Reuse Tikka T3 action or buy new

[acekc]

I'm interested in putting together a long-range 6.5CM rifle based on a Tikka action. I've been researching and I know that a Tac A1 is a popular option as is purchasing a CTR and getting a chassis for it.

I happen to have a Tikka T3 not T3x) in .243 Win that I never really shoot and have considered selling. Would it make sense to remove (and perhaps sell?) the barrel and mount a pre-fit 6.5CM barrel from one of the popular manufacturers, or should I just sell it and go CTR/A1? I have a barrel vise but don't have an action wrench for it so I may ask a gunsmith to do the removal. Can anyone comment on a fair price for such a job?

Finally, one specific question: I know that one of the new features in the T3x is more and/or more robust mounting holes for a rail. Should I be concerned about the durability of the mounting holes in the T3 action, especially since long-range shooting typically involves large and heavy optics?

 

[BigTex]

Reuse it, here's my old T3 .270 now wearing a Beanland Proof 6.5CM.

And here's how it does @610yds.

And 1237

Nothing wrong with the "plain old" T3. I'd highly suggest the Murphy Precision rail. It has a beefy stainless recoil lug/pin and the machining is perfect.

 

[346ci]

Yup, use your T3 action to build off of.

 

[ALShooter]

I reused my old T3 I’ve had since 2007ish to build mine. Keep an eye out for proof bf deals. I got my blank for $650 last bf.

 

[waspocrew]

Like above, definitely use your existing action. Then make the rifle how you'd like it.

That being said, my brother bought a CTR 24" SS and that thing shoots lights out with Federal premium 130 Berger ammunition. If I didn't have my 6.5 Sherman, I'd be going the CTR route.

 

[Lunchbox27]

Definitely build off that Tikka action!

Lower is a T3X CTR action and factory trigger. Everything else is upgraded.

 

[NewsShooter]

Like the others said, build, pick a chassis or stock to put it in. Hard to beat a bravo for a budget build. You could do a prefit barrel as well and do it yourself. Bugholes does prefits on all their barrel choices.

 

[acekc]

Thanks for the advice, all. Those are some beautiful rifles.

 

[Another Casual]

As above, I would certainly use that action. If the barrel isn't shot out, sell it to get some money back. Add in a stock and barrel of your choice and I'd expect you'd be under what one specs on a CTR and it's setup exactly how you want. I think PVA does Tikka prefits now too, so plenty of options.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Tikka's are terrible to build on

 

[waspocrew]

I did a 6.5 Sherman Short Tactical on a 308 bolt face. Smith opened it up and adjusted the extractor. I really enjoy that rifle. I use it as a switch barrel too.

Great looking rifle! Those Sherman rounds are pretty fun. I'm thinking of going with a 7 SS in the near future.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Definitely build the Tikka , my favorite factory action by a long shot . I actually like them better than some custom offerings.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

That last one is my favorite

It's a lot of fun out of a helicopter. Unfortunately, here in Australia we can't have the good stuff so this is as close as I'll get to a semi-auto...at least it's more reliable

 

[DXT_Shooter]

I bought a Tikka barreled action and dropped into a Manners PRS1-TK. Gun shoots awesome I don’t think you would be disappointed. Mine is 6.5 CM with 20” barrel.

 

[Crang]

I'll vouch for the PVA prefit on a Tikka. Near Manufacturing makes a rail thats a work of machining art. Mines in a KRG Bravo but you can bolt a TRG stock or forend to the KRG backbone if so desired.

 

[DXT_Shooter]

Reuse it, here's my old T3 .270 now wearing a Beanland Proof 6.5CM.

View attachment 7189169

And here's how it does @610yds.
View attachment 7189176

And 1237
View attachment 7189177

Nothing wrong with the "plain old" T3. I'd highly suggest the Murphy Precision rail. It has a beefy stainless recoil lug/pin and the machining is perfect.

Nice looking rig...what’s the contour and barrel length on the proof barrel?

 

[roggom]

Tikka's are terrible to build on

Love that shorty, is it chopped and threaded? Which caliber?

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Love that shorty, is it chopped and threaded? Which caliber?

It's a Tikka Varmint barrel in .308. Had it chopped to 17.5' and threaded. I then inletted a Tikka lite stock to accept the varmint barrel profile. It balances very well and is insanely accurate. When I had this rifle scoped it shot a 2 inch 5 shot group at 500m with 155smk's. Despite the short barrel, it will push factory Aussie Outback ammo, which is 165gr, to 2675fps. One of my absolute favourite rifles.

 

[BigTex]

Nice looking rig...what’s the contour and barrel length on the proof barrel?

24" Sendero