After much research, decided to " pull the trigger " on a Super Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor for a range gun out to 1K yards ( if my club ever expands our range as is said is in the plans ). I swore I was going to wait, but I ain`t getting any younger and why the hell did I work all those years to accumulate a little bread? And....can`t take it with you ! I think the 6.5 is somewhat "wasted " at 500 but hey, hopefully it`ll be fun!
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Joining The Tikka Crowd
- Thread starter Turkeytider
- Start date
Thanks all. Looking forward to it. Still very much enjoying my Savage Model 12 LRPV in .223, shoots great out to 500 but just wanted something different to cover all range distance eventualities And.....I grew weary of everybody ( for the most part ) pontificating on how great Tikka rifles are, LOL! Wanted to see first hand!
Was unaware that the 6.5 Creedmoor is being adopted as an intermediate range sniper round for special operations snipers in the military. Maybe not so " gay" after all?
I've only shot one Tikka (a TacA1) at a demo, but it was super smooth and shot 1/2 MOA with a hack shooter like me. If I were doing it all again, the two Rem 700's I bought years ago (quality and function have been just fine) would have been Tikka's - 60' bolt throw, super smooth bolt, decent from the factory trigger, decent aftermarket, etc.
I asked this before but didn`t get a response. I`ll ask again. How and why was the term " gay " applied to a rifle cartridge caliber of all things? Could it be that to be considered " manly " it has to be something that just kicks the ever lovin` shit out of you? But......that can`t be it. I`ve never seen .223 referred to as " gay ". So what is it?
It’s like Nickelback. 6.5 is everywhere and the greatest thing ever and saturated the market. Nickelback had 3 songs on the charts at the same time and you could t get away from them so they were hated. They’re both cheesy and you roll your eyes at them.
223 is underrated. I’d like to keep it that way.
I`ll take your word for it re: Nickleback( ?). Wouldn`t know `em if they walked through my front door! I`m an old guy! My growing up music was from the 60`s.
Fukn Boomer
ETA:
You’re like me talking to my 16yo daughter about Tik Tok slang. I’m 50yo and I tell her we don’t speak ‘hood in this house.
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Fukn Boomers Unite.......Around Lite Loafered 6.5 Creedmoor's. This one is mine. Just picked it up on Wednesday. Sauer Model 100 Atacama (Dig the Pogue Style) , 6.5 CM. 20" HB .750" @ Muzzle. It has a nice 5 shot double stack flush fit Polymer mag. Ten shot mags are available. It will mount a Leupold MK4 20 MOA Base (LA Rem 700 pattern), MDT Premier 30mm .820" Rings, holding an Athlon Helios BTR Gen II 2-12x42mm Scope for now.
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I’m just jumping on the “trash the 6.5 Creedmoor” bandwagon because I make fun of everything. The thing that 6.5 Creedmoor has going against it is that it’s a very very good round. Because of this it’s very popular and new shooters can have good success without having to go through a million steps of reloading fuckabout.
LOL! Yep, sure am! It was a very turbulent time ( the war, civil rights, assassinations ) but still a good time to grow up IMHO. A lot of it had to do with where you were. The music was great though, you could dance to it and understand the lyrics. No autotune or other electronic aids, either.Fukn Boomer
ETA:
You’re like me talking to my 16yo daughter about Tik Tok slang. I’m 50yo and I tell her we don’t speak ‘hood in this house.
Yeah, that`s pretty much why I picked it. I need all the help I can get down range! As I posted above, looks like Uncle Sam is getting on board with it as well. Great ballistics for an intermediate sniper round with low recoil as a bonus. I wonder when Lake City will start to manufacture them ?
First people that call the 6.5CM gay are actually fags themselves. They are just like democrats everything they accuse you of they are actually doing it themselves.
Now that that is out the way. You made a great choice on cartridge and rifle.
Only thing I would add is have you considered the Tikka CTR? The pros would be it comes with a metal double stacked magazine with bottom metal that you could put into an aftermarket stock like a KRG Bravo.
The cons would be it doesn't come with a factory two stage trigger like the Super Varmint if you wanted a two stage trigger.
