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Tikka T3X CTR? #7141751 04/15/18 11:56 PM
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TORNracer Offline OP
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I’m looking for a rifle that’s a little easier to carry than my 11 and 12 lb. more target oriented rifles (24” .308 700 5r and 26” custom .260). Looking for something that’s shorter, not too heavy to carry a little, and accurate for a factory rifle.

The Tikka 20” T3X CTR in 6.5 Creed seemed to fit that bill, would love to hear fellow THF’ers experiences with them! Never had a Tikka and from what I hear most people like them.

Goal is 90% hunting no further than 600 yds. I know I’d be giving up some velocity with a 20” 6.5 creed, but I’ve got other rifles for launching high BC bullets faster...

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141757 04/16/18 12:07 AM
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You will get plenty of feedback on this one. There are 100% fans and there are haters. The only reason the haters hate is because the fans love them. I’ve yet to hear actual negative feedback about a CTR. While it’s not a custom it will outshoot most any factory rifle you can put beside it. Tikka has arguably the best bolt on the market. I personally can’t say enough good about this gun. Unfortunately mine is long gone but it sent me down an expensive rabbit hole.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141764 04/16/18 12:11 AM
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Oh, I left out that it also has the best factory trigger on the market. Owner adjustable down to #2. If that’s not enough change the spring in 10 minutes and it safely goes down to ???? Heck I can’t remember.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141783 04/16/18 12:30 AM
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I own one in 260 and it's a great rifle. It's the rifle I hit at 1000 yards for the first time with. I believe it's a great choice.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141786 04/16/18 12:35 AM
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I've owned a lot of rifles. I wouldn't call myself an expert but my tikka T3X CTR in 308 is the best rifle I've ever bought. It's ok to carry. Still not a light weight rifle. The only complaint I have is that the 10 round mag digs into my fat roll when carrying it lol.


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Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141821 04/16/18 01:21 AM
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I have a 308 CTR with a SWFA 3-9HD on it. Weighs a tad over 9lbs. I've shot 5 animals with it over the last 2 years. Even hunted with it out in the Davis Mountains two seasons ago and it wasn't bad to lug around. I would highly recommend it.



Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141843 04/16/18 01:39 AM
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I've got a 24" T3x CTR 6.5. Wish I'd got the 20". But it's a stupidly accurate gun with a great trigger, fantastic fit & finish, smooth bolt, etc.

It's very, very accurate with Hornady factory ELD ammo. You're welcome to see/shoot it if you're ever on the east side of town.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141883 04/16/18 02:05 AM
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Buy it, scope it, load it with quality ammo, and enjoy. It will not disappoint.


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Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141929 04/16/18 02:48 AM
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The CTR is next on my list for sure, in 6.5CM. I have a T3 in 300wm and besides the kick, I love it. Best trigger I've felt. I've talked no less than 5 of my hunting buddies into getting one including my brother as his sone's first rifle. I'm waiting on my commission checks to start arriving from Tikka I talk them up so much.


Originally Posted by Scott W
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141934 04/16/18 02:59 AM
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All really good feedback, thank you all for taking the time! This will likely be my next rifle.

I’d like to have 1 factory rifle I don’t feel like I have to load for and can shoot factory ammo, but it’s nice to know a guy named Chad can help me out there too if I need it! He did great work on my .260!

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7141995 04/16/18 10:20 AM
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I too have a 5R Milspec and wanted a CTR for the same reasons as yourself. It's great, not a lot of difference in accuracy as 5R. I shoot Hornady SST, 165 gr (.308) and have killed a pile of stuff with it. I really like the mobility of it. I actually killed three hogs with it Saturday, no problem for this 20" barrel getting on target quickly. I took the trigger down and painted the stock. I'll own it forever.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142096 04/16/18 01:36 PM
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Tikkas are great rifles, owned a few and ALL have shot VERY well with little effort on finding ammo they like..
great triggers out of the box..

My buddy got a TAC A1 in 6.5 recently at my suggestion for a long range rifle and it was shooting clover cleaf groups with 147g ELD match ammo the first 5 shots.

I got a 308 CTR and had Morgan cut down the barrel to 16 and thread it. Dropped in a McMillan carbon fiber Game Hunter stock and changed out the bottom metal so it will take AI mags. This will be the gun I plan to hunt with the most for this deer season.

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Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142187 04/16/18 03:16 PM
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If you've got heavier target rifles and you're looking for a hunting/tote around rifle, why get a CTR? If I were you, I'd get a normal T3X with the lighter barrel profile and spend the rest on better optics or a different stock/dbm setup. The normal thin barrels are shooters too, assuming you're not too worried about thermal drift given your needs.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: Crews] #7142226 04/16/18 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: Crews
If you've got heavier target rifles and you're looking for a hunting/tote around rifle, why get a CTR? If I were you, I'd get a normal T3X with the lighter barrel profile and spend the rest on better optics or a different stock/dbm setup. The normal thin barrels are shooters too, assuming you're not too worried about thermal drift given your needs.



