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Tikka T3 Thread

How does the barrel nut system on the SolidAccuracy/Criterion and PVA barrels even work? The barrel nut just torques against the receiver and holds the barrel in place like a jam nut on a muzzle device or what?
 
300WM at 800 yds is a bit overkill dont you think?
How does the barrel nut system on the SolidAccuracy/Criterion and PVA barrels even work? The barrel nut just torques against the receiver and holds the barrel in place like a jam nut on a muzzle device or what?

thats how I understand it. you adjust the headspace and then tighten the nut and check go-nogo
 
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Oh neat. Actually, how would you install a shouldered barrel? Do you just screw it in? Is a barrel nut easier?

But yeah, I'm just looking for options once I shoot my Tikka CTR barrel out. I'm eyeing the Criterion barrel due to price + barrel nut, but I'm definitely not set on it yet.
 
Gotcha, thanks guys. Looks like I might consider the barrel nuts since honestly I'm not a good enough shooter to make use of the extra precision a gunsmith fitted shouldered barrel would have. The PVA option looks really cheap too, $40 barrel nut and wrench and a $350-400 barrel.
 
Gotcha, thanks guys. Looks like I might consider the barrel nuts since honestly I'm not a good enough shooter to make use of the extra precision a gunsmith fitted shouldered barrel would have. The PVA option looks really cheap too, $40 barrel nut and wrench and a $350-400 barrel.

I dont think you'll be disappointed. This is with a barrel nut prefit in .308.

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PVA charges 650$ for the Tikka prefit, then 40$ for nut/wrench. A smith will charge barrel price plus 300-400$ for chamber and muzzle. So pricing really isn't that much different. On the prefit, you have the convenience of doing the work yourself so the guns only down the time it takes to do the work, versus a smith having it for a few weeks.
Ah, interesting. On PVA's site I see some options for $375 + barrel nut though.

RRR3yK4.png
 
Ah, interesting. On PVA's site I see some options for $375 + barrel nut though.

RRR3yK4.png

1. That's a sale with limited selection.
2. Those are button rifled, not cut rifled.
3. You didn't select a threaded muzzle, which would raise the price.

Not saying those are bad things, but that's the price discrepancy. A cut rifled prefit from PVA with threaded muzzle is about 650.

And my barrel is a Criterion spun up by Tim at Solid Accuracy.
 
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Anyone put a CTR in a Mesa stock? I’m thinking of changing the stock on mine and wasn’t sure about the barrel channel. Offerings are factory sporter or sendero. Wasn’t sure which worked better
 
How do you like the Altitude?

I like it quite a bit. Quality is good - similar to a McMillan or Manners. Mesa was great to work with. I don't think there are many sporter-barrel, CTR bottom metal inlet ones out there. The stock is very similar to Manners EH1s that I've had, although I think the grip is slightly beefier than the Manners.

I've got 2 of the Mesa stocks right now, and would certainly consider another when the time comes.

FWIW, with the sporter barrel inlet, mine came it at 29 oz.
 
Gotcha, thanks guys. Looks like I might consider the barrel nuts since honestly I'm not a good enough shooter to make use of the extra precision a gunsmith fitted shouldered barrel would have. The PVA option looks really cheap too, $40 barrel nut and wrench and a $350-400 barrel.

The barrel nut systems are plenty accurate. These are 200 yard load development groups with the Preferred Barrel Blanks variable shoulder (barrel nut) barrel on the rifle I posted above.
 

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1. That's a sale with limited selection.
2. Those are button rifled, not cut rifled.
3. You didn't select a threaded muzzle, which would raise the price.

Not saying those are bad things, but that's the price discrepancy. A cut rifled prefit from PVA with threaded muzzle is about 650.

And my barrel is a Criterion spun up by Tim at Solid Accuracy.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. Would cut be a lot more precise than button?
 
Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. Would cut be a lot more precise than button?

My understanding is that button rifling is much faster and easier to produce, which is why they are cheaper. As for the accuracy merits of one vs the other...it seems to be debatable. Do some research, it's been discussed on here.

Personally, I don't have enough hands on experience to form an opinion. Sorry.
 
My understanding is that button rifling is much faster and easier to produce, which is why they are cheaper. As for the accuracy merits of one vs the other...it seems to be debatable. Do some research, it's been discussed on here.

Personally, I don't have enough hands on experience to form an opinion. Sorry.
Yeah, I already did a lot of reading on it both here and elsewhere and there's a lot of conflicting information so I wasn't sure. I think the general opinion seems to be that they can both be precise, at least precise enough for my uses anyways.
 
Am I really losing out if my 300Win Build is only 3.560? Not reloading yet.

Is the Mountain Tactical bottom metal the way to get longer overall lengths?

