Tikka t3x Super lite.270 review

[Deadcoyote]

Finally bought a rifle I wanted for many years to replace a savage 110 deer rifle. I actually wanted a t3x lite but the super lite was on sale for cheaper than the lite so I went for it. Spending an extra 90 dollars for 2 oz lighter didn’t seem reasonable, but I lucked into it.

I’m an objective person and will be honest and give you all the ability to criticize me heavily. I’m a big kid, I can take it. Just giving you all the information:

First questionable decision - put a vortex 2-7x scope on it. You spend $1k on a rifle and funds are low and you want to shoot it so you just grab the $140 scope off the shelf in the garage and put it to use.

Second questionable decision - bought 6 boxes of Norma whitetail hunter ammo because it was on clearance for $16.99 a box so you can practice a lot. I know this is lead ammo; I also bought two boxes of Hornady superformance cx to use for hunting.

Took rifle out and shot it off a bench at 100 yards with a bipod. First group was 5 shots, four inch group. Oh no! Did I get a bad rifle? Did I mount the scope well? Adjusted up and 4 more shots, now a two inch group but still low. Adjusted up and another 4 shot group all in one hole and in the bullseye. Shot three more rounds into the bullseye. 7 rounds into a .75 MOA group. So now I’m excited.

Brought rifle home, cleaned the heck out of the bore and wil go back and zero with hunting ammo.

I will say only odd side note here: I also was verifying zero on an AR-10 at the same time. How does a 6 lbs 270 have less recoil than an almost 10 lbs .308 gas gun? What kind of witchcraft is this?

 

[echang72]

Second questionable decision - bought 6 boxes of Norma whitetail hunter ammo because it was on clearance for $16.99 a box so you can practice a lot. I know this is lead ammo; I also bought two boxes of Hornady superformance cx to use for hunting.

Took rifle out and shot it off a bench at 100 yards with a bipod. First group was 5 shots, four inch group. Oh no! Did I get a bad rifle? Did I mount the scope well? Adjusted up and 4 more shots, now a two inch group but still low. Adjusted up and another 4 shot group all in one hole and in the bullseye. Shot three more rounds into the bullseye. 7 rounds into a .75 MOA group. So now I’m excited.

Brought rifle home, cleaned the heck out of the bore and wil go back and zero with hunting ammo.

I will say only odd side note here: I also was verifying zero on an AR-10 at the same time. How does a 6 lbs 270 have less recoil than an almost 10 lbs .308 gas gun? What kind of witchcraft

I recommend you get different types of hunting rounds, maybe a box of each different types. ( of course taking into consideration of your budget because I know hunting ammunition can be very expensive) because your rifle may prefer a certain type of hunting round and may group differently.

And when you zero, I also recommend using a chronograph so you have information for Your ballistics app or whatever you are using to calculate your dope.

 

[Deadcoyote]

So I’ve gone shooting two more times. The gun likes the .270 cx just fine, but I’ve had such good performance from Nosler Etip in the past from any gun I’ve put it through so if I can find that in .270 somewhere for a halfway sane price I’ll get some to try.

Mounted a new scope on Monday and about to go shoot today

 

[echang72]

So I’ve gone shooting two more times. The gun likes the .270 cx just fine, but I’ve had such good performance from Nosler Etip in the past from any gun I’ve put it through so if I can find that in .270 somewhere for a halfway sane price I’ll get some to try.

Mounted a new scope on Monday and about to go shoot today

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Rickvs]

I have had excellent luck with 4 Tikkas. My .243 T3 Lite is exceptionally accurate with handloads of 70 gr Sierra Blitzking and Varget powder. It shoots almost any load well, though. Great guns - good triggers, slick action and tight action bedding right out of the box. I am thinking about getting one in .270.

 

[couragewolf]

Finally bought a rifle I wanted for many years to replace a savage 110 deer rifle. I actually wanted a t3x lite but the super lite was on sale for cheaper than the lite so I went for it. Spending an extra 90 dollars for 2 oz lighter didn’t seem reasonable, but I lucked into it.

I’m an objective person and will be honest and give you all the ability to criticize me heavily. I’m a big kid, I can take it. Just giving you all the information:

First questionable decision - put a vortex 2-7x scope on it. You spend $1k on a rifle and funds are low and you want to shoot it so you just grab the $140 scope off the shelf in the garage and put it to use.

Second questionable decision - bought 6 boxes of Norma whitetail hunter ammo because it was on clearance for $16.99 a box so you can practice a lot. I know this is lead ammo; I also bought two boxes of Hornady superformance cx to use for hunting.

