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.

 

[MNfarmer]

Took it out with the bipod today. No rear bag as the ones I brought along were too low to use properly. Best groups were 5/8 and 3/4 inches at 100 yards. Used all Norma whitetail today. My other 3 groups each had a high flier from not loading bipod enough. Also got my MK machining scope caps on. They’re pretty decent but I like the Leupold caps a lot better.

 

[Sheltowee]

Took it out with the bipod today. No rear bag as the ones I brought along were too low to use properly. Best groups were 5/8 and 3/4 inches at 100 yards. Used all Norma whitetail today. My other 3 groups each had a high flier from not loading bipod enough. Also got my MK machining scope caps on. They’re pretty decent but I like the Leupold caps a lot better.

That'll kill deer all day long. Good shooting and good call on the Trijicon. That's what my CTR wears now (after @Potsie kept picking on me for shooting Vortexes).

 

[EKYHunter]

Good looking rifles. You all are making me want a Tikka. Although I’ve got a mind to sell a few and buy a Seekins.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

ha, mountain tactical was sending out out of spec recoil lugs themselves. Their crap is a downgrade from factory equipment far as I’m concerned.

 

[Potsie]

That'll kill deer all day long. Good shooting and good call on the Trijicon. That's what my CTR wears now (after @Potsie kept picking on me for shooting Vortexes).

You’re welcome

 

[MNfarmer]

ha, mountain tactical was sending out out of spec recoil lugs themselves. Their crap is a downgrade from factory equipment far as I’m concerned.

I have one of their 3 round mags for my standard T3x. I like it- feeds a bit smoother.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I have one of their 3 round mags for my standard T3x. I like it- feeds a bit smoother.

I have an extended 223 mag and a Long action WSM mag from them. Neither feeds anywhere close to reliably even in their own bottom metal.

 

[Sheltowee]

I have an extended 223 mag and a Long action WSM mag from them. Neither feeds anywhere close to reliably even in their own bottom metal.

I’ve had fine luck with the MTs in my 338-06 but not so much that I haven’t explored other options. Have you tried the Hells Canyon mags for your WSM? Been fairly happy with them in my 25-6.5PRC.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I’ve had fine luck with the MTs in my 338-06 but not so much that I haven’t explored other options. Have you tried the Hells Canyon mags for your WSM? Been fairly happy with them in my 25-6.5PRC.

I use the HCA mags for my 7 SAUM. They dont feed the shorter COAL (3" and shorter) well but they feed the 170+ that are seated longer fine.

 

[SFC B]

Good looking rifles. You all are making me want a Tikka. Although I’ve got a mind to sell a few and buy a Seekins.

I've got a few of both......love all of them

 

[SFC B]

Good looking rifles. You all are making me want a Tikka. Although I’ve got a mind to sell a few and buy a Seekins.

Gratuitous pics.....The HIT now wears a Kahles

 

[elkduds]

I’ve had fine luck with the MTs in my 338-06 but not so much that I haven’t explored other options. Have you tried the Hells Canyon mags for your WSM? Been fairly happy with them in my 25-6.5PRC.

Bit of a veer off topic, but it is the off season. How would you compare 338-06 to 35 Whelen? I always thought .338 was a better choice for North American game.

 

[Sheltowee]

Bit of a veer off topic, but it is the off season. How would you compare 338-06 to 35 Whelen? I always thought .338 was a better choice for North American game.

I like it pretty well but haven’t shot anything with it yet. Posted a full write up here: https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/338-06-build-completed.319174/

 

[MNfarmer]

I have an extended 223 mag and a Long action WSM mag from them. Neither feeds anywhere close to reliably even in their own bottom metal.

Mine fed great for a few seasons then I got a nose dive at the range. Smacked the back of mag on my hand a few times and the internals realligned and worked ever since. I always give it a smack when loading now.

 

[MNfarmer]

Made the mistake of bore scoping my new rifle while cleaning. The first couple inches of freebore and leade lands look terrible. Gouges,nicks, and grooves all over. My 6 year old standard T3x looks much better. But they both shoot great and the remainder of the bore looks very good.