[David]

I have no experience with it….but I am interested in your results.  Your solutions seems way cheaper than a new stock or buying a Tac1.  I would be nervous performing this rifle stock surgery though.  Good luck. 

[David]

I have 3 range sessions with this T3x CTR in 6.5 creedmoor with a total of about 120 rounds through the rifle.  My report so far is i am very impressed….box ammo shoots great but the reloads are just fantastic. 

RL17 40.5g hornady 143 ELD-x fed 210m primers
100 yards 6 shots average over two range sessions .3 inches
200 yards 3 shots .46 inches
40.8
100 yards 3 shots .23 inches
200 yards 3 shots .87 inches
41g
100 yards 6 shot average .35 inches
200 yards 200 3 shots 1.1 inches with a operator error pulled flyer

Next range session is testing this load at 300 yards and bring the chronograph.  The combination of the 6.5 creedmoor and the Tikka is just awesome. 

[David]

Thanks.  I will have to do some research, I think you are right it is very hard to find after market products for the sako, like magazines.  All Tikka shooters have this site for needed advice and upgrades at a good price. 

[David]

Looks like the original question was about a T3 3006 not shooting well.

After doing all the simple stuff like making things tight and ensuring it is not the scope, cleaning the barrel then re-fouling some….I would then consider a bedding job for the rifle. Tikka rifles don't normally require bedding but of the 3 I have one needed a bedding job. If you search YouTube for Tikka bedding job you will find a gunsmith tutorial on how to bed your rifle. This is just a simple suggestion. Like all rifle accuracy issues every rifle is different and the best approach is eliminating variables one at a time.

Another option is torque spec…MT/Tikka shooters has been leading the way with great advice on how torque specs affect your accuracy.  YouTube tikka shooters stock torque and you will find some great tips. Good luck

As far as ammunition my 3006 T3x loves my hand loads and Winchester XP 150 grain.

[David]

I hope this works. 

[David]

First off, thanks for all the great advice, this site is a great resource and MT is a great company. 

It took me some time to save the money but I finally purchased a T3x CTR 24 inch 6.5…..all I can say is wow, what an awesome rifle.  I got a great deal from Scheels here in CO.  I will attempt to attach a photo of my target. 

Hornady 140 ELD match= average over two range session and 12 shots .75 inches at 100 yards
Norma 130 HPBT match= .7 average with 25 shots
Hornady WT 129g= average .95

My hand loads are just awesome RL17 between 39.5 and 41.6 with hornady ELD-x 143g Norma brass Fed 210m primer all averaged below .40 inches.  The best groups came at 40.5g (.2 inch 3 shots at 100 yards outdoors) and 41g (.286 inches with 3 shots at 100 yards outdoors)

I am very happy with the rifle except the rail….it was bent.  I am going to put an MT rail on it soon. 
The trigger is like all Tikkas and so I adjusted it down to it lowest setting for great precise shots.  The stock is very good for what I need…it seems to fit and it seems to keep the price down for such a great rifle.  I will post a picture after I get the correct rail and the stock painted for the cool camo custom look. 

Again thanks for the adivce….I was able to get the 6.5 Norma ammo for only $26 per 20, I thought that was fair, because the brass is normally very good quality for reloading….plus the ammo shot great in my rifle.  Good luck and thanks. 

[David]

Sorry to bring back an old topic.

I just wanted to say thanks for the help….this same T3 is now after following tips I got here a consistent .5 MOA rifle test at 100/200/300 yards.  Again thanks.  I will try to post some pictures.

T3 25-06 now bedded with JB weld in a B&C stock, DNZ rings, and totally free floated. 

Current load
115 Nosler BT
IMR 4350 48.5g
WLR primers
Fed Brass

Again thanks for all the great advice….this is also about being patient. 

