- Thread starter cjs88
- Start date
Part out a factory rifle.
I figured. What is the draw to Tikka that everyone likes so much?
buy a $400 tikka lite rifle
screw on new shouldered prefit
put in stock/chassis of choice
add yo-dave trigger spring
add rail and sterk bolt/shroud
add scope
go shoot
or take Tikka CTR and mount in new chassis/stock
screw on new shouldered prefit
put in stock/chassis of choice
add yo-dave trigger spring
add rail and sterk bolt/shroud
add scope
go shoot
or take Tikka CTR and mount in new chassis/stock
smoothest and best tolerances of any factory action
3.4" length is perfect for the new short action magnums as well
3.4" length is perfect for the new short action magnums as well
Now that they have aftermarket support they’re like a savage with bling.
I think you just knocked it down a peg with that comparison.
Meh.I think you just knocked it down a peg with that comparison.
Not really.
Not comparing the quality of the action, more the inexpensive factory option.
For just a bit more you get a substantially nicer start and it’s still with a fairly cheap buy in price.
Wouldn't the Ultimatum Defacto probably be the best starter choice today? If I had to start today, Tikka CTR vs Ultimatum Defacto, probably get the Defacto.
To be truthful I wish Tikka was more of an option when I started.
I’m really wanting to replace my savage but I’d probably be pretty content with a tikka.
I’m really wanting to replace my savage but I’d probably be pretty content with a tikka.
I wanted an action that I could get pre-fits for, that KRG made a chassis for, and that worked. That last part I would highlight a couple times over as a defining characteristic not always found in actions/triggers regardless of price. The lower price was enough that I could spend more money on glass/tripod/bags which I tend to get a lot more practical value out of.
No complaints here. The Tikka action (and the factory trigger) work fine and aren't holding me back anywhere.
Im on my 2nd tikka. sold my first one. never again. I'll always have one to play with from here on out. Love the tikka action. It will always have a place with my customs and AI. Im thinking it will be my primary deer rifle this year.. CTR, sterk handle, fluted bolt, KRG Bravo, yo dave trigger spring, suppressor. Done.
Spring cost $10. Performs like a Trigger Tech Special.
Got it. Guessing, since I've read this before, there aren't a lot of after market parts for tikka actions like there are for remington clones?
The market is growing for aftermarket tikka support every year. There is plenty right now. triggers, trigger springs, bolt handles, bolt shrouds, chassis', stocks, barrels, rails, etc. About anything you would really want.
The two main reasons there is less aftermarket support for Tikkas:
A) Tikka hasn’t been in the market as many years as the Rem 700 action.
B) Since the Tikka is a newer design with the benefits of many years of fixing the design limitations of the original 700 action and being designed to incorporate newer manufacturing methods, therefore less stuff that “Needs Fixing”
My Tikka makes me look like I know what I'm doing.
Man does it suck being left handed. Trying to find a used one is tough. And the t3x usually runs $800+ new.
Tikka actions rival most customs in the $1,000 range. They’re incredibly smooth.
Tikka triggers rival most aftermarket triggers in the $150 range. Clean break, no creep.
I own 2, both with factory triggers and aftermarket barrels. I also have a $1400 custom action and sometimes wonder why I didn’t buy Two more Tikkas.
Tikka triggers rival most aftermarket triggers in the $150 range. Clean break, no creep.
I own 2, both with factory triggers and aftermarket barrels. I also have a $1400 custom action and sometimes wonder why I didn’t buy Two more Tikkas.
Yeh in a few months when you can customize it it will be nice. I might do that then... I have a MDT ACC Chassis for my T3X in 308, and will probably just use that + defacto for a PRS rig, and put my 308 back into the CTR stock.
$638.50 NIB...
TIKKA T3X LITE LH 6.5CM 24" SS/SYN - Firearms
Tikka T3x Lite, Bolt Action, 6.5 Creedmoor, 24" Cold Hammer Forged Free Float Barrel, 1:8" Twist, Stainless Finish, Synthetic Stock, Enhanced Recoil Pad, Single Stage Adjustable Trigger, Left Hand, 3 Rounds JRTXB482
georgiagunstore.com I didnt know left hand tikkas were that much. Right hamd short action t3x lite can be found online for well under $500 shipped.
