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Tikka CTR 24" results?

Hondo64d

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 12, 2006
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The Big Country
Seems like I never, ever read a report of a poor shooting Tikka. In fact, often, the published results hang right there with the full custom rigs I have owned or currently own. So, the question for you 24" CTR owners is how good they really are. Not talking their best groups, but how about best, average and worst with its preferred load.

Thanks,

John
 
You will probably catch a ton of shit for inferring that a factory rifle could ever equal a custom (from guys who have spent a shitload of money on custom rifles) but at the end of the day Tikkas shoot very well, cycle like butter and feed and extract reliably. What more could a shooter ask for?
 
I cant speak for the 24"... But I do have (2) 20" CTR's in 6.5 ... Using Prime 130's or Hornady 140 ELD Match, I'm seeing .6 -.75 (5 shot groups) at 100yds... Thats using factory stock, factory trigger, and unsupported sandbags...

Mine would not digest the 120 GMX Superformance, They were everywhere... But everything else averaged very close. Winchester Match, Prime, Hornady ELD Match & ELD Hunter, Creedmore ammo, and surprisingly the American Eagle

Nothing (With the exception of the Superformance) Shot over an inch with the box stock rifles... I don't think Ive ever had a Remington do that straight out of the box
 
I have a 20" Tikka CTR with nearly 3k rounds on my barrel and accuracy/speed hasn't degraded yet. Nearly all factory ammo I've tried has been good and it really is hard to find a bad handload.

- every 260 load I've tried from Copper Creek ammo had an inch or less groups at 100 yards
- FGMM 260 142gr factory ammo had an inch or less groups at 100 yards
- ABM factory ammo: 140 hybrid load was an inch or less at 100 yards, 130 hybrid load was just over an inch groups at 100 yards
- Gorilla 130 hybrid ammo was about an inch and a half at 100 yards...extremely slow velocity even for a 20" barrel
- My handloads ranged from a best of around .2" to a worst of less than 2"
 
So for those of you that have 20 & 24" and have put several hundred rounds down the barrel, has the velocity increased or are you all still in the 2500-2600 range with 140 weight bullets.
 
So for those of you that have 20 & 24" and have put several hundred rounds down the barrel, has the velocity increased or are you all still in the 2500-2600 range with 140 weight bullets.

Curious about this too; I'd expect the 20" 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 to hit 2700fps with typical moderate charges (42.5-43.5gr) of H4350 under 140-class bullets.
 
I have a 24.5" Tikka T3x Tac A1. Shoots factory Prime into 0.55-0.6 groups, and Hornady 140 ELD-M a little wider. Have to test more loads. I also have a custom 6.5 Creedmoor on a Tikka action, and it shoots better, but not by much - factory Prime is usually around 0.5 for e.g. Velocity out of the Tikka Tac A1 is lower, but it shoots great overall.
 
So for those of you that have 20 & 24" and have put several hundred rounds down the barrel, has the velocity increased or are you all still in the 2500-2600 range with 140 weight bullets.

In my 20" Tikka CTR 260 i can get both the Lapua 139gr and Berger 140gr Hybrid to 2700 fps with the following loads. The velocity of these loads goes a little up and down with the change in seasons and powder lot numbers.

bullet: lapua 139gr scenar
brass: lapua
primer: 210M
powder: 43.5gr H4350
coal: 2.835"


bullet: berger 140 hybrid
brass: lapua
primer: 210M
powder: 43.5gr H4350
coal: 2.900"
 
I have two 24" Tikkas in 6.5 CM, one with a SS stock barrel, the other with a PVA nut barrel. I'm not reloading these days but I've tested both with factory Hornady ammo. Both rifles shoot sub 1/2 MOA at 100 yards all the time but as you will see the factory one shoots slower than the PVA one. Both barrels have around 450 rounds on it. The PVA barrel is a medium Palma made by Masterpiece.
Here are the numbers,

- Tikka T3X 6.5CM 24" SS stock barrel
Hornady 140gr ELD-M Avg: 2676
Hornady 147gr ELD-M Avg: 2621
Hornady 143gr Prescision Hunter Avg: 2647

- Tikka T3X 6.5CM 24" PVA nut barrel
Hornady 140gr ELD-M Avg: 2820
Hornady 147gr ELD-M Avg: 2749
Hornady 143gr Presision Hunter Avg: 2775




 
I've got a load that has been really stable the last 750-800 rounds or so in my 20" .260 + KRG x-ray.

