Tikka T3 Thread

[UpSideDown]

Looking to get my first Tikka, and first 6.5CM. Range is from 100-600 but have access to 1000 yard one. My question is this: 20" or 24" barrel?

I have the same use as you, and hunt as well. I went with a 20" stainless CTR and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis. I ended up liking the CTR stock more than I expected though.

A 20" barrel is a lot easier to move with if you're hunting. If you're benchrest shooting there's no reason to not get the 24". If you're hunting, and usually shooting 600yds or less, you could also consider a .308

 

[trob]

Looking to get my first Tikka, and first 6.5CM. Range is from 100-600 but have access to 1000 yard one. My question is this: 20" or 24" barrel?

I bought my 20” T3x CTR right when the 6.5 version hit my LGS. They came out with the 24” version the next year.
For me, I always shoot suppressed. So, if I could do it over again, I think I would still go with the 20”. With the can attached, thats about all the length I would want.
Also, my rifle comes in at just under 16lb, which makes it legal to shoot a deer or antelope in Idaho. With an extra 4” on the barrel, it probably wouldn’t.

So, since you only mentioned that you’ll be using it at the range, I’d go with the 24” CTR.
And like the guy above said, put it in the bravo. I personally didn’t like the CTR factory stock. I ended up going with a Tac A1 chassis about a month ago. It made the most sense for me.

 

[SWWI Shooter]

Looking to get my first Tikka, and first 6.5CM. Range is from 100-600 but have access to 1000 yard one. My question is this: 20" or 24" barrel?

I bought a stainless 24" CTR but found it pretty long/ heavy for whitetail hunting and climbing in and out of stands. I eventually sent it to LRI and had the barrel cut to 19 inches and fluted. If you don't know what you want, start with the stainless 24 inch and if you find it too long, have it cut down. 20 inch is long enough to shoot 1000 yards (if that's what you're worried about) but beyond 1100-1200 may be getting questionable (at least it is with my current hand loads and 19 inch barrel).

 

[DOA]

I have the same use as you, and hunt as well. I went with a 20" stainless CTR and put it in a KRG Bravo chassis. I ended up liking the CTR stock more than I expected though.

A 20" barrel is a lot easier to move with if you're hunting. If you're benchrest shooting there's no reason to not get the 24". If you're hunting, and usually shooting 600yds or less, you could also consider a .308

Just benchrest/casual range time. I have a .308 but would prefer something but with a bit less recoil and more wind bucking ability, which I think fits the 6.5CM. Does it not?

 

[SWWI Shooter]

Just benchrest/casual range time. I have a .308 but would prefer something but with a bit less recoil and more wind bucking ability, which I think fits the 6.5CM. Does it not?

I have had many 308's but bought my first 6.5 Creedmoor last year and love it. It is so much fun to shoot when compared to the 308 (less recoil). My bother shoots a 308 and does just fine out past 1000 so take your pick. I doubt that you will notice any practical difference between the two shooting out to 600 yards. Even though I have a shorter than average 6.5 barrel, I will say that to take full advantage of the differences between the 6.5 and 308, a longer (22+ inch) is preferred.

 

[viking78]

Winter is coming, are you ready ❄?.

 

[Forrest84]

What barrel and profile you running

 

[viking78]

What barrel and profile you running

It is a Krieger barrel, i do remember that it was remington varmint profile.
It is 21,50mm on the front of the barrel and getting thicker to the chamber area.
6,5 creedmoor.
8"/4.
24".

 

[perttime]

The corkscrew barrel looks cool. Have you noticed other advantages - or any disadvantages?

 

[Forrest84]

sorry double post

 

[Forrest84]

It is a Krieger barrel, i do remember that it was remington varmint profile.
It is 21,50mm on the front of the barrel and getting thicker to the chamber area.
6,5 creedmoor.
8"/4.
24".

Mine was a 24” heavy Palma but that looks closer to what I’m wanting to do but in 26”.
For a modern PRS rifle it was just to light in 6.5. Thinking of building another one in 6BR in a PRS1 manners with some weighted filler and a heavier barrel

 

[SlimySquirrel]

Winter is coming, are you ready ❄?.

View attachment 7160367

Might be winter where you are .... but it's starting to hit 30 degrees Celcius regularly where I am!

