Cabela's Field Guide Story: Lite Is The Way To Go

The hunting seasons of 2006 will be a milestone for me. They will mark the 30th consecutive year that I've donned hunting boots and jackets to venture afield in pursuit of game. In any area of life, a 30-year anniversary is something to be celebrated, and I did so by purchasing a new big-game rifle.

As is the case with all of my firearms purchases, I did extensive research before making my choice. I had three important requirements in mind: light weight, accuracy and weather resistance. The third requirement meant I wanted a stainless steel barrel and synthetic stock. The need for accuracy needs no explanation. Light weight had to do with my advancing years, the onset of arthritis and the fact that the big-game rifle I'd used for years, a Sako TRG-S .30-06, tipped the scale at more than 10½ pounds with a scope, sling, bipod and full magazine.

Don't get me wrong. Sako makes exceptional rifles. With the right load, mine could consistently put three shots into a dime at 100 yards. When I traded it in for the rifle I eventually decided on, the  clerk at the gun counter asked what I was gaining by doing so. "I'm an all-day hunter. My primary hunting method is spot-and-stalk covering several miles a day, and this deal is getting me equal performance in a package that weighs 3 pounds less," I responded. My choice was the Tikka T3 Lite stainless steel model.

Back in 2000, Beretta USA made the deal to become the sole importer of Sako and Tikka rifles, which are made in Finland. Renowned for superb construction and test-fired at the factory, no Sako or Tikka rifle is exported unless it shoots groups of 1 inch or less at 100 yards out of the box with quality factory ammunition. That's a guarantee Tikka stands behind and was the clincher in my decision, along with the fact that the T3 Lite met all my other requirements.

I'm a big fan of the .30-06 and believe that it is the most versatile big-game caliber available. There is no North American big game that cannot be taken with the 06; it comes in an incredible selection of loads and bullets, ammunition is easy to find, shooting it is not cost-prohibitive and reloading components are available in abundance. When my Tikka T3 Lite SS .30-06 arrived, I topped it with a Leupold VX-III scope outfitted with a Boone and Crockett reticle and headed to a friend's ranch to try it out.

My T3 Lite has a barrel length just under 22½ inches and weighs in at about 7 pounds with the scope. Without the scope, factory specs list the rifle weight at about 6¼ pounds, and it came with a set of scope rings. The black, synthetic stock is equipped with a needed and effective recoil pad. The action is unquestionably the smoothest I have ever operated on a bolt-action rifle of any make or model, and the trigger breaks cleanly at an estimated 4 pounds without any creep at all.

I test fired my Tikka from a shooting rest at targets positioned 100 and 225 yards downrange. I primarily hunt with 165-grain .30-06 bullets, so I tried a number of factory loads and a few handloads in that bullet weight. As advertised, and demonstrated by the photo accompanying this article, five-shot groups at 100 yards with Federal Fusion ammunition were just under an inch. Federal Vital-Shok® delivered similar performance. Only my handloads using 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets opened the groups to more than 2 inches, but to be fair, those were loaded to perform in the heavier and longer-barreled Sako. I have no doubt that load-tweaking will bring those groups in line with the others.

I was greatly impressed by the long-range performance of the T3 Lite. Examination of two targets shot at 225 yards showed the gun to be capable of groups in the 1- to 2-inch range at that distance with impact about an inch below the point of aim when sighted in 2 inches high at 100 yards. Given the light weight of the rifle, groups really started to open up after five or more consecutive shots as the barrel heated, but that was expected. After a cool-down session, the accuracy was right back where it started and I was most pleased. Recoil is noticeable and stout, but not unpleasantly so.

The Tikka T3 SS has an MSRP of $695 and I consider it among the finest rifles in that price range. Don't plan on finding many used T3 Lites on the local gun rack, however. Those who buy them tend to keep them, and that tells you something right there.

Editor's Note:  Not long ago, the Total Outdoor Network (TON) approached Cabela's in joining their affiliate team.  Honorably, Cabela's granted our request and today it's my honor to announce TON as Cabela's newest affiliate and business partner.  So help me in congratulating the fine folks behind the scenes from both Cabela's and the Total Outdoor Network for making it happen!

So what's this mean?  First, TON is given the opportunity to offer it's viewers great Cabela's promotional deals.  Furthermore, all TON users have access to the Cabela's Online Store through its web-sites.  Outside of the online store, TON is given full access to Cabela's Buyers Guide, Product Reviews, Comparison Charts, Field Clips Product Reviews, Featured Articles, and much more.

Second, TON has enabled itself for future advancements in relation to Cabela's offerings.  Offerings that will ultimately kick back to our fine viewers from Fishing Buddy Outdoors, South Dakota Outdoors, Nebraska Outdoors, North Star Outdoors and Walleye Angler.

Having Cabela's aboard as our newest team member is a step towards building a better outdoor web network...our number one goal based on providing you the best there is.  Again, welcome Cabela's aboard and keep searching the site for exciting news releases, articles, and talk forum items touching on Cabela's promotions, bargains, and quality outdoor information.