Tikka T3x lite vs CTR precision

[Mr. C.]

Hello there,

I'm thinking about building a new lightweight hunting rifle on the basis of a Tikka action.
Super important for me is to have both a lightweight and very precise weapon that can handle some shooting range action without losing its precision.
A couple of years ago I owned a CTR which did the trick precision-wise.
The stock though was extremely crappy and the gun overall a little bit too heavy. Currently, I have a super heavy varminter that - again - does the precision trick but is annoying when carrying around.
So my main concern is, can a T3x lite (17mm muzzle diameter) handle larger series when punching pagper?
I want to see groups under one inch.
Do you guys have any first hand experience and/ or advice?

Many thanks in advance,
C. C.

 

[Delicatessen]

I tend to think the ctr is the better balance of the two for target and carry within reason. You could swap the stock to a krg etc if you prefer but it will add a little weight, unless you do an xlr magnesium one. If you keep to the 20 in in 260 or 6.5 I think it balances well. The lite will work if you let it cool but I wouldn’t do long strings of fire etc. Also the lite isn’t threaded if you want a muzzle device. You could also do a carbon prefit but you are going to be up there in price if you go that route.

 

[Tallan87]

the ctr I believe is a light palma contour. handled a t3x ctr yesterday and the stock wasn't that bad. good weight depending on choice of optics.

the new roughtech has a bit heavier contour barrel that is fluted and threaded as well.

I would go with the roughtech in your position some of the models offer a 20" barrel option as well.

 

[lennyo3034]

I had a T3x lite that was nothing special in the accuracy department. The CTRs are well known for accuracy.

 

[Mr. C.]

Many thanks for your insights.
Originally, I dind´t want to go too much into detail but I think it´s necessary, now.
Caliber-wise I will go .308.
I will get a PSE stock...I´m just not sure wether it´ll be the hunter oder E-Lite. Those stocks weigh in at 650 and 900 gramms with bedding.
Optics-wise I´ll get a Swarovski Z6i 2-12x50 which weighs 550 gramms.
I do have a fluted barrel already and I don´t want to have such a thing again. So no roughtech for me.
I could get a t3x lite with a firing pin safety which I find is a great feature, but if you guys tell me that the t3c lite is more prone to precision issues I don´t want to go that route.
As far as I know, the CTR has a 19mm muzzle diameter in contrast to the 17mm of the lite; I guess that might really help.
The thing is, I want to stay far away from the weight of my Sako (4700 gramms). Otherwise this project doesn´t make any sense and I´m merely burning money.

Thanks again,
C.

 

[Tallan87]

I would just run the ctr in a light weight stock then. is it inleted for the ctr mags?

 

[Mr. C.]

Fun fact is that the CTR stock weighs approximately 850g, the PSE E-tec 850g without bedding.
So that's just converting money into something nicer.
Then I'd have to go with the hunter stock to save some weight.

 

[Tallan87]

Fun fact is that the CTR stock weighs approximately 850g, the PSE E-tec 850g without bedding.
So that's just converting money into something nicer.
Then I'd have to go with the hunter stock to save some weight.

could also look into the upr.

 

[LeftyJason]

My t3x lite measures 15.6mm at the muzzle. It doesn't go 17mm til shorter than 18"

 

[Mr. C.]

Okay, thanks again.
The upr seems to be nice. Will check the weight later.
The t3x lite from my gunsmith has a 17mm muzzle... He measured it for me today.

 

[Harveyn]

I'd go the Tikka Veil with the D18 barrel profile. A little heavier than the lite but not as heavy as the ctr. I measured .7" at the muzzle. If the plastic stock is as issue, just replace it with a carbon fiber or lightweight stock of your choosing. Weight of the Veil i measured at 3.04kg / 6lb 11oz.

 

[Mr. C.]

The veil looks pretty cool and has many features that I like but it comes with the fluted barrel :/

 

[Harveyn]

What's the issue with a fluted barrel?

 

[LeftyJason]

Okay, thanks again.
The upr seems to be nice. Will check the weight later.
The t3x lite from my gunsmith has a 17mm muzzle... He measured it for me today.

At what barrel length? I measured mine awhile ago. This was mine.


Diameter [Dia in mm] back from muzzle {bfm in mm} (barrel length) <bl in mm>

Starting from muzzle
.616 [15.64] 0 {0} (24.33) <618>
.620 [15.75] 1.358 {34.5} (23) <584.2>
.630 [16] 2.57 {65.28} (21.75) <552.45>
.640 [16.25] 3.81 {96.77} (20.5) <520.7>
.650 [16.5] 5.05 {128.27} (19.25) <488.95>
.660 [16.75] 6.27 {159.25} (18.06) <458.72>
Recommended od for 9/16 shoulder .662 [16.81] 6.62 {168.27} (17.7) <449.58>
0.673 [17.1] 8.08 {205.23} (16.25) <412.75>


Beyond this point has to be registered as an SBR in USA.
At front of tupperware 0.711 [18.06] (11) <279.4>
Recommended od for 5/8 0.725 [18.41] (9.33) <236.98>

 

[BigBlastin300win]

What loads are shooting accurate out of the 20" ctr 6.5cm?? I've hear eld-x's still looking for a scope for mine will report back after i get a box through it.

 

[Antares]

I don’t know what your idea of a lightweight hunting rifle is, but wouldn’t start with a CTR if that’s what I was after. Get a Lite (or Superlite) and build that out. It’ll be fine at the range, you’ll just have to shoot a little slower to keep the barrel cool.

Why don’t you want a fluted barrel? Sounds to me like you do... They help shed weight and barrel heat.

 

[Mr. C.]

Gentlemen, thank you so much for your time and help.

I've used the last few days to look into action-weights, stock weights and barrel weight.

It seems, that you can hardly save any weight by using another stock than the original Tikka stock. It's pretty lightweight already. Though, using a PSE stock will give you overall more a quality feel, build quality and fat better ergonomics (E Lite will also be adjustible).

Comparing the actions, it seems that there's - again - no big difference between Tikka and say 700s.
You get great aftermarket parts for both actions. Maybe the Tikka is a hair lighter but that doesn't really help.

The only place where you can really save some weight is the barrel.
Fluting helps a little but changing from a steel barrel to a carbon one really helps.
I couldn't find exact numbers but from what I'm guestemating a carbon barrel should save you some 750 to 1000 gramms.

So right now I'm looking into carbon barrels.
Maybe I found a new route by using a Walküre system with a proof 20" barrel.
That thing should weigh in at around 3.5 to 3.5 kilograms with score mounted.
Last question will be the price.

Any ideas on that?

 

[WilburW]

My T3x Lite .308 has a lot of muzzle jump. Barrel is too narrow for normal 5/8x24 threads, so smith is cutting 1/2x28 with the brake bored out to handle .30 cal diameter bullets.
Accuracy is good: consistent hits on 6” steel plate at 550 yds.

 

[Mr. C.]

Sorry for coming back so late, there is so much going on currently.
I purchased a rifle in the meantime:
It's a t3x lite in .308 and it has a striker safety which is pretty rare (tell me if you want to see pictures).
I couldn't justify going completely bananas price- and riflewise.
I guess this will be the perfect hunting rifle.
I'm still waiting for the mounts and hoping for the shooting yards to open back up. I'm really curious to see how well it shoots.
Also, I'm considering a wildcat stock from Canada, they seem to build the lightest stocks in the market.