Considering getting a Tikka T3X…

[PredatorSlayer]

I think you could have just left it at this based on your responses. You have no idea of what you’re stating as facts here, sorry.

It really does suck living in the age of information when it is easy to get fact checked. Nobody cares that you visited their factory a few years ago. Call them like I did. I called twice and was told the same thing buy two different employees because I was trying to decide if paying the extra $$ for the Sako was worth it.

 

[Tahoe1305]

It really does suck living in the age of information when it is easy to get fact checked. Nobody cares that you visited their factory a few years ago. Call them like I did. I called twice and was told the same thing buy two different employees because I was trying to decide if paying the extra $$ for the Sako was worth it.

Can you share why it was worth it? What downrange benefit has the Sako provided? Has it proven to be more accurate? Lighter weight? More forgiving?


Or just because you paid more it is better?

Also id trust what someone saw on a personal factory tour (even a few years ago) vs what someone said on the phone to a person trying to justify spending more for their product. I’ve been given false info many times from un knowledgeable employees.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Can you share why it was worth it? What downrange benefit has the Sako provided? Has it proven to be more accurate? Lighter weight? More forgiving?

Or just because you paid more it is better?

So I actually ended up buying one of each. The sako was hands down more accurate and way less picky with ammo. Everything I tried in it shot sub moa. The tikkas was more picky and it took more time to find something that shot sub moa. Overall quality was much better with the sako as well. Stock was better, action felt better etc. The sakos are just higher quality all the way around. The tikkas are their budget line of rifles. Its like comparing the bergara B14 imports to the Bergara Premier line. Completely different guns.

 

[Tahoe1305]

So I actually ended up buying one of each. The sako was hands down more accurate and way less picky with ammo. Everything I tried in it shot sub moa. The tikkas was more picky and it took more time to find something that shot sub moa. Overall quality was much better with the sako as well. Stock was better, action felt better etc. The sakos are just higher quality all the way around. The tikkas are their budget line of rifles. Its like comparing the bergara B14 imports to the Bergara Premier line. Completely different guns.

Tough to beat a 1/2 minute gun. That’s what my 3 tikkas have been. But if Sako shoots consistently tighter than that it’s awesome.

Agree the stocks aren’t great. But functional.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

They are made in the same facility that focuses heavily on QC.

A Sako and Tikka barrel are identical other than in some cartridges the Tikka line has adopted some faster twist variants. They are both cold hammer forged and then properly stress relieved. The triggers are identical. There are slight differences in the actions and bolts as you know.

I’d happily and confidently shoot either one. What the top of the line Sako offers over a Tikka are…

Actions sized for the chambering
Bolt handle and bolt are one milled piece
Metal flush mount, double stack mags
Metal trigger guard
Better/more stock options
Set trigger options

I was picking up something else at the LGS today and I took the opportunity to hold a T3X and a new Sako, both in .308 and with wooden stocks. I wasn’t going to buy either one today (still a lot of questions to be answered and shopping to do). I only had a few minutes, but the two things that immediately jumped out to me were the relative smoothness and shortness of the Sako’s bolt throw. The wood was also significantly nicer on the Sako. The trigger felt a bit cleaner too. That’s on a side by side comparison of one each. Not statistically significant, but a data point. And it conforms with what you stated. So, thank you for that.

Not sure it’s enough difference for me to spend twice as much, but something to consider.


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[PredatorSlayer]

Tough to beat a 1/2 minute gun. That’s what my 3 tikkas have been. But if Sako shoots consistently tighter than that it’s awesome.

Agree the stocks aren’t great. But functional.

I would love to see a 10 round 1/2 minute group from a stock tikka. They dont exist.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Starting with a Tikka and then putting it into a Rokstok is also a great choice.

Is the Rokstok made of wood?


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[mxgsfmdpx]

Is the Rokstok made of wood?


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They do have a wood variant you can order. It’s quite expensive but hand made real wood. Maintaining the ergonomics and shooting ability function that the original carbon Rokstok was designed for.

Wood Rokstok - Unknown Munitions

Handmade wood Rokstok bedded to your barreled action. Made by Mike Maxwell from Alpine Rifles in western Montana. Bedding and final fit by Unknown Munitions. Yes, we’ll need to have your barreled action in our possession to guarantee fit unless it’s a Tikka. Fancy wood has more character and...

www.unknownmunitions.com

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I would love to see a 10 round 1/2 minute group from a stock tikka. They dont exist.

This sounds like an easily falsifiable statement. That’s not to say you are “wrong.” Merry Christmas!


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[PredatorSlayer]

This sounds like an easily falsifiable statement. That’s not to say you are “wrong.” Merry Christmas!


