a buddy recently got a T3 TAC in 6.5, nice rifle..

Never had a plastic rifle, never had a stainless rifle, never had a Tikka. However just bought a T3X stainless with a 24" barrel. The reviews I kept seeing just could not be dismissed. Got a great deal through Wittakers guns thanks to a member on this site, just couldn't pass it up. Put a 4 X 16 -44 vortex viper on it. It shoots great & I like it. I personally like wood since it has character unlike plastic but the results speak for themselves. real good gun for the money. Paid 580.00 for it. Oh yeah I got it in the 6.5 Creedmoor.

I got the same one! Put it in a McMillan game hunter. Now I need to go shoot it!

I got one a few months ago, a black/blued version, and they are like my other Tikkas......a pleasure to shoot, and the least finicky rifles you'll ever find. I'm betting yours will shot like this too. It will hold .5MOA or better out to 500 (as far as I can shoot at local range) with numerous loads and bullets. I topped mine with a Bushy LRHS, SportsMatch ringmounts, and when the wind doesn't blow too hard pounding targets is cheating.





Factory ammo on the right obviously, and my first reloading effort with 129g LRAB's and IMR4451. the 130AB's shot almost exactly the same with 43g H4350, but 1" higher.

yep! Tikkas just shoot..

Curious to hear your reasoning behind this statement. With facts and stuff.

Thanks again for everyone posting their experiences, pictures, and thoughts. I guess it’s going to come down to weight vs length. Short and threaded with DBM vs. easier to carry overall package. With the glowing reviews for both the CTR and regular T3X, I’m half tempted to just get both!

Well the CTR will eliminate the need for the 700 5R so........

Maybe, but I’ll never sell my 308 5r. Most accurate factory gun I’ve ever owned thus far. Takes 1 shot to foul a cold clean bore, then stacks 175 SMKs with 44g of Varget pretty dang tight.

I just might need another safe instead!

My assumption was that he meant that the point of the T3x lite would be a serious weight reduction over the CTR. Put the chassis on and you just got rid of the weight advantage, but still don't have a DBM, threaded barrel, or medium profile for range shooting.

If that's what he meant, then I agree it doesn't really make the most sense to me either. But maybe he meant something else? That was how I took it.

I own it in 6.5 CM. It's not that heavy. I recommend the 20 inch threaded barrel. Put a safari sling on it and it's very comfortable to carry and always at the ready to shoot, but your hands are free for glassing and carrying shooting sticks.

Tell me about this sling:

It's called the Safari Sling. You could easily find it online and Cabelas usually stocks it.

I've used them for 20+ years on all my bolt guns. About thirty five bucks last one I bought.

Right on patriot.

First of all, OP stated he already has range rifles, and needs accuracy but not necessarily a heavy contour barrel since this is strictly for field use. CTR has more weight in places he doesn’t really need it in, with a stock that still has minor limitations for practical field use.

Bravo chassis or similar DOES have a dbm, which takes AICS pattern mags. This is an advantage over CTR because mags are more universal, cheaper, and more readily available. So that’s an argument that’s a moot point at a minimum, if not another argument against CTR.

Finally, Bravo (or similar) has additional capabilities that make field use a little easier than Tikka Tupperware furniture. When you use this equipment in the real world the correct way, you’re going to need to set it up for your body and add a few small things, like a sling for example. In my mind, it’s valuable enough to invest in an extra pound or two at the expense of some barrel weight.

It’s just a thought. Would I do it? No. I have a Tikka with a Medium Palma in an Evolution and a 2 pound Nightforce, and I tote that sucker all over God’s green earth. Just trying to remember what the OP is actually looking for.

Good point about the DBM.

I don't disagree that there are advantages to the chassis. It just negates a good portion of the biggest advantage of the Lite over the CTR.

I tend to agree that if I were gonna get a purely hunting gun, I wouldn't take the weight hit of a chassis stock just like I probably wouldn't want the weight hit of a CTR. There is very little downside to the T3x Lite for a hunting-only rifle. For a gun that's 50/50 hunting/range use, the CTR would get my vote 10 times out of 10.

You know it's kinda hard to argue with this kinda accuracy. I constantly hear people ask about the 6.5cm hype but I have sure seen a lot of these types of shots with both factory & hand loads, that's why I got mine.

All great points. You guys are making this decision tough, but I don’t think I’ll regret either one of them!

Most of my hunting is out of a blind, or in a vehicle. I probably won’t hike around with a rifle over my shoulder for more than about an hour to two hours max. Is a 20” CTR wth two pounds of ammo/scope too heavy for that?

Like I said, my Tikka has a 21” medium palma, a 2# NF ATACR, and is in a XLR Evolution. Its over 10# but compact size makes it a joy to use. I use it for much the same thing... a lot of riding around in the truck and stand hunting, but not uncommon for me to walk in a 1/2 mile from wherever I park the truck.

I’ll take the extra weight associated with solid optics, no thermal barrel drift, and an adjustable stock. YMMV

Depends on the physical condition of the individual. That's not bad at all, as far as I'm concerned.

I have a Tikka T3x Lite in 6.5x55 stainless that's easy to carry/shoot and very accurate. Highly recommended.

Picked up a 6lb Ruger American Predator 22" in 6.5CM last year. Also accurate and recommended as a budget rifle.

Thinking about a Ruger gunsite scout 16" 308 for next season. Just need to discover if accuracy is there. Read mixed comments so far.

I just weighed the “light to me” rifle in my safe that is easy for me to carry (7mm Ruger MK2 24” in HS Precision stock) and it came in at 9.5 lbs scoped with a sling. I’m guessing a 9.5 or 10 lb rifle won’t be much different. I’m 37 and in decent shape, 5’8” 170.

Not at all for a 37 year old in good shape.

I'm 5'9", 185. I toted a 10 pound rifle from 9000' to 11,000', in an elk hunt in Colorado, no problem. And have toted the same rifle many miles in Terrel County, Texas. You will be just fine.

I think Whittikers is having a MAJOR sale on Tikkas