 

[Jgunner]

Got my xlr element 3.0 in today. Wish i had gone to a skinnier profile barrel, but itll do. Side folder is heavy(5.5oz) and mount is heavy-ish. Vortex AMG up top, 17” x-caliber barrel, finished off in 6.5cm flavor. Im sure i could cut half a pound, but all in due time.

 

[viking78]

Might be winter where you are .... but it's starting to hit 30 degrees Celcius regularly where I am!

Come here to chill out

 

[verdugo60]

Winter is coming, are you ready ❄?.

View attachment 7160367

Imagine if Simo had THAT instead of the mosin! Looking good.

 

[wade2big]

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...he-usual-one.6877106/#lg=post-6979466&slide=1

@Cheeseburger1976
Look at the pictures in this thread and bend your spring to mimic them. If this doesn’t fix your problem then something is out of spec with the chassis.

 

[perttime]

Imagine if Simo had THAT instead of the mosin! Looking good.

Simo didn't want a scope.

 

[viking78]

Purchased a Cadex chassis for my Tac A1 several months back and this has been a problem from the beginning and I feel like I’ve read things in a negative way about the CTR style magazines. When I load the magazine into the chassis the first round always gets set in the chamber using the bolt, then usually the rounds after that the bolt face slides over top of it then I have to manipulate the magazine or the round by hand in order to get the bolt face to catch in order to insert the round into the chamber. Are there any tips or tricks for this? HELP

One solution, get Sako TRG 22 magazine, it has way stiffer spring on the follower, and the quality of the magazine is just something from a different planet.

Try this mod before, it will get that mag a little bit tighter fit on the magwell.

 

[verdugo60]

Simo didn't want a scope.

True, it certainly didn't hold him back. The scopes at the time tended to fog up in the extreme cold. Apparently he got many of his kills up close with a submachine gun too. He was a master guerrilla warrior.

I just thought Viking's rifle looked ready for a Winter War and it made me think of Simo.

 

[viking78]

Simo is a legend and always be one.
You can not compare modern sniper to Simo.
Gear these days are just something, that soldiers on WW2 time could not even imagine, and they still shoot better with
pystykorva 7.62x54R than many these days with gear like i have, Simo did train nearly every day, back in the old time, these days
gun ranges are closed, and having a hobby like a shooting, it´s a crime these days.
In EU, they are maybe ban lead use on ammo, so good buy training and sport shootin, 22LR and s..t like that.
F..K EU

 

[viking78]

Waiting for the winter, and snow.
So i had to make a winter hunting mod for the Bravo Tikka T3X CTR 223rem too.
Also received a Sirui R-5241X carbonfiber HD tripod to test.
Shiet, this thing can hold 35KG weight!! i had that Sirui K40X ball head all ready, and Hog saddle pic mount.
This tri can hold a ton
Fully upgrade with MKmachining too.

 

[perttime]

Cadex say that their Strike Nuke Evo mini chassis stock will soon be available for Tikka.

 

[Oldbugr]

Wow, that Cadex chassis looks good, for me because it's not metal it might make a good winter setup.

 

[viking78]

Seeing your winter paint jobs has rekindled an idea I had. Used to have a Manners PRS1TK but wanted it in their Arctic Frost. I almost tried to copy it but got rid of the stock for a Bravo / W3. Seeing your seasonal changes inspires me to buy a second set of skins. Maybe do a white with a faint, light grey Kryptek fading in and out like their over whites. Or maybe a almost imperceptible multicam. That just might be my rifles winter coat. An "over white" skin and a suppressed 20" 22BR barrel

Deam, that snow camo looks super cool.
In Finland, we have like half of the year snow, so why not have one white panel set for winter, and normal for summer
Show us your work, when you have finished it

 

[EddieE]

Just saw that the T3x tactical is going for 1500-1700, what is so special about this gun that it would fetch as much as the Tac a1 or so much more than the T3x Varmint? I have the varmint.

 

[Gobears16]

Well hot damn these tikka’s can shoot. Just got my 6.5 CTR out of Cali 10 day jail and immediately put it into a KRG Bravo. I topped it with an Athlon BTR 4.5-27. I only had time to bore sight and shoot 7 shots (daddy duties with kids). I was hoping the Hornady American Gunner would work in this rifle as I wasn’t wanting to reload for this rifle. It sure likes it might be a winner. Here is a picture of shots 2,3,4 and 5,6,7 through the rifle 100yards. I cleaned throughly after the first group and there was almost zero fowling. I can’t wait to stretch this rifle out over the weekend. I’m definitely a believer in Tikkas after this first experience.