Another great thing about Tikkas compared to say a Remington or Savage action is, no need to true/blueprint a Tikka action. Both Tikkas I’ve owned didn’t need any truing according to the gunsmith.
70 degree bolt throw vs 90 for R700 and clones.
Very smooth action of the bolt
Excellent factory trigger
Excellent factory accuracy
Not a Remington 700
In my experience, factory Tikka definitely superior to a factory 700. Hell, my 2 Tikkas are equal in precision and have better smooth action than a custom 700 I was shooting for a while.
I feel like a dick. I have 2 lefty Tikka's. Got them both on here ?
Fake News my friend
The sako TRGs use the same style of lug. They go up to .338 lapua mag.
I sold a 223 a while back that I really regret. I tried to buy it back, but he wouldn't. And I don't blame him.
fixed
the T3 had a soft lug but now with the stronger T3x lug offered as a spare part people can replace the T3 original once that lug wears out.
it wont happen overnight but it will happen over many a pew pew.
The same was echoed by my smith on the 2 he built for me. I did have him turn the front of action down so i could use common 1.2" breach barrels, this was years before pva and others offered shouldered tikka prefits. He made a light cut on his lathe and it cleaned up a uniform pass, same with bolt face and lug abutments. He was impressed with them, compared to all the 700s he'd done.
I did have the bolt face on one savage trued, it was slightly domed. It cycled alot smoother and brass didnt have a rub mark all around primer where it sat on dome. He only took a couple thou off to get to flat, headspace was still good to go afterwards.
That is actually pretty common.
I had terrible primer cratering as well so I swapped in a PTG bolt head and fixed both.
Let's pump the brakes a scosh - it's a very good factory option, but doesn't rival a custom action in feel.
I think it’s the smoothness of the action/bolt throw that people compare to some custom actions. I know for me, i had a Defiance LA, and I preferred the overall feel and shorter bolt lift of the Tikka. Granted, that’s just one example and my own personal preference between those 2. Now, there are lots of custom actions that I’d much rather have over a Tikka, but for a factory offering, those Tikkas are titties!?
Yeah, my Tikka's are much smoother than my Origin, but (as with everything) there are trade offs (controlled feed, mechanical ejector actions are simply not going to be as easily tuned, to be as smooth as a push feed, spring ejection action).
Cant say i agree - the Tikka in my opinion always felt sloppy in the raceway as opposed to something well fit like a Defiance, Kelby, Borden, etc.
IDK, I've had a few people that run Defiance actions, pick up my Tikka .223 with a Sterk bolt handle, cycle it and make the comment "Crap that's smooth. Makes me think maybe I should've just gotten a Tikka."
And that has happened several times...
To each their own.
I do think people confuse smooth raceways (and loose fitting raceways) w/ smooth cycling during a complete firing cycle. Ive seen many guys at the store grab the tikka to show "how smooth" the bolt throw was. Pretty irrelevant test w/o a full firing cycle. Far and away the "smoothest" action ive ran is the defiance elite - a lot of thanks goes to that long firing pin spring on the short action bolt, a feature you wouldnt appreciate w/o firing it, for example.
Oh, I've shot a Defiance before...but as you say, to each their own. They are nice (the Defiance actions), but cost wise, I think the Tikka definitely gives them (and others) a run for their money. I think the custom actions tend to be more robust/stiff than the Tikkas; the question is...does it really matter? From what I've seen, the answer is "not really". <shrug>
I think most feel that they are a bit too flimsy, and many don't like how light they are (that's why there are three hanging on my shop wall right now, collecting dust).
I wouldn’t say there crappy mine would shoot pretty consistent 3/10’s 5 shot groups, but I didn’t like the ergonomics of it so mine went into manners. Then they wouldn’t shoot as good, until I bedded them then they shot even better than before
I’m actually about to put one of my ctr’s back in the original stock for weight savings and so I can sling it around and abuse it without fretting over messing up a nice looking stock.
Over all the factory stock works for me as long as I’m not shooting prone, hunting only there’s not a thing wrong with it
The ctr stocks are plenty stiff. They aren't like Remington adl stocks or savage stocks. They shoot plenty well in them too. I hunt with a CTR and it wears the factory stock because they are light. If you plan on target shooting with it then a stock upgrade is nice to add weight and/or fit.
