$1000 6.5 CM Hunting Rifle? (Tikka T3X CTR 20" in bound)

[jdodd]

I need to order a new hunting rifle and I want one is 6.5 CM to consolidate calibers with my target rifle. My Budget is $1000 to $1100 for the rifle only. I would like sub-moa which seems to be the rub.

I really like the Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon Speed however I have seen a lot of accuracy complaints online. I would be upset to spend that much on a hunting rifle only to see it post 2" groups.

What says the hide?

9/25 Update: Thank you all for the great replies and after a lot of back and forth I am happy to say I have a Tikka T3X CTR 20" stainless coming my way. Had my local shop order me on and hoping to have it by Friday. I thought the price was good at $925 (+Tax). Ill post pictures once it arrives.

 

[bgavin]

I use a tikka 6.5.

Got a bunch of friends with them in different calibers and have yet to see one not shoot.

 

[Wags]

I use a tikka 6.5.

Got a bunch of friends with them in different calibers and have yet to see one not shoot.

What he said... even my 3006 Tikka shoots MOA or better with factory ammo that it likes. That's the key. It may not like the first or 3rd brand/load you try, but the 4th may be the ticket. Spend the time and money on ammo and you won't be disappointed

 

[Backcountryguy]

Way below your budget but Ruger American Predator or Go Wild

1/2 MOA with a factory ammo it likes...furthest I measured groups was out to 700 yards and it stayed 1/2 MOA out to that distance. Which is plenty far for 6.5 creedmoor for hunting use in my opinion

Better with handloads.

 

[jdodd]

Way below your budget but Ruger American Predator or Go Wild

1/2 MOA with a factory ammo it likes...furthest I measured groups was out to 700 yards and it stayed 1/2 MOA out to that distance. Which is plenty far for 6.5 creedmoor for hunting use in my opinion

Better with handloads.

What ammo were you using?

 

[jdodd]

I use a tikka 6.5.

Got a bunch of friends with them in different calibers and have yet to see one not shoot.

Blued or Stainless?

I had a Tikka stainless years ago in .243 and I just never liked it much. It was a T3 not the T3X but Im a little jaded haha.

 

[Backcountryguy]

What ammo were you using?

143gr ELD-X
140 ELD-M
American Gunner 140gr BTHP

All shot 1/2 MOA or less

All I did was sanded the barrel channel really good to make sure the stock didn’t contact the barrel and then a DIY trigger modification to get it down to 2 pounds...but with your budget you could toss a Timney in it if you want

 

[jdodd]

143gr ELD-X
140 ELD-M
American Gunner 140gr BTHP

All shot 1/2 MOA or less

All I did was sanded the barrel channel really good to make sure the stock didn’t contact the barrel and then a DIY trigger modification to get it down to 2 pounds...but with your budget you could toss a Timney in it if you want

Thats super temping. They are just under $480 shipped at grabagun.

 

[Backcountryguy]

Thats super temping. They are just under $480 shipped at grabagun.

For the Go Wild model?

The Predator should be down around 400

Only differences between the two models are the Go Wild has a camo stock and a burnt bronze cerakote, with a crappy radial muzzle brake(I’d remove this if it were my rifle...if gonna have a brake I’d use one that is effective)

Other than that they are the same rifle...I’d definitely grab an AICS magazine model though, available with both the Predator and Go Wild..the flush fit rotary magazines can be problematic and a few guys have had the rotary magazines not feed when they need that 2nd round the most

 

[sam4886]

Tikka, Howa, savage, ruger. Take your pick. I'm pretty sure they all have moa guarantees.

Based on the recent stuff around here, tikka will probably be the most suggested. I really like my Howa though. Shoots moa with 143 eldx factory stuff, better with hand loads.

 

[NewsShooter]

My vote is for Tikka as well, best production action IMO, smoother than my Stiller. Factory trigger is great as well.