And here she is on the bench!!

 

[EddieE]

Well hot damn these tikka’s can shoot. Just got my 6.5 CTR out of Cali 10 day jail and immediately put it into a KRG Bravo. I topped it with an Athlon BTR 4.5-27. I only had time to bore sight and shoot 7 shots (daddy duties with kids). I was hoping the Hornady American Gunner would work in this rifle as I wasn’t wanting to reload for this rifle. It sure likes it might be a winner. Here is a picture of shots 2,3,4 and 5,6,7 through the rifle 100yards. I cleaned throughly after the first group and there was almost zero fowling. I can’t wait to stretch this rifle out over the weekend. I’m definitely a believer in Tikkas after this first experience.

And here she is on the bench!!

Some nice shooting. Amazing how well these shoot for being a $800-1000 gun. Not sure why Remington ca't put out an action that is this smooth and a gun that shoots so well overall.

 

[Oldbugr]

Very nice shooting!

 

[patriot07]

My first thought was, "what overtravel and creep?" Must be seriously gilding the lily.

-Stooxie

Agreed.

I hadn't been shooting in 6 months and went out a couple weeks ago and shot this group (scope adjustment after lowest shot). Last shot was the far left that I pulled... (facepalm). This was a 100% factory Tikka CTR 6.5 CM. Well - action and barrel are 100% factory - it does have a sterk bolt handle and manners stock for comfort reasons.

Pretty silly that the gun is good enough and easy enough to use that someone who hasn't shot in 6 months can go out and put up a group like that.

 

[viking78]

Jaki titanium series suppressor testing with the kids .

We are boltgunners.



I did also tested Jaki titanium super and this Falcon optics X50 rifle scope.
First time i manage to gt behind the scope and do some shooting.
It is 10-50x60 SFP scope, but it has very nice glass, made in Japan, so there is no problem to use the full power with this scope.
If you know Sightron SIII 10-50x60, this is identical on that, but price is 1/3 lower.
I had once that Sigtron, and that is about 10 years ago, nearly..
I think this has better imige quality than that Sightron back in the time i had it.



And that Krieger barrelled Tikka is on custom care too.
It will have a custom cerakote on it, and no, it will not be single color.
Guys from the cerakoting company send me picture yesterday.
First color is on there now

 

[346ci]

Just got a KRG Bravo for one of my T3's, really nice stock for the money. Pretty sure I will be unloading my Manners and getting another Bravo for the other.

 

[viking78]

Great tip for Bravo, is to get a Hoptic USA saddle blanket on the cheekrest, i have it on one and getting it to second one too.
Cheap price and work really well.

 

[AKMarty]

Just got my Tac A1 6.5CM! Put my Gen 1 Vortex PST 4-16x50 on it and wow! I’ve never done precision shooting because my rifles were not that good.
3 groups 12, 10:30, 9 o’clock shot in that order on 3rd outing.
2 targets-lower at 100yds, top at 200yds.

I love this thing! Now for more practice!

 

[Billiam1211]

I picked up my Tikka Tac-A1 a few years ago and ran it in PRS matches for the last 2 years and it's been a hammer. They keep popping up more and more at my local club.

My Tikka is kind of a franken Tac A1 at this point. I swapped the bolt-handle/shroud, swapped the grip to an Ergo Tactical Deluxe, replaced the barrel to a Patriot Valley Arms 26-inch M24 contour in 6.5 Creedmoor, and added an Area 419 universal Arca Rail. The Rock Creek from PVA has been a hammer so far, I'm about 400 rounds in.

 

[djtommyboy]

My T3X TAC AT 600 yards

 

[DOA]

Great tip for Bravo, is to get a Hoptic USA saddle blanket on the cheekrest, i have it on one and getting it to second one too.
Cheap price and work really well.

Did you have to ask them to make you one specifically for the Tikka? I'm not seeing one for the Tikka on their site.

 

[Krazy_jim]

Did you have to ask them to make you one specifically for the Tikka? I'm not seeing one for the Tikka on their site.

Given the bravo is made for more than just a tikka, i dont think you are looking for a tikka pad specifically.

But dont take my word for it

 

[strat81]

Looking to get my first Tikka, and first 6.5CM. Range is from 100-600 but have access to 1000 yard one. My question is this: 20" or 24" barrel?

