Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope mounts for Tikka T3X ?

Nephew is picking up a Tikka T3X in 7mm mag. He’s leaning towards using a picatinny rail and rings. Any recommendations for a good rail and ring setup. He will be mounting a scope with 40mm objective so I’d like as low as possible mounting for good cheek weld.

Thanks, Mike

Not a picatinny but these on the factory rail are low and hard to beat if he has a 1” tube.


https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/sc...tikka-2-piece-medium-1-inch-scope-mount/

I like the Warne rings that use the receiver grooves but they only seem to make a medium height for the T3x - I’ve also used the rail in the link paired with Warne 1” or 30mm low rings for objectives up to 44mm.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3931267592...r=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Works for me - but there are many options

Question, with the bulit in receiver rails, why would one want to add a rail?

I found the ability to space the rings as I wanted was a benefit.

A lot of folks don't like to use the dovetail because most rings don't come with pins or a recoil lug so ring slippage is a real possibility. Especially on hard recoiling chamberings.

The Sportsmatch rings linked above are a really good choice. If you want to spend a bit more and get a "rail" that still uses the dovetail, then I would suggest the Raptor mount from Mountain Tactical. https://www.mountaintactical.com/shop/raptor-mount-1-inch-low-0-moa

They will get you about as low as you can get and still take full advantage of the recoil lug recess on the top of the receiver.

Capable cartridge. Sounds like he may be handicapping it potentially with his scope choice.

Why do you say that? There are a lot of good scope choices for that rifle that have 40mm objectives.

Buy some Talley bases and Split rings, rails look bad on a nice rifle. Tikka 22-250

Will be mounting a Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40 on it. I think that should be a decent scope for what he’ll be using the rifle for which will primarily be for deer out east and the occasional pronghorn and elk.

I've recently mounted two Burris FF II 3-9x40's on two Tikka T3x's. One in Sportsmatch rings and one in Warne rings. Both attach to the Tikka dovetail and both have the pin to keep the setup from sliding. Neither comes in a low for 1 inch scopes. Both seem solid but the Warne is noticeably lower. The Warnes seem more robust, but lots of guys testify that the SM rings are very durable. Both seem like good setups. I'll probably go Warne next time. I do also like the idea of a rail but only if it also uses the dovetail and has a pin. I think some do. I'm kind of new to Tikkas but I see why folks like them so much.

I've been using DNZ's with no complaints. The lows are easily good for 40mm objectives on Tikkas.

I really like my Razor LH HD's. They've worked well for me. The glass is really good. I haven't tried dialing them. I use other scopes for that. For 0-500, the G4 reticle has worked well for me.

The Area419 rail is the lowest I’m aware of. It’s very nice. I like the Burris XTR Signature rings, but that requires a stock pack or cheek riser to get the cheek weld that I’m looking for.

Not rail, but I run Talley’s and DNZ.
Affordable and solid.

1” tube. Limited elevation travel. If you hunt out west, and you have a wonderfully capable cartridge like the 7RM, why not give yourself the ability to shoot it to its potential? 175’s and 180 high BC’s make it such a gem.

Otherwise, why shoot a 7RM? Get a 6.5 creed, .260, 7-08, and save yourself the recoil punishment and powder burn.

I have 3 Tikka’s with Warne rings on them. I’m very happy with that setup. No need for a rail for most setups as the rear ring can be placed wherever you want it.

I’m with you on the cartridge. I wanted him to get a 7mm-08 or 308 but he was set on the 7mm mag. He’s never going to shoot further than 400

Fair enough, just realize you are putting bicycle tires on a Ferarri.

The Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40 that the OP mentioned is going on the rifle has 90MOA of elevation travel. That is more than enough for a 7Mag. I also have seen no appreciable difference in a hunting scope between 1" and 30mm tubes.

Ok, fair enough again, I stand corrected. That’s a decent amount of travel. Still think there are better choices, but I also suppose there are far worse choices too.

