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Tikka Varmint vs. CTR – detail questions more or less
Hey guys,
this is my very first post on this forum and I hope you experts can help me out.
I´m in the market for one of the two above guns. I did quite some reading over the past few days but some questions remain unanswered.
But first my story to give you a few insights:
Roughly ten years ago I did some precision shooting with a Winchester stealth which did a great job (hole in hole with Norma Jaktmatch). I had to quit because the shooting ranges were too far away.
Now, with a shooting range 15 minutes away (25-300 meter ranges) I want to start again and I something ….better.
I narrowed it all down from Remingtons over Howas to – finally – Tikkas.
Caliber-wise I went from 6.5×55 to .308. The reasons are .308 barrels don´t wear out as fast as 6,5×55, it´s slightly cheaper, you get more ammunition, it´s pretty much as precise as 6.5. Though, 6.5 shoots way softer than .308.
I guess that´s it for the story…
Now my questions on the guns:The CTR comes with a metal bottom plate, 10 round metal magazine and a picatinny rail. Those are nice features, especially since the gun is just 100 Euros more expensive than the Varmint. Even more, I can get it with a 60 cm (24″) barrel free of charge if I want. What I couldn´t find on the Tikka website was a word about the stock.
For the Varmint Tikka clearly states, it is a free floating barrel. No such description for the CTR! Does anybody know if the CTR has a free floating barrel?Next one: Does anybody know if there are differences in the barrel? Thickness? Contour?….in the end precision. Advice would be highly appreciated!!!
Which gun would you buy? CTR (long barrel) or Varmint?
Any crazy guy out there talking me in 6.5×55?I have the feeling, that I forgot at least two questions…will deliver later if they come back.
Many thanks in advance,
CarlitoPS: Did you ever have any precision issues with your Tikkas?
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4 Replies
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Remember it's all personal preferences , I'd go for the varmint in 6.5 better ballistics all round , which ever tikka you decide on its worth checking to make sure the barrel is floated all the way back to the action , and once again get the 6.5 you will not be disappointed
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Hey Larkin,
thanks for your reply.
Talking about 6.5 we also need to talk about barrel life:
Will a 6.5×55 be just as tough as .308? From what I calculated and read, a .308 barrel should last quite a bit longer than a 6.5.Concerning the stocks:
Any Tikka stock might have problems with being free floating? Have you ever experienced that with one of your guns?
But still my question is kind of unanswered: Is the CTR meant to come with a free floating barrel or not?
Also, just figured out, the CTR does not come in 6.5…
Would have to go for the Varmint then anyways.Once again, thank you,
Carlito -
No synthetic Tikka stock is free floated to the action…they all pinch or touch the barrel about 2 inches from the receiver including CTR and Varmint models…
I have 6 – Tikka's with synthetic stocks and I needed to open up the barrel channel on all rifles.
For range use…I prefer the varmint barrel but can really see no accuracy difference shooting a CTR in the same caliber shoot for shoot…either will produce accuracy, only the varmint will be a little faster with the extra barrel length in most calibers.
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+1 for 6.5X55 AND for the Varmint/Super Varmint model. Ridiculously accurate caliber – and rifle. Feed it with any Lapua Scenar bullets and you´ll be a happy Camper 😉
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