24.

My 6.5s are 20 and 16.75 and the additional velocity would be nice when the wind picks up and I'm shooting at 600.

Maybe one day I'll go deer hunting and appreciate the light weight of the 16.75.

 

[armydog]

I went with a 24 but I still get around 125fps slower than my rem 700 with a Bartlein the same length. Lowlight had said Tikka barrels are slow too. That being said go with a 24.
I have 600 rounds through my Tikka come time to rebarrel I'll go with a Bartlein but stick with a 24 inch.

 

[viking78]

Did you have to ask them to make you one specifically for the Tikka? I'm not seeing one for the Tikka on their site.

They have universal model, it fit´s nicely to KRG Bravo and same model goes great for Tikka T3X TAC A1 too.

 

[Billiam1211]

I went with a 24 but I still get around 125fps slower than my rem 700 with a Bartlein the same length. Lowlight had said Tikka barrels are slow too. That being said go with a 24.
I have 600 rounds through my Tikka come time to rebarrel I'll go with a Bartlein but stick with a 24 inch.

My 6.5 Creedmoor 24-inch Tikka factory barrel got 2,742 fps w/ 140gr ELDs and 42.5gr H4350. I replaced the barrel w/ a Rock Creek prefit from Patriot Valley Arms and I'm getting 2,800 w/ 140gr ELDs at 42gr of H4350. Tikka factory barrels are slow, but unbelievably accurate.

 

[Gobears16]

My new 6.5 24in ctr barrel is getting 2730 with 140 Hornady American Gunner. ES is around 35 but the accuracy with this cheap ammo is pretty remarkable. First two groups out of the gun where .25 moa at 100... not sure if I stretch it out really far how it will do with such a big ES spread but I’ll get it out to 1000 next week and see.

 

[strat81]

My 6.5 Creedmoor 24-inch Tikka factory barrel got 2,742 fps w/ 140gr ELDs and 42.5gr H4350. I replaced the barrel w/ a Rock Creek prefit from Patriot Valley Arms and I'm getting 2,800 w/ 140gr ELDs at 42gr of H4350. Tikka factory barrels are slow, but unbelievably accurate.

My new 6.5 24in ctr barrel is getting 2730 with 140 Hornady American Gunner. ES is around 35 but the accuracy with this cheap ammo is pretty remarkable. First two groups out of the gun where .25 moa at 100... not sure if I stretch it out really far how it will do with such a big ES spread but I’ll get it out to 1000 next week and see.

As another point of reference...

My 20" CTR posted average velocity of 2606, SD 6.6 with 41.5gr H4350 and a 139gr Scenar, 2.870" COAL and Fed 210M.

Factory Hornady 140gr ELD Match was 2549 average, SD 22. Factory Hornady 140gr BTHP American Gunner was 2506 average, SD 25.4.

A deer at 100 yards probably won't be able to tell the difference, but steel or paper at 1,000 with 10 or 15 mph wind certainly will.

 

[DOA]

Given the bravo is made for more than just a tikka, i dont think you are looking for a tikka pad specifically.

But dont take my word for it

Misspoke, meant for Bravo. ?

 

[DOA]

They have universal model, it fit´s nicely to KRG Bravo and same model goes great for Tikka T3X TAC A1 too.
View attachment 7166834

Thank you. That helps.

 

[verdugo60]

That awkward moment when your 8lb Tikka/PROOF/McMillan hunting build outshoots your 18 lb Accuracy International!

Shout out to PROOF, it's a Tikka Pre-Fit and shoots 1/2 moa with the 143 ELD-X with almost no load development. Didn't even bed it yet.

 

[NiemiPT]

As another point of reference...

My 20" CTR posted average velocity of 2606, SD 6.6 with 41.5gr H4350 and a 139gr Scenar, 2.870" COAL and Fed 210M.

My 20” T3 CTR is around 855m/s (2800fps) with 139gr Scenar L and 2,95 grams (45,5gr) of VV N160. I’m more than happy

 

[DMP]

I see references to upgrading the bolt handle and bolt shroud on the Tikka. Is this functional or cosmetic?

 

[littlepod]

Cosmetic

Bolt handle to a swept back I would say is functional.

 

[EddieE]

Bolt handle to a swept back I would say is functional.

what is the advantage?