Tikka T3X Lite Roughtech Evaluation

Like all good relationships, the one between hunter and rifle is constructed on belief. Few manufacturing unit rifles have achieved the fame for accuracy and reliability just like the Tikka T3 line. They’re identified for being off the shelf tack drivers with easy actions. That’s why I took one on an epic ten day hunt in British Columbia the place I put the rifle by hell. After I obtained dwelling, I continued the check on the vary. Right here’s the way it carried out.

• Weight: 6.8 kilos 
• Barrel Size: 24.3 inches
• Barrel Twist: 1:10 inches
• General Size: 44.5 inches
• Integral 17mm rail and accepts Tikka T3/T3X scope bases 
• Threaded ⅝x24
• Set off is adjustable from 2 to 4 kilos

Barrel 

The Tikka T3X Lite Roughtech has a fluted, chilly hammer-forged barrel in a medium-heavy profile. It’s threaded ⅝X24 to just accept muzzle breaks or suppressors. I discovered the included muzzle break is efficient at lowering recoil, whereas not producing extreme concussion.

Motion

The receiver has an integral 17mm scope rail and is drilled and tapped to mount a scope base. The fluted, two-lug bolt has an outsized bolt knob and a 75-degree carry. The bolt shroud is steel, not plastic. 

Inventory 

The artificial Roughtech inventory is foam crammed in key areas to scale back noise and has a gentle, rubber recoil pad. It has a sling swivel stud on the buttstock and fore-end. The inventory is aggressively textured on the pistol grip and fore-end. 

Set off 

The one-stage set off is adjustable from two to 4 kilos. To regulate the set off you need to take away the inventory to entry the adjustment screw.

Testing the T3X Lite Roughtech within the Subject

I obtained the T3X Lite for a ten day hunt in British Columbia. I had a pocket filled with tags together with elk, bear, wolf, and mountain goat. I wanted a rifle that I might carry up mountains, however nonetheless might take a 500-yard shot on an elk. Regardless that I didn’t comprehend it earlier than I left, the rifle additionally wanted to proceed to perform by falling into creeks, sliding down shale partitions, and basic abuse that comes with two weeks of backcountry looking. 

At about 7 kilos the Tikka T3X Lite isn’t a featherweight however I feel it’s the suitable weight for a .300 Win. Magazine. Whereas mountain climbing 6 to 10 miles per day for ten days, I didn’t really feel just like the rifle was weighing me down. The burden additionally made the recoil very manageable and the gun simple to shoot precisely. The rifle’s stability level—situated proper in entrance of the magazine effectively—aided within the ease of carry, each slung and in-hand. The T3X Lite solely has one sling swivel stud on the fore-end and one on the buttstock. I utilized these swivel studs to hold my rifle on a sling and used a tripod with a Hog Saddle to assist the rifle for lengthy pictures. The rifle’s stability made it simple and quick to get setup on the tripod. 

I didn’t clear or lubricate my T3X Lite by rain, mud, and dusty side-by-side rides. After a treacherous climb above treeline, I made a 20-yard shot on an elk and shortly cycled a second spherical for a follow-up shot. The bolt cycled easily and fed a dwell spherical reliably after I wanted it most. This was additionally grizzly nation and when one snuck up inside 30 yards whereas we had been having lunch at some point, it was good to know I had a dependable rifle. 

The outsized bolt knob that’s normal on the Roughtech mannequin was an enormous profit to shortly rack the second shot. You should buy the identical bolt knob as an aftermarket half for T3X rifles that don’t include it. The bolt has some play when pulled to the rear, however as soon as it’s closed, it locks up tight. The T3X cocks on opening so that you’ll discover it takes extra effort to carry the bolt when the hammer is down. However I had no points staying within the scope whereas working the bolt within the area or on the vary. 

On that off-hand shot, the T3X’s American basic looking rifle ergonomics with a straight comb, slim fore-end, and swept grip had been improbable. Should you favor a extra vertical grip you should purchase one for $25 and simply swap it onto the rifle. I discovered the cheek top was good for my Vortex Razor HD LHT with medium Vortex rings. Tikka additionally sells a cheek riser, which can set you again $80. 

The security locks the bolt closed, which is a characteristic that’s excellent for mountain climbing by thick vegetation. To load the rifle you’ll take the protection off, chamber a spherical, after which put the protection again on. What is good is that the protection is straightforward to flick off by pushing it ahead along with your thumb. 

On the vary my .300 Win. Magazine. shot .8 to 1.2-inch, five-shot teams at 100 yards with 180-grain Barnes Vor-Tx hundreds. By my Lab Radar chronograph that ammo shot a median of 2975 fps with a 25 fps normal deviation. 

Tyler Freel, employees author, just lately examined the T3X Lite in .308 Winchester throughout his greatest mid-priced rifle check. He shot 11 various kinds of ammo and recorded five-shot teams. His rifle averaged 1.33 inches with the ten greatest grouping ammos. With the tightest teams coming from 150-grain Hornady Superperformance SST. 

Learn Subsequent: The Last Climb: A Steep Lesson in Elk Hunt Searching

What the T3X Lite Does Finest

You may decide up Tikka T3X Lite fashions for $680 to $1,300 making them an inexpensive mountain rifle with first rate accuracy, a easy motion, and basic looking rifle ergonomics. A Tikka T3X Lite is a secure guess within the manufacturing unit rifle market, the place lemons can, and do happen. Most individuals who purchase a Tikka T3X Lite might be pleased with the accuracy and reliability.

What the T3X Lite Does Worse

One of many greatest developments in rifles is having the ability to simply adapt the rifle to the shooter. Whereas Tikka has some choices to customise the T3X’s match, the elements are bought individually. Additionally an adjustable size of pull—even with easy spacers—would assist the rifle match a wider vary of hunters. Alongside the identical strains, it’s nice that you may alter the set off, however having to take away the inventory to make these changes shouldn’t be excellent.

Last Ideas

Tikka’s fame for off the shelf efficiency didn’t occur due to some huge advertising and marketing marketing campaign. That belief was earned by years of trouble-free rifles hitting the woods with hunters. If you need a light-weight rifle that may shoot effectively and feed whenever you want it most with basic ergonomics, the Tikka T3X Lite is definitely price a glance.