I agree with you, SD, in that why deal with more recoil if you aren't going to make the most of a high performance caliber like the 7mm RM. I own a Tikka 7mm and have worked with 2 others. All were well capable of long range hunting right out of the box. The twist rate isn't ideal; however, I never had any trouble running 175's, even close to sea level. More COAL never hurts, especially on 7mm RM, but that's easy enough to rectify with the Tikkas.

As far as rings, I have used rails, Warnes, and Sportsmatch rings on Tikkas. I used Warne's directly to the integral rail for years with great success. They are very robust, but I have moved away from vertically split rings due to their increased propensity to cause tracking errors from uneven clamping pressure on the tube. I've had great luck with SM rings directly to the integral rail; the main issue with them is limited ring spacing and inability to add inclination if it is required for the set up. As Jordan noted, the Area 419 rail is low and well built, and it offers optimal ring spacing for ER and scope tube support, which goes a long way towards getting the most out of your scope.

Pictures for comparison would be cool.

I have 3 tikka rifles with sportsmatch scope rings. I have a few more sets of sportsmatch rings for future projects.

Those sportsmatch rings look great. They don't make them in low though, do they?

I personally like the DNZ mounts for 1”. Low. They have been fine for me on several tikkas on rough backpack hunts. And they get the scope quite a bit lower than Sportmatch rings. If he’s through a 25oz 30mm might force on it, just go with the Sportmatch.

BSA:

The SM TO84's will get a scope about as low as it can be on a Tikka. Because they go directly to the rail, the scope will be mounted lower than with tradition mounts and low rings.




Just a thought on rails on a Tikka: Seems I often read statements to the effect of - no rails for me, no matter the circumstances. I understand the reluctance to place a rail on a open action design, and I usually use Burris XTR or Warne's on those types of actions; however, the Tikka is a closed top design, so a rail doesn't effectuate any increases in loading access difficulty.

My T3 7mm Rem Mag wears modified Talleys.

My brother’s SL T3 7mm Rem Mag wears modified Talleys also.





P

Thanks. I appreciate the info. Eventually I will try a set of those sm rings. I see why guys say those are a no brainer set up. Many of mine wear 20 moa rails, except for the superlite and lite models I have.

I've had great luck with the SM rings. I like the integral rail design on the Tikkas, and if I'm mounting a scope for which the ring spacing works well, I usually run them. The newer Tikkas have a slot for a recoil lug in the rear ring, which helps with being able to spread the rings out a bit to get them more distal on the scope tube. When so equiped, I use a roll pin in the rear ring and move the front ring forward until it hits the flare out in the integral rail groove, and I haven't had any trouble, even with hard kickers.

I would like to the the Tikkas with pic slots on the receiver top like the S20.

Where is the best place to get Sportsmatch TO84 Two Piece 30mm Mounts for a Tikka? I have been using mountain tactical 20 moa rails on my tikkas. I really like them. Its a good solid mount. But I would like to try a set of SM rings on a T3x Lite.

jc, this is the best place I know of. Often times a phone call is better than relying on what the website says about availability. Love the SM's, and OptiLocks for that matter.

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/scope-mounts/?filters[7]=29#panel-catalog-products-filters

Yup, the SM T084 are great for a Tikka Lite where weight and bulk matter. For cases where they don't matter, and where cheek weld height is adjustable, the MT or A419 rails with XTR Sig rings are awesome.

Area 419 rail and SWFA low rings offer low scope height, lightweight, optimal ring spacing, and the combination is exceedingly robust. I am in the process of setting up a LH Tikka 6.5 PRC cobble together job with the aforementioned products right now.

The XTR sig rings are fantastic; their only downfall is added scope height. As such, I like to use them with Burris XTR bases, which I've found to be lower than the majority of rails - the lone exception being XTR bases that fit Tikkas, which are thicker than some rails, such as the Area 419. The caliber/scope I have Tikkas in to this point haven't required more inclination than I can get from a rail.