Tikka T3x in 6.5 Swede

[gregp74]

I'm thinking about getting a Tikka T3x chambered in the 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge. Just wondered if anybody has one and what the barrel profile is like.

I'm kind of partial to heavier barrels and wondering if this would fit the bill for me.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

They do offer the Varmint Stainless in the Swede if you like the heavier barrels.

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-varmint-stainless

 

[Poper]

I'm thinking about getting a Tikka T3x chambered in the 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge. Just wondered if anybody has one and what the barrel profile is like.

I'm kind of partial to heavier barrels and wondering if this would fit the bill for me.

I have a 6.5x55 T3 Hunter (wood stock) that is one of the rifles I use for Hunter Class High Power Rifle Silhouette matches. The barrel contour is what I would call a medium sporter contour. Just slightly heavier than a light sporter contour. It is scary accurate for a mass produced, off the rack, nothing special rifle.

I am in the AZ desert, so a rifle barrel gets hot enough after shooting 2 5-animal banks for a relay, you cannot touch he barrel for many minutes after. Think summer temps in Phoenix and shooting high power matches from 8am to about 11am with ambient air temperatures above 100 degrees in the shade. And the rifle is still very accurate at the end of the match. There is something about Tikka rifles that tend to be very accurate right out of the box. I have three of them: .30-06, .270 and 6.5x55. All shoot sub moa with handloads. None of the three have ever fire a factory round, so cannot attest to that. Dollar for dollar, Tikka quality and accuracy are hard to beat. If you buy one in 6.5x55 I would be very surprised if you were disappointed.

 

[Water-Man]

I purchased two Tikka T3 Hunter rifles in 6.5x55 SE eight years ago. Only one has been fired and it is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.

 

[gregp74]

What's the diameter of the barrel at the muzzle of the T3 hunter on the 6.5x55?

 

[cdb1]

"There is something about Tikka rifles that tend to be very accurate right out of the box."

I don't have any Tikka's because I don't care for DBM's but there is no denying the consistent accuracy they exhibit across the board. I read awhile back that Sako/Tikka barrel blanks are left outside exposed to the elements for a couple of years and somehow this process enhances accuracy. Another contributing factor to Tikka accuracy is the outstanding trigger IMO.

 

[eastbank]

i don,t think it matters what rifle the 6.5x55 is in, they all seem to shoot very well indeed. i have several swede military rifles that shoot very well and they are close to 100 years old. my cz 550 in 6.5x55 is also a very good shooter with most ammo i feed it. so i think the tikka,s would be as well. eastbank.

 

[cdb1]

If I could only have one rifle it would be my CZ 550 American 6.5x55.

 

[Poper]

If I could only have one rifle it would be my CZ 550 American 6.5x55.

I would agree with one caveat: If it was in a different stock. Like a Boyds Lighteight Thumbhole or Prairie Hunter. The factory stock on mine was like a poorly configured club and felt very clumsy. It shot great and I loved the single set trigger!
Alas, I fell upon hard times and it was one of several that found a new home...

 

[gregp74]

Well I am still pretty sure the next rifle will be a 6.5x55, and I'm still leaning toward the Tikka, but the CZ and the Sauer S100 Classic are options too. Only thing I really don't like about the Tikka (and the Sauer for that matter) is the detachable mags. For a rifle of this sort, I kind of prefer an internal setup with a hinged floorplate. I guess if that's what I want I'm going to have to go the CZ route.

 

[Water-Man]

Have you considered the 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[cdb1]

Well I am still pretty sure the next rifle will be a 6.5x55, and I'm still leaning toward the Tikka, but the CZ and the Sauer S100 Classic are options too. Only thing I really don't like about the Tikka (and the Sauer for that matter) is the detachable mags. For a rifle of this sort, I kind of prefer an internal setup with a hinged floorplate. I guess if that's what I want I'm going to have to go the CZ route.

I don't care for DBM's either. I really wish CZ still made the American. I like the stock too.

