Tikka T3 Dilemma

[Prudii]

I have a Tikka t3 lite in .223. It's a nice rifle but I have a few issue with it that irritate me to no end.
1: Proprietary magazines that are stupidly expensive and hard to find.
2: The bolt is locked in place while the safety is on.
3: No iron sights.

So i'm trying to find a replacement. The only ones I've thought of so far are the CZ 527, and the Mossberg MVP Patrol. I have no experience with CZ rifles but the magazines are at least slightly cheaper and readily available. The MVP takes AR mags but has a short 16" barrel and I'd like the barrel length to be at least 18" if not 20"

So any other options?

 

[Target]

The Patrol Thunder Ranch comes in 18.5"

the MVP Predator & Varmint models have barrels over 18" as does the MVP Flex.

 

[meketrefe]

The CZ are very good rifles in a legendary action. The remington 700 is the most popular action in the world.
The Savage 10 precission carbine is possibly the most accurate and best value out of the box. Also in one of the most popular actions in the world.
In terms of accuracy and reliability I would go with a popular action that has huge aftermarket support like the 700 or savage 10 that are also the
strongest actions around. But if you want something different, the CZ is a good rifle too. The additional benefit of using a popular action is that
you have bottom metals for popular magazine systems as well as other upgrades not available to other models.
you can convert a rem.700 to accept AR15 magazines. But perhaps the most popular is the AI magazine style adapter along with endless choices
in stocks. The benefit of a AI style mags is that they are very strong and allow extra COAL longer than 2.3"
The downside is that no factory models are made with the perfect barrel and chamber to take advantage of all the loads. Either they do not have
1:8 twist or faster or they are not the best chamber for match grade and premium hunting ammo.
The Tikka and Ruger american come with 1:8 twist but then they have other issues. So you might want to look into getting a savage and later rebarrel
and upgrade as you see fit. It is just a lot more versatil that way.

 

[Prudii]

The Patrol Thunder Ranch comes in 18.5"

the MVP Predator & Varmint models have barrels over 18" as does the MVP Flex.

I didn't know that, thanks!

Meketrefe, I was hoping for out of the box functionality. The places that do the conversions to AR 15 mags want nearly as much as the rifle is worth. On the other hand MDT has a drop in AI chassis for the Tikka. I'm not sure if anyone else makes a chassis for the tikka t3.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Accuracy international is suppose to be releasing a at chassis for the tikka line up. The tikka t3x Ctr mag cost me $115 for a 5 rounder. Manners make a stock for the t3 but u have to use a cdi bottom metal and I think u have to use Aics mags

 

[Target]

Be aware that the action on your Tikka is much much nicer than the MVP.

The MVP bolt ( Predator series at least) is rather loose in the slot and stiff to lock in battery.
It does improve with break in but I don't think that they're in the same class.

If I recall correctly, the T3 I handled at Gander last year has a smooth, fluid action.

I guess you have to decide if the magazine and 5.56 compatibility are worth the cons.

 

[meketrefe]

Unless you are ready to jump into a custom rifle that is the way to assure maximum performance and repeatabitlity
I suggest take a step back and think about options.

Is the AR magazine that critical to you? The AI is the way to go imo.

I am telling you because any of the classic actions are so much stronger and better than the mossberg action.
It is not the mossberg is a bad rifle but by design there are better options.
Savage 10/11, Remington 700 the most popular on the planet along with the mauser overseas mainly (CZ is based on that).
Tikka seems to provide a good value but I don't see it does anything it cannot be done with the others even better and
anything you need you have unparallel aftermarket support. Even the new savage axis is a stronger action. The problem is
the name is associated with "cheap rifle" but the actin is actually very rigid and it can be machined to take the same recoil
lug as the savage 10. It also takes same barrels and bolt heads that is huge.

For an out of the box rifle the savage 10 Precisson carbine and Bergara B14 are hard to beat..
Savage 19625 Law Enforcement Series 10 Precision Carbine .223

Bergara B14 is a refined Remington 700 action with lots of improvements.
B14 HUNTER

They both leave the Remingon SPS and Tikka in the dust in terms of value and versatility.

Then at any time you can add a simple bottom plate for the AI magazine that is the best magazine system on the market.
you might also upgrade to a new stock that is the largest selection by a huge margin. All simple upgrades.

I would not have a problem in getting the latest axis with the accutrigger and one of those inexpensive cold chasis and go
shooting 1/2 moa groups.

just my 2 cents.

 

[Prudii]

Your right, I'm better off keeping the Tikka and getting a AI mag compatible chassis for it at some point. It does have a very smooth action.

MDT makes a chassis for it do you know of any other companies?

 

[Jaywmustang]

I just did a quick search and I can found the t3 223 4 round magazine for $36.29 with free shipping. Brownell has a 5 round cz527 mag for $42.99 so that is a wash. I think most manufactures use their own proprietary magazine.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Chassis for the tikka t3
Whiskey-3 Chassis – Kinetic Research Group

XLR Industries - Rifle Chassis - Tactical Innovation Redefined

Cadex defence make one also but I can't get their site to work. I am not sure if accuracy international makes a 223 mag anymore. You will need to find a ai style magazine. Mdt make one and I think there is another company making them. Never read anything bad about the mdt magazines.

 

[Prudii]

I've already got a XLR chassis for my r700. I like it but I think I'd go for something different. I'll look into the Manners stock and CDI metal you mentioned before.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Just double check on what aftermarket magazine will work, unless u can find the ai 223 mags.

 

[meketrefe]

A specific chasis might or might not be a good addition. Start by doing some research and looking for something that adapts to
you. Companies are starting doing inlets with CNC programming it doesn't mean they have good fits. There is maturity process
in getting a chassis to get well integrated with a platform.
The tikka action is not stronger, smoother nor better than the savage 10 or B14. It is more like a fashion thing right now.
The rifle and ergonomics must fit you and not you fit the rifle.
MDT has some limitation as to the internal dimensions.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Adding a chassis won't help your three problems u listed above. Ai mags r not cheap. What will this rifle be used for?

 

[Prudii]

Practice. I've come to the realization that I need to spend more time shooting to get better. My .308 is about as good as it's going to get. At this point I'm what needs to improve. The larger mags for the tikka are nearly twice the cost of the AI mags. I've had the tikka for years but the mags are expensive and the bolt lock on safe bother me. I was hoping to either purchase a new rifle that had accepted10 round mags stock or modify the tikka.