So basically, if you were even remotely thinking about using an aftermarket stock or chassis and wanted to use a factory 10 round double stack magazine the CTR maybe the way to go.
With all that said there is nothing wrong with the factory stocks on either the CTR or the Super Varmint, but there are some aftermarket stocks and chassis that are better that some people tend to go with down the road.
Now that that is out the way. You made a great choice on cartridge and rifle.
Only thing I would add is have you considered the Tikka CTR? The pros would be it comes with a metal double stacked magazine with bottom metal that you could put into an aftermarket stock like a KRG Bravo.
The cons would be it doesn't come with a factory two stage trigger like the Super Varmint if you wanted a two stage trigger.
So basically, if you were even remotely thinking about using an aftermarket stock or chassis and wanted to use a factory 10 round double stack magazine the CTR maybe the way to go.
With all that said there is nothing wrong with the factory stocks on either the CTR or the Super Varmint, but there are some aftermarket stocks and chassis that are better that some people tend to go with down the road.
People that don’t get the “6.5 is gay” jokes must really enjoy shooting a 6 gay tiger
Thanks for the comments. The two stage trigger was somewhat of an attraction for me, the Accutrigger on my Savage rifles is something of a " two stage " trigger so I`m accustomed to take up and then trigger break. I was also looking at guns with adjustable combs as well. I have cheek pads on my other rifles to get a good sight picture down the scope barrel and wanted to avoid having to add one this time around if I could. I have every intention of maintaining the factory stock on the Super Varmint, although I swear based on postings on the internet it appears it`s almost a " requirement " in buying a Tikka that you plan to jerk the action out, discard the factory stock, and drop the action into some after market, more custom stock!
I admit, I just didn`t see the connection between a rifle caliber and that particular appellation. It most assuredly did not in any way give me cause for pause in selecting that caliber. Must be a Gen Z/X (? ) kinda thing? Since I`m a fukn Boomer and all......!
Yeah, a lot of people do look at buying a Tikka just for the barreled action especially in the "short action cartridges" I just bought a Tikka Super Varmint in 300 win mag (great rifle by the way) and there aren't really any aftermarket stocks available to put it in even if I wanted to.
Nope still gay. . .
Lol but in seriousness it should be a sweet gun for you. I’m running a 243 for a new project and a 223 for my daughter. Really liking the modularity of the Tikkas at this point.
Wanted to correct myself.
When I made this statement, I wasn't aware anyone made an aftermarket stock for a Tikka in "long action cartridges" I have since learned that MDT has a few options that use AI long action magazines.
UPDATE: Just for anybody who might be considering Tikka/T3X Super Varmint. Have had my SV in 6.5 CM for a few weeks, have only been able to zero a couple of " budget friendly " factory rounds at 100 yards at our state range. My club range has just reopened following flooding from Debby and I`m looking forward to stretching her out a bit very soon. If the guy shooting it was any good, I think this gun could probably stack one round on top of another! VERY accurate gun, bolt is a bit stiff but it`s brand new. Really happy with my purchase and no, I have no plans to dump the stock. It seems pretty substantial to me, but I`m no super experrienced, high end competitively serious long range shooter either. Just ringin` steel for the fun of it!
Consider getting and installing the Yo Dave trigger spring to lighten up the trigger adjustment range. My cousin thinks it’s the best $10 he’s ever spent on gun stuff.
I have four Tikka’s - 6.5 CM , 6.5x55 , 6x45 was a .223 before I rebarreled it , .22lr
I never set out to be a Tikka fan boy and still don’t think I am one , but if your in the market for a quality reasonably priced Rifle they are hard to go past .
There is something to be said about having the same Stock / ergonomics on multiple rifles .
Transitioning from rifle to rifle requires little thought or adjustment.
I listened to all the talk early on about “ throw the stock away “ and replace it with something better, so I tried a chassis and a carbon stock which although nice didn’t really improve accuracy or portability.
End result I went back to Tikka factory stocks and I’m very happy with that decision.
I don’t compete and I carry my rifles sometimes for long distances and for long periods of time .