139 Scenar
Lapua Brass sized with Redding type-S and a .290 bushing
CCI #200
43.7 IMR 4451
2730 fps
SD 10-12. BR2s or another primer might shave a few off, but it gets me MOA vertical at 1000 most of the time.

Groups are sub-moa, period. Sub-1" at 200 is pretty easy, and I've done sub 2" at 400 more than a few times.

It's good enough that I'll be sad when it starts to go.
 
i took a tikka action and went full retard with it since i couldnt get a ctr being a lefty but my cousin did buy one and it shoots just as good as mine does. the 24 inch shooting prime 130s hes seen a couple in the .2s or .3s 5 shot group.
 
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I have a 24" ctr in 6.5 CM I'm shooting 130s at 2855 average with 43.6 grains reloader 16, 5 shot groups average right at or just under .5 has a little over 700 rounds through it. It has been a great gun for the money.
 
got a lemon from them, crooked chamber, retail employee program, its sitting back at beretta right now. hopefully have it back in a week or so.
 
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Had a 20" CTR I shot easily 1/2 MOA with 130vlds, 135 classic hunters, and 140 target hybrids. My groups opened up a little (still 1/2 MOA though) as velocity increased. That gun shot so well it became boringly accurate. So I stupidly decided to tear it apart and spin a Proof 24" barrel on it and put it in a Manners T4A. If it shoots half as good as it did stock I will probably be ecstatic. We will see how it does with the news parts and pieces.
 
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Had a 20" CTR I shot easily 1/2 MOA with 130vlds, 135 classic hunters, and 140 target hybrids. My groups opened up a little (still 1/2 MOA though) as velocity increased. That gun shot so well it became boringly accurate. So I stupidly decided to tear it apart and spin a Proof 24" barrel on it and put it in a Manners T4A. If it shoots half as good as it did stock I will probably be ecstatic. We will see how it does with the news parts and pieces.

What velocity were you getting with those out of the 20"?
 
got a lemon from them, crooked chamber, retail employee program, its sitting back at beretta right now. hopefully have it back in a week or so.

First one I have even heard of. Good to know. Let us know how beretta takes care of you.
 
24" CTR 6.5CM shoots Hornady 129gr SST super performance at ~2950fps. She is a sub-MOA gun for sure.

3 shot group at 600 yards was 45.4mm = 1.79"
10 shot group at 300 yards was 67.9mm = 2.67"
 

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Been running a tikka sporter I picked up used. I think this package could be one of the most under rated off the shelf options out there. TRG ergonomics, accurate reliable. Mine has had cosmetic upgrades and unfortunately the previous owner chopped the barrel. But even the barrel is a factory barrel he just had it fluted.

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This on chambered in 6.5x55. Been pushing it pretty hard to keep speeds up with the cut down barrel 16". Have about 2k rounds through it

Last range trip with hand loads 140gr eld-m. SD was 3fps (best I've ever done) and it was holding right at .6 at 100. And 5" groups at 400 yards in some really nasty wind


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
What velocity were you getting with those out of the 20"?

130- 2790
135-2809
140-2750

Reloder 16 made all the difference in the world on velocity. Seems to be pretty temp stable too. My best groups weren't at those velocities, but they were still 1/2 MOA.
 
I have both 20 and 24 T3x CTR models. And a good shooting buddy also has the 20 stainless. The both models with approximately 100 rounds down the tube are firing consistent 1/2 groups, best groups at 1/4 and almost nothing over 1moa at any distance out to 1000yds. In stock configurations, only adjustments made were to the trigger pull weight on the factory trigger.

We are shooting the American Gunner 140grn match ammo and getting and avg of 2552 with the 20" and 2654 from the 24".
 
anyone run 123s in a 20in 260? want to find a load for them
 
anyone run 123s in a 20in 260? want to find a load for them

I've run the lapua 123 scenars with he following load in my 20" .260 CTR. Just over 2800 fps and pretty darn accurate.

brass: lapua
primer: 210M
powder: 44.0gr H4350
coal: 2.865"
 
In my 20" Tikka CTR 260 i can get both the Lapua 139gr and Berger 140gr Hybrid to 2700 fps with the following loads. The velocity of these loads goes a little up and down with the change in seasons and powder lot numbers.

bullet: lapua 139gr scenar
brass: lapua
primer: 210M
powder: 43.5gr H4350
coal: 2.835"


bullet: berger 140 hybrid
brass: lapua
primer: 210M
powder: 43.5gr H4350
coal: 2.900"
What do you like better the 139 Lapua or the 140 Berger hybrid? I am in the middle of load development for Tikka TSR-1 now. I've only tried the VLDs and Berger hybrids so far. I'm shooting this with the VLDs and just started playing with the hybrid.
00765aea43d48e8e5f6ce04c49f7d15b.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 
My first outing with a 24" CTR in 6.5 had four five shot groups with all holes touching. The next trip to the range I was barely able to get under an MOA. The third trip out I was consistently under, but not as good as the first trip and then today I was struggling bad, 3 holes touching and always two flyers. I think it's me and not the rifle.
 
My first outing with a 24" CTR in 6.5 had four five shot groups with all holes touching. The next trip to the range I was barely able to get under an MOA. The third trip out I was consistently under, but not as good as the first trip and then today I was struggling bad, 3 holes touching and always two flyers. I think it's me and not the rifle.

It may be you. How are you shooting? Bags, bipod, or a combo of both? You might try cleaning the barrel.
 
My first outing with a 24" CTR in 6.5 had four five shot groups with all holes touching. The next trip to the range I was barely able to get under an MOA. The third trip out I was consistently under, but not as good as the first trip and then today I was struggling bad, 3 holes touching and always two flyers. I think it's me and not the rifle.

Check the stock/barrel contact. Mine was not free floated 3" out from the receiver. I had to sand it down to free float it. Run a business card up it and see if it stops a few inches before the receiver.
 
It may be you. How are you shooting? Bags, bipod, or a combo of both? You might try cleaning the barrel.

That's what I get for writing a post right before bed, I forget all of the details.

I've only shot Prime 130's and I've shot a mixture of prone and off a bench always with my front bipod and a rear bag.
 
Check the stock/barrel contact. Mine was not free floated 3" out from the receiver. I had to sand it down to free float it. Run a business card up it and see if it stops a few inches before the receiver.

Here's what I'm working with...
cmbkW0.jpg


Looks like I need to do some sanding.
 
T3x tac A1

50 round break in using 140 ELDM All under 1 inch closer to .7.
10 shots to find max pressure from 37.5 to 41 grains Varget, 1.1 inch group. Stopped at 41 as that’s all I loaded, no pressure signs
Twelve 3 shot groups to find charge with and seating depth. All under .8inch and under 8SD. Best of .5 Inch at .6 SD!
Using Lapua Brass, CCI, Settled on 39.5 Varget 130 hybrid at 2868fps, averaged .32 for three 5 shot groups, SD of 6 for 15 shots

I have two custom match rifles based on rem 700 that will be relegated to the safe, both are less accurat, to be fair the Lapua Brass is new and the Remington’s were used with Hornady brass. Hornady brass may be a contributing factor.

to say I’m happy is an understatement!
 
