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Tikka T3 Thread

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
Hi, welcome to the forum.
Where did you find that rifle and how much did you pay? Sorry I can't help you with your scope questions I'm new to this stuff. I have a T3x on backorder and I'm getting inpatient.
 
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Hi, welcome to the forum.
Where did you find that rifle and how much did you pay? Sorry I can't help you with your scope questions I'm new to this stuff. I have a T3x on backorder and I'm getting inpatient.


Hi- thank you!
I searched high and low around here in SoCal for sako or tikka in the caliber I wanted (7mm) but couldnt find any In stock so I ended up ordering the tikka t3x d18 strata in 308 from bass pro shops. I think it was $1,100?. They seem to have decent inventory but had to ship my tikka in from a different store and that took a couple days.
Also decided to go with vortex 5-25 ffp instead of the nightforce - found one cheap nib so was hard to pass on the deal.
 
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Also saw pretty cool video from some PNW guys with nice groupings right out of the box And their take on the rifle



 
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Hi- thank you!
I searched high and low around here in SoCal for sako or tikka in the caliber I wanted (7mm) but couldnt find any In stock so I ended up ordering the tikka t3x d18 strata in 308 from bass pro shops. I think it was $1,100?. They seem to have decent inventory but had to ship my tikka in from a different store and that took a couple days.
Also decided to go with vortex 5-25 ffp instead of the nightforce - found one cheap nib so was hard to pass on the deal.
Thanks for the replies. That's a little too steep for me I think I paid $617, maybe a little less from EuroOptic but I have no idea when the backorder will be over. I would go the bass pro route with the one you got but the only thing I'm really going to use is the action. I'm going to ues the barrel this year but will change that to in 2022 to 6.5.
 
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At Bass Pro today in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Ammo is scarce
 

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Can I use my CTR scope rail on my T3X Lite? Also, do I need to use a heat gun when removing the rail from the CTR?
Yes you can use it on the lite no problem, and a heat gun helps to remove the screws as they are loctited in.
 
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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.
@cannoncrossfire

Photos might help.
 
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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.
Given him a few things to try in a message. It can be different things from my experience - tolerances of the handle versus the firing pin and bolt, even simple stuff like machining burrs on the bolt (the dovetail cutout is stupidly sharp for example). Testing every handle on 2 tikka bolts as theyre machined is a good gauge, but there's still those extreme cases.
 
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.
Did you block the firing pin when you removed it ?
If you decocked the firing pin then you will have to reset it.

Blocking the firing pin.


Resetting a decocked firing pin.
 
Recently sold one of my "spr"esque ar uppers and optic, thinking of getting a 223 CTR for plinking or getting into 22lr. I love my CTR in 6.5 and a matching 223 would be dope, but would you guys spring for something cheaper at this point, like a Ruger American Ranch? Kind of a silly question in a Tikka thread...but idk!
 
Does anyone have their tikka in a MDT ESS chassis with the full top rail? Looking for some photos and opinions of the setup
 
I had, but full alloy chassis and winter are no no.
DIY hydrodipped that chassis.
It was not bad to shoot, i liked that rear stock, you got all the nesessary adjustments you need.
View attachment 7498909
Thank you!
I can imagine the aluminum alloy is not comfortable at all with the cold winters there!

Was is heavier than the KRG whiskey 3’s that you use?
Also was there any flex in the forend?
 
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Aftermarket barrels - what is everyone using?

Nice to see so many choices now, but unless I am missing some options, only PVA and Proof are producing shouldered pre-fits, correct? Everyone else is utilizing a barrel nut?

I have a hard on for a long range switch barrel hunting setup - 7mm SAUM and a 6mm/243 as yet to be determined. I already have a LRHS with rings and a Whiskey 3 sitting around for it.
 
Aftermarket barrels - what is everyone using?

Nice to see so many choices now, but unless I am missing some options, only PVA and Proof are producing shouldered pre-fits, correct? Everyone else is utilizing a barrel nut?

I have a hard on for a long range switch barrel hunting setup - 7mm SAUM and a 6mm/243 as yet to be determined. I already have a LRHS with rings and a Whiskey 3 sitting around for it.
There are actually quite a few companies offering shouldered barrels now. Carbon 6, straight jacket armory, mcgowan, OMR, preferred barrel blanks and I believe there are a couple others as well.
 
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Out of a factory barrel?
Factory barrel will be just fine accuracy wise they are just slow. Even with a barrel change I’m not sure you will be able to find a load that will stay supersonic to 1 mile.
 
Factory barrel will be just fine accuracy wise they are just slow. Even with a barrel change I’m not sure you will be able to find a load that will stay supersonic to 1 mile.

Correct, won't be supersonic, but will make it that far. Hornady calculator says about 24 mils to 1750 with a velocity of 2700 fps at 2850 it is supersonic a couple hundred yards further and just over 21 mils.
 
There are actually quite a few companies offering shouldered barrels now. Carbon 6, straight jacket armory, mcgowan, OMR, preferred barrel blanks and I believe there are a couple others as well.
Have you used any? Obviously PVA and Proof have stellar reps.
 
Correct, won't be supersonic, but will make it that far. Hornady calculator says about 24 mils to 1750 with a velocity of 2700 fps at 2850 it is supersonic a couple hundred yards further and just over 21 mils.
Yeah it definitely will make it that far no problem, probably could have worded my last post a little better. Just saying a barrel swap won’t gain much other than bit less elevation.
 
Have you used any? Obviously PVA and Proof have stellar reps.
I haven’t used any other than the PVA and the proof, I will be ordering a carbon 6 here in a few weeks though. A guy I shoot with has had great success with carbon 6 and mcgowan (makes the carbon 6 blanks). I have no experience with straight jacket, preferred barrel blanks and OMR. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a straight jacket though, I doubt they put out anything that isn’t stellar.
 
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I haven’t used any other than the PVA and the proof, I will be ordering a carbon 6 here in a few weeks though. A guy I shoot with has had great success with carbon 6 and mcgowan (makes the carbon 6 blanks). I have no experience with straight jacket, preferred barrel blanks and OMR. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a straight jacket though, I doubt they put out anything that isn’t stellar.
McGowan has good rep, that's good to know. Doesn't look like carbon 6 offers a 7 SAUM off the shelf though, which kind of sucks. I like their price point.
 
McGowan has good rep, that's good to know. Doesn't look like carbon 6 offers a 7 SAUM off the shelf though, which kind of sucks. I like their price point.
I would try giving them a call, they have an option to do calibers that aren’t listed for a $75 reamer rental if I am remembering correctly. They also may just not have it listed on the site. I believe Mcgowan offers the 7saum and if they make the blanks I don’t see why carbon 6 couldn’t do the chambering after wrapping it with carbon (don’t know the process)

Definitely a good price point though and they run 10% off sales all the time as well
 
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I would try giving them a call, they have an option to do calibers that aren’t listed for a $75 reamer rental if I am remembering correctly. They also may just not have it listed on the site. I believe Mcgowan offers the 7saum and if they make the blanks I don’t see why carbon 6 couldn’t do the chambering after wrapping it with carbon (don’t know the process)

Definitely a good price point though and they run 10% off sales all the time as well

I sent them a note about 7 Saum, they will do it but only sammi spec. I wanted it throated for 180's for running it in a Tikka LA. :).
 
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I sent them a note about 7 Saum, they will do it but only sammi spec. I wanted it throated for 180's for running it in a Tikka LA. :).
Shoot that’s too bad, I have floated the idea of converting my 7mm rem mag over to 7saum with one of their barrels. Did the mention if they can rent a reamer with a longer throat?
 
I sent them a note about 7 Saum, they will do it but only sammi spec. I wanted it throated for 180's for running it in a Tikka LA. :).
Thanks for the info!

That's OK with me, unless I've misread there's a number of guys running 180s at 2.95... albeit a little slower, which I'm ok with.

I want to swap it with a 6mm so I'll give up some ultimate performance for that ability.
 
McGowan has good rep, that's good to know. Doesn't look like carbon 6 offers a 7 SAUM off the shelf though, which kind of sucks. I like their price point.
They will in a few weeks. I spoke with them on the phone a couple days ago. They ordered a manson reamer in saami spec the other day for the 7 saum. It will be added to their off the shelf options. Once they get it in hand it will be added to their website.
 
Thanks for the info!

That's OK with me, unless I've misread there's a number of guys running 180s at 2.95... albeit a little slower, which I'm ok with.

I want to swap it with a 6mm so I'll give up some ultimate performance for that ability.

Yea, I want mine at 3.2 for best performance, no need to stuff the case. Tikka is perfect for it with a 3.56 OAL magazine.
 
Shoot that’s too bad, I have floated the idea of converting my 7mm rem mag over to 7saum with one of their barrels. Did the mention if they can rent a reamer with a longer throat?

They said sammi spec, you could have your own reamer made for it which is what I'll do. You could also get it throated afterwards but that defeats getting a pre-fit.
 
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Recently sold one of my "spr"esque ar uppers and optic, thinking of getting a 223 CTR for plinking or getting into 22lr. I love my CTR in 6.5 and a matching 223 would be dope, but would you guys spring for something cheaper at this point, like a Ruger American Ranch? Kind of a silly question in a Tikka thread...but idk!

Cycle the bolt on the Ruger.
 
26” 7.5 twist Bartlein 28” long
Long magazine with long bolt stop
6.5 MAX I chambered
135 Grain Berger Classic Hunter moving along at 3,300 FPS
71 grains H1000 compressed
 

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