My rifles don’t get babied and a scratch on a factory stock doesn’t hurt nearly as much as taking a chunk out of a custom stock ( don’t ask me how I know ) .
Using factory parts is usually the best tactic in the long run when it comes to reliability and ease on the wallet .
Now none of my Tikkas are setup like they came from the factory, all have had their trigger springs replaced and I’ve mixed and matched other factory stocks to set them up the way I want them .
The 6.5CM Lite ( sporter barrel ) sits in a CTR stock because I wanted the larger capacity metal mag / bottom metal .
The 6x45 ( previously a .223 Lite ) is in a green super Varmint stock .
Both the 6.5x55 and the .22lr are in factory varmint stocks .
All of those stocks were purchased for very cheap because their owners had been convinced that they needed to replace them .
I use Varmint/ CTR stocks for two reasons they come with the comb riser ( something that the standard Lite stocks are in desperate need of ) and the barrel channels are very wide giving a heap of clearance and free float .
All have the vertical grip installed and two extra factory recoil pad spacers to increase the length of pull to suit me .
So I’ve scratched the customiser itch, but used all factory parts except for the trigger springs .
I never set out to be a Tikka fan boy and still don’t think I am one , but if your in the market for a quality reasonably priced Rifle they are hard to go past .
There is something to be said about having the same Stock / ergonomics on multiple rifles .
Transitioning from rifle to rifle requires little thought or adjustment.
I listened to all the talk early on about “ throw the stock away “ and replace it with something better, so I tried a chassis and a carbon stock which although nice didn’t really improve accuracy or portability.
End result I went back to Tikka factory stocks and I’m very happy with that decision.
I don’t compete and I carry my rifles sometimes for long distances and for long periods of time .
My rifles don’t get babied and a scratch on a factory stock doesn’t hurt nearly as much as taking a chunk out of a custom stock ( don’t ask me how I know ) .
Using factory parts is usually the best tactic in the long run when it comes to reliability and ease on the wallet .
Now none of my Tikkas are setup like they came from the factory, all have had their trigger springs replaced and I’ve mixed and matched other factory stocks to set them up the way I want them .
The 6.5CM Lite ( sporter barrel ) sits in a CTR stock because I wanted the larger capacity metal mag / bottom metal .
The 6x45 ( previously a .223 Lite ) is in a green super Varmint stock .
Both the 6.5x55 and the .22lr are in factory varmint stocks .
All of those stocks were purchased for very cheap because their owners had been convinced that they needed to replace them .
I use Varmint/ CTR stocks for two reasons they come with the comb riser ( something that the standard Lite stocks are in desperate need of ) and the barrel channels are very wide giving a heap of clearance and free float .
All have the vertical grip installed and two extra factory recoil pad spacers to increase the length of pull to suit me .
So I’ve scratched the customiser itch, but used all factory parts except for the trigger springs .
Just for anyone shooting a 6.5 CM, if you haven`t tried PSA`s AAC 140 grain SMKs and Hornady 140 grain American Gunner, you probably should if what I`ve gotten from my Super Varmint is any indication. Easily sub-MOA at 100 and a bit more " budget friendly " . The AACs that I`ve shot have SMK bullets, so that no doubt contributes to their performance I suppose. I think personally that Sierra makes a good bullet. I have not tried the AAC 140 grain BTHP as of yet but plan to. I believe those are loaded with Hornady bullets (?) and come in at 1.00/round.
I have put them in Tikka single stage triggers, and they really do improve an already great factory trigger.Consider getting and installing the Yo Dave trigger spring to lighten up the trigger adjustment range. My cousin thinks it’s the best $10 he’s ever spent on gun stuff.
I am guessing they should work for their two-stage trigger as well. I will look at mine later and see.
my dad has a tikka t3x tac a1 from when they first released. after many barrels and getting close to 10k rounds it's still working good.
not a fan of their stocks though, has a lot of bounce to the recoil instead of flat like my 700 clones and stuff. other than that it's 100% as good.
not a fan of their stocks though, has a lot of bounce to the recoil instead of flat like my 700 clones and stuff. other than that it's 100% as good.