Thanks!
 
can the block be removed.
It's made out of steel and and spot welded in at the front of the mag.
Compared to the 10 the 5 is a pain in the ass to just get the follower and spring out because it uses the same spring and there is not enough wiggle room and the spring binds like hell.....
 
Follow-up on my 20 VarTarg Tikka. Barrel arrived from Preferred Barrel Blanks, and really looks nice! Great fit and finish, chambered for 20 VarTarg with a .235” neck, which the loaded rounds measure .232” before firing. Add this rifle to the list, I have now popped off 4 Tikka factory barrels and 2 Sako TRG barrels with a Brownells universal action wrench. Three whacks with a hammer and the wrench broke the action loose.

Fitted up the new barrel, torque to 100 ft/lbs with SAC action wrench. Trip to the range the next day. Turns out the 20VT barrel is pretty accurate. Detailed load development to follow. Best news is the 20VT feeds great out of the modified CZ527 magazines. If I run the bolt briskly, they feed and eject properly. If I run the bolt slowly, the cases nose dive out of the magazine, because the distance from the feed lips to the chamber is too far for the short VT cartridge.

I’m calling the 20 VarTarg experiment on the 223 Tikka a success!

Here are pictures of the Modified CZ Fireball magazines. Tikka CTR 223 magazine and MDT AI 223 magazine for comparison.
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Just installed the Jet Blast brake.

Counting down the days until the Whiskey 3 and Vortex show up. What are you guys using for torque specs on the action screws? The manual calls for 65 in/lb but I've seen some conflicting input saying the gun performs better at 35-40 in/lb. Thanks for the input!
 
35-40 in-lb is advised for the FACTORY plastic stock...because if you over tighten it and splay the stock, you're doneski from an accuracy standpoint. I've run mine at factory spec and I've run it at 35 in-lb...not sure I noticed a difference...in performance, honestly...probably inside my abilities. It's not a concern for something like the W-3.
 
Hello
I'm looking to purchase the T3x Tact A1, JRTAC382L. Not able to locate one anywhere at this time. Hopefully they are still being made.
TH
 
Hi all, new to the hide and just purchased a new Tikka T3X Lite D-18 Rifle .308 that I have not taken possession of yet. In the meantime I wanted to order a mount and my scope- I was looking at a Spuhr ST-4701: TRG 34mm Mount 7MIL/24MOA - 1.378" and wanted to ask the crew on here if that made sense and seemed like a great mount? It seems crazy expensive but I have heard good things? I had read earlier on here that the Tikka came with a factory dovetail and so it should fit right on there?

I also saw one a mount that looked useful with a bubble level, not sure who makes- any thoughts on those? do you guys use a bubble level?

lastly I saw the game reaper mounts which seem way less expensive but still good quality? but disadvantage for this is no 20 Moa

I will be using it for some long range shooting maxed at 1,000 yards and hunting.

My scope will be a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 F1 which is 34mm. Thanks
 

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Bought a tikka 20" ctr 6.5cm I was wondering how much weight I could save by switching to a need stock or chassis.
Not going to save any weight, almost every stock or chassis out there will weigh more than the factory stock.

Only ones lighter would be a carbon stock with a fixed comb and even then your weight saving will only be a few ounces at most. The factory stock is pretty light as is.
 
I took the plunge and ordered a CTR 6.5 last week. Should have it Thursday. I already have a XLR chassis to put it in so im pretty stoked. I have a couple of questions regarding the factory CTR stock. I also have a T3X Lite in 6.5. Will my Lite action fit in the CTR stock? Also, is the CTR stock heavier than a factory Lite stock? Thanks!
 
Is anybody other than Black Label bipod making a handguard for the tikka tac a1? Looking to pick up a Tac A1 chassis for one of my actions and would love a hanguard similar to the geissele mk18.

Alternatively is there any interest out there from Tikka Tac A1 owners to see something like this come to the market? Wondering if it’s an idea we could take and see if someone could bring it to life. Thinking a handguard that’s a bit longer with build in arca on the bottom side. Pic of 16 inch geissele mk18 for reference.
 

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Hi all, new to the hide and just purchased a new Tikka T3X Lite D-18 Rifle .308 that I have not taken possession of yet. In the meantime I wanted to order a mount and my scope- I was looking at a Spuhr ST-4701: TRG 34mm Mount 7MIL/24MOA - 1.378" and wanted to ask the crew on here if that made sense and seemed like a great mount? It seems crazy expensive but I have heard good things? I had read earlier on here that the Tikka came with a factory dovetail and so it should fit right on there?

lastly I saw the game reaper mounts which seem way less expensive but still good quality? but disadvantage for this is no 20 Moa

Honestly, that Night Force will likely make it to 1000 w/o any fancy mounting cant...even with a .308. That being said...

