HOW LONG ACTION IS
PARTITIONS,OR TSX BULLETS IN 243 ALL YOU NEED
100GR FACTORY LOADS ARE FINE TO

A YOUNG KID WHO USE TO READ TOO MUCH TOLD HIS DAD
"A 243 IS TOO SMALL FOR DEER"
MY DAD SAID SON ABOUT 2 JUMPS IS ALL THEY MAKE
FATHER DID KNOW BEST
I WAS THE YOUNG KNOW IT ALL KID
A ACCURATE HIT WITH A 243 IS WAY BETTER THAN A MARGINAL WITH ANYTHING ELSE

APOLOGIES FOR CAPITALS-I'M LOUSY TYPIST

cdbidsbear · « **Reply #23 on:** December 09, 2009, 02:00:13 PM »

Quote from: Happy on August 04, 2009, 08:23:32 AM

Quote from: Chopper3030 on July 31, 2009, 04:24:49 PM
I'm very interested in purchasing a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless for deer hunting. I'm a little recoil sensitive due to a recent shoulder injury/surgery, so please suggest a caliber for me. I'm only interested in using factory ammo, if that makes any difference. I guess the .243 would be a natural choice, if it's enough to take deer cleanly. But I'm open to all suggestions. Again, I don't hand-load, so factory ammo is necessary.

Thanks,

Chopper

You might consider a limbsaver pad first as this pad will absorb a lot of reciol . I found the t3 was not very pleasant to shoot in 338 F until I was advised to install the limbsaver pad which was gone .
I suffer from a rotater injury and can handle the rifle now. The pad might allow you to go up to a 308W class maybe a 708.

+1 on the Limbsaver Pad. I fitted one to my .300wm before I'd even fired a shot and I'm very happy I did. There has to be some sacrifice for having such a beautiful light rifle. Granted I've only put some light loads through it for run-in purposes ( still about 5 grains under max ) but in all honesty at present it's not much worse than my .308. Very happy.
Regards
Craig

Brithunter · « **Reply #24 on:** December 10, 2009, 12:12:03 AM »

Hmmmm I have been thinking about this some more and wonder with your shoulder injury why you really want a Lightweight rifle as it will of course increase the felt recoil. Of course recoil can be mitigated by the use of one of the new super recoil pads and perhaps coupled with usign a Past Recoil shield

but allt his might be averted by having a rifle of normal weight.

Now as I said it got me thinking so I got thescales out and out a couple of lightweight rifles on them so see what they weigh all ready to go hunting. As I said I don't have any Tikka's so had to use what I do have to hand

#1 is a BSA Majestic Featherweight of 1959 vintage in .270 so it's a long action one. fitted with an alloy one piece Parker-Hale mount holding a 6x42 scope and fitted with a leather "Cobra" type sling. It weighs in at 7lbs 12oz, the rifle weighs 6lbs 7oz with just the sling fitted.

#2 is a BSA Majestic Featherweight from the early 1960's in .243 so it's a medium length action and it's fitted with a Khales Helia 4L2 alloy tubed scope in alloy P-H rings and weighs 6lbs 14 oz but it has not sling attached and with the scope and mounts it weights 6lbs 3oz. This one has a recoil reducing muzzle brake machined into the muzzle under the foresight ramp of BSA's design it's called a BESA.

Both have the old standard BSA Vented recoil pad.

What I am getting at hear is that the quest for lightweight hunting rifles is nothing new but the issue of increased recoil is still the worry for a lot of shooters using them. It was this recoil issue which led to the development of the BESA recoils reducer back in 1955.

The felt recoil on the .270 is sharper, not really heavier, than that of another 270 BSA of standard weight I also have although saying that I just weighed it and it weighs 8lbs 1oz with the steel tubed Pecar 3-7x36 in alloy P-H rings.

