Tikka CTR Special Edition

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HondaVTEC

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Just looking for some feedback / opinions . I'm considering a Tikka CTR and I see that Cabela's / Bass Pro has a Special Edition model that has the TRG brake and a set trigger . Typically , do these rifles shoot well enough out of the box to justify the fairly high price ? I am an experienced reloader with good gear and factory ammo will likely never be used . Most guys that I know complain of fairly slow Tikka barrels . I only have access to 700 yards at the range so a 20" barrel is not really an issue .
1/2 - 3/4 MOA 5 shot groups at 100M is not good enough . I've never owned a Tikka but considering giving one a try .
 
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I don't know what the price of the special edition is compared to a standard ctr but my buddy had the set trigger and it wasn't anything special. He ended up selling the trigger so he could run a factory trigger with yodave spring. The TRG brake is also really ugly compared to a heathen or area 419. His ctr was very accurate. I don't understand your statement on group size expectations. Are you saying it's only acceptable to shoot less than 1/2" all day?
 
HondaVTEC said:
Just looking for some feedback / opinions . I'm considering a Tikka CTR and I see that Cabela's / Bass Pro has a Special Edition model that has the TRG brake and a set trigger . Typically , do these rifles shoot well enough out of the box to justify the fairly high price ? I am an experienced reloader with good gear and factory ammo will likely never be used . Most guys that I know complain of fairly slow Tikka barrels . I only have access to 700 yards at the range so a 20" barrel is not really an issue .
1/2 - 3/4 MOA 5 shot groups at 100M is not good enough . I've never owned a Tikka but considering giving one a try .
Click to expand...

I believe the Varmint barrels are better. They have a 5 shot MOA guarantee (I believe.) I have a 6.5PRC CTR that shoots factory speeds for the most part. That said I have a 6.5x55 Swede Barrel that came off a varmint and it shots 6 shot groups at 1/2" so long as I am on my game. It can probably do better with handloads this is just factory match(RWS). The downside is this barrel is about 100fps slower.

As far as the Tikka itself goes I think they are fantastic foundations. You can go semi custom and buy a good deal tikka in the bolt face you want and have a custom barrel built. You could probably be fairly close price wise then choose whatever stock you want. An sell the rest of the parts you don't want.

I agree would agree with Laker 415 the TRG brake is ugly. I like my factory trigger and also will be doing the yo dave swap shortly.

B
 
Bass Pro is listing the SE CTR at $1799 . So likely $400 or so more then a regular CTR . I've just watched several CTR reviews online and the reviewers seemed quite happy with 1MOA groups with factory Match ammo . I currently have two very different .308's and both shoot extremely well . One is a R700 Milspec Gen 2 and the other is a Savage Elite Precision ( custom barrel ) and both are sub 1/2 MOA at 200M . That's what I'm after . That level of performance . So , I'm simply not willing to pay $2000+ for a rifle that delivers 3/4 MOA at 100M .
 
So your savage and Remington are 1/2" all day at 100 with your handloads? Impressive.

The special edition ctr isn't worth the extra cost in my opinion. Consider the factory stock too. It's garbage. Spend $1000 more for an Origin build from gobig with a custom barrel, triggertech, and a Bravo.
 
I don't bother with 100M shooting anymore with my current two .308's . The Savage Elite is in an MTD ACC chassis from the factory and the Milspec has been put into a KRG Bravo and has a Calvin Elite 2 stage , but the barreled action is factory . A ragged hole over and over is a total waste of expensive ammo . My "accuracy" evaluation is at 200M only when I'm doing load development and I shoot at 705 yards . I've never been a fan of plastic stocks , regardless of brand . Especially not on a $2000 "precision" rifle .

I've wanted to try working with a Tikka for a while now , just not sure the SE version is the right way to go . I suspect not .

I appreciate the feedback . I'll put more thought into a CTR SE .
 
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Set trigger is well worth the extra cost alone, the Sako muzzle brake retails for over $300 so if you don't like it, sell.

There will be a line up of people willing to trade you a regular trigger plus cash for the set trigger if you don't want it

FYI, stoeger will not sell you a set trigger, they require the rifle to be sent back to them with the factory trigger, it is then sent to tikka to have the trigger swapped.

I have done this and the cost for the trigger a few years ago was $250 plus shipping both ways and you don't get to keep the original trigger.
 
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If your going to really mod the CTR after purchasing, ie a chassis and/or aftermarket barrel, you may want to look at a base T3x. The CTR mags and bottom metal make up a bunch of its price, and if your going to swap it out anyway for a chassis that takes non-CTR mags, would be cheaper in the long run. Having said all that, I personally really like the CTR mags and bought a chassis where I was able to continue using them.
 
