Tikka Factory Barrel Quality

[Johnny Lately]

I'm contemplating buying a Tikka. Maybe in 7mm-08. I plan to buy Manners stock and would like to leave it otherwise factory. I do handload and plan to take it out to a maximum of 600-700 yards just for precision shooting.

My question is if I would be better off getting a new barrel or if the factory barrel will suffice.

Thanks

 

[lapua31]

Run the stock barrel, tika makes a great product. Check out the tika thread and look at the groups they produce.

 

[Joop]

They're made by Sako. I've never seen a Tikka T3 that wasn't a tack driver. I was out shooting my 6.5x55 Sporter, yesterday and I shot a .8" group (five shots) at 325 yards. So far, it's shooting sub-MOA with everything I've run through it (combinations of three different bullets and five different powders), out to 850 yards. I'm sold.

ETA: If it's the T3 Lite you're looking at, they're still great, also. Of course, they won't do long strings as well as the heavier barrels, but I've still been surprised at how they shoot when they get hot.

 

[boomfab]

I can't comment on the T3 Lite/Hunter lighter weight barrels, but my T3 Sporter with heavy barrel shoots phenomenally well.

 

[Johnny Lately]

Thanks for the input, y'all.

Does Tikka have Varmint 7mm-08. I only see the Lite, but under the Varmint rifle, it list the 7mm-08.

 

[cb_tikka]

Thanks for the input, y'all.

Does Tikka have Varmint 7mm-08. I only see the Lite, but under the Varmint rifle, it list the 7mm-08.

Not available in the US. Beretta stopped distributing Varmints years ago.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

They're mass produced barrels but they are good mass produced barrels. It will be every bit as accurate as any other good mass produced barrel as long as you don't get a bad one (yes they exist). The one downside I have found with the tikka chrome moly barrels is that they copper foul worse than other barrels which means you will need to clean them more often. The stainless one I have (25-06) doesn't copper foul much.

They chamber most or their offerings in a wide range of calibers but finding them is another story since their is no rhyme or reason to how many of what Beretta imports. I personally have never seen a varmint in 7-08 or even one listed for sale for that matter. If you look on dealers sites and even gunbroker there aren't any varmint models in stock right now.

 

[Johnny Lately]

I really appreciate the help, y'all. I hope to have pictures posted pretty soon.

 

[boomfab]

You can still buy brand new Tikka T3 Varmints in:

.204
.223
.22-250

Check EuroOptic

 

[ddavis]

I can't comment on the copper fouling because I don't clean the bores, but mine shoot well. My 6.5x55 Lite (very thin barrel) typically shoots 3 rounds into a clover leaf, even the cold bore shot. Just for S&G's I fired 15 rounds through it as quickly as I could get them on target and the group was still under 2" with no real stringing, only my piss poor shooting to account for the shotgun pattern.

 

[6.5_flyer]

I just got a 7mm-08 tikka t3 lite stainless. I shot 140 gr Remington core-lokt and federal fusion 120's through it and was able to score 1" or less. Same as ddavis stated if I pushed for fast follow ups nothing got bigger than 2 inches. I would avoid doing anything to the rifle for a while I've screwed up plenty of really good shooters in the past by tinkering. I am impressed with the product tikka is producing I plan to buy another long action in 270 when the funds allow. I also have looked at the sporter I'm sold on the 6.5 bullets they seem to do everything right!

 

[p5200]

I've owned a t3 lite in 25-06 that was a tack driver and now have a t3 deluxe in 270 Win. that's also, a tack driver. I saw a program on the Sportsman's channel a while back where the host took a tour of the Beretta plant and they said Sako 85 barrels were used on the Tikka t3 rifles I assume, they meant the sporter barreled versions. I know my 270 has shot a .217" 4 round group one hole with it's favorite handload my best, so far at 100yds.

 

[branson1369]

I have our 4k rds through my T3 Tactical 308 and it is still .3 to .7 moa when I group loads from bipod. I tend to avoid grouping as it makes my OCD rise. It is hard to beat Tikka and Sako for out of box accuracy. Manners T4 a great add for rifle. I have one of the 1st runs from Tom and it makes a great rifle even better

 

[Cobracutter]

I've owned a t3 lite in 25-06 that was a tack driver and now have a t3 deluxe in 270 Win. that's also, a tack driver. I saw a program on the Sportsman's channel a while back where the host took a tour of the Beretta plant and they said Sako 85 barrels were used on the Tikka t3 rifles I assume, they meant the sporter barreled versions. I know my 270 has shot a .217" 4 round group one hole with it's favorite handload my best, so far at 100yds.

They are also the same barrels used on the the TRG.

Tikka/sako IMO, have the finest factory barrels out there. Unless you need to change calibers, want a different legnth, or have shot it out, then there is no reason to change them.

My T3 Sporter .260 Has a MONSTER barrel on it. Its getting thrown into a WC3 Chassis when I get home tonite. Ill throw up some picks.

 

[SilentStalkr]

I have our 4k rds through my T3 Tactical 308 and it is still .3 to .7 moa when I group loads from bipod. I tend to avoid grouping as it makes my OCD rise. It is hard to beat Tikka and Sako for out of box accuracy. Manners T4 a great add for rifle. I have one of the 1st runs from Tom and it makes a great rifle even better

So, are you saying that it used to be even better lol? .3 to .7 MOA on a barrel with 4000 rounds on it is phenomenal IMO. However, people tell me that 4000 rounds on a .308 is nothing. I will be getting my first Tikka soon. I just haven't figured out if I want to buy a Tac model or get one from Mark at SAC.

 

[Joop]

So, are you saying that it used to be even better lol? .3 to .7 MOA on a barrel with 4000 rounds on it is phenomenal IMO. However, people tell me that 4000 rounds on a .308 is nothing. I will be getting my first Tikka soon. I just haven't figured out if I want to buy a Tac model or get one from Mark at SAC.

If that's one of the setups that I saw advertised on the trader board here, I would be all over it if I had the money. It sounds like a lot, but considering what I put into my Tikka project over a year and a half, I would have been even, or money ahead, by going that route and had a fantastic rifle to show for it (not that mine isn't great but a custom of that quality for that price is hard to come by). I like the Tactical .308. My neighbor has one. My only real complaints about it are the stock (while it works fine, the ergonomics could be better and it's very light) and the almost absolute need for a muzzle break (due to the light stock and hunting style ergos, this rifle jumps off the ground, big time. The muzzle break is a huge improvement in that department, but will shake the teeth out of your skull!). Still a tack driver, though.

John