The point about less recoil with the 25-06 is not really valid IMHO as I now have a rifle in 25-06 yet cannot really tell that it has lighter recoil and that rifle is far heavier weighing around 9lbs scoped. The recoil may not be quite as quick as with the lighter rifles in .270 but it doesn't seem to thump the shoulder any less

The 243 Winchester is an effective cartridge but some still claim it's a triffle light for your often larger US Deer species such as Whitetail deer. May I suggest you reserch the availabily of perhaps the .257 Roberts

I would also heartily agree with looking seriously at the 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge. It's a lovely round to shoot and is very effective on Deer to which I can attest personally. Another one I would also endorse is the old 7mm Mauser (7x57) it's track record speaks for itself and it's not agressive on the shoulder

.

Plenty of options

countryrebel · « **Reply #25 on:** December 13, 2009, 06:45:05 AM »

I own a Tikka 243 and it is the nicest shooting gun I have ever owned.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #26 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:21:45 AM »

If you suffer a shoulder injury , your not going to lift a 11 pound rifle either , nor able to operate a lever if it's the right side . The 300 WM shelved for the time. The tikka I can handle with the pad installed, as well as shoot a New 11FCNS Savage with it's factory pad that equals the limbsaver . The Savage with cocking on bolt lift then becomes the new problem .
The tikka in the 308 based cartridge can handle moose and bear with 30 cal and above where as under thirty cal your limited maybe to deer depending the calipier .
Just throw the biggest rock yah kin handle!!!

JeffG · « **Reply #27 on:** December 20, 2009, 11:09:33 AM »

Quote

mine is a 25-06

So is mine, it's a sweetheart. Use 117 or 120 gr bullets.

NickSS · « **Reply #28 on:** December 25, 2009, 11:46:36 PM »

I have shot deer and have seen others shoot deer with a 243 or 6MM Remington and I also saw an elk shot with a 6mm remington. Based on that experience I would say that the 6mm caliber is basically a 90% deer rifle and not suitable for elk. By a 90% deer rifle I mean that you need to try for broadside shots or neck shots to make sure of the animal. Quartering shots or shoulder shots are less successful. I personally have studied calibers etc and think that the best caliber that you can get a 100 % effective deer and antelope and even elk rifle in is a 6.5X55. Those long bullets penetrate well and will go through most deer sized animals from any angle and the cartridge does not recoil bad at all. In fact my CZ in that caliber has less felt recoil than my 30-30 94 winchester does.

mfuff · « **Reply #29 on:** December 27, 2009, 04:45:35 AM »

When my Son turned 11 I bought him a Tikka T3 Blued/Synthetic in 30/06. I installed a LimbSaver Pad on it and loaded some rounds at 2600fps and a Hornady 130gr Spire Point bullet. He used that combo ALL summer shooting groundhogs (in a t-shirt) and when deer season came he was very familiar with the gun and load. He killed a nice buck at 130yds with a perfect shoulder shot and the deer might have gone 30yds after the hit.
He is now 13 and has moved up to full power 150gr loads and it does not bother him.
Bottom line is that a reduced load in '06 with a LimbSaver pad is very comfortable to shoot and it has plenty of power for deer. It also allows you lots of room to move up in speed and bullet weight as your shoulder heals or as is needed for heavier game.

PS, The gun will shoot 3/4" three shot groups with either load and him behind the trigger. I have a T3 Stainless/Laminate in 270WSM that shoots equally as well with 130gr Hornady SPs, Nosler Ballistic Silver tips, or Barnes TSX handloads. The first day I bought the rifle the gun shop gave me a box of Win. 150gr Power Point ammo so I used it to sight in the scope and break in the barrel. Shooting a shot then cleaning and shooting another for the first 5 shots had group that measured .585!! I could not believe it. With the right load they are very accurate. The first handload I tried was with a 130gr Hornady Interbond SST and 3 different IMR powders. I could not get better than a 3" group at 100 yds and I was disheartened. I went out and bought 2 more boxes of the Win. PP ammo to take on a Caribou hunt that I was hoping to have a handload worked up for. While successful, the two Caribou were the first animals I have killed in 20 years with a factory rifle round. When I got back from the trip I tried some Reloader 22 powder and the first load I tried shot under an inch for 5 shots. Find the right load and they will shoot!