Hey fellow LRHtr,
I like the reference to 6.5x55 for this rifle combination (especially for someone in the EU). It is an excellent and capable bullet for cxp2 (&cxp3) game due to its excellent bc and sectional density. I own a T3 Hunter in this calibre and can vouch for its mild recoil and tack driving performance. This rifle feels well balanced and I have carried it full days in the field as I have any slab sided Marlin lever gun. Its rich walnut stock feels warm and comforting especially on those days when it will not stop raining. With a mounted Bushnell Elite 3200 w/firefly reticle it allows me longrange possibilites in low light hunting situations. I think the availability of hotter European loads in 6.5 such as Norma or Sellier & Bellot in 120 gr. for deer and pronghorn, and 160 gr (156 gr) for larger deer species. The Tikka 1 in 8 twist manages this range of bullet weights well. Its ballistics speak for themselves and it can be put to good use for varmints as well.
The drawbacks I find with Tikka are the cost of replacement magazines, and its blued tube that after a daylong hunt in a downpour last fall left small rainmarks that when wiped had an ugly reddish hue to them. In less than one hour from the time the rifle entered the confines of cover, that tube began to be effected by dampness (rust). The blueing on new Tikkas, and other rifles as well, leave a lot to be desired. I see this on many rifle brands and through research have determined that there is little time spent polishing the metal before bluing which leaves more of a rough matte blue than a high gloss blue finish to repel water. I have older Remingtons and Savage rifles that can practically live underwater and come out unaffected. This might speak to SS as a resolution to this problem.
Anyway you cut it, IMHO for the price, and the calibre options and the performance of this rifle, you would be making a wise choice with Tikka T3.
Good Hunting!
