Now that I’ve used my TIKKA T3 Lite for five months, developing handloads and testing them at the range, as well as toting it for bear and moose hunting, I’m going to share with you some of my experiences and impressions over the next few weeks.
Along with that, comparisons will be made with other rifles I’ve owned (and handloaded) that might fill the same niche. For example: .300 magnums, .338 magnums, the .35 Whelen and .350 Rem Mag. Others that will be tossed into that same bag will be the .375 H&H and a non-medium, the ancient, but excellent, .45-70. (Left click on the photos to enlarge)
If I have a gift (some would question that) it is that I can be very analytical and objective… even coldly so, if honesty demands it. That’s not to say that I am “coldly honest” in every situation… sometimes I will defer to the opinions of others for the sake of peace, while biting my tongue! However… concerning our topic: Nothing is to be gained by deferring to the opinions of others, especially Internet opinions!
So, what you will get from me on the topic of the TIKKA T3, chambered for the hoary 9.3 X 62, is honest experience and analysis even if somewhat limited at the moment. But many years of handloading “mediums”, and using some of them in the field, allows me to safely extrapolate up to a point.
The foregoing will give you (and me) an idea of where we’re headed in these essays.
In addition to personal experience with this rifle, I’ve read on chat rooms what others have had to say on the TIKKA T3 Lite. As well, TIKKA’S web site has been perused in order to obtain correct technical data.
Did you know, for example, that the TIKKA T3 Lite doesn’t have a “plastic” stock, as claimed by the all-knowing Internet crowd? NO! It’s “… made of glass fiber reinforced copolymer polypropylene”. That’s impressive! And right out of the horse’s mouth! I’ll bet you didn’t know all that previously… Neither did I. How insulting, then, to only refer to it as “plastic”! But I WAS somewhat relieved in finding out that it has fiberglass mixed in with it’s “coploymer”. That’s the first time, by the way, that I’ve ever come across that word… and apparently my computer’s spell-check as well. It was underscored in red! But you never know, as modern technology is inventive of many neat things, including new vocabulary. Of course, inventive vocabulary isn’t reserved to technology… JUST READ the interaction on some FORUMS!!! It’s fairly obvious to me by now that most forum members don’t know the difference between “then” and “than”. That’s getting a bit off topic, but I had to throw it in anyway.
As previously mentioned, my T3 Lite weighs a mere 7.2 lbs with scope mounts, rings, scope and sling. 7.4 lbs with ammo loaded. In my first blog on the 9.3 X 62, I said it weighed 6.8lbs empty of ammo, but my scales weren’t telling the truth as on another occasion it said 7.8 lbs! Something was obviously wrong. It has since (oh yeah, another word technology hasn’t helped — many spell it “sense” or even “cents”!! Or… maybe they just don’t use “there”, oooops:”their” spell check!) been corrected and verified, several times, as 7.2 lbs empty of ammo, but with every other thing of importance attached.
In other words, it IS “Lite”! After a day in the field, it never intrudes into my awareness that this rifle is burdensome or “heavy”.
It is also VERY accurate. Almost anything shot in it is accurate, and most loads print near the same point of impact at 100 yards.
Toughness is not just a cliche, either, with the T3 Lite. It’s “copolymer” fiberglass, etc., stock does work in maintaining accuracy by providing a stable platform for the barreled action and glass sights.
In addition, an excellent recoil pad provides comfort for sensitive shoulders from a cartridge that is somewhat mild- mannered to begin with. Though, at only 7.4 lbs, ready to go, recoil from top-end loads are right up there with a .338 Win Mag, or even a .375 H&H, which, to me, is NO BIG DEAL!
The T3 Lite also has a drop-box magazine that stacks three. That means that the bolt strips off a cartridge that is directly in line for the chamber, defeating jams. The cartridge is not off to one side as in staggered magazine clips. In the staggered magazine clip form the cartridge is “picked up” from off-center, or pushed from off-center, into the chamber at an angle contributing to the possibility of a jam when the bolt is manipulated under pressure. Also, when one cartridge is loaded into the chamber of the T3, the box may be released and another cartridge loaded, making a total of four.
The bolt handle and lockup is designed so that ONLY a 70* lift is necessary to unlock the bolt and withdraw it to eject an empty cartridge. I really appreciate that over a 90* lift for several obvious reasons, not the least being that you have more room between bolt handle and scope. AND, the action is one of the smoothest in the business. Perhaps THE slickest.
The scope is a Burris Fullfield II, 2X – 7X by 35mm. And it’s matte black in Burris stainless ring-mounts. Once sighted, it maintains point-of-impact with the same load. Are there more expensive scopes? Oh yes… but I doubt they could serve any better on the T3.
The main purpose for this combination of rifle and scope is as a general-purpose firearm for any big game under all circumstances in which I could possibly use it. That would include the hunting of wolf, bear, deer, moose and possibly elk. Elk is the only likely exception as hunting them in Ontario was only introduced this year. And there were a very limited number of tags available, and the terms and conditions would exclude, or marginalize, most hunters. Nonetheless, I may apply next year as the area is not that far from where I live.
(Elk pic credit: USFWS)
Factory rifles chambered for the 9.3 X 62 have increased the options for the buyer over the past couple of years. Also domestic ammo is now available from Federal, Hornady and Remington. That, of course, is in addition to several European sources that may be obtained through your local gun dealer — though a waiting period may be called for if you are too demanding. Personally, I load my own and there seems to be plenty of components available to the handloader, including multiple kinds and weights of bullets for anything on Planet Earth.
More on that later, but U.S. made rifles in 9.3 X 62 currently include a couple from CZ-USA and a Ruger M77 Hawkeye African. Of course, there are many full-custom makers as well as smiths who can screw a new barrel into an existing action. Even a few among us have the tools and know-how to do it themselves in their own garages!
So, next time we’ll begin to look at the rifles a bit more in depth, including some from Europe, as well as BALLISTICS and the game for which they are suited. And why.
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL