Tikka T3 Thread

New optic for the T3 Creedmoor project.

Just posting a a few photos as a reference point for those looking for rails and rings.

Scope - Delta 4.5-30*56
Rings - Badger 34mm Alloy Medium
Rail - MDT 20 MOA with Recoil lug
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The CTR was designed to use the Sako TRG-22 magazine. Click here to see its $250 MSRP: https://www.berettausa.com/en-us/sako-trg-magazine-blued/s574038/

Even the typical discounted internet price for a TRG-22 mag is around $180. Which is ridiculous when compared to the cost of an entire CTR, so a couple years ago, they started making a much cheaper ($85) mag for the CTR (and the TAC-A1).

The new mags are just slightly different from the old: Instead of forming the floor of the magazine by neatly folding the metal sides under, they make the new mags with an open bottom, which they then close with a plastic floorplate that's just wide enough to prevent the mag from seating in a TRG-22 magwell. Ha ha, TRG-22 owners keep getting screwed.

The talk you're hearing is from people who didn't get the memo about the new mags.


Has anyone attemted to slightly open the the "lips" of the magazine port of the TRG stock to let the T3x magazine fully seat?
It appears that only about .25" or so would need to be inletted/opened to allow the floor plate sides to clear. And further logic says the TRG mag fit wouldn't be effected.
Just asken
 
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Thanks for that.

It has to go see the smith for some inletting work so I’ll get him to check it out.
This is were I saw the difference, if you look at the shape of their Gen2 lug it's oval.

I haven't personally measured one, though I've seen a picture of someone's rail lug that deformed the receiver lug recess.

Regarding Mountain Tactical, I tired to do business with them but gave up after 2 email attempts with no reply and 2 or 3 phone calls during their limited business hours with no answer. Your results may vary. :)
 
This is were I saw the difference, if you look at the shape of their Gen2 lug it's oval.

I haven't personally measured one, though I've seen a picture of someone's rail lug that deformed the receiver lug recess.

Regarding Mountain Tactical, I tired to do business with them but gave up after 2 email attempts with no reply and 2 or 3 phone calls during their limited business hours with no answer. Your results may vary. :)
All good man.

I’m a while away from shooting due to work. May even be next year April some time.... so I’m slowly growing my collection of parts until it’s ready to see the Smith for an inlet, bolt flute and load development.
I would do load development myself but I just don’t have anytime to shoot so when I do, I’d prefer to have a recipe sorted and get to it!

A mate is currently holding all my reloading gear so he can learn too but he has gone the custom route to short cut the process and learn how to load a round that actually shoots in his rig.
 
The Guardian Long Range will hold a comp in Ireland end Sept and guys here are very exited about it and prepping like mad.
This rifle is a test to see how competitive a factory rifle is once combined with an aftermarket stock and using factory ammo. The T3 CTR 6.5CM 24" is dropped in a factory bedded stock so no extra work apart from tightening 2 action screws is needed. No load development …. just using Sako factory ammo TRG 136gr (Scenar L). (av around 2750fps from the 24" CTR) New Spartan bipod on test.

edi

Creedmoor 24 CTR E-Tac4.jpg
Will zero E-Tac4 CTR.jpg
E-Tac4 CTR Spartan.jpg
 
First time in the range with KRG Bravo chassis with Tikka T3x CTR 308 rem, AseUtra SL5i silencer, Harris bipod.
Shooting distance was 150 m. Reloading was Lapua Scenar 10,85 g, Lapua powder N140 2,78 g, CCI primer (Sorry about those metric values!!!)

What a great combo(y);)

Average groups was 0.38 MOA and I am not a sharp shooter…..
 

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The Guardian Long Range will hold a comp in Ireland end Sept and guys here are very exited about it and prepping like mad.
This rifle is a test to see how competitive a factory rifle is once combined with an aftermarket stock and using factory ammo. The T3 CTR 6.5CM 24" is dropped in a factory bedded stock so no extra work apart from tightening 2 action screws is needed. No load development …. just using Sako factory ammo TRG 136gr (Scenar L). (av around 2750fps from the 24" CTR) New Spartan bipod on test.

edi

View attachment 7140013View attachment 7140015View attachment 7140016
Not sure what’s nicer, but I’m leaning towards the Defender.
 
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I have a T3x varmint (.223) in an Xray with Ares on top. I just shot the gun "seriously" this weekend for the first time. Several groups, all 0.7" edge to edge. Gun shoots well with Hornady ELD and BHTP match ammo. Are 0.7" groups the best I can expect from this set up or should it be able to deliver better? I love the Tikka action...I'm no pro, have not experienced other actions beside R700, but the Tikka is incredibly smooth. I can't imagine anything could be smoother.
 
Depends on your shooting experience really.
.7 edge to edge is not an accurate measurement as group size is centre to centre unless you are subtracting the diameter of the bullet.

A factor in group size is consistent cheek weld so if you hav emoted your head off the cheek rest while cycling there is a good chance you have shifted your poi slightly but that’s just ONE factor.
 
The Guardian Long Range will hold a comp in Ireland end Sept and guys here are very exited about it and prepping like mad.
This rifle is a test to see how competitive a factory rifle is once combined with an aftermarket stock and using factory ammo. The T3 CTR 6.5CM 24" is dropped in a factory bedded stock so no extra work apart from tightening 2 action screws is needed. No load development …. just using Sako factory ammo TRG 136gr (Scenar L). (av around 2750fps from the 24" CTR) New Spartan bipod on test.

edi

View attachment 7140013View attachment 7140015View attachment 7140016


Let me know how you like that Spartan bipod. I have the Javelin and I love it. They let me play around with the one you have at the sportsmans expo here in Utah and it was awesome!
 
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This is how I removed mine minus the brown sugar. The smacking with a hammer is key. I think it needs that shock to break loose. If you just yard on it, it'll spin the barrel in the vise
Yes 100% correct. When I re-barreled my Ruger Precision, I used a dead-blow hammer on the barrel nut wrench to give it that sharp impact to break it loose. I tried to apply torque by hand and and that wasn't doing shit. 2 whacks with a dead-blow and done.
 
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Let me know how you like that Spartan bipod. I have the Javelin and I love it. They let me play around with the one you have at the sportsmans expo here in Utah and it was awesome!
The chap in the pictures is a customer and friend... I took the pictures and we also made the stock. He was involved in the development of the heavy duty bipod /tripod range with Rob from Spartan as well as writing for gun magazines. We had also flush fitted a universal adapter into that stock just in front of the floor plate. Javelin/spartan 300 or tripod can fit into that.
For myself I use the Javelin /Spartan 300 bipods and one of their tripods mainly for the spotting scope .
edi
 
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Now finally I finished my "Race Gun" . The project started in Feb when I flew over to Virginia and had a chance to visit Shawn at Hawk Hill Barrels. Decision was made to try a Marksman profile 24" in 6.5 to end up as a Creedmoor 6.5. I had also met the guys from Ultimatum Precision at the German IWA trade show and ordered a Deadline action. Import permits etc kept dragging on and I had to pull the plug, the Deadline will be used on the next project. We had an old T3 action in the workshop being used for beddings so that was robbed and sent off get the barrel fitted at Dom's Custom Rifles here in Ireland. Dom did me a favour and I had all back within a week. Stock was already bedded in our normal process so the rifle came together quick. I tried a slightly radical spray job, a colour combination I had in mind for a while. At least no one will pester me at the range.
Weather was very blustery with gusts over 20mph but I found a place behind a small tree line that wasn't too bad. Fired a few shots at 100m just to see rough speed indication, get a few down the new barrel , rough zero and try a few left over rounds.
Best three shot group was either Sako TRG 136 factory ammo or 140 ELDM, not sure which target was what. The 123gr Nos had opened a bit but still ~12mm. This rifle might just get me back into the odd comp....
btw. The 5-25PMII has the new Grid2 reticle, fantastic.

edi
edi's race gun 6.5CM.jpg
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3 shot T3 Hawk Hill 6.5.jpg
100m 3 shot Tikka Hawk Hill.jpg
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Last edited:
Tikka T3x
26" 1:8 Twist Bartlien Medium Palma chambered in 6.5 Creed
MPA Ba Chassis
APA Little Bastard Brake
This rifle was originally a T3x light chambered in 243 for my wife to learn to shoot and hunt with. After a couple months I found she wasn't too into it, (Lucky me) and I had come to really love the action and it became my first "race gun" if you will. This thing is a hammer. Only issue was when the bolt shroud cracked and smacked me in the face. A new shroud from Mountain Tactical and it is back to shooting lights out.
IMG_0623.JPG
IMG_1254.jpg
 
I have got to try out one of those very Ike grips. Now mind you, I am a traditional-ish stock kinda guy, but as much as I like so many of the features of the G10 chassis, it just didn’t click with me. Since I still have the Tac A1 in the safe, maybe a vertical grip and s custom adjustable cheek piece is worth a try.

Anyone know if they make a verticals grip for the G10? Or does it take any old AR grip? I’ll admit that I would have to pull out the destructions to find out.
 
Tikka T3x
26" 1:8 Twist Bartlien Medium Palma chambered in 6.5 Creed
MPA Ba Chassis
APA Little Bastard Brake
This rifle was originally a T3x light chambered in 243 for my wife to learn to shoot and hunt with. After a couple months I found she wasn't too into it, (Lucky me) and I had come to really love the action and it became my first "race gun" if you will. This thing is a hammer. Only issue was when the bolt shroud cracked and smacked me in the face. A new shroud from Mountain Tactical and it is back to shooting lights out.
View attachment 7142204View attachment 7142206
How do you like that bolt handle over the stock handle? Easier to operate?
 
How do you like that bolt handle over the stock handle? Easier to operate?
I like it for sure, and yes it is easier to operate by a bunch, but it might be a little over sized. I think something in the middle of what is on my rifle and what comes stock would be ideal. It is just a little long when it comes to throwing the rifle in a pack or something similar. It can get caught pretty easy.
 
I like it for sure, and yes it is easier to operate by a bunch, but it might be a little over sized. I think something in the middle of what is on my rifle and what comes stock would be ideal. It is just a little long when it comes to throwing the rifle in a pack or something similar. It can get caught pretty easy.

Good info, thank you.
 
For those of you with long action Tikka's.....

I am in the process of switching a 30.06 over to a 280 AI. I am going to be switching the stock ( this is a hunting rifle so no chassis ) and want to get away from the short Tikka Mags. Is there a direct bolt on bottom metal/mag system that doesn't require a gunsmith? I see that Mountain Tactical makes one but they say that it requires simthing (but it doesn't say what is required) and Redsnake Tactical requires you to file down the stock to make it fit. Is there an option that doesn't require that? Or is there a better option that I am just not seeing?

Thanks in advance.
 
viking78: How smooth is the Tikka action with AICS mags and can you use Magpul mags with the rifle? I have a certain competitors stock/chassis that uses AICS mags, and 10 round mags are hard to load. I”m thinking about dumping the stock for a GRS that uses the Tikka mags. Thanks

Stay away from MagPul AICS mags for your Tikka. I am using the MDT metal 12 rounders and they work great.
 
This is how I removed mine minus the brown sugar. The smacking with a hammer is key. I think it needs that shock to break loose. If you just yard on it, it'll spin the barrel in the vise

I put my barreled action barrel down in a vise and soaked it in Kroil for a week or more. It came loose with an inside action wrench. The Kroil was over halfway down into the threads.
 
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Going with the longer AICS-type mags has generally required inletting. I've used CDI's DBM in an A5 with my .284 Win loaded out to lengths permitting high BC projectiles to be 0.010 - 0.012 off of the lands, longer than I could manage with the factory plastic long action mags. Never an issue feeding (these were 5-round mags) after I widened the feed lips. These were the standard 30-06-length mags. I have not used the 3.56" mags, and doubt that I will. For the $209 that CDI charges (includes inletting), I felt that it was worth it.

The DBMs that require no inletting seem to be limited to using factory mags, from what I have seen. I have used Atlasworxs DBM for many years, using the factory mags, without issue.
 
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Bolt knob question: there was a time when one could purchase directly from Sterk in Australia; is this still possible? I'm not a FB user so have no idea if he's operating directly through that channel, but I can see a bunch of retailers in the States carrying his items, however they are out of stock of what I'm looking for (a left-hand swept handle / ball knob) and I can't locate contact info for the guy online.
 
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Bolt knob question: there was a time when one could purchase directly from Sterk in Australia; is this still possible? I'm not a FB user so have no idea if he's operating directly through that channel, but I can see a bunch of retailers in the States carrying his items, however they are out of stock of what I'm looking for (a left-hand swept handle / ball knob) and I can't locate contact info for the guy online.

I believe anarchy outdoors sells them
 
Going with the longer AICS-type mags has generally required inletting. I've used CDI's DBM in an A5 with my .284 Win loaded out to lengths permitting high BC projectiles to be 0.010 - 0.012 off of the lands, longer than I could manage with the factory plastic long action mags. Never an issue feeding (these were 5-round mags) after I widened the feed lips. These were the standard 30-06-length mags. I have not used the 3.56" mags, and doubt that I will. For the $209 that CDI charges (includes inletting), I felt that it was worth it.

The DBMs that require no inletting seem to be limited to using factory mags, from what I have seen. I have used Atlasworxs DBM for many years, using the factory mags, without issue.

The owner of CDI passed away recently. I believe they are no longer in business.
 
Bolt knob question: there was a time when one could purchase directly from Sterk in Australia; is this still possible? I'm not a FB user so have no idea if he's operating directly through that channel, but I can see a bunch of retailers in the States carrying his items, however they are out of stock of what I'm looking for (a left-hand swept handle / ball knob) and I can't locate contact info for the guy online.
He goes by the handle @cannoncrossfire here. Send him a PM and ask him yourself.
 
That's horrible, I'm sorry to hear that.

He was a great guy to deal with.

I'll contact redsnake and see if they offer installation.

It's real easy to fit their bottom metal. You can do it with a Dremel or file in few minutes to remove little bit of material in front of the magwell (inside of the stock). It fits great and you can go back to factory bm down the road if needed.
 
It's real easy to fit their bottom metal. You can do it with a Dremel or file in few minutes to remove little bit of material in front of the magwell (inside of the stock). It fits great and you can go back to factory bm down the road if needed.

Does anyone have any experience fitting the Atlasworx counterpart?

I'm hesitant to bubbafit these bottom metals in my left - handed T3x Lite stocks... They're really hard to come by.

I'll probably have someone who can make accurate measurements with some kind of lathe setup do it for me.
 
Does anyone have any experience fitting the Atlasworx counterpart?

I'm hesitant to bubbafit these bottom metals in my left - handed T3x Lite stocks... They're really hard to come by.

I'll probably have someone who can make accurate measurements with some kind of lathe setup do it for me.

I did it in my laminate Sporter stock; this was some time back, but I recall needing to remove some material from the stock near the front action screw; did it with a Dremel. At the same time, I installed steel pillars. This DBM uses the plastic factory mags. Very nice piece, and I would certainly do business with them again.

I'm considering going over to the Redsnake DBM for TRG mags just because I'm shooting a lot of .284 Win right now and the 5-round factory plastic T3 mags only hold 4 rounds of this cartridge. Just sent them an email asking whether their T3/T3x TRG DBM will fit in the laminate stock.
 
I did it in my laminate Sporter stock; this was some time back, but I recall needing to remove some material from the stock near the front action screw; did it with a Dremel. At the same time, I installed steel pillars. This DBM uses the plastic factory mags. Very nice piece, and I would certainly do business with them again.

I'm considering going over to the Redsnake DBM for TRG mags just because I'm shooting a lot of .284 Win right now and the 5-round factory plastic T3 mags only hold 4 rounds of this cartridge. Just sent them an email asking whether their T3/T3x TRG DBM will fit in the laminate stock.

They do have both short action and long action setups for the Tikka T3 / T3x which use AICS magazines (not sure which magazine is most compatible with the .284 Winchester, though).

I just ordered a few myself :)
 
They do have both short action and long action setups for the Tikka T3 / T3x which use AICS magazines (not sure which magazine is most compatible with the .284 Winchester, though).

I just ordered a few myself :)
I've used the standard .300 WM AICS mags in the past with the .284 Win without issue (5 rounds go in); I prefer the double stack mag when I can get it, which is the only reason that I'm considering the TRG-mag version. If they tell me that it's a non-starter, then I will go with the AICS version or something equivalent.
 
Do you have picture of your rig with TRG bipod on it?
I would love to see a picture of that.
I bought Atlas TRG bipod mount, because i got it so cheap.
Thinking to make it to my Bravo, so i dont need to buy that little bit expensive spigot mount for my chassis.
I might need to do some modification on the chassis, but it should fit there.
This is the mount.
bt21-atlas-trg-bracket-atb.jpg
Does this mount work on the Krg backbone? Anyone have pics?
 
Does anyone have any experience fitting the Atlasworx counterpart?

I'm hesitant to bubbafit these bottom metals in my left - handed T3x Lite stocks... They're really hard to come by.

I'll probably have someone who can make accurate measurements with some kind of lathe setup do it for me.
We fit Atlasworx mag systems almost daily however 300wm T3 AI type less than 10%. The T3 is a bit tight for the AI 300WM mag, some say mill 2mm off the trigger housing but we found that is not needed. Recently a picture was posted on this thread where the front bottom of the action had a V cut-out which could make good sense for longer loaded cartridges. I have not tried that yet.
I think it is important to first bed the action which means the position is fixed, then free float bed the floor plate in it's natural position with inserted magazine which sits in the best position and angle in the action. We start by having the mag inlet larger than needed.
One can simulate the best position by clicking the magazine in the atlasworx then sitting the mag in the action, (without the stock) fit the action screws very lightly tightened. Pillar height can be measured that way also.
Once fitted and bedded right the rifle feeds ultra reliably. pictured a 7RM with Hardy barrel, Atlasworx AI 300wm mag.
edi

E-Lite 7RM Hardy Carbon.jpg
 
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