 

[gregp74]

Have you considered the 6.5 Creedmoor?

I haven't really looked into that. I probably should check those (and the 260 Remingtons) out before I buy anything.

Back when I was a kid my grandpa had a Mauser chambered in 6.5 Swede that he'd had sporterized. He gave it to me when I was 11 or 12 (without the ammo) and I kept it clean but never shot it for many years. When I was in my early 20's I wasn't into guns and sold it. I always regretted that, especially after he died. I hear it's a nice round and now I wish I had one.

 

[gregp74]

I don't care for DBM's either. I really wish CZ still made the American. I like the stock too.

I almost bought a 6.5x55 CZ 527 Sporter a couple years ago but ended up getting a Remington 700 VLS in 223 instead.

 

[cdb1]

I don't care for the 527, the barrel is too short for me. Being push feed doesn't bother me.

 

[Water-Man]

I haven't really looked into that. I probably should check those (and the 260 Remingtons) out before I buy anything.

Back when I was a kid my grandpa had a Mauser chambered in 6.5 Swede that he'd had sporterized. He gave it to me when I was 11 or 12 (without the ammo) and I kept it clean but never shot it for many years. When I was in my early 20's I wasn't into guns and sold it. I always regretted that, especially after he died. I hear it's a nice round and now I wish I had one.

It will open up your choices and what you'll lose will hardly matter.

 

[gregp74]

It will open up your choices and what you'll lose will hardly matter.

That's true. Or if I'm set on one in that cal. maybe just pick up an old used one somewhere that I can shoot now and then and think of granddad and not spend a fortunte lol

 

[gregp74]

Come to think of it, my favorite shop does have a Carl Gustav Ace 1904 with a decent stock and a scope. They want $500 but IIRC they only paid $250-300 and they usually give me pretty good deals. I could probably split the difference with them and get it for around $400. Maybe that'd be a good idea.

 

[Paul7]

I would agree with one caveat: If it was in a different stock. Like a Boyds Lighteight Thumbhole or Prairie Hunter. The factory stock on mine was like a poorly configured club and felt very clumsy. It shot great and I loved the single set trigger!
Alas, I fell upon hard times and it was one of several that found a new home...

The old model Tikka stock had a recoil pad like a hockey puck.

If you've got the money get a Sako Finnlight in 6.5x55, it's a better rifle.

 

[Hokkmike]

Can't answer your question directly. My hunting rifle of choice is a 6.5x55 SAKO Finnlight. I have used the 6.5 in several configurations for over 30 years now. I can vouch for the efficacy of the round!

 

[Paul7]

Can't answer your question directly. My hunting rifle of choice is a 6.5x55 SAKO Finnlight. I have used the 6.5 in several configurations for over 30 years now. I can vouch for the efficacy of the round!

It is all the gun you need for up to deer size game. Hits like a .308, but with less blast and recoil.

 

[Hokkmike]

It is all the gun you need for up to deer size game. Hits like a .308, but with less blast and recoil.

I would say "moose"...

 

[Paul7]

I would say "moose"...

I wouldn't do that unless you're using a hellacious hand load, the moose hunting you hear about in Scandinavia with the 6.5x55 is after smaller moose than we have, at under 100 yards.

I have taken a couple cow elk with mine, I guess they're not deer size. Would not go after a bull with that caliber.

 

[Llama Bob]

Plenty of people in Europe hunt red deer and 'elk' (what we would call elk and moose) with 6.5x55. The trick is to use a 160gr bullet like the Woodleigh protected point, and stay in its velocity window (for that bullet > 2000 ft/s). As long as you do that, you're fine to go after the bigger game with a 6.5x55. I'd much rather have one than a .270, for example, due to sectional density differences.

 

[cdb1]

I've kind killed elk and nilgai with a .270, nilgai with a 6.5x55. I'd hunt elk and moose with a 6.5x55.

Scandinavian moose aren't as big as Yukon moose but I do believe they are as large as most moose in the lower 48.