 

[Rant Durden]

I've been looking real hard at Tikka T3X lite. Quite a nice rifle.

 

[jdodd]

For the Go Wild model?

The Predator should be down around 400

Only differences between the two models are the Go Wild has a camo stock and a burnt bronze cerakote, with a crappy radial muzzle brake(I’d remove this if it were my rifle...if gonna have a brake I’d use one that is effective)

Other than that they are the same rifle...I’d definitely grab an AICS magazine model though, available with both the Predator and Go Wild..the flush fit rotary magazines can be problematic and a few guys have had the rotary magazines not feed when they need that 2nd round the most

Yes, go wild model. Looks like AICS mags to me.

Link

 

[Backcountryguy]

Yes, go wild model. Looks like AICS mags to me.

Link

Yep that’s an AICS magazine model.

If you do go this route, pull that scope base off, clean the factory oil/grease off the scope base screws, apply some form of thread-locking agent, and then torque down to 20 inch-pounds

Sometimes those screws are super loose the way the rifle comes from the factory, and they will come loose under recoil...so a few minutes cleaning the screws and locking them down can save you some head scratching

 

[bgavin]

Blued or Stainless?

I had a Tikka stainless years ago in .243 and I just never liked it much. It was a T3 not the T3X but Im a little jaded haha.

CTR 20 inch blued

 

[bschneiderheinze]

Tikka for sure plenty of aftermarket if you need it

 

[gunjunkie45]

CTR 20" stainless is my go to.

 

[Lowholer]

Howa 1500 or a Tikka get my vote!

 

[gunjunkie45]

5 rounds out of my 20" CTR at 300 yards. Well within MOA I'd say.?

 

[gunjunkie45]

Oh, that was kneeling over a crappy bogpod too.

 

[jdodd]

I was looking at the lite but ctr is only 1lb heavier. Hmmm

 

[Lowholer]

Gotta love those Tikka,What grain bullet were you shooting?I see a box of Hornady I tried some 140gr Hornaday shot real nice in my tikka as well.Nice shootin!

 

[gunjunkie45]

Gotta love those Tikka,What grain bullet were you shooting?I see a box of Hornady I tried some 140gr Hornaday shot real nice in my tikka as well.Nice shootin!

Yeah, mine loves the 140 eld.

 

[Healy]

Ctr is a damn nice rifle for the price great trigger, smooth action,find the ammo it likes and it’ll shoot big holes.

 

[Healy]

Bug holes

 

[bgavin]

I was looking at the lite but ctr is only 1lb heavier. Hmmm

That’s why I went with ctr and it’s good for 10 round strings on the range.

Also plenty of aftermarket stocks if you don’t like the factory one.

 

[powdahound76]

I have 2 tikkas.
One in a Mcmillian and one factory.

Both shoot very well. Very repeatable. Everything shot has dropped nicely.
They are good enough all my hinting buddies shoot Tikkas now.

Have a sako, it doesnt shoot any better, is just different. Plus different caliber.

There are other good rifles. Just hard to find a tikka that wont shoot

 

[BoilerUP]

Bergara B-14 Ridge SP (Special Purpose Short Bbl) 6.5 Creedmoor Synthetic Stock 18" Rifle B14S512

Bergara B-14 Ridge Rifle SP (Special Purpose Short Barrel) 6.5 Creedmoor Synthetic Stock 18" B14S512 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[drew_235]

I was looking at the lite but ctr is only 1lb heavier. Hmmm

Get both...sort of.

Check out grabagun and look for the T3x Lite in 6.5 CM. There should be "grab a quote" button and the price is seriously great. The lite is everything you want in a hunting rifle and only ~$175 more than the Ruger American Predator. Put a lightweight hunting scope on it and don't look back. I have a Razor HD LH (light hunter) on mine.
From what I have read, most around here are trying to use the CTR as a dual purpose hunting/long range bench rifle. I thought about that and decided the scope I'd want on a precision (non-hunting) rifle was going to be heavy and not compatible with a light weight hunting rifle. I ended up getting a T3x Varmint in 6.5CM, put it in a KRG Bravo stock, and put a Viper Gen 2 scope on it. It's heavy. The scope alone is 28oz.