I don't really intend to get into serious mods for the next rifle . Not now , anyway . I've just recently done that with another rifle system . I just want a good shooting system that I can tune up some ammo for and have fun . But , it has to shoot fairly well out of the box . A 3/4 MOA rifle at 100M has very little interest to me . Definitely not after spending over $2000 . This the reason why I'm asking . I need direct feedback from what owners are experiencing with THEIR CTR's in the real world . Not specially selected 3 shot groups which tell me nothing , or , 5 shot groups at 1 MOA which is what most online reviews tend to be . I'm used to good shooting rifles and if I'm going to spend $2000 , I expect very good performance . If the CTR will deliver this , great , it's a potential candidate . If not , that's ok too , I'll just look at other options.
 
Why get a ctr at all then with your accuracy expectations? It's just a factory rifle. It'll feel better than a savage and Remington, but its still a factory barrel. Build something in 6br or similar. Then you will be bored with how tiny your groups are. That's what I've experienced with my IBI chambered 6br barrel.
 
Go custom. My Savage Stealth in XRS, factory barrel shoots awesome, way better than it should, but it’s a bugger to keep clean, rough bore, and although it’s good for a Savage, no binding, feeds and ejects good, it sure does not have a light bolt lift. I will rebarrel it at some point but my next centerfire will be a custom for sure.
 
I have a Tikka T3 CTR with 3-port muzzle brake that I bought from a fellow CGNer in 2021 (it is similar to the CTR special edition just older configuration). I'm the 2nd owner. I'm pretty happy with this rifle as it's quite accurate for an all around rifle (bush, hunting, target practise). I didn't put a chassis on this rifle. I can get 0.36" MOA at 109 yards (5-shot group) and 0.89" MOA at 220 yards (5-shot group) with Federal 168gr SMK factory ammo shooting on a bench (static position). I've also shot 0.51" at 109 yards (5-shot group) and 0.75" MOA at 220 yards (5-shot group) with Federal 175gr factory ammo. I suspect I can do better with custom loads (168gr SMK, Varget powder) but this is good enough for a bush rifle.

There is almost no recoil with the 3-port brake and I've set the trigger to 1.5 lb with the yo dave spring upgrade. I can probably get better accuracy at 220 yards if I put on my March 5-50 scope but I have that for my long range rifle. I wish the CTR would come in 300 Win Mag then it would be the ultimate hunting rifle.

I've also got good accuracy from my Tikka T3X Varmint 223 at 109 yards (0.25 MOA) and 0.56 MOA at 220 yards with Federal 69gr SMK factory ammo. I have a XRS chassis on this rifle.

If you want a bench 308 rifle I'd go heavier barrel with a brake, similar to the Savage 110 Elite. This is a nice rifle.
 

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My original plan was to go with either a T3X Varmint or a CTR in .223 . However , neither rifle is available anywhere it seems . I currently have a Savage LRPV ( right bolt , left port ) single shot , 7 twist , super heavy barrel . Incredibly accurate rifle . Typically in the low .300 MOA at 205 yards off a cheap bipod ( 5 shot groups ) . Usually 1/2 MOA at 705 yards ( 80VLD Berger ) . This rifle has been my target shooting workhorse and has seen many rounds . Throat is getting rough . My Savage Elite Precision .308 ( custom MTU contour cut rifled match barrel ) ACC chassis and my R700 Milspec Gen 2 .308 ( KRG Bravo chassis ) both shoot very well too . The Elite is sub 1/2 MOA at 205 yards and the Milspec is at 1/2 MOA . So , I wasn't really looking for another .308 , but , it seems that's all there is available . I just don't have a need for 6.5CM . I've wanted to try a Tikka for a while now and it seems that a .308 might be the only choice . Just trying to decide if the rifle is good enough to justify the high cost .
 
I forget to mention my CTR is in a 308 Win with 20" sporter barrel (this is what the CTR typically comes with stock). It's a perfect weight for an all around rifle for me that is (not to long to get hung up in the bush). The CTR is more suited for an all around bush rifle, not much for long range match shooting but I'm sure it would be ok for shooting 10" gongs. I'd go with 6.5cm or 6mm for >500 yards. I have a Tikka Varmint in 6.5CM and 223 and both are sub 0.5" MOA rifles when shot ~220 yards even with factory match ammo (i may do some minor load development to fine tune it).

It sounds like you already have a 308 that does the job already for bench shooting. LOL!
 
I also have tikka t3x in 308 and I have ten rounds in my magazine and I am always prepared for anything, installed zeiss and I am quite happy with it!
I may not be a sharpshooter in competitions but, I am a hunter and I kill!
 
laker415 said:
So your savage and Remington are 1/2" all day at 100 with your handloads? Impressive.

The special edition ctr isn't worth the extra cost in my opinion. Consider the factory stock too. It's garbage. Spend $1000 more for an Origin build from gobig with a custom barrel, triggertech, and a Bravo.
Click to expand...

1/2 moa at 200. Not 1/2" at 200. - dan
 
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