Got my hands on one, and it is my first tikka. They are outdated and hard to find info on. I haven't located a twist rate yet, does anyone have any log info on them? I lost two inches from my Remington's and it doesn't like the same ammo. I love the action it is smooth. I also have not taken off the stock, can y'all recommend a lighter after market stock? i put my vortex hst on it would love to make it a long range hunter, any info is appreciated. Had two boxes of federal thugs 160 and it held a 2" group at 100, that won't cut it.

Thanks josh

Find twist rate with a cleaning patch on a one piece cleaning rod.

Manners EH-1 is a composite stock that weighs 26 oz.

"Long Range" most of the time equals hand loads.

Wanna sell it?

Fireman, I see a lot of your post and respect it. Long range for me is 300 yards, that's what I have built on my land. I would love to be comfortable at taking an elk at 400-450, and need to be. I reload and have what I need to to get by. I do not reach out over my capabilities, and respect it. As of now I pass on deer at 350 and hope to fix that with practice.

Jthoele, everything but my wife and kid is for sale for right price

One day with the right rig, I would love to make it out to paid range day with you.

When you said "long range" I took it at face value.

If you hand load, develop a load for this rifle. I'd bet my lunch money it'll have the 1:9" twist, that'll run 168 grain bullets, and H-Retumbo, like a house on fire. Every 7 Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag really came to life with a full case of that powder, or H-1000 for .300 Win Mag. And lots were a compressed load on virgin brass. After the brass has been fired once in my 7 Rem Mag, the same powder charge is no longer compressed with a .002" shoulder bump, on partial Full Length sized brass.

Looks to me like you should invest in a bullet comparator, and head space gauge, if you don't already have them.

I'll make you skip the 4" target at 200 yards, because that load I mentioned will tear it off the fire hose it's hanging from

Good gun...I owned one for some time in a 338 win...

have the tikka m658 deluxe in .270, & 698 in 22-250 varmint, love the smooth action

check gunbroker for the 7mm

I've had the 695 in 7Mag for almost 20 years. It has not trouble stabilizing 168's, 160's, or anthing else I've fed it for that matter. It is boringly accurate like every other Tikka I've shot or owned.

According to the vintage sales literature found online, the twist will be 1-9.5

I strolled into a larger gun shop that I was passing by during work several months ago and found an M595 in 22-250 on a shelf. Store owner said it came from an older gentleman, and looked to have been case stored a lot. I looked at the bore and promptly panicked at what I saw. Then I thought for a bit and blew a puff of air down the action, and all the specks (fine dust) sailed out the barrel leaving a perfect mirror shiny bore. Got it out the door for $400 and felt good about it.

I'm liking it from what I read, compared to the t3. T3 is a great rifle too. I was thinking 9.5 as well. My Remington's are 9.25, and haven't had to reload for them yet. Guess I am going to have to break out the vld's on this one. I hear it can be a pain figureing out off the lands.

This is the stainless model and laminate stock.

SowHuntr, just start them off at max length that will fit in the mag box, find pressure, and go from there. FWIW my 695 loved 71.5g Retumbo with those 168's. Good luck.

Congrats on the Tikka! Here is a link with a little info on it. It has a 9.5" rate of twist. I picked up a Tikka T3X Hunter LH 30-06 last year and love it. I put a Vortex scope on it too. I plan on buying another Tikka this year and am looking at their varmint model. Hope this helps you out. http://www.tikka.fi/sites/default/files/masterW.pdf

Here is the owners manual for your rifle. It says pages 13-16 are in English. It jumps around after that on the index. Page 33 has the technical specs for it.

http://tikka.fi/sites/default/files/tikka_master.pdf

Thanks for posting this link!

You're welcome. I am still recovering from back surgery and this gives me something to do lol. I actually found some really good deals on used Tikka T3's at Briley's Mfg shop. I wanted to get a T3X and a LH model so I bought a new one. They are a Tikka dealer.

Congrats on your Tikka. I also have a M695 in 25-06. Its very difficult to locate info on the 695's.

25-06 has always been my go to round. Sold mine this year, it sat in the safe to long. I have always owned some kind of 7mag. When I get some time off I will work up some 168's and post a few pics.

Got the tikka out, finally put some bergers through it. Had a 15 mph head wind, rifle still performed. Loaded 68.6, 69,69.3, 69.6, and 70.0 grs of retumbo. Over all length is as long as my mag box will allow. Remington 9.5 magnum rifle primers. Sticking with the 69.6.