 

[Average guy]

Just bought a Tikka T3x 6.5 cm. Shoots under 1moa with factory ammo and 1/2 moa with reloads.

 

[10000yards]

The best 6.5 Creed is a .260 Rem or a 6.5x284...

 

[Hybridhunternm]

I don’t have the speed version but I have two hells canyon long range(without McMillan stock). One in 26 nosler and the other in 300 win mag. I’m not sure it gets much better for a rifle that is strictly used for hunting. Long barrels, muzzle brake(threaded), light weight, smaller magazine (keeps weight down on long walks). I haven’t had any accuracy issues at all out of either of mine in fact they are close to being as accurate as my bergara hmr pro. I would be afraid to buy another one

 

[jdodd]

Well I went to my local Cabela's at lunch to fondle some rifles and make my decision. They had a Browning HC, Tikka Superlite, Tikka Lite, Tikka CTR and Ruger American. None in the right caliber but that was alright as I have a local mom & pop gun shop that I run most of my business through.

The browning was nice but compared to the Tikka I didnt feel it was worth the premium. Tikka actions were awesome and fit and finish seemed top notch. Ruger definitely had a "budget" feel even on the Go Wild but its still a lot of rifle for the money.

In the end I ordered a 20" Tikka T3X CTR Stainless in 6.5CM. Hoping it comes in by Friday but we will see. I have a nightforce SHV 3-10x42 with an illuminated reticle to throw on it. Turrets are capped but for most hunting situations thats fine. Planning to try a 200 yard zero on this one.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[jdodd]

@gunjunkie45 What height rings are you running? I have a 42mm objective that I was planning on putting in seekins 30mm lows

 

[gunjunkie45]

@gunjunkie45 What height rings are you running? I have a 42mm objective that I was planning on putting in seekins 30mm lows

Nightforce low rings on the factory 0 moa base I believe. I'll double check after work.

 

[bgavin]

Well I went to my local Cabela's at lunch to fondle some rifles and make my decision. They had a Browning HC, Tikka Superlite, Tikka Lite, Tikka CTR and Ruger American. None in the right caliber but that was alright as I have a local mom & pop gun shop that I run most of my business through.

The browning was nice but compared to the Tikka I didnt feel it was worth the premium. Tikka actions were awesome and fit and finish seemed top notch. Ruger definitely had a "budget" feel even on the Go Wild but its still a lot of rifle for the money.

In the end I ordered a 20" Tikka T3X CTR Stainless in 6.5CM. Hoping it comes in by Friday but we will see. I have a nightforce SHV 3-10x42 with an illuminated reticle to throw on it. Turrets are capped but for most hunting situations thats fine. Planning to try a 200 yard zero on this one.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Great choice!

I love mine. The only thing I wish I had done was get stainless. Going to get the action cerakote eventually.

 

[CaptNemo]

Tikka CTR. Mines in a Bravo with a KRG Midas trigger and some Area 419 parts.
I took 5 doe Antelope this past weekend with shots from 225 yards to 300 yards.
140 Nosler Ballistic Tips and RL16 work like a champ in the OEM barrel, you have to load them long due to the throat length.
If I was doing my job, the rifle did it’s job.

 

[DRichardson]

Lots of great options with that price range. Lots of the Howa rifles, Tikka CTR, and the Bergara HMR are the ones that come to mind quickly. All should be easily sub MOA and light enough to hunt with.

 

[SonicBurlap]

Get a Bergara Ridge, or the HMR.

 

[Fatherdeath]

Rem700 AAC-SD for sub 500 throw it in a light weight stock/chassis and you can be in it sub .75 for sub 900