Tikka Model/Caliber Selection

AdamRoby

AdamRoby

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Kirkland, Quebec
Hi everyone,

This is obviously a very personal thing, but I was hoping for some general guidelines and to confirm if my thoughts are right.
I am looking for a decent quality medium caliber rifle, something that can give me sub MOA out of the box, so that I can work up my skills to achieve just that.

I originally thought a .223 would be a good fit, because I can shoot the military surplus, but I think as far as versatility goes that caliber may be limited here in Quebec due to the type of game and hunting restrictions.
I will primarily be using this at the range but like to remain versatile. I already have a couple of 22LR so those are my "cheap ammo" choices. I would like something with the least amount of recoil (shoot all day if I want) while still having the option to hunt with it. For deer, the minimum caliber allowed in Quebec is the .243. I have never shot one, but I've read the recoil should be much less than my 30-06. I can do 1 box of 30-06, but already start to flinch by the end of the box... the recoil pad is very hard. I know some people are indifferent to recoil but I do not like hard hitting guns. Then there is the 6.5 Creedmoor which seems to be a very popular caliber now-a-days. I imagine its felt recoil is a bit more than the .243, but I also think it may be a better choice for both accuracy (straighter trajectory) and take down power (might be good up to elk), while still having less of a punch that the 30-06.

There are a few sales going on which I would like to take advantage of.
The base model Tikka T3X with blued stock is around the $850 mark. I think I want to up my game a bit and go with a stainless barrel. (+$150).
There is the lite and varmint versions that interest me. The lite I question if the accuracy would be thrown off at the range when the barrel heats up. The varmint has a heavy barrel, but is also (+$250) on top of the previous jump.

Based on the above:
  • Would the 6.5 Creedmoor have a similar felt recoil to the .243?
  • Other than a flatter trajectory, does the 6.5 have other benefits over the .243 (or vice versa)?
  • Is the stainless barrel worth the extra? I am thinking of less rust, less cleaning, and nicer looking (IMO).
  • Am I right that the heavier barrel would help at the range? Hunting would be a secondary option, may never use it on hunts but I'd like to keep my options open.
  • Is the 6.5 too large a caliber for predator hunting?

There will be some mixed opinions for sure, but I welcome all feedback. I've been itching for a T3X, and with the Christmas sales I think I need to bite. Just don't want to purchase and then think, I shoulda, coulda, woulda...
Are there other options, calibers, etc. that I should be considering before taking the plunge?
 
Not sure if I am going to answer all your questions but after a couple glasses of Egg Nogg here is my advice:
I've owned a few Tikka's and they are nice however all blued barrels. No longer have them - as far as calibers - you will find more ammo choices for the .243 - the 6.5 is a good paper puncher out to 700-1000 yards.

"I am looking for a decent quality medium caliber rifle, something that can give me sub MOA out of the box, so that I can work up my skills to achieve just that."

Look at the Weatherby Vanguard in 240 wby or 257wby. I have the 240wby three shots to sight in the scope at 50 yards - took it out to 100 meters and shot three three shot groups they were all under 1 inch. I did wait about 5 minutes after each three shots. Why only three shots? Its a hunting rifle no need to test accuracy using 5 or 10 shot strings. I did not do anything to the stock it's not exactly free floating for a reason.

The 240 is too big for predator hunting so is the 243 at close distances - if your looking for a fur friendly caliber than a 223 would be a good choice. For a varmint rifle the lighter the better - you will NOT be shooting 10 shot strings at a coyote - 99.998% of the time its one cold bore shot and the coyote is done. A sporter barrel would be ideal in these conditions.
 
Not much difference in recoil between 6.5cr and .243. Both are capable for deer and both can be used for yotes and fox with light bullets. Both are quite capable guns and basically it boils down to ammo availability and personal preference.
 
The 6.5 CM out classes the 243 as a hunting round allowing you to hunt moose with the heavier bullets in the +140 gr size...but most likely has slightly more recoil

In the stores around here, 6.5CM ammo is more available than 243.

I'd pick a 6 Creedmoor over the 243 but I reload so ammo isn't a concern in my decision.

6.5 will work as good or better than the 243 for predator hunting (high BC will extend your reach and reduce your drift).

Stainless for me is worth the little extra money.

