Has anyone seen or tried out one of the new Tikka T3 Hunter rifles in a magnum (i.e. 300 Win Mag)?

Is the weight of 6 lbs. 13 oz. compared to prior year Hunter models of 7 lbs. 4 oz. a significant factor in recoil for magnum calibers like 300 WM?

Or if you had a choice between the Tikka models, would you stay with with their Whitetail Hunter Deluxe, which is still 7 lbs. 4 oz. and has the classic styling?

MinnFinn

I just bought a Tikka Whitetail Hunter M695, stainless, laminated stock.

It' s heavy.

I love it. Haven' t even shot her yet but the weight is well balanced and it looks nice while still retaining enough weatherproof-ness. Probably should have weilded a T3 just to compare but they still don' t have any in stock here in town to look at. Had them order my rifle and they had it in 2 days. Got a great price on it too.

MinnFinn,

I' d go with the lighter of the two. What' s at stake? 7oz.? Not much..

I bought one of the 695 Tikka' s in synthetic blue.. 300 win mag. It' s a shooter but it' s still heavy as hell. 5 days into hunting the west and my sholder was killin me from the sling cut (combined with the backpack). The recoil difference between the 7 ounces would be nothing... but then, I don' t flinch with recoil - especially with game in front of me.

BTRACK - That' s sort of what I was thinking. It would depend upon how much you had to carry it or any firearm around up and down the mountains or wherever. I was told by the gunsmith at a recent sportsmans' show that the lighter weight will kick a bit more. But I figure, aside from sighting it in, I would only hope to shoot 1 or 2 times during the season, if I do it right. It would be good not to have to carry anymore weight than necessary. Although less than a pound difference may not make that much difference.

I just was sure if there were any other significant changes that were a positive or negative anyone new about. I' ll probably try to go to a shop that has the whitetail hunter and T3 in stock, if I can and feel the difference in weight, feel, balance, etc.

Thanks for the thoughts folks!

MinnFinn

BTW, the Hunter is listed at 8 lbs. and I believe them. The T3 is listed (in mag. cal.) 7.5 lbs.

I thought there would be more difference but a .5 lbs. I' ll keep my laminated rifle.