Agree. I love my son's CTR, but I wouldn't want to lug that thing around in the field personally. My T3X Creed shoots just as well with a wide variety of ammo and bullets. I put a 4.5-18x44 LRHSi on it, and it's cheating when the wind cooperates.

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142273 04/16/18 04:39 PM
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CTR with 4" chopped off is pretty light!

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142283 04/16/18 04:50 PM
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What'll it weigh like that after you put a 24oz scope and rings on it?

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: Jgraider] #7142294 04/16/18 05:03 PM
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Here's mine. I replaced the Zeiss that's on it in this picture with a Nightforce SHV and took it out for a test drive yesterday. It's boringly accurate. Ordering a brake for it today to help me stay on target when playing, but I'll take it off for hunting.



Silver spurs and gold tequila
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Pretty girls and old cantinas
give me shelter from the storm.
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142384 04/16/18 06:43 PM
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cool

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142449 04/16/18 07:42 PM
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I have the 24" 6.5 and it's not bad for carrying until you add a large scope and 7" of Omega, and even then it's okay but I wouldn't hike with it.



Stupidly accurate even for a chump like me. It's twice done 5shots/100yds with these results, 143gr ELD-X factory load.




Chad sent me some handloads to try but I've been too busy. I'm going to shoot them at 200 and see what happens.


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Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: Crews] #7142462 04/16/18 07:55 PM
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I like the 10 rd mag, and it's threaded. It's rare, but when I'm in a blind with this gun it is way easier to change shooting positions as opposed my 24" guns. [img]https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/...6_4523952058289[/img]
Originally Posted By: Crews
If you've got heavier target rifles and you're looking for a hunting/tote around rifle, why get a CTR? If I were you, I'd get a normal T3X with the lighter barrel profile and spend the rest on better optics or a different stock/dbm setup. The normal thin barrels are shooters too, assuming you're not too worried about thermal drift given your needs.
[img]https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/...6_4523952058289[/img]

Last edited by onlysmith&wesson; 04/16/18 07:56 PM.

An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: Crews] #7142674 04/17/18 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted By: Crews
If you've got heavier target rifles and you're looking for a hunting/tote around rifle, why get a CTR? If I were you, I'd get a normal T3X with the lighter barrel profile and spend the rest on better optics or a different stock/dbm setup. The normal thin barrels are shooters too, assuming you're not too worried about thermal drift given your needs.


Really good point, I’m not opposed to a lighter Regular T3X either. Since all my other rifles are 24-26” with BDL style floor plates, the DBM and short 20” barrel were appealing to me on the CTR. I’d say only 20% of my hunting is on foot stalking, most is from a blind or vehicle of some sort.

I really appreciate all the feedback, it looks like I won’t go wrong either way!

Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7142684 04/17/18 12:51 AM
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The whole gun is just a cheaper version of the sako which means it is QUALITY. I believe it has a sako barrel so that is a huge plus


GO TRUMP!
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7143046 04/17/18 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: TORNracer

Really good point, I’m not opposed to a lighter Regular T3X either. Since all my other rifles are 24-26” with BDL style floor plates, the DBM and short 20” barrel were appealing to me on the CTR. I’d say only 20% of my hunting is on foot stalking, most is from a blind or vehicle of some sort.

I really appreciate all the feedback, it looks like I won’t go wrong either way!


A regular T3X Lite can be had in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20" barrel for ~$600ish. Drop it in a KRG Bravo chassis for $400. That gets you to the same money you'd spend on a CTR, with a lighter barrel profile and a better more adjustable stock that takes standard AICS pattern mags, not the expensive Tikka mags. Weight might end up being about the same as a CTR since the Bravo weighs 2.9 pounds, but for your needs I'd rather have AICS mags and a better stock than have the weight in the barrel and a mediocre stock (CTR.) Plus, with a field rifle you really need a proper sling and a QD bipod, KRG Bravo allows you to add cheap M-lok attachments.

Last edited by Crews; 04/17/18 01:55 PM.
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7143336 04/17/18 06:51 PM
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As much as I love shooting my ARs, for a bolt action rifle I don't really like chassis stocks and prefer good aftermarket stocks like McMillans.. I think people need to get behind different setups and see what feels good for them.

Last edited by ccoker; 04/17/18 07:10 PM.
Re: Tikka T3X CTR? [Re: TORNracer] #7143346 04/17/18 07:05 PM
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Putting a T3X into a chassis kind of defeats the purpose IMO.

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