The10mmKid
05-26-2009, 11:30 PM
Brutal Long distance communicator
A review by Bill Kennedy
Executive Summary
Model: T3 Lite Stainless, 300 Winchester Magnum
Price Paid: $575 Mar/2008 (Buds Gun Shop)
Stock: Stock, except for LimbSaver butt pad
Additions: Scope, because the gun ships without sights
What I Like: Super light, all weather construction, free-floated barrel, bolt and trigger smooth as glass
What I dislike: Damn that 200grain bullet packs a wallop. Makes your eyes water.
My personally developed loads for this gun: See Text
Recommendation to buy: Absolutely
Background
The only rifle I owned at the time was a Remington 597 22LR. Yeah, it was fun for the wife, the youngens' and me. At the range, I would have to shoot someone Else's centerfire rifle to enjoy any big bang.
My shooting partners all had the mainstay Rugers, Remmies and Savages, so I wanted something different. Off to the local Gander Mountain for the widest selection and of course the highest prices.
I first picked up a Weatherby . . . . now we're into something different. What the heck is 1/2MOA??? Look around some more. Hey, look at this lightweight skinny thang . . . . . Whats a TIKKA? And it's priced the same as that 770BDL sitting next to it. . . . hmm. I thanked the clerk and was off to do some research.
Through research, I learned that the TIKKA's are made under the guidance of the famed SAKO production, held a 1MOA, was voted Rifle of the Year in the past and was made in Finland. A free-floated barrel, an adjustable trigger, and claims that it has the smoothest bolt action of any production rifle . . . period. What more could a guy want from a gun made close to Switzerland. (Hot Babes)
Further surfing for the best price led me to Buds. My range buddies have had good service from them and yes, they carry the TIKKA line. (It's imported through Beretta USA). I stopped back in at Gander to touch their TIKKA once more to check out these claims and offer them a chance to match Buds price. They couldn't lower the price, so Buds it was and I had Gander do the FFL transfer. (snicker, snicker)
The T3 Lite is TIKKA's entry level rifle and they go up to $1500 or so for the Tactical version. No one else was sure WHAT I was getting, so spending a grand or more was risky in their eyes. "Buy yourself something name brand Bill", they said. Nahh, I have to be different.
(more to follow . . . . and pics)
A review by Bill Kennedy
Executive Summary
Model: T3 Lite Stainless, 300 Winchester Magnum
Price Paid: $575 Mar/2008 (Buds Gun Shop)
Stock: Stock, except for LimbSaver butt pad
Additions: Scope, because the gun ships without sights
What I Like: Super light, all weather construction, free-floated barrel, bolt and trigger smooth as glass
What I dislike: Damn that 200grain bullet packs a wallop. Makes your eyes water.
My personally developed loads for this gun: See Text
Recommendation to buy: Absolutely
Background
The only rifle I owned at the time was a Remington 597 22LR. Yeah, it was fun for the wife, the youngens' and me. At the range, I would have to shoot someone Else's centerfire rifle to enjoy any big bang.
My shooting partners all had the mainstay Rugers, Remmies and Savages, so I wanted something different. Off to the local Gander Mountain for the widest selection and of course the highest prices.
I first picked up a Weatherby . . . . now we're into something different. What the heck is 1/2MOA??? Look around some more. Hey, look at this lightweight skinny thang . . . . . Whats a TIKKA? And it's priced the same as that 770BDL sitting next to it. . . . hmm. I thanked the clerk and was off to do some research.
Through research, I learned that the TIKKA's are made under the guidance of the famed SAKO production, held a 1MOA, was voted Rifle of the Year in the past and was made in Finland. A free-floated barrel, an adjustable trigger, and claims that it has the smoothest bolt action of any production rifle . . . period. What more could a guy want from a gun made close to Switzerland. (Hot Babes)
Further surfing for the best price led me to Buds. My range buddies have had good service from them and yes, they carry the TIKKA line. (It's imported through Beretta USA). I stopped back in at Gander to touch their TIKKA once more to check out these claims and offer them a chance to match Buds price. They couldn't lower the price, so Buds it was and I had Gander do the FFL transfer. (snicker, snicker)
The T3 Lite is TIKKA's entry level rifle and they go up to $1500 or so for the Tactical version. No one else was sure WHAT I was getting, so spending a grand or more was risky in their eyes. "Buy yourself something name brand Bill", they said. Nahh, I have to be different.
(more to follow . . . . and pics)