Have a Merry Christmas and buy both! :)
 
The 6.5 is more versatile for big game than the 243, but ammo is easier to find for the 243. Both are adequate for taking deer and with good shot placement can knock down an elk. The 243 is a nice varmint and mid range target round, especially from a bull barrel. The 243/6mm is great for coyotes and fox. With the right load they drop fast and without destroying the hides. If you are reloading, there is a huge selection of bullets for both 6mm and 6.5mm.

Try a 270Win. Low recoil, fast and flat trajectories, great hunting cartridge for anything on the continent, easy to manage on a light platform and making it easy to carry, and easy to find ammo on the shelf, anywhere around the world.
 
AdamRoby said:
Would the 6.5 Creedmoor have a similar felt recoil to the .243?
Click to expand...

This is difficult to answer definitively. It depends on the bullet weight being considered. If your question is about adequate hunting bullets in both cartridges (that is, bullets having adequate sectional density to kill cleanly), then we might consider the 129-gr. bullet in the 6.5 CM and the 90-gr. or 100-gr. bullet in the ,243 Win. On the basis of data from the Nosler loading manual, we have the following:

The 6,5 CM shooting a 129-gr. bullet at about 2900 fps will produce about 13.4 ft. lbs. of recoil in an 8-lb. rifle (including scope and mounts);

The .243 Win. shooting a 90-gr. bullet at about 3150 fps will produce about 9.5 ft. lbs. of recoil; and shooting a 100-gr. bullet at 3000, about 10.5 ft. lbs. again in an 8-lb. rifle.

So both have low recoil, but the .243 is a little gentler in that regard, as others have suggested. If, on the other hand, you were shooting 100-gr. bullets in the 6.5 CM (really inadequate for big game), then recoil between the two would be about identical. I've used a rifle weight (including scope and mounts) of 8 lb. With a lighter rig, recoil will be a little more in each case, but the comparison will remain the same, with the .243 Win. showing a little less recoil.

AdamRoby said:
Other than a flatter trajectory, does the 6.5 have other benefits over the .243 (or vice versa)?
Click to expand...

Given the bullet choices I’ve noted above for both cartridges (129-gr in the CM; 90 or 100 in the .243), the trajectory of the 6.5 CM is almost identical to that of the .243 Win. If both are set to have a zero range of 250 yds., each will drop about 16” at 400 yards. No real advantage to either.
 
One other point if you are seriously considering a .243 Win.: make sure the barrel has a 1:10 twist. If you go with Tikka, that will be the case, but with other makes, it might not be. I have a .243 Win. (a Wichita Classic) with a 1:12 twist, and it doesn't handle the 100-gr. bullets well. Great with the lighter bullets, but not so with the heaviest.

If your big-game hunting will be limited to deer-size game (deer, pronghorn, etc.), then there is little to choose between the two cartridges. The .243 will be adequate with 90- or 100-gr. bullets, and would be a good choice. If, on the other hand, you may want to hunt bigger animals (moose, elk, bear), then the 6.5 CM is by far the better choice, with the 140-gr. and 160-gr. bullets available.

If varmint hunting will figure into your decision, then I think the .243 Win. is the better choice, producing flatter trajectories with 70-gr. bullets (as one example) than the 6.5 CM with 90-gr. bullets.

You had emphasized felt recoil and the problem it was causing you with your 30-06. so let me end with this thought. If you are doing load development or doing drop tests at the range from the bench and firing a lot of rounds, you might consider picking up one of the PAST recoil shields (now under the Caldwell brand name). They strap on over or under your shirt and almost eliminate felt recoil. They come in several thicknesses, and for your use, I’d get the thinnest one--the 1/4" Field model (that's the one in the picture below); it will be sufficient. When it comes to serious target shooting or hunting out in the field, though, I don't think that I'd wear it, but for lengthy range sessions from the bench, it would be of real benefit.

yAem4hp.jpg


As noted they come in various thicknesses and are available from most shooting equipment suppliers, like those listed at the top of the page, and probably your local gun dealer.
 
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If you have decided on a T3X and have your heart set on one, you should buy one, never mind what we think. I would pick the 6.5, more versatile.
 
How about a taste of Swedish? 6.5x55 is a proven classic and if you're not a reloaded, commercial loads are available most areas.
 
I've owned two T3's both were SS Lite versions . They were at completely opposite side of the Cal and recoil range. One a .300WSM Synthetic and the other a .204R in Tikkas Grey Laminate Stock.

