REVIEW: Tikka T3 CTR .308WIN ... (pic heavy)

Tikka223 said:
I recently picked up a CTR after debating long and hard as to what I wanted for this fall's hunting season. I settled on the CTR because of my fondness for Tikkas as well as the added bonus of giving me a spare magazine for my Sako TRG-22. I stumbled across a CTR in stock at a local shop, fondled it, and bought it. Here are my thoughts:
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What shop? PM me if they have more in stock and price please



My only real gripe with the stock is the recoil pad ... which isn't much of a pad. It's been described somewhere on the internet as a hockey puck, which is a little harsh, but not far off. Something softer will be a must, especially with the .308 and it's sharp recoil with the CTR's light weight (7lbs).

I will say that after 20 rounds of .308 my shoulder hurt. This rifle is light and factory ammo can be quite potent. If you are considering the CTR for plinking at the range or anything more than the usual 5 shots fired through all of the hunting season, then I suggest you also consider added a muzzle break.
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I am surprised to hear that recoil was such an issue with a 308.....

My CTR does not have the set trigger, but as with all the other Tikkas I've owned
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It is unfortunate that we can not even order the set trigger from Stoeger (Canadian distributor) as per their email reply to my LGS
 
Crashman said:
Yes the stock leaves a lot to be desired, I have the adjustable version on my T3 Tactical. I replaced it with a Boyd's laminate Pro Varmint version, and a quick email confirmed they will be adding the CTR to their inletting plans in the very near future so there is an excellent low cost alternative to the "cheap" plastic that it comes with.
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I would only consider a stock replacement that was the same weight with better features or lighter than the original. Boyds are rather heavy by design and I just don't like the look, but that part is more due to personal taste rather than functionality.

If I ever find a CTR for sale or my LGS finally gets a shipment, I plan to swap to a shorter and lighter profile, possibly fluted match barrel to make a nice hunting rifle, after it goes back to sako to get a set trigger installed of course.
 
Does anyone have a CTR in 260 rem? Search didn't come up with anything on 260.

Any dealers/sellers with 260 in stock? Like the OP the mag is a bonus to my TRG22.
 
Thanks for the review; Tikka makes this rifle in stainless also. Hope they show up at some point in Canada!
sm
 
Brian46 said:
I would only consider a stock replacement that was the same weight with better features or lighter than the original. Boyds are rather heavy by design and I just don't like the look, but that part is more due to personal taste rather than functionality.

If I ever find a CTR for sale or my LGS finally gets a shipment, I plan to swap to a shorter and lighter profile, possibly fluted match barrel to make a nice hunting rifle, after it goes back to sako to get a set trigger installed of course.
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My Tikka is the T3 Tactical with a 24" heavier profile barrel and the light plastic factory stock made for a terrible balance point. Yes the Boyds is heavier, but it also balances much better now and has similar features with the adjustable check piece and I can customize the LOP. It has a McMillan A5 profile, which I like with a more vertical pistol grip area, and I rather like the look of the laminate stock, get nothing but very positive compliments when I hit the range with her.

 
bacardi said:
The adjustable version on T3 Tactical I believe still that gives that cheap plastic. Who has T3 Tactical in stock these days?
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you'd be wrong in thinking that the stock makes a difference to the accuracy on these rifles.
If you just dont like the feel of it, well i cant argue with that. But both my tacticals and my varmint all perform the same in the standard copolymer stock, boyds tacticool, and KRG XRAY.. the standard stock is light - biggest advantage
 
Crashman said:
My Tikka is the T3 Tactical with a 24" heavier profile barrel and the light plastic factory stock made for a terrible balance point. Yes the Boyds is heavier, but it also balances much better now and has similar features with the adjustable check piece and I can customize the LOP. It has a McMillan A5 profile, which I like with a more vertical pistol grip area, and I rather like the look of the laminate stock, get nothing but very positive compliments when I hit the range with her.
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balance is not a concern of mine as in the post you quoted says I am putting on a shorter lighter profile barrel to fix that along with shortening and lightening the entire package. I also prefer a slightly heavier muzzle on my hunting rifles
 
A quick update on recoil. When shooting prone, the recoil is no issue. When shooting off the bench, that's when she kicks. This could me fault for how I was holding the rifle, or maybe I'm just being a baby. Either way, muzzle brakes are nice but after reading the PRS blog's test on muzzle brakes, I'm in no rush to buy one simply because of the increase in noise. My CTR is for the woods and I don't want to deafen myself. Also, I should not that the TRG-22 factory muzzle brake does not fit on the CTR.
 
Nice the CTR uses US std of 5/8x24 thread (tons of cheap brakes) instead of the SAKO M18x1 (expensive, hard to find).

Waiting for my 260 Rem CTR. Hopefully with less recoil don't need a brake. The brake on my TRG22 20" barrel is deafening, wouldn't want to shoot without ear protection.
 
"SilencerCo Harvester", must be nice in the states to be able to use silencers unlike Canada where authorities have watched too many Hollywood movies of silent killers.

My gun store still does not have any dates on when 260 will be in Canada. Might have to import one from the States.
 
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