Do I want one of these? Tikka TX3 Hunter

[HermanMerman]

My boy is eight now and I’m wondering what deer rifle to get him. Part of me wants to get him something cheaper, but then again I want to get him something decent that he can pass down at some point…. and selfishly something I would like hauling to the woods from time to time. Im thinking .243 or even 7mm-08. I’ve heard good things about Tikka but someone here will surely know better than me.

 

[basshappy]

@HermanMerman .243 is great caliber for 8 year old to work with.

Consider Mossberg Patriot Youth, Savage Axis XP Compact, or Ruger American Compact. Either of these would be a good, solid first bolt action instrument for your 8 year old.

 

[HermanMerman]

@HermanMerman .243 is great caliber for 8 year old to work with.

Consider Mossberg Patriot Youth, Savage Axis XP Compact, or Ruger American Compact. Either of these would be a good, solid first bolt action instrument for your 8 year old.

.243 is what I’ve really thought hard on. He could shoot that one at deer around here until he’s old and gray and do just fine. I’ve kicked the idea of a Savage and Ruger around too.

 

[Buford_Dawg]

I bought a Tikka T3X Hunter this summer as hopefully my last deer rifle. I have many, but wanted a classic wood finish. .308 caliber, I love it, have taken 4 hogs and a yote with it this deer season. I know Tikka makes compact models as well. I would go with 7mm-08 or even .308, but .243 certainly will do.

 

[Dub]

It may require a compact lop stock for an 8 year old.

Would make for a sweet shooting rifle in .243 Win.

 

[menhadenman]

My boy is eight now and I’m wondering what deer rifle to get him. Part of me wants to get him something cheaper, but then again I want to get him something decent that he can pass down at some point…. and selfishly something I would like hauling to the woods from time to time. Im thinking .243 or even 7mm-08. I’ve heard good things about Tikka but someone here will surely know better than me.

I’ve got a fair number of deer rifles from Savage, Ruger, Winchester, Howa, CVA, Marlin, Henry, etc but finally stepped into a Tikka T3X stainless light about five years ago. Only regret is not getting one earlier. It’s got a butter action and shoots about anything great. I now own two and will probably have a third one soon.

Only a couple suggestions from my experience:

- Stainless is hard to beat, especially if you’re in the elements or camping overnight. They have other models that also hold up (I think Roughtech and Veil, both T3X) over a blued barrel.

- They sell some with “compact” stock, which is just a shorter length of pull. Companies used to call them “youth” models which limited them from a marketing standpoint. My second T3X is a compact 308 that I really enjoy and my boys can shoot it too.

- I’m pretty sure they’re making 243s with a 1:8 twist (I think standard is 1:10). This leaves flexibility to shoot a 105 maybe even 110 grain bullet if you reload. Talk about a thumper that’ll be slippery in the wind! That may be my next one.

- Keep an eye on Sportsman’s warehouse. There’s one in Chattanooga but I don’t know where else they are in the south. They get great deals on tikkas from time to time.

Good luck and I don’t think you’ll regret it.

 

[HermanMerman]

It may require a compact lop stock for an 8 year old.

Would make for a sweet shooting rifle in .243 Win.

He’s a long armed, lanky son of a gun. I’m betting on him growing into it quickly but you make a valid point, sir.

 

[menhadenman]

Oooh, 1:8” stainless super light!

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

 

[Buford_Dawg]

Oooh, 1:8” stainless super light!

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

Sweet....

 

[Dan DeBord]

I have owned 3 Tikkas 243,308,30-06 . ALL where shooters . Just gave my 15 year old grandson the 243. He killed his first buck with gun last Monday . I'm hunting with the 308 this season . 308 Superlite hard to leave in safe .

 

[F.A.R.R.]

Tikka makes a fine rifle. Slick action, great trigger and accurate.

 

[menhadenman]

I’m taking my t3x lite back into the mountains tomorrow morning. 18 degrees, let’s go!

 

[Geezer Ray]

You will never regret buying a Tikka. I have or hade 4, 308, 7mm08, 25-06, 243. I hunt with my 243 regularly, I know when I pull the trigger, it's dead. Never had to track a deer. Dead right there.

 

[Buckhead]

I have 3 Tikkas and 2 Sakos, fanboy for sure. Tikka T3 Hunter in .243 pictured in the middle, Tikka T3x stainless .270 in a B&C stock pictured bottom. Both Tikkas pictured are sub MOA rifles.

 

[killerv]

708, you arent talking that much more noticeable recoil

 

[6mm Remington]

I guess I will be the lone tikka hater. I've owned a t3 hunter in 300 wsm in the past and I currently own a stainless t3x in 308. They are both smooth as butter but very picky in what loads they will shoot well. Im also not a fan of the plastic magazine and bottom metal.

 

[Darkhorse]

Wanting a lighter rifle in a standard caliber, made from stainless steel with a synthetic stock, I bought one at least 10 years ago. It really does have a super slick action, an adequate trigger, and is very accurate.
My only 2 complaints were it was not available in Lefthand in 7mm-08 in the US. At least not then. So I got mine in .308 winchester. The next problem is the stock is just too slick. I fixed mine and another stock can be ordered.

A plus was they were a few hundred dollars less back then.
Should you buy one? Shoot yeah!! I have a number of rifles and have been shooting them for decades and this Tikka is one of my favorites.
I have made a few upgrades not shown in the photo, a 10 round clip and a limbsaver pad rounds it out.

 

[menhadenman]

Wanting a lighter rifle in a standard caliber, made from stainless steel with a synthetic stock, I bought one at least 10 years ago. It really does have a super slick action, an adequate trigger, and is very accurate.
My only 2 complaints were it was not available in Lefthand in 7mm-08 in the US. At least not then. So I got mine in .308 winchester. The next problem is the stock is just too slick. I fixed mine and another stock can be ordered.

A plus was they were a few hundred dollars less back then.
Should you buy one? Shoot yeah!! I have a number of rifles and have been shooting them for decades and this Tikka is one of my favorites.
I have made a few upgrades not shown in the photo, a 10 round clip and a limbsaver pad rounds it out.

@Darkhorse that looks real similar to their roughtech model. You were ahead of your time buddy. Fluted barrel and bolt with a 243 1-8” twist really has me slobbering.

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

 

[ScLowCountry]

Something cheap can still be passed down and will likely last a long time.

My father got me a savage 243 110 youth model in 95-96. It was basically the cheapest rifle in the market then. I still kill deer with it 25 years later. I expect my kids to kill with it. If I ever have kids

 

[Darkhorse]

When I bought mine choices in Lefthand configuration were very limited to say the least. But I recently saw an add by Tikka about the LH rifles. Seems like LH choices have really increased.
Now that has me slobbering.