If I were looking at the 6.5mm range like yourself, I'd be going 6.5x55 Swede over the Creed. I just have a preference for the 100yr old cartridge over the 6.5 Needmore. It can, has and will be argued by some the 6.5CM trumps the Swede or .260Rem. Whether thats true or not depends on a lot of parameters and not just marketing hype, personally I'm not convinced of it as a pure "hunting caliber" for what I need.

As a Varmint choice? Either or the others I've mentioned will be more then sufficient. The .243 will leave an exit hole the size of a football on a Coyote however (ask me how I know).
 
AdamRoby said:
Hi everyone,

This is obviously a very personal thing, but I was hoping for some general guidelines and to confirm if my thoughts are right.
I am looking for a decent quality medium caliber rifle, something that can give me sub MOA out of the box, so that I can work up my skills to achieve just that.

I originally thought a .223 would be a good fit, because I can shoot the military surplus, but I think as far as versatility goes that caliber may be limited here in Quebec due to the type of game and hunting restrictions.
I will primarily be using this at the range but like to remain versatile. I already have a couple of 22LR so those are my "cheap ammo" choices. I would like something with the least amount of recoil (shoot all day if I want) while still having the option to hunt with it. For deer, the minimum caliber allowed in Quebec is the .243. I have never shot one, but I've read the recoil should be much less than my 30-06. I can do 1 box of 30-06, but already start to flinch by the end of the box... the recoil pad is very hard. I know some people are indifferent to recoil but I do not like hard hitting guns. Then there is the 6.5 Creedmoor which seems to be a very popular caliber now-a-days. I imagine its felt recoil is a bit more than the .243, but I also think it may be a better choice for both accuracy (straighter trajectory) and take down power (might be good up to elk), while still having less of a punch that the 30-06.

There are a few sales going on which I would like to take advantage of.
The base model Tikka T3X with blued stock is around the $850 mark. I think I want to up my game a bit and go with a stainless barrel. (+$150).
There is the lite and varmint versions that interest me. The lite I question if the accuracy would be thrown off at the range when the barrel heats up. The varmint has a heavy barrel, but is also (+$250) on top of the previous jump.

Based on the above:

  • [*]Would the 6.5 Creedmoor have a similar felt recoil to the .243?
  • Other than a flatter trajectory, does the 6.5 have other benefits over the .243 (or vice versa)?
  • Is the stainless barrel worth the extra? I am thinking of less rust, less cleaning, and nicer looking (IMO).
  • Am I right that the heavier barrel would help at the range? Hunting would be a secondary option, may never use it on hunts but I'd like to keep my options open.
  • Is the 6.5 too large a caliber for predator hunting?

There will be some mixed opinions for sure, but I welcome all feedback. I've been itching for a T3X, and with the Christmas sales I think I need to bite. Just don't want to purchase and then think, I shoulda, coulda, woulda...
Are there other options, calibers, etc. that I should be considering before taking the plunge?
Click to expand...

 
It would be hard to beat the 6.5 for versatility, more potential than the .243 for larger game.

Tikka offers 22 and 24 inch barrels in the 6.5 CM with 1:8" twist.
 
If you're keeping the 30-06, then get what you really want:a range toy.

If you're going to use it 95+ percent for range time, get a heavier profile barrel and use the 3006 on the off chance you go moose hunting. A varmint style rifle will still be fine on an occasional deer hunt if you hunt like most of the people I've seen in QC (i.e. sit in a cache all day). If you have a different style of hunting, just use the 3006.

I like stainless but it may not be worth the extra money if you're only ever going to use it when it's nice out.

I'd go with the 243 over the 6.5 if you're keeping the 30-06 but they're both good choices (edit: unless you're planning on getting into long ranges). A 223 isn't a bad option if you're getting a dedicated range toy.
 
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I own both--243 and 6.5CM both in a Tikka T3X. The 243 is a stainless lite in the original stock, and the CM is also a stainless lite but it is in a Tikka Factory laminate stock that I swapped with a 308 that I sold several years ago. I have killed coyote with both, and they both hammer the yodel dogs with authority, and at the range I can not really tell the difference in felt recoil and that is going from 58 grain Vmax loads in the 243 to 143 grain ELD-X loads in the CM. It really comes down to what you want, both are peasant to shoot, both are more accurate than I can shoot, ammo is readily available for both, and they both will kill coyote, deer, bear, and bigger, if you use the right loads and are careful with shot placement. The 243 is not the ideal moose cartridge, but like I said pick the right bullet and put it where it needs to be and you will be enjoying moose steaks for supper.
 
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