Took rifle out and shot it off a bench at 100 yards with a bipod. First group was 5 shots, four inch group. Oh no! Did I get a bad rifle? Did I mount the scope well? Adjusted up and 4 more shots, now a two inch group but still low. Adjusted up and another 4 shot group all in one hole and in the bullseye. Shot three more rounds into the bullseye. 7 rounds into a .75 MOA group. So now I’m excited.

Brought rifle home, cleaned the heck out of the bore and wil go back and zero with hunting ammo.

I will say only odd side note here: I also was verifying zero on an AR-10 at the same time. How does a 6 lbs 270 have less recoil than an almost 10 lbs .308 gas gun? What kind of witchcraft is this?

Love Tikka definitely doing my next bolt Tikka.


Interesting on the kick I'd say muzzle brake can have a pretty dramatic difference but also pill weight and that recoil/buffer impulse can really screw with perceived recoil. Are you reloading?

 

[couragewolf]

Also big +1 to a chronograph you can't be messing around without one.


If this is somewhere around LA I'm happy to lend mine to the task I've got a rifle I'm overdue for zeroing anyhow.

 

[Deadcoyote]

Love Tikka definitely doing my next bolt Tikka.


Interesting on the kick I'd say muzzle brake can have a pretty dramatic difference but also pill weight and that recoil/buffer impulse can really screw with perceived recoil. Are you reloading?

Okay weird thing here but it kind of makes sense. The .270 was 139 grain ammo which isn’t too heavy for bore diameter and loaded to 2950 fps factory claim which isn’t that hot for that weight.

The AR-10 I was using 168 bthp loaded to 2850 with is decently hot. No muzzle device on either rifle.

 

[couragewolf]

Okay weird thing here but it kind of makes sense. The .270 was 139 grain ammo which isn’t too heavy for bore diameter and loaded to 2950 fps factory claim which isn’t that hot for that weight.

The AR-10 I was using 168 bthp loaded to 2850 with is decently hot. No muzzle device on either rifle.

Yeah probably the combination of recoil spring and buffer vs direct weighted recoil in a bolt.

My 6.5 AR10 conversely seems far more comfortable to shoot than my .308 bolt action which had a massive brake on it. Back when I lived where I had cans neither of those mattered though man what I wouldn't give to get my cans in California.

 

[Deadcoyote]

Yeah probably the combination of recoil spring and buffer vs direct weighted recoil in a bolt.

My 6.5 AR10 conversely seems far more comfortable to shoot than my .308 bolt action which had a massive brake on it. Back when I lived where I had cans neither of those mattered though man what I wouldn't give to get my cans in California.

Yeah I don’t use ear pro for hunting (some do I guess) so it would be awesome if I could have a can. Not gonna happen in California ever I’m guessing

 

[couragewolf]

Yeah I don’t use ear pro for hunting (some do I guess) so it would be awesome if I could have a can. Not gonna happen in California ever I’m guessing

Bud quadrophonic active ears are like having super powers you’re missing out

 

[AR15barrels]

Bud quadrophonic active ears are like having super powers you’re missing out

Yep.
I wear hearing protection to AMPLIFY the sounds around me while hunting more than I wear it to protect my ears.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

I dont know about your recoil impression. I have a Tikka T3 lite in .270 and recoil is harsh, much harsher than my AR308s. I can shoot my AR308s all day long. I only want to shoot my Tikka once or twice to check zero. Thats it. Its not a fun gun to shoot. Crazy accurate though. I love shooting the AR308s though.

 

[BobGBA]

I dont know about your recoil impression. I have a Tikka T3 lite in .270 and recoil is harsh, much harsher than my AR308s. I can shoot my AR308s all day long. I only want to shoot my Tikka once or twice to check zero. Thats it. Its not a fun gun to shoot. Crazy accurate though. I love shooting the AR308s though.

How much do each of them weigh unloaded?

I'm curious because I have a Tikka M695 in .270 that I haven't shot yet.
Unloaded, it weighs just under 9 pounds with the scope.

 

[Deadcoyote]

My ar-10 with a 20” barrel and no optic is around 10 lbs, it has a 7 oz fixed 3 power on it.

The Tikka is around 6 lbs 4 oz and the optic weighs 16 oz so 7.25 lbs

 

[Tere_Hanges]

How much do each of them weigh unloaded?

I'm curious because I have a Tikka M695 in .270 that I haven't shot yet.
Unloaded, it weighs just under 9 pounds with the scope.

Not sure how much they weigh. But the Tikka is probably the lightest rifle I own. My AR308 is probably the heaviest rifle I own. So it makes sense that the recoil is harsher on the lighter bolt action.