Tikka CTR owners upgrades and ammo questions

[Hogg0494]

Hi all.newbie getting into long range and precision shooting.alot of help here on some threads i posted on a gun and glass for my first rig.got a second hand razor gen 2 for glass.going with a Tikka CTR in 6.5 creedmore 24” for my rifle.already know i want a Manners stock.wondering what upgrades i am going to benefit from?
Heard mixed opinions on a trigger or just replace the spring.
What brakes do you guys recommend?
I know every gun is different but for starters what types of ammo should i try to see what it likes?
When replacing the factory base with a 20 moa i read you have to remove 2 pins?
Sorry for all the questions but i want to do this once and the right way.thanks

 

[C_R_Slacker]

The factory trigger is really nice. I don't see a reason to upgrade unless you really want a two stage.

I can't comment much about brakes. I know a lot of people like APA, Area 419, and PVA...I'm sure there are lots of others.

I'm not sure what you mean about pins on the factory scope base. Mine was screwed on and glued. The glue was a bitch. Heat and a rubber mallet will eventually break it free, after you remove the screws of course.

As far as ammo goes...i would just buy a box of three or four popular brands of match ammo and see what it likes. Federal gmm, hornady eld, prime, berger, etc. The nice thing about berger and prime is you get really good brass that you can keep in case you get into reloading.

Sounds like you're going to have a nice setup. Starting with good equipment will help you get up to speed faster for sure.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

i just went with a 20 moa scope mount, and you do not need to upgrade the trigger just adjust the factory one.
https://www.eurooptic.com/era-tac-30mm-20-moa-30mm-118-high.aspx

 

[Pvt.Donut]

Get the YoDave trigger spring. The stock trigger is great and the spring is $10 and easy to install and will drop the weight down and keep it nice and crisp.

I kept my OG base and just used a mount with 20 MOA built in (SPUHR Mount). It's glued and pinned down pretty good so may as well take advantage of it. The pins are just recoil pins really. If you want to remove it have a nylon hammer and a hair dryer to loosen the glue a bit. Area 419 just released their Tikka bases, I'd order those and one of their hellfire brakes while you're at it.

 

[Northernjets]

Stock trigger is great, as Donut mentioned the YoDave spring drops the weight down. I use mine as an "everything rifle" so I actually kept mine 100% factory and set to 2lbs.

I use an Insite Heathen lightweight verion and it works great while staying light and balanced.

Can't speak of pins as I have a non-X version T3 CTR, but my base was glued down like Slacker's. Make sure to use a good bit and plenty of heat. I dun goofed it a bit and melted some of my stock while doing it, but was planning on aftermarket anyway.

This is kind of a "bonus item" but I replaced my factory bolt handle with a Sterk AICS style and absolutely love it. Very high quality and makes the bolt stupid fast/natural to run.

 

[Thunderhorse]

I have considered a Timney for my Tikka, but the only reason I'd do it is because it allows the bolt to be manipulated with the weapon on safe unlike the stock trigger. I'm waiting for KRG to come out with theirs though since my Tikka is kind of a KRG whore

 

[C_R_Slacker]

I have considered a Timney for my Tikka, but the only reason I'd do it is because it allows the bolt to be manipulated with the weapon on safe unlike the stock trigger. I'm waiting for KRG to come out with theirs though since my Tikka is kind of a KRG whore

Good to know about the timney. I've been wanting a two stage, and the ability to run the bolt on safe would be a nice bonus. I'm waiting on the krg too, to see what it's like.

 

[Northernjets]

Good to know about the timney. I've been wanting a two stage, and the ability to run the bolt on safe would be a nice bonus. I'm waiting on the krg too, to see what it's like.

My understanding is they might release the trigger pack with the TRG style safety in the trigger guard. Would definitely be intriguing if so. They did say it would cost more than the Timney though, so hopefully it's somewhat competitively priced.

 

[Thunderhorse]

My understanding is they might release the trigger pack with the TRG style safety in the trigger guard. Would definitely be intriguing if so. They did say it would cost more than the Timney though, so hopefully it's somewhat competitively priced.

