New Tikka T3 CTR

[Gtscotty]

Has anyone had a chance to lay hands on, or shoot this new rifle? I've been tracking the CTR's release since they were introduced at the shot show this year, and they seem to finally be shipping now.

I'm interested in the CTR as kind of a do everything .308 suppressor host. The barrel is pre-threaded and seems to be heavy enough to be pretty stiff, while still being light enough to contribute to a total rifle weight of 7.5 lbs. The only downside I have seen to the rifle is the cost of magazines, the CTR takes TRG 22 magazines, and I haven't seen any for sale at under $195..... Pretty steep for some folded up sheet metal.

 

[Gtscotty]

Where's all the normal THR Tikka love? This rifle looks like a perfect suppressor host surely someone else is interested in it besides me?

Here's a link to the only place I know of that seems to have them in stock (hopefully that will change):

http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-ctr-308-win-20-barrel-jrtc316.aspx

 

[viking499]

That looks real nice. I have 2 Tikkas. Both T3's. Both in 6.5x55. They are awesome shooters. Bet that one would be too.

 

[MrBorland]

I ordered one in .260 from them about a month ago, and, according to them, it ought to arrive soon. Until then, I can only wring my hands and look at pretty pictures.

 

[Gtscotty]

Yeah, I had heard over on a couple other forums that the .260's were delayed but should be getting here in October. I'm sure the .260's will be really slick rifles. I thought about going the .260 route, but in the end I already load .308, and probably am not good enough to take advantage of the extra range the .260 would give me.

 

[Gtscotty]

Alright, I ordered a CTR in .308 today, so I'll post some pics when it comes in. As far as I can tell, at this time, the CTR is only available from two vendors, Eurooptic.com and Interstate guns. They both had the rifles for the same price (MAP pricing?) but Interstate guns offered free shipping while Eurooptic wanted $25 if you bought the rifle from their website, and $35 if you bought it from them off of Gunbroker... just a heads up in case anyone else is looking at these rifles.

Also, MrBorland, when I talked to Eurooptic, they stated that they still did not have the .260's in stock... maybe they'll come in soon though.

 

[MrBorland]

when I talked to Eurooptic, they stated that they still did not have the .260's in stock... maybe they'll come in soon though.

Correct...at least that they're still not in stock. I'm told by the end of October. Fortunately, I'm in no hurry.

Congrats on your .308. Range report soon, eh?

 

[viking499]

Range report and pictures, without drool on either one....

Wonder if either one of those dealers know if there are any 6.5x55's planned on being imported anytime in the future?

 

[Fredericianer]

They're starting to appear in stores over here too now. I too like the idea of a 'do everything rifle' and am planning on selling a couple of my other rifles and buying one of these as soon as my finances permit it.

 

[Gtscotty]

I can get the pictures up post haste, the range report might take a little longer as I'll have to wait for a day with reasonable winds. I am real interested to see how the medium weight barrel does though.

Viking499,
From Tikka's website, it looks like they are only planning on doing .308 and .260... you may have to settle for the .260.

I think the CTR should make a good do everything rifle, and most importantly it will be a great host for my suppressor which might be coming in in the next month or so. I'll be interested to see if the suppressor hanging off the end changes which loads the rifle likes best.

 

[Wylie1]

Here's some Tikka love for you. My Tikka T3 chambered in .308 is better than I am when fed correctly. I have put it in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock and bedded the receiver as well as replaced the bolt shroud with a metal one.
165 grain Nosler hunters, Sierra Game Kings #2145 and #2140 were shot at this target backed by 47.6 grains of Alliant Power Pro 2000 MR in Lapua brass kicked off with a Federal match grade primer.

My Lee scale needed a little modification that causes it to weigh powder charges .4 of a grain heavier than they actually are.
I like the CRT as well and .308 should allow for a longer barrel life than the .260 IMO.

 

[Gtscotty]

MrBorland,

I saw EuroOptic has listed some .260 Rem CTR's on Gunbroker this evening, I was curious if you've received your .260 yet, and if so how you like it?

