My son is looking to buy a new 6.5 CM he has 1k to spend...suggestions please. He will be hunting and punching paper. He is looking hard at the tikka t3x ctr tac and m700 mil spec but open to suggestions (heavy/varmint barrel )
tikka t3x ctr tac vs m700 mil spec vs ?
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angus-5024
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My brother has the CTR. I have handled and shot a few mil specs. I would say that the mil spec is a tougher rifle and most of them shoot very well, but a lot heavier and no detachable mag.
The CTR is a smoking good deal for the price point, but has its downfalls. The mag system is good, but spare mags are expensive. The action is a magnum sized action for a short action chambering. The stock is injection molded but very good (solid and comfortable). The CTR is a lot lighter.
The CTR is a smoking good deal for the price point, but has its downfalls. The mag system is good, but spare mags are expensive. The action is a magnum sized action for a short action chambering. The stock is injection molded but very good (solid and comfortable). The CTR is a lot lighter.
WeiserBucks
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For whatever it's worth, I'd bet if you shot 20 factory rifles in whatever configuration you choose, the Tikka will shoot better than a Remington, probably much better. I've seen Remington quality slipping in recent years , not trying to bash them as I own several older ones. The Tikka is almost impossible to beat for the money in my opinion.
yes sir I agree Remington's quality has diminished in most of the mass produced models. However I feel like is still there in the mill spec and some of the other specialized models. Not sure if they are all made at the same place or not. I have a mil spec in 308 that shoots .5 with cheap blue box federal ammo. Not sure if they all shoot that good but I wouldn't trade mine for 2 of anything else. To me the 700 comes with an HS precision which is a big plus but in the end it will up to my son to decide. He is leaning towards the Tikka for now.
Shootin4fun
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I was strongly considering a T3 CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor recently, especially because I wanted a tactical type of grip this time instead of a standard hunting style stock. We all know the T3 has a potential for great accuracy. I held one a number of times. But for my hand, a I experienced a similar thing wiht the T3 CTR as to when I was looking at a standard T3 in 243 about 7 years ago...It left a slight air gap under my right palm. I went with a X-bolt hunter back then in 243 because it felt better (it has a slight palm swell) and the action definitely has a better fit and finish. It's a .25 - .5 MOA shooter in natural conditions; from little breeze to gusting winds up to 15 mph.
So this time I went round and round with several options...a T3 CTR into a McMillan or Manners stock ($600 added to the CTR), a Browning Varmint hunter Xbolt that has a medium heavy barrel like the CTR, dropped into a McMillan (they now make them for the Xbolt), and others. My price point crept up to $2K, finally $2.8K.
Finally, going back to my experience with the X-bolt, I went with a Browning Xbolt Eclipse Hunter. $880 out the door. 22" medium sporter barrel, very good fitting thumbhole stock giving the tactical grip I wanted. 7.4lbs naked (it was listed on many sites as 6.7 lbs and that is my one slight disappoinment). They also make heavier barrel versions. I have just begun breaking it in. Hornady 140 ELD Match, 8th - 16th rounds through the new barrel were two 4 shot groups in a row, each throwing 3 into a cloverleaf, with a 1" flier @ 100. Flier might have been me as I was excited and getting used to the hold and trigger. Very nice light crisp trigger, somehow lighter than my other Xbolt. Now starting to handload 130gr & 140gr Berger VLD Hunters. I hope it is a .25 MOA rifle. Will post results.
I don't know why, but at my range and on LHR, the X-bolts seem to be overlooked. the guys I shoot with like to build and modify, and the Tikka lends itself better to that. But again, just look at the X-bolt action and compare it with the Tikka and you'll see what I mean. Having said all of that, I don't think I would have been disappointed with a T3 CTR in a McMillan or other tactical stock, but the standard one it comes left something to be desired for me.
So this time I went round and round with several options...a T3 CTR into a McMillan or Manners stock ($600 added to the CTR), a Browning Varmint hunter Xbolt that has a medium heavy barrel like the CTR, dropped into a McMillan (they now make them for the Xbolt), and others. My price point crept up to $2K, finally $2.8K.
Finally, going back to my experience with the X-bolt, I went with a Browning Xbolt Eclipse Hunter. $880 out the door. 22" medium sporter barrel, very good fitting thumbhole stock giving the tactical grip I wanted. 7.4lbs naked (it was listed on many sites as 6.7 lbs and that is my one slight disappoinment). They also make heavier barrel versions. I have just begun breaking it in. Hornady 140 ELD Match, 8th - 16th rounds through the new barrel were two 4 shot groups in a row, each throwing 3 into a cloverleaf, with a 1" flier @ 100. Flier might have been me as I was excited and getting used to the hold and trigger. Very nice light crisp trigger, somehow lighter than my other Xbolt. Now starting to handload 130gr & 140gr Berger VLD Hunters. I hope it is a .25 MOA rifle. Will post results.
I don't know why, but at my range and on LHR, the X-bolts seem to be overlooked. the guys I shoot with like to build and modify, and the Tikka lends itself better to that. But again, just look at the X-bolt action and compare it with the Tikka and you'll see what I mean. Having said all of that, I don't think I would have been disappointed with a T3 CTR in a McMillan or other tactical stock, but the standard one it comes left something to be desired for me.
Shootin4fun
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And yes, the Savages are shooters as well. My 7mmRM American Classic with sporter barrel is amazing considering the price. I have shot 1" four shot groups with it at 400 yards, with 2 touching in 8 - 12 mph gusts.
MudRunner2005
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It will be a ****-hard task for ANY other factory rifle to beat the Remington 5R Milspec's out-of-the-box accuracy. For those in doubt...Go try one with some quality handloads.
Canhunter35
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I recently compared the tikka ctr vs sako a7 range and bought the sako. I have a mil-spec rifle in 308. Shoots **** well, but my sako will match it and I much prefer the fit of the bell and Carlson, but the Hs precision is the better stock
Joefrazell
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Bergera b14 hmr. Check them out
MudRunner2005
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Yep, there will be a few that can match it, but very few, if any, that can beat it.
Also, you're right about the stocks, The HS is a better stock than the B&C, but the B&C fits more naturally. I had to completely re-train my muscle memory in my hand to shoot both standard gripped stocks, and the new fat palmswell HS stocks. To properly shoot the new HS stocks, you have to grip the stock like you're grabbing a water bottle, but instead of wrapping your thumb over the back of the stock, you have to lay your thumb straight forward beside the safety lever. It feels weird at first, and I still think it looks stupid, but it works. I still don't like it, but it's more comfortable than it was when I was trying to shoot the big palmswell stocks with the thumb wrapped over the back of the grip to the opposite side, like you would grip a traditionally stocked hunting rifle.
WeiserBucks
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Most modern firearms have replacement stocks available , and most new rifles come with a stock that doesn't fit most people. Don't be afraid to chuck whatever your rifle came with and get a quality replacement that fits you and your requirements better.
MudRunner2005
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You're right, but some people don't have the money to replace the stock with a $500+ stock, on a brand new rifle they just paid $1000 for.