[David]

Thanks for the information.  So it seems to me, according to you two, I should purchase a new Tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor.  I just with the creedmoor had a little more velocity.  The 6.5-300 Wby is too much and ammo price is too high.  The 6.5 swede is hard to find where I live as well as 26 Nosler and 264 Win mag.  I would like to try out this hyped up caliber…most likely I will just get the 6.5 creedmoor with a 24 inch barrel. 

[David]

My T3x 30-06 seems to stabilize the Hornady 178g ELD-x very well.  The 100 yard accuracy is sub-MOA with box ammo (Precision Hunter). 

Yes…it should work just fine. 

[David]

SixShooter,

I should have shared this in my previous post. 

Over the years I have found the 300 win mag likes:
H1000 powder and RL 22 with the heavy for caliber bullets 180 on up. 

[David]

SeaDog,

I have been using Warne rings for a little of 5 years now on a few rifles, to include 3 different 300 magnums.  I am very impressed with the value, ease of mounting, and reliability of the Warne rings.  My new T3x will be getting a set of Warne rings once I figure out the scope that is going on the rifle.

On other forums and websites you will see Vickers tactical and sniper forums recommend Spur.  I have not used Spur before have only seen them on a rifle at the range and talked with the owner.  Mile High rifle highly recommends these highest quality rings….Spur rings are expensive though, I am told bomb proof. 

Good luck

[David]

I agree with Larkin…you opened a can of worms…just like asking what's the best deer rifle caliber.  Over the years with different rifles I have tried different methods of breaking in barrels and really…I find the go to range shoot (5-25 rounds depending on what testing I am doing) go home clean go to range shoot method (5-25) by far the easiest and it works.  I have noticed some ranges don't even want you to fire and swab between shots…so this method of fire and go home to clean works for these rules too. 

My point is all the methods work, pick the one that is easiest.  Just my 2 cents. 

I will say I am super impressed with how smooth the Tikka barrels are straight from the factory.  I have never had to use Tubb abrasive bullets to polish a barrel.  Easiest to clean too! 

Good luck

[David]

As you know all rifles will react a little different to different ammo.  That said my Dad just bought a new 708 and had great 100 yard accuracy with Hornady Whitetail 139g (.5 inches at 100 yards from lead sled 5 shot group).  I shot it from sand bags with the same ammo and hit .75 inches at 100 yard.  So i would say the rifle liked this ammo.  If you are not reloading, fire forming brass doesn't matter so pick up 2-4 boxes of different flavors of ammo and fire a 3 shot group from each and go with the one that seems to like your rifle most.  In two different calibers I have had amazing luck with Hornady Precision Hunter ammo using the new ELD-X bullets.  I have had good luck with Winchester XP ammo too in a 3006, so really my point is try different ammo in your T3, sorry I can't be of more help.  Good luck. 

2506 comment….I reload and this load is a winner in my T3 (.5 inches at 100 yards/1 inch at 200 yards/1.5 inches at 300 yards)…next up 400 yard test after I buy some more bullets.

IMR 4350 48.5g
115 Nosler BT
WLR primer
Fed brass

[David]

Great day at the range today. Shot the new T3x 30-06 again testing some other ammunition. Hornady precision hunter 178g ELDX and 150g Fed Fusion again.

178g first 5 shot group at 100 yards .9 inches second 4 shot group .95 inches with some wind that was impacting all of my shooting today. Then federal fusion 3 shots at 1 inch. I can't wait to reload for this rifle.

Tikka really did this T3x right.

[David]

Bill what loads were working for you with reloading. I am a new 30-06 reloader, I have been reloading other rounds for 17 years.  I too am very happy with T3x in 30-06 very accurate with box ammunition, will only get better with reloading.

270 shooter, have you tried waiting 5-10 minutes between shots to cool the barrel or blow air down the barrel to cool it off?  I had similar trouble with a 25-06 T3 until I bedded the barrel and now I don't have to keep the barrel cool to be accurate. The T3 has a thin barrel that can heat up quickly and possibly change POI, this doesn't occur all the time but it can happen. Good luck.