 

[MrBorland]

Just got a call yesterday that they were finally in, and mine was being shipped to my FFL. I didn't get around to buying dies, cases & bullets, so it may be a bit 'til I know how it shoots, though I may spring for some factory ammo just to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[MrBorland]

An update:

Got my CTR, dies, bullets, powder and cases. I put a scope I had laying around on it, and took it to the range today. I pasted a representative group below, shot at 100 yards (0.7"). Not bad for a starting load. I'm pleased, and looking forward to tweaking the loads a bit. When finances allow it, I'll get a good scope for it.

 

[Walkalong]

I want one in .308 in the worst way. I don't need to spend any money, so I would have to sell something. Decisions decisions.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

How are the triggers on these? I'm very interested in one, but I need a good trigger to be 100% happy.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

Not a direct assessment, but I had the original Tikka Scout CTR in 308 for quite a while.

Very accurate, but front-heavy with the bull barrel and light stock. Good trigger, smooth action. IMO, it was really an exceptional rifle for its price point.

 

[MrBorland]

Trigger's nice - breaks cleanly and consistently at 3lbs 12oz.

This rifle balances well. Tikka calls the barrel on these merely "semi-heavy". At about 7 1/2 lbs, it balances well, IMO.

 

[Gtscotty]

I like the trigger on mine quite a bit, It came at just over 3 lbs, but after a little adjustment (turning an allen wrench) it's sitting at about 2.5 lbs. I am really happy with the first groups this rifle gave me with basically no development done, and it looks like MrBorland will be into the 0.5" range with a little tweaking. I need to get back out to the range, I've been in truck buying mode recently, so now that that's accomplished, I can get back to some load work.

 

[Grumulkin]

This will likely be my load for my Tikka T3 CTR. Five shots at 100 yards. Notice the vertical stringing; not very wide but about an inch high. I'd rather have vertical stringing than horizontal stringing though.

I seem to get vertical stringing fairly often and I'm not sure exactly why. This group was shot off the bench with a bipod and rear bag.

 

[Gtscotty]

The top 4 look great, did you pull the low one, or is it an unexplained flyer? That's a lot like the load I think I'm settled on, 43.5 of 4064 under a 168 gr nosler HPBT, consistently sub 3/4 moa, down to 1/2 moa, OAL 2.86". I don't know about you, but I'll get vertical and diagonal stringing when in not carful about consistent stock to shoulder placement. I also had a bag that was too hard in the front that caused vertical.... Maybe your bipod is doing something under recoil?

 

[Grumulkin]

No, I didn't pull the low one and I never call an errant shot a flyer. I don't think it's inconsistent stock to shoulder placement. It could be inadequately adjusted scope parallax or maybe a velocity difference. Once I chronograph the load, I may know more.

 

[Walkalong]

Might not be inconsistent shoulder placement, but inconsistent shoulder pressure. Maybe not, but it can do that. Something to consider.

 

[Gtscotty]

Just to follow up, I'm loving this rifle! I got the chance to shoot another group and chrono some loads.



I don't know what happened with the low guy on there, but I'm willing to bet the trigger puller is at fault. Average velocity was 2614 fps, not smokin' fast, even for the 20 in barrel, but this load is just for smacking steel at mid range. I'm really liking these 168 gr Noslers... maybe I've just been missing out because I usually load hunting bullets for my rifles, but these things shoot great! Also, in case anyone is looking, Shooters Pro Shop has 100 ct packs of blems for $17 after all the discounts. Hopefully they shoot as well as the non blems, I've got 400 headed to the house.

 

[MrBorland]

Yessiree...I'm loving this rifle, too. A little load tweaking, and it's shooting around 0.6" @ 100y consistently. The groups below are about 0.5". I didn't buy it to be a bench rifle, though, so I'm looking forward to shooting some mid-range tactical precision matches with it in the coming year.

140gr SMK, H4350, Lapua case, Fed Match primers: