Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Bolt action rifles, lever action, pump action, self loading rifles and other miscellaneous longarms.

Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by brett1868 » 05 Nov 2017, 9:34 pm

After many months of waiting I finally got my first Tikka and after the few shots I'm pissed I hadn't added one to the collection years ago. This particular one is the T3x TAC A1 chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor as I wanted something different to the usual .308. I did a little scope juggling and took the S&B PMII off the "Flinchmaster" and fitted it to the Tik-tac cause 70mm of eye relief is more then enough to avoid "Weatherby Eyebrow" on such a soft round. The Flinchmaster inherited the spare NXS 8-32x56 which has much better eye relief and is plenty of scope for the 1000yd competitions.
I had to add a couple of spacers to the buttstock to get the desired length of pull that I like, the cheek now falls naturally to the centre of the rest. I installed the brake just to complete the look along with the small section of rail to fore end so the adapter for the bipod can be fitted.

Pros
Scores a solid 8+ for Tacticool Wankfactor and range cred. Seriously accurate with factory ammo and hopefully the same or better with some match prepared reloads (I've got 100 Lapua cases ready to go). Trigger is surprisingly crisp with no hint to creep but I will lighten it a fraction in the future. Comes in a nice hard case with a comprehensive accessories pack, including a tools, bipod and a second magazine.

Cons
Very tight fit in the case once the brake and a scope is fitted plus the case can't be securely locked.
The biggest problem I've had is that the cheek rest isn't easily removed and since this isn't the folding stock version it's a pain in the A$$ to get a cleaning rod through it. Fortunately I have a collection of rods and used 1 long enough to go under the cheek rest and still clear the muzzle. Anyone using a shorter rod will have issues and using a bore guide will only compound the problem.

Inside the case
IMG_3756.JPG
IMG_3756.JPG (278.52 KiB) Viewed 4947 times


Box of bits - Extra Mag, Brake, Tools, Bolt disassembly tool, Butt Spacers, M-Lok rail (for Bipod)
IMG_3757.JPG
IMG_3757.JPG (410.76 KiB) Viewed 4947 times


Out of the bag
IMG_3764.JPG
IMG_3764.JPG (104.36 KiB) Viewed 4947 times


Side View
IMG_3763.JPG
IMG_3763.JPG (188.4 KiB) Viewed 4947 times


A few groups after 3 shots on a different target to get zero. (Hornady 147gr ELD Match factory ammo)
IMG_3766.JPG
IMG_3766.JPG (164.5 KiB) Viewed 4947 times


Best of the groups 3 @ 50m (Indoors at St Marys).
IMG_3767.JPG
IMG_3767.JPG (54.87 KiB) Viewed 4947 times
Last edited by brett1868 on 06 Nov 2017, 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
How's my posting?
Complaints, Concerns - 13 11 14
User avatar
brett1868
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3017
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by in2anity » 07 Nov 2017, 1:35 pm

Very nice Brett, very nice indeed. I too have just recently purchased my first Tikka, and indeed I regret not doing it earlier. Mine is the little brother of yours; the CTR, but still, I was astonished at how accurate it is. Mine needed to be less than 4.2kg (with optics) hence why I went with the 20" CTR. They function flawlessly don't they, absolutely no complaints. I adjusted my trigger down as far is it goes; measuring in at around1.9lb, which is just perfect for MS comp!
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
User avatar
in2anity
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3048
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by Supaduke » 07 Nov 2017, 2:53 pm

Looks like a quality piece of kit Brett. I like that it comes with a few tools and accessories.

I've decided I'm going to wait for the Lithgow Chassis rifle in 6.5cm.
Supaduke
Warrant Officer C2
Warrant Officer C2
 
Posts: 1230
Victoria

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by brett1868 » 07 Nov 2017, 3:29 pm

The CTR and Tac are identical apart from the stock so they certainly have covered off the conventional along with the tacticool crowd. I was thinking Lithgow as well but I already did my duty as a proud Aussie with the LA101 22Mag so went a different make. I've mentioned once or twice that my cousin has a 40 yr old Tikka 17 Rem that's still a tack driving fox annihilator which tilted me towards the Tikka. Magnum's got 10 of the 6.5's and had them all sold within 8 hours, I sold the last 2 of them to friends whilst driving home. I'll get their reloading business and with 3 rifles roughly the same, load development should be swift and cheap. I purchased a 500 pack of the Hornady 147gr ELD-M's this morning (Same Projectile used in the factory ammo) and one of the gents graciously volunteered to drop it off on his way home. I'll start doing some reloading tonight :)
How's my posting?
Complaints, Concerns - 13 11 14
User avatar
brett1868
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3017
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by Chronos » 07 Nov 2017, 4:31 pm

Good stuff Brett.

I’m interested to see how the Creedmoor goes with heavier bullets. 6.5X47 shooters all seem to go back to 130gr pills for best accuracy yet Creedmoor guys seem to lean toward the heavies.

Chronos
User avatar
Chronos
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2082
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by brett1868 » 07 Nov 2017, 4:37 pm

Chronos wrote:Good stuff Brett.

I’m interested to see how the Creedmoor goes with heavier bullets. 6.5X47 shooters all seem to go back to 130gr pills for best accuracy yet Creedmoor guys seem to lean toward the heavies.

Chronos


I originally planned to use the 123Gr ELD-M in the Creedmoor and there's a heap of them on the shelf in the garage. After seeing the results of the factory 147's I figured it was worth the effort to develop a load based on them. If they suck then there's always the 6.5-300 Wby to try them in :)
How's my posting?
Complaints, Concerns - 13 11 14
User avatar
brett1868
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3017
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by Mitch » 08 Nov 2017, 12:28 pm

How long is the indoor range?
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by brett1868 » 08 Nov 2017, 9:31 pm

Mitch wrote:How long is the indoor range?


I mentioned it in a picture, it's 50m which isn't much but they're open till late, not far from home and weather isn't a factor. I do all my initial load development there cause if it groups like crap at 50 then it's not going to get any better at 100 :)
How's my posting?
Complaints, Concerns - 13 11 14
User avatar
brett1868
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3017
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by Mitch » 09 Nov 2017, 4:48 am

brett1868 wrote:
Mitch wrote:How long is the indoor range?


I mentioned it in a picture, it's 50m which isn't much but they're open till late, not far from home and weather isn't a factor. I do all my initial load development there cause if it groups like crap at 50 then it's not going to get any better at 100 :)


I see that you said that now, missed it earlier.

It would be pretty cool. As you said would be perfect for removing the environmental factors of load development.

How many benches do they run?
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by brett1868 » 09 Nov 2017, 9:15 am

Mitch,
They have 2 ranges with 8 bays each for 50m and a 8 bay 25m pistol range. They are also rated for just about every caliber except 50BMG and its derivatives which makes it one of the few ranges where you can shoot the heavy hitters.
How's my posting?
Complaints, Concerns - 13 11 14
User avatar
brett1868
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3017
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by simmo » 10 Nov 2017, 7:21 am

brett1868 wrote:
Chronos wrote:Good stuff Brett.

I’m interested to see how the Creedmoor goes with heavier bullets. 6.5X47 shooters all seem to go back to 130gr pills for best accuracy yet Creedmoor guys seem to lean toward the heavies.

Chronos


I originally planned to use the 123Gr ELD-M in the Creedmoor and there's a heap of them on the shelf in the garage. After seeing the results of the factory 147's I figured it was worth the effort to develop a load based on them. If they suck then there's always the 6.5-300 Wby to try them in :)



Brett I have a sample pack of the 147’s for trial in my .260 and I would be interested to hear how they run in your 6.5 Creed. What sort of load, velocities etc.
You’re right about the 6.5-300 Wby though, it would make excellent use of them otherwise.
simmo
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 107
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by Wylie27 » 10 Nov 2017, 7:46 am

Hi Brett,

Since youve gone creedmor i found this on ebay for you.

8D34566E-AB58-438A-A67D-841D078177F6.png
8D34566E-AB58-438A-A67D-841D078177F6.png (357.92 KiB) Viewed 4689 times


The link is here. :lol:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2849012155
Wylie27
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 885
New South Wales

Re: Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor

Post by huccl » 10 Nov 2017, 12:03 pm

That's a great looking gun.

How good are the groups for factory ammo too :D
Browning A-Bolt M-1000 Eclipse 308 Win
CZ 453 Varmint 22LR
User avatar
huccl
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 213
New South Wales


Back to top
 
Return to Centerfire rifles