Traded for a new Tikka CTR.

[MNfarmer]

Had a high value rifle I hadn’t shot for 10 years so I traded it close to even up for this new Tikka CTR 6.5 creedmoor. In a couple years when my next kid can start deer hunting I’ll take out the stock spacers and start them out with this. It’s heavy but we hunt from ground blinds anyway- not much walking. Splurged on PMR rings and a Trijicon Huron 3-12x40. Ran a full box of precision hunters through it. Best 2 groups were 3/4 and 7/8 inches. Next time out ran cheaper Nosler and Norma whitetail loads through it and got a little over an inch with those. A better shooter could probably cut these groups in half. I’m just using a bench bag with a rolled up sock under the butstock. I find from the bench my groups stray slightly right but are right on when field shooting. I may try a bipod and rear bag next time. I have an old Harris sitting here I’ve never really used.

 

[Sheltowee]

Great setup, you will not be disappointed. A CTR in 6.5Creed started me down my precision rifle path. Mine really liked Hornady Whitetails before I started handloading for it. Consistent .5-.75MOA rifle when I do my part, sometimes even better.

 

[MNfarmer]

Great setup, you will not be disappointed. A CTR in 6.5Creed started me down my precision rifle path. Mine really liked Hornady Whitetails before I started handloading for it. Consistent .5-.75MOA rifle when I do my part, sometimes even better.

Did you change out the recoil lug or are you still running the original? Mountain tactical claims the new T3x steel ones aren’t strong enough either and need to be changed for the ones they’re selling. But of course- they are selling them .

 

[Sheltowee]

Did you change out the recoil lug or are you still running the original? Mountain tactical claims the new T3x steel ones aren’t strong enough either and need to be changed for the ones they’re selling. But of course- they are selling them .

I put all of my Tikkas in Pure Precision stocks. They come with aftermarket recoil lugs. I’m not sure the MT recoil lug is necessary on a 6.5 Creed but I’m a big fan of their bolt handles.

Edited to add: not sure if you handload but the throat on my CTR is loooooong. My 140gr. ELD-M loads are 2.898” COAL. SAAMI is 2.800”.

 

[Chingon]

Recoil lug on relatively new Tikkas are fine. Adjust the trigger as light as possible and go shoot!

I will say that more and more people are complaining about abysmal consistency these days with factory ammo, especially Hornady. I've personally seen 200 fps variation in factory Hornady ammo, with accuracy from 2+MOA down to near 1/2 MOA.

My suggestion is to find a specific lot of ammo your rifle likes and buy as much of that as you can. A little tough to do though unless your LGS has cases in stock.

For me, the answer was reloading. Chop that barrel to 18" and throw a suppressor on it. Your kid will love shooting a whole lot more.