That would really make my Tikka in a Bravo chassis a mini-TRG. I don't find the stock Tikka safety to be particularly good or bad, so that could very well be an improvement.

I saw a thread here last night where one of the KRG guys said it will be out before too long

 

[roggom]

Newbie to long range or rifles in general. If so I would not jack with the trigger other than just factory adjusting. If you back out the tension screw until it touches the trigger mounting bolt, that will be good to get started. Use the extra money to buy a case of Prime 130's and get out and shoot. That razor should have enough travel to get to 1000 without a 20 moa base especially with a 6.5. Also master 500 Y first. Buy a notebook and a kestral and document, document document. Learn the wind, learn how to approach the rifle correctly, different positions. Ive seen guys shoot single hole indoors but could not hit shit in the field. Have fun!

 

[Hogg0494]

Thanks for the info

 

[IanHusaberg]

I bought the same rifle. I went with a spuhr mount which eliminates the pic rail. I used a KRG Bravo, really happy with how it turned out. There was a guy here who is making a spring that is comparable to the Yo Dave spring. I can't remember the name. you might be able to do a search. He's a US seller/manufacturer. I'm using a anarchy outdoors radial titanium break and bolt knob that are for a RPR. I bough a sweep bolt handle from sterk? Not sure about that 100% Rifle is a little to light for me. I prefer my MRAD for comp shooting. Its a great crossover rifle for hunting/target. It's a little hard for me to spot my own shots. I'm going to buy a Carbon Hardy barrel in the future in 260 Rem. It will be a 60% hunting/40% target. I have a Gen 2 pst 5-25x50 now and I'll be moving to a AMG in the future. Your shooting will benefit from the weight of any gen 2 razor. Check out the spuhr direct mount!!

 

[houndog]

I'll third the suggestion for a yodave spring. For $10 you can get the trigger pull down to 2 pounds. A very cheap and easy upgrade.

I've had very good luck with Hornady match ammo. In fact, even the Hornay American Gunner ammo has been giving me pretty good results, although once you get out beyond 500 yards, I find it starts dropping faster than the Match 140 ELD rounds. Haven't tried Prime ammo, although I think people have been getting very good results with that as well.

As far as a muzzle brake, I got one primarily to help keep the rifle from moving so I could consistently see my shots impact and it has definitely made a difference. I also like that it doesn't send a pressure wave back at you like some muzzle brakes can. However, if you have a spotter, or are better at keeping your rifle steady during recoil, you don't really need a muzzle brake at all. The 6.5 CM round is pretty soft shooting.

 

[Hogg0494]

Ian do you have a part number for the spuhr mount?is it 20 or 30 moa available?

 

[IanHusaberg]

24 MOA? ST-3701 it's a 30mm version. I'd imagine there's a 34mm version for tikka/spuhr w/ 0moa as well? check out EuroOptic for a complete listing as they are the importer? 30 moa might be available?

 

[tree man]

Elay precision is who sells the springs here in the US with free shipping, you can have it in two days vs 4 weeks, I run both the
yo- Dave and the Elay, there identical IMO

 

[Deadman Pointers]

I own the same rifle. Elay spring, Sterk bolt, Murphy Precision 20moa base, Area 419 brake, and XLR Envy chassis. Ran it for two straight 8 hour days in a precision shooting class without a hiccup. I was printing 1/2" groups the entire time with the Hornady ELDX match 140s. 20 moa on the base, low rings, and an older Leupy Mark 4 ERT... only had to hold over 3 mils or so beyond my turrent adjustment for 1350 yards.

 

[Deadman Pointers]

Forgot to mention for perspective, the guy next to me was shooting a Ruger Predator with the Hornday American Gunner 140s at the same distances at 1/2" moa as well. You don't have to break the bank to play this game.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Forgot to mention for perspective, the guy next to me was shooting a Ruger Predator with the Hornday American Gunner 140s at the same distances at 1/2" moa as well. You don't have to break the bank to play this game.

ya but the tikka is WAY better

 

[Deadman Pointers]

Agreed...way better. His Predator used those silly rotary mags versus the AICS pattern.