Tikka T3x CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor CAN SHOOT!

quikcolin

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Hey guys,

Finally got a chance to take my T3x CTR in 6.5CM out this morning to test out my first batch of development loads. I broke it in last week with a box of S&B 140g ammo... results were "okay"... but today the results were fantastic!

I loaded up a batch of Starline brass (small primer pocket) with CCI 450 primers, H4350 and both Hornady ELD M 140g and Sierra HPBT MK 140g. Of the 35 shots, (7 groups of 5 shots) not a single group was over 1 MOA. The Hornady definitely took the cake with the lowest average, and this beauty of a group (see pic below). The rounds were all built up .020 off the lands, and make with tender love and care.

The winning combo (so far) was Hornady ELD M 140gr over 40.9gr of H4350 - throwing down a .30MOA group at 100 yard. The worst of the bunch was .94MOA, but majority around .50MOA! As a newer shooter throwing a string of groups like this is awesome. I'm shooting off a Harris bipod and rear bag. These Tikka's can shoot! I already knew that with my T3x Stainless Varmint in .223, and my T1x... but this T3x CTR in 6.5 CM has my grinning ear to ear!

 
Great group, so what is your ELD bullet's OAL? 2.800"?

And I heard mixed feedback about Starline 6.5cm brass, how do you feel if compare to Hornady ones?
 
Great group, so what is your ELD bullet's OAL? 2.800"?

And I heard mixed feedback about Starline 6.5cm brass, how do you feel if compare to Hornady ones?

I honestly can’t remember what the over al length was? I measured using the Hornady OAL comparator tool. The Hornady ELD M were set to 2.2550” to the ojive and the Sierra MK HPBT 140g set to 2.2900”. One of the advantages of the mags these CTR’s come with are the OAL you can achieve. I don’t think I could find a bullet long enough to not fit. It’s great!
 
Hey guys,

Finally got a chance to take my T3x CTR in 6.5CM out this morning to test out my first batch of development loads. I broke it in last week with a box of S&B 140g ammo... results were "okay"... but today the results were fantastic!

I loaded up a batch of Starline brass (small primer pocket) with CCI 450 primers, H4350 and both Hornady ELD M 140g and Sierra HPBT MK 140g. Of the 35 shots, (7 groups of 5 shots) not a single group was over 1 MOA. The Hornady definitely took the cake with the lowest average, and this beauty of a group (see pic below). The rounds were all built up .020 off the lands, and make with tender love and care.

The winning combo (so far) was Hornady ELD M 140gr over 40.9gr of H4350 - throwing down a .30MOA group at 100 yard. The worst of the bunch was .94MOA, but majority around .50MOA! As a newer shooter throwing a string of groups like this is awesome. I'm shooting off a Harris bipod and rear bag. These Tikka's can shoot! I already knew that with my T3x Stainless Varmint in .223, and my T1x... but this T3x CTR in 6.5 CM has my grinning ear to ear!


My CTR (Albeit in a KRG Chassis) with the Hornady 140's is spitting out .246" 10 round groups at 100m. Keep practicing, get a proper front bag or rest, and rear bag, and add a good muzzle brake and that rifle will surprise you.
 
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My CTR 6.5cm is a good shooter too! I've shot several half moa 5 shot group at 400 yards with it. I mainly have been shooting 140gr Barnes Match Burners over Win760 and Hornady 143gr ELDx over RL16
 
I heard mixed feedback about Starline 6.5cm brass, how do you feel if compare to Hornady ones?

So far so good on both my SRP and LRP brass from Starline. My experience with Hornady brass over the years has been less than great. My complaint re. Hornady is with .223 Brass and thin rims. I'd take Starline over Hornady at the moment assuming they both keep doing what they are doing.
 
That's getting into 700 's accuracy range ... good for Tikka.

As in Rem700??

The quality coming out of Tikka is much nicer then what's coming out of Remington these days. Big green has been on a downward spiral for many years.

I see mich, much more reports of good shooting Tikka's then I do Remington's these days. Tikka is pumping out a great product. Remington? Not so much.

Tikka's are a great factory option for those wanting an accurate factory gun. Lots of great aftermarket support coming out for Tikka's these days, which makes it a very compelling platform.

Good shooting OP, enjoy your rifle.
 
My CTR (Albeit in a KRG Chassis) with the Hornady 140's is spitting out .246" 10 round groups at 100m. Keep practicing, get a proper front bag or rest, and rear bag, and add a good muzzle brake and tat rifle will surprise you.

You should be shooting benchrest competitions if it's spitting out .246" 10 rd groups.
 
My CTR (Albeit in a KRG Chassis) with the Hornady 140's is spitting out .246" 10 round groups at 100m. Keep practicing, get a proper front bag or rest, and rear bag, and add a good muzzle brake and tat rifle will surprise you.

I have a new rear bag coming. The Armageddon bag I use is like jello. It’s very difficult to keep the stock stable when squeezing. The new bag should do the trick. I have a Mapleridge Armory Defiant muzzle break on it - works wonders :)
 
I'll have to dig through my targets :) Here is a recent 8 round group. Shoot a round, then dial scope so you have a clean Point of Aim. 1 Bullet diameter has been subtracted from the group.

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No doubt! This would beat atleast half the 6ppc bench guns at a match in Canada.

Question about those 6PPC rifles. I understand they’re wildly accurate. I’ve watched Johnny Reloaders YouTube channel where he shoots his and it’s amazing. So why I’m the world don’t they make them anymore? You can only buy older rifles chambered on 6PPC, right?
 
I'm really glad you posted this because I've been thinking about trying the same recipe in my CTR, same cartridge except I'm running the Starline LRP brass with CCI BR-2 primers. I wasn't sure what seating depth to go with but now I think I'll start with the bullet up close to the lands. I have the 24" barrel and for the bullet to be 0.020" off the lands, the OAL is 2.885" as measured for my chamber.

Do you have any idea what you were getting for velocity or did you just run a ladder test to look for nice groups? Great shooting by the way!
 
Question about those 6PPC rifles. I understand they’re wildly accurate. I’ve watched Johnny Reloaders YouTube channel where he shoots his and it’s amazing. So why I’m the world don’t they make them anymore? You can only buy older rifles chambered on 6PPC, right?

Any gunsmith can spin you up a barrel in 6 PPC.

People still shoot benchrest with 6PPC. But they have custom rifles built as factory guns generally aren't near as accurate, nor do they have features that they want.

There's no market in producing factory 6PPC guns.
 
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