Thoughts on the Tikka T3x CTR?

[EJG]

For those of you with CTRs in .308, what are you feeding them? I’ve tried a few loads with 175SMKs and RL15 with just okay results. I’m out of SMKs and am about to try Hornady 178 Match bullets, again with RL15.

The two 308 stainless 20" CTR's we have just love 168gr Match. I tried some 178gr Hornady factory superformance with ok results at 500 - 600m but did not do any serious 100m evaluation. We did some ammo testing when we were over in the states with our rifles and the 175gr SMK match ammo come out best 100yd in the CTR. First time we shot with muzzle brake instead of suppressor. We didn't achieve the small groups we did at home with suppressor and 168.

The two groups are from two CTR sister rifles shot with the same box of hornady 168gr match. It is very impressive but I do not think these are real match barrels as they do seem to open up after 5-10 shots at longer ranges. That's where good match barrels shine. (Just my opinion)
saying that, they are incredibly repeatable and consistent if not shot hot and we use our CTR as a test bed.
edi


edi

 

[todbartell]

Some recent CTR fun

 

[CocoMelon]

CTRs changed the game. Universally known to be sub .5 MOA guns. I’ve had 3 and set up about 6 more for guys. Same results every time. .3-.5 moa.

Have you used a different chassis and if so what’s the best one? Was thinking KRG BRAVO

 

[brenden270]

Have you used a different chassis and if so what’s the best one? Was thinking KRG BRAVO

We have used bravo, x ray, ACC, XRS. ESS.
The bravo is a beauty. Can be dressed up or down depending on budget and gives up little to the othered. It is after all a copy of a TRG which was the world standard for precision guns before the popularity explosion.

 

[CocoMelon]

We have used bravo, x ray, ACC, XRS. ESS.
The bravo is a beauty. Can be dressed up or down depending on budget and gives up little to the othered. It is after all a copy of a TRG which was the world standard for precision guns before the popularity explosion.

Thanks for the insight.

Could you recommend a scope? Magnification? Trying to keep it light as to eventually hunt with and to plink with. No long range competition or anything.

Or for a jack of all trades should I just look at a Ruger American gen 2? Thank you again

 

[brenden270]

Thanks for the insight.

Could you recommend a scope? It would be to eventually hunt with and to plink with. No long range competition or anything.

Or for a jack of all trades should I just look at a Ruger American gen 2? Thank you again

I’d buy the tikka every time. For hunting the Apex hunter is a great scope. Canadian company.

 

[jayquiver]

Damn you guys...You go and start talking about this and then...I had to buy one. haha.
Just picked one up! Should be here in a few days...excited !

 

[stubblejumper]

I had one of the rare stainless with 24" barrel in 6.5CM, and it shot very well, easily sub 1/2moa for five shots at 100m.

 

[Smis Five Creedmoor]

6.5mm Creedmoor....

 

[Sk-outdoors]

I had one in the 6.5cm. Loved it, but didn't have a ton of practical use while hunting so I sold it. Stupid accurate. Smooth. Like all Tikka rifles. I still have a few and they are the most reliable accurate guns I own, easily

 

[barsik]

For those of you with CTRs in .308, what are you feeding them? I’ve tried a few loads with 175SMKs and RL15 with just okay results. I’m out of SMKs and am about to try Hornady 178 Match bullets, again with RL15.

sorry for the late response, I have had the best results using 168 SMK bullets/GMM primers/ Hodgdon Varget powder. seat the bullet to max magazine length or wherever you like if you want to feed single rounds into the ejection port. start at min suggested powder charge and see if you can get to around 44.0/44.1 gr without too much pressure. I use a Lee neck collet die to get decent concentricity with spending too much time fussing with each case. good luck.

 

[Chuckbuster]

sorry for the late response, I have had the best results using 168 SMK bullets/GMM primers/ Hodgdon Varget powder. seat the bullet to max magazine length or wherever you like if you want to feed single rounds into the ejection port. start at min suggested powder charge and see if you can get to around 44.0/44.1 gr without too much pressure. I use a Lee neck collet die to get decent concentricity with spending too much time fussing with each case. good luck.

