Fudd Friday: Why The Tikka Is One Of My Favorite Hunting Rifles

Over a decade ago, I stumbled across a strange-looking rifle in Cabela’s “Bargain Cave”. It had Battue-type iron sights, an 18” fluted barrel, and sat in an ugly synthetic mossy oak type camo stock. It was, however, on sale and chambered in .300WM. I needed a rifle in that caliber to take on a moose hunt that fall, so I picked it up for a closer look. The bolt had three locking lugs, a 70-degree throw and a very smooth action. The trigger was also very crisp. I purchased it on the spot, and that was my first Tikka. 

The Tikka T3x series won’t break the bank, even with their inflation-aided rise in price to today’s MSRP of roughly $900-$1600, depending on model and caliber, and I have seen them on sale as low as $600 this year. All T3x rifles come with single-stage adjustable triggers from the factory. Many models come pre-threaded, and there are options for every taste in the T3x catalog. You want driven hunt-type iron sights? Light weight as low as 5.9lbs? Full-length irons? Chassis-style stocks? Barrel lengths from 16-26”? All these options and more are available. 

The T3x performs in all conditions

I have been in multiple cold-weather hunting camps where other hunters’ rifles have had issues with ice impeding the operation of the action. Not once have my Tikkas failed me in the roughest cold weather conditions, and they have consistently performed in hot weather as well. A little TLC back home has prevented rust from being an issue on my older T3 models, and many materials in the newer T3x line are even more rust-resistant. 

Even more important for hunting purposes is how quiet and smooth the action of the Tikka T3 series is. If you’re traveling over rough terrain, too hazardous to have a round in the chamber and get into a situation where an animal could potentially hear you chamber a round, you want to be able to do that as silently as possible. 

The proof is in the freezer

Well over a decade later and my Tikka T3 rifles have collectively put over 5000lbs of meat from various species in my freezer. I have had zero malfunctions or parts breakage in thousands of rounds fired and hundreds of miles carrying these rifles on foot and on horseback (plus a few nasty spills in the mountains). They’ve been upgraded with chassis, threading, and even a premium trigger along the way, but they keep getting the job done over and over, and are always fun and pleasant to shoot at the range or in the mountains. That is why I heartily recommend the Tikka T3 as one of my favorite hunting rifles that I’ve ever owned.