DNZ mounts are made just up the road from where I used to live in NC. I've never had any QA/QC issues with them at all, they stood up fine to the 7mm RM I ran them on.

I have a Spuhr 4701 from Mile High sitting on my KRG SOTIC right now. My only gripe is that I've got it as far forward on the receiver as it'll go and, frankly, and the scope all the way forward in the mount. Definitely worth checking to see if you've got the eye relief you need...or, buy from someone that'll take it back without hassle if it doesn't work for you. I use a SIG Tango6 4-24x50mm on that rifle for sake of comparison...not sure what your eye relief is like on the NF.
 
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I took the plunge and ordered a CTR 6.5 last week. Should have it Thursday. I already have a XLR chassis to put it in so im pretty stoked. I have a couple of questions regarding the factory CTR stock. I also have a T3X Lite in 6.5. Will my Lite action fit in the CTR stock? Also, is the CTR stock heavier than a factory Lite stock? Thanks!
All Tikka actions are the same. Bottom metal and magazines vary. Lite action will fit in the CTR but with a gap. Better to unscrew the comb from your CTR stock and screw onto your Lite stock. Pretty much same thing. Can also swap to the vertical grip while you are at it. Then it will weight the same as the original CTR stock.
 
All Tikka actions are the same. Bottom metal and magazines vary. Lite action will fit in the CTR but with a gap. Better to unscrew the comb from your CTR stock and screw onto your Lite stock. Pretty much same thing. Can also swap to the vertical grip while you are at it. Then it will weight the same as the original CTR stock.
But I couldnt use the CTR mags in that configuration, correct?
 
Another question for the group. Can anyone recommend some good muzzle brake options for a 6.5 CTR? I saw some mentioned previously, but I only remember the Area 419 Hellfire. Other suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Not going to save any weight, almost every stock or chassis out there will weigh more than the factory stock.

Only ones lighter would be a carbon stock with a fixed comb and even then your weight saving will only be a few ounces at most. The factory stock is pretty light as is.
Thank you Just what I was looking for. Been looking and it actually is decently light. The barrel and action must hold all the weight. I understand and accept the route I took just want to cut as much weight for the field as possible now. 7.5lb gun need to light on scope and bipod add can shouldn't be too bad :)
 
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But I couldnt use the CTR mags in that configuration, correct?
Correct
If you want to use the ctr mags you need to put it in the ctr stock.
And you will have to remove the magazine retainer clip from the lites trigger housing the ctr does not use it.
 
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Another question for the group. Can anyone recommend some good muzzle brake options for a 6.5 CTR? I saw some mentioned previously, but I only remember the Area 419 Hellfire. Other suggestions would be appreciated.
I use an PVA Jetblast and it seems fine but like someone said, most any brake will do.
 
Do they make one in 6.5 and 5/8x24? Don’t see one anywhere.

They just list it now as being for 7.62mm bore or smaller. I have one on my 6.5CTR and my 20" 223 AR. I like them both, for the $$ anyway.

If you want the highest level of recoil reduction out of a brake, consider SJC titan.


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They just list it now as being for 7.62mm bore or smaller. I have one on my 6.5CTR and my 20" 223 AR. I like them both, for the $$ anyway.

If you want the highest level of recoil reduction out of a brake, consider SJC titan.


GJEsSQr.jpg

4W2NvxH.jpg
They must be out of 5/8x24. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
Any self timing brake will do. It's a small cartridge, not a lot of recoil to begin with. The hellfire is an awesome brake, and it serves as a supressor mount with the area419 adapters too. All their shit is top notch.
I hear the Hellfire is pretty obnoxious. How bad is it?
 
I hear the Hellfire is pretty obnoxious. How bad is it?
i'm sure it's bad for folks shooting beside you. i wear elec muffs when at the range and hunting, and no issues at all with my hellfire. it does a great job at mitigating recoil (300wsm).
 
I hear the Hellfire is pretty obnoxious. How bad is it?

It's amazing for the shooter. On my 20" CTR barrel in .308 it definitely sucked for anyone in a 10ft radius. Blew my sunglasses off the bench a few times. I will still keep buying them, the gas has to go somewhere and they work awesome.
 
Hello again, another newbie question.
I’m having issues with installing a sterk swept bolt handle into a CTR bolt. The new handle slips into the bolt channel fine but I’m having issues getting the firing pin assembly to engage into the bolt handle’s rounded channel. This seems to be keeping the tab at the end of the firing pin assembly from engaging into the bolt end shroud. Wondering if anyone has any advice.

Cheers,
A.
 
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