Thanks for the info. I’m partial to the heavier bullets but if my trials with the 178s don’t give me what I want, I’ll be moving to 165/168 grain bullets.

 

[ssk507]

CTRs changed the game. Universally known to be sub .5 MOA guns. I’ve had 3 and set up about 6 more for guys. Same results every time. .3-.5 moa.

Do you know if the Tikka Super Varmints are as accurate?

 

[Hyllar]

yes

I had one with a lantac dragon muzzle brake. you coudl pull the trigger and watch as the round went to target

 

[stubblejumper]

The 130gr Sierra Gamechanger shoots very well in my CTR in 6.5CM , as well as in a friendsT-3 in 6.5CM.

 

[seven_kittens]

I have the tikka tac in 308. Probably been a couple thousand rounds down the barrel and will still shoot lights out. Very happy with mine.

 

[jcpal]

For those of you with CTRs in .308, what are you feeding them? I’ve tried a few loads with 175SMKs and RL15 with just okay results. I’m out of SMKs and am about to try Hornady 178 Match bullets, again with RL15.

I know not the same but my tikka varmint in 308 loves 168 amax and 175 tmk
The tmk seated to 2.790

 

[dausen]

I’ve owned a tikka CTR 308 for five years and it’s been an amazing rifle. This year I’ve gotten into hand loading and really have this CTR shooting lights out .5” groups at 100meters off the bench. I’ve found for hand loads, Berger 168 classic Hunter set 0.020” off lands 45.5 gr varget, Hornady 178 eldx 0.030” off lands 44.5gr varget and sierra TGK GameChanger 165gr 0.030” off lands 46gr varget. All with fire formed brass from this chamber only neck sizing and trimming brass, Cci 200 primers. This hunting season using my 178gr eldx load 44.5gr varget 0.030” off lands is giving me avg velocity of 2673fps, my kids took a whitetail buck last week 240yds, and I took a cow elk yesterday 215yds. Seriously I’m looking at buying another tikka ctr in 223 rem just for plinking around at the range. I also own a tikka UPR 308 that I bought Boxing Day 2024 on a deal I couldn’t turn down, that rifle straight out of the box off the bench trying some different factory loads, shots 10,11 & 12 with Sako TRG precision 175gr bug holed the paper at 100m, I absolutely couldn’t believe it, so the CTR, upr, tacA1, ace & varmint line of rifles you will not be disappointed! Only downside to the CTR / UPR 308 is the price of the factory mags, as I recently just purchased one from Stoeger Canada website…… ouch

 

[dausen]

I’ve owned a tikka CTR 308 for five years and it’s been an amazing rifle. This year I’ve gotten into hand loading and really have this CTR shooting lights out .5” groups at 100meters off the bench. I’ve found for hand loads, Berger 168 classic Hunter set 0.020” off lands 45.5 gr varget, Hornady 178 eldx 0.030” off lands 44.5gr varget and sierra TGK GameChanger 165gr 0.030” off lands 46gr varget. All with fire formed brass from this chamber only neck sizing and trimming brass, Cci 200 primers. This hunting season using my 178gr eldx load 44.5gr varget 0.030” off lands is giving me avg velocity of 2673fps, my kids took a whitetail buck last week 240yds, and I took a cow elk yesterday 215yds. Seriously I’m looking at buying another tikka ctr in 223 rem just for plinking around at the range. I also own a tikka UPR 308 that I bought Boxing Day 2024 on a deal I couldn’t turn down, that rifle straight out of the box off the bench trying some different factory loads, shots 10,11 & 12 with Sako TRG precision 175gr bug holed the paper at 100m, I absolutely couldn’t believe it, so the CTR, upr, tacA1, ace & varmint line of rifles you will not be disappointed! Only downside to the CTR / UPR 308 is the price of the factory mags, as I recently just purchased one from Stoeger Canada website…… ouch