Tikka M-65 question.
- Thread starter Rob
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Throttle_monkey1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Here are my two M65s. One is a deluxe 6.5x55, still deciding what optics to put on it and the other is a 7mm in phenomenal condition that I picked cheap because it was missing the bolt. Somehow found a bolt for it so it’s good to go. We’ve also got an LSA55 in 308 in the family and another M65 in 7mm that has been guided with for 30 years. It’s in rough shape but still shoots true. I’ll get pics of those tomorrow.
Throttle_monkey1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Thanks!
The 7mm I believe has Talley rings. I went in to cabelas and the guy found some rings that fit. The 6.5 has the original tikka rings. The scope on the 7mm sits pretty low and cases do hit the windage turret and kinda barely made it out of the action so I had to rotate the optic 90 degrees to the left. That’s my only gripe with the rifle.
I wish I could find a good scope with very small turrets. On my dad’s m65 in 7mm he has an Ernst Apel quick release mount and a scope that has both the windage and elevation turrets on the top. I’ll have to find out what kind of scope that is.
Do you want a close up of the rings?
The 7mm I believe has Talley rings. I went in to cabelas and the guy found some rings that fit. The 6.5 has the original tikka rings. The scope on the 7mm sits pretty low and cases do hit the windage turret and kinda barely made it out of the action so I had to rotate the optic 90 degrees to the left. That’s my only gripe with the rifle.
I wish I could find a good scope with very small turrets. On my dad’s m65 in 7mm he has an Ernst Apel quick release mount and a scope that has both the windage and elevation turrets on the top. I’ll have to find out what kind of scope that is.
Do you want a close up of the rings?
Thanks for the info on the rings.
I ended up going with Talley rings as well on my M55 308 as well after much research trying to find the proper 17mm dovetail rings, but to no avail. You're lucky to have a set of factory rings!
The fact Tikka has kept the same spacing, diameter and thread on the receiver boss' from the M55/65 to the T3, is fantastic engineering and one of the many reasons I love these rifles.
I ended up going with Talley rings as well on my M55 308 as well after much research trying to find the proper 17mm dovetail rings, but to no avail. You're lucky to have a set of factory rings!
The fact Tikka has kept the same spacing, diameter and thread on the receiver boss' from the M55/65 to the T3, is fantastic engineering and one of the many reasons I love these rifles.
I have a set of factory rings that came with my fullstock M65 6.5x55 but they are huge, and weigh a ton...so I do not use them.
One of the many things I really like about the Tikka M65 is the flat top receiver already factory drilled and tapped so that you have your choice of a variety of lightweight aftermarket bases and rings. This already relatively heavy rifle doesn't need any more weight.
I'll post a photo soon of the Tikka rings.
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Absolutely true! The M65s aren't the lightest bolt actions out there. Any weight savings are a huge help on those long bush walks.
I have always preferred the M55 short action with a standard stock. Seems to be as light as you can find when it comes to old model Tikkas.
My Ithaca rifles are even heavier; I would assume due to the thicker stock. But I wouldn't trade that blonde wood for all the weight saving in the world!
These are the heavy 1 inch Tikka rings that I use as paperweights. Because of the way they are split, they can often fit scopes with 26mm tubes. And I have a minty old steel-tubed 26 mm Swarovski 8x56. So If I ever need a heavy no-walking-around deer stand rifle for the twilight hours, I will mount the scope in these Tika rings. (In my experience the optical quality of the older Swarovskis cannot be matched, even by their own recent production.)
According to the Tikka book there are numerous other types of Tikka factory rings. At least five.
According to the Tikka book there are numerous other types of Tikka factory rings. At least five.
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Since the M55/M66 models have irons, my logic was to make sure I have access to same when needed. I've been using Ma-Si QD mounts on my m55 and M07 (and my two T3s
their design takes advantage of the flat top receiver design you mention, they are well made and return to zero every time. A few years back I posted photos here, and put together a short video and uploaded it to youtube, and it's still there ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvLThkseZTUEdit: the link shows some weird dancing bears; looks like I managed to disable them. If not, search youtube with the string Ma Si QD M55
Also, if someone were to start a website dedicated to old Tikkas, I'd be all over it...
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