Tikka T3 - Project 6.5

[CJ]

I want a lighter rifle than my Sendero .300 WM.

I have been thinking about getting a standard Tikka T3, replacing the barrel with a heavier fluted one in 6.5x55 swedish.

I idea is to create a cross between a hunting and "F" class rifle that can be carried all day in the feild and yet not weigh a tonne like my Sendero does and still be able to shoot animals out to 800 mtrs.

i realise i will have to compromise and carry a bit of weight but i was wondering has anyone done something like this?

Is the Tikka Action going to be a good idea as the other choice is on a Howa Action?

Any opinions and recommendations are welcome

 

[Ogre6br]

I have a 695 range rifle in 6.5x55

What I would do if I was you is get a Tikka T3 varmint S/S in 6.5x55 and get the barrel fluted to reduce some weight out of it back to closer like a sporter weight.

Shoot it for 4000+ rounds and really enjoy yourself while saving up for the match grade barrel and Euro spec,CIP) match grade reamer and matching dies to suit Euro made brass.

then shoot the match barrel till you burn it out

then re-do and keep using your brass

If you build it with matching dies, reamer and brass you'll burn the barrels out before you kill the brass- provided you dont go pressure/velocity crazy and burst the primer pockets

Well thats what I'm doing with mine and it's working very well

Later
p

 

[jthyttin]

From your requirements, I'd say you're not satisfied with standard Tikka T3 stock. And if you're going to replace the stock, I'd go with Howa barreled action.

Tikka's recoil lug is kind of reversed,located in stock) and major PITA to bed correctly. Howa has built-in recoil lug. Tikka should have better trigger.

It seems Howa is also available as 6.5x55, but only in sporter weight.

 

[DukeDuke]

I don't think T3 varmint in 6.5x55 is available in the US.

 

[Ogre6br]

I don't think T3 varmint in 6.5x55 is available in the US.

if not you guys are seriously missing out on a nice rifle

The tikka bedding sustem is great
if you really want to bed then just epoxy the floating recoil lug into position

I got the G-smith to do mine like that and it provides an absolute return to point

works great

see if you can pick up a 6.5x55 in a 695 model- the one b4 the T3 in the master sporter profile

magic rifle
later
p

 

[CJ]

Thanks for some of the replies guys.

Forgot to metnion that i live in New Zealand and apparently they don't import the rifle in 6.5x55 her... not sure why but apparently its just not imported which is kind of stupid.

I might end up buying a Howa sporter in 6.5 and putting a heavier barrel on it and going from there but i still need to do some research on exactly what i want to do.

 

[jthyttin]

The tikka bedding sustem is great

I think I'm not exaggerating if I say every other rifle in Finland is Tikka. Or at least one in three.

And I can say Tikka system is not great. When it comes to technical merits, I'd say it's on par with Remington extractor,both get the job done but there's much better solutions available).

On bedding block,made of metal) I could live with reverse recoil lug. But traditional bedding, why add a separate piece of metal?

EDIT: CJ, is Barnard out of your budget? Do you require repeater or is singleshot enough?

 

[riemer]

i was advised to stay away from a t3 action for a custom build, again due to the recoil lug being bedded in the stock. The smith suggested if i insisted that I use a t3 action to retro fit it with a remmy 700 style lug. I see his point but all my tikkas shoot perfectly!!!

 

[Ogre6br]

CJ
I'll ask how hard it would be for me to get you a T3 S/S varmint from the big island

I have a dealer mate who does import/export he'll know what to do

have pm'd you an email addy

Later
p

 

[Ogre6br]

CJ

have the NZ importer contact email

pm me for the contact information

later
P