So, here are the results from my last outing with a 20" CTR in 6.5 cm (although I've put mine in an XLR chases and spent $10 to upgrade the trigger spring). All are 5 shot groups off a sandbag at 100 yards. Scope is a SWFA 12x.

.40"
.60"
.60"
.50"
.70"

This is 25 consecutive shots, not a bunch of cherry picked groups. Ammo was Hornady factory match (not sure exact weight of bullet as a variety of ammo).
 
I shot against a guy with a 20" .260 CTR. he was doing everything the rest of us were out to 1100 on a cold, switching windy day. The guy who put on that shoot worked locally at a gun store, and he asked why the guy went with Tikka and not a Ruger RPR. He'd had bad experiences in the past with Ruger. Tikka's had a good rep from day one, when the T3's came out (I'll vouch for that) and the CTR was just an extension of that. .260 was easy-peasy to load for. No modifications or fighting with off sized cartridges to get to load in magazine systems mostly intended for .308 based cases.

I did not see any of his 100 yd. groups, but I did see his 10" group on steel at 1030 yds.

There have been a number of times this past year I've wished I would have saved my money and not started customizing my Winchester, and just bought a CTR with a 24" .260 barrel.
 
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I shot against a guy with a 20" .260 CTR. he was doing everything the rest of us were out to 1100 on a cold, switching windy day. The guy who put on that shoot worked locally at a gun store, and he asked why the guy went with Tikka and not a Ruger RPR. He'd had bad experiences in the past with Ruger. Tikka's had a good rep from day one, when the T3's came out (I'll vouch for that) and the CTR was just an extension of that. .260 was easy-peasy to load for. No modifications or fighting with off sized cartridges to get to load in magazine systems mostly intended for .308 based cases.

I did not see any of his 100 yd. groups, but I did see his 10" group on steel at 1030 yds.

There have been a number of times this past year I've wished I would have saved my money and not started customizing my Winchester, and just bought a CTR with a 24" .260 barrel.

My Tikka TSR-1 is a shooter and its a 20 inch 260. I can hang with all my buddies out to 1300 but after that it gets a little dicey. When I rebarrel I'll go to a 26 but in the mean time the 20 gets the job done. I'm currently pushing a 143 ELDX at 2738 and getting great results. It's a solid .5 shooter if I do my part.
 
I've seen a CTR T3x 24" SS 6.5 shoot a one hole group with the Hunter 143 Eld-x's. All the rounds touched, but they did string a little horizontally. The barrel is a little thin for competition. It was in a brand new master piece arms chassis. It had seen 800 rounds down the barrel. The action and trigger were a lot smoother/lighter than my same gun/model.
 
My brother picked up a 24” inch 6.5CM and it is doing this with factory ammo.

John
 

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This is a three shots group at 100 yards testing my new load with my 6.5 CM CTR 24" SS on a Manners T6A.

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Not sure if it's me or the rifle but recently I've been shooting a lot of .5" and sub .5" 100yrd groups out of my 6.5 20" CTR. ALL of my groups in the last 100 or so rounds have been under .8" using 140gr ELD Match.

Oh, and I recently found out that Hornady American Gunner ammo shoots consistently at about 1 MOA out of it. So that's cool too.

Anyone that's reading this thread should buy with confidence.
 
Anyone looking for a practical-tactical 6.5 Creed or 308 would be a fool not to strongly consider the Tikka. They are one hell of a value.

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/farm5.staticflickr.com\/4204\/34582626662_c21fa3c4d2_b.jpg"}[/IMG2]Tikka CTR 1 by X Ring, on Flickr



Here's a 10 round velocity string, shot at 100 yards, with powder charges ranging from 42.5gr to 43.4gr of H4350. Even had the Magnetospeed on the suppressor and it still shot less than 1/2".

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I’m going on tikka #3 myself. I haven’t had the heart to spend money on any other factory rifle since my first Tikka.