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Agree - and I would love to be proved wrong

 

[Marbles]

Sako's are nicer. The lack of aftermarket support is a downside. If I was going to keep everything stock, I would take a Sako 90 with integrated pic rail over a Tikka. Well, money would have to not be at issue.

From memory (i.e. the numbers could be off a touch):
Stainless T3x $869 (can be had cheaper)
UM bolt handle/knob $76
Rokstok $520
Lumley Arctic bottom metal $120
Area 419 rail $80
Cut/thread/adapter/thread protector $230
Shipping of components $75~

Total $1,870

Sako 90 starts at $2,299 for the hunter, but not threaded and needs a rail, adding at least $300. $2,699 is the cheapest I see with an integrated rail on the Adventure, which is threaded at 20 inches, but would need an adapter from metric.

Anyone know the cost of adding an ejector to a Tikka bolt?

 

[pacoalcracker]

If stock Tikka's could shoot 10 round 1/2" groups they wouldn't be selling them for $675...that much I can tell you. Sako is like a beautiful, well figured woman with a great smile and attitude......Tikka is a fat bitchy toothless woman with a face full of warts. Pay your money and make your choices as to which one you want to live and play with.

Thanks Marbles....Ive been saying you have to spend big money on top of money to get a Tikka to be something to be proud of.....you made my point loud and clear.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If stock Tikka's could shoot 10 round 1/2" groups they wouldn't be selling them for $675...that much I can tell you. Sako is like a beautiful, well figured woman with a great smile and attitude......Tikka is a fat bitchy toothless woman with a face full of warts. Pay your money and make your choices as to which one you want to live and play with.

I think that’s a rather unkind way to describe the Tikkas I saw today, but, as my grandfather used to say, “De gustibus non est disputandem.”*

* - “Do not argue in matters of taste.”


“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Tahoe1305]

I would love to see a 10 round 1/2 minute group from a stock tikka. They dont exist.

Who said it was a 10 round? It is a 5 though.

 

[pacoalcracker]

You are correct......some like living with fat ugly bitchy ladies. I'm not one of them, thankfully. It depends on what you are willing to settle for.

 

[Marbles]

If stock Tikka's could shoot 10 round 1/2" groups they wouldn't be selling them for $675...that much I can tell you. Sako is like a beautiful, well figured woman with a great smile and attitude......Tikka is a fat bitchy toothless woman with a face full of warts. Pay your money and make your choices as to which one you want to live and play with.

Thanks Marbles....Ive been saying you have to spend big money on top of money to get a Tikka to be something to be proud of.....you made my point loud and clear.

Tikka is more like the dog faced mountain endurance runner that is low maintenance and easy to live with and will help you carry a moose 2 miles through a bog and probably be in a better mood than you are when it is over.

Sako is the hot athletic lady that is also a great person. She might not want to join you on that moose recovery, but can if needed.

Rem customs are the trophy wife you are happy to have spend the night with a friend so you can get a break from her.

Hopefully someone gets a laugh, Merry Christmas.

 

[pacoalcracker]

tahoe, you missed the point...it went over your head.

 

[KenLee]

They do have a wood variant you can order. It’s quite expensive but hand made real wood. Maintaining the ergonomics and shooting ability function that the original carbon Rokstok was designed for.

Wood Rokstok - Unknown Munitions

Handmade wood Rokstok bedded to your barreled action. Made by Mike Maxwell from Alpine Rifles in western Montana. Bedding and final fit by Unknown Munitions. Yes, we’ll need to have your barreled action in our possession to guarantee fit unless it’s a Tikka. Fancy wood has more character and...

www.unknownmunitions.com

Holy ridiculous Batman!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

They do have a wood variant you can order. It’s quite expensive but hand made real wood. Maintaining the ergonomics and shooting ability function that the original carbon Rokstok was designed for.

Wood Rokstok - Unknown Munitions

Handmade wood Rokstok bedded to your barreled action. Made by Mike Maxwell from Alpine Rifles in western Montana. Bedding and final fit by Unknown Munitions. Yes, we’ll need to have your barreled action in our possession to guarantee fit unless it’s a Tikka. Fancy wood has more character and...

www.unknownmunitions.com

Very nice.

As the Dude said, “Uh, I'm just gonna go find a cash machine.”


“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[wyosam]

As I said in the OP, I reload. So, within safe limits, I can get the most I want out of any chambering.

What I am really trying to determine is what advantage(s) I gain from 6.5 CM in the T3X versus another chambering in the T3X. I’m not interested in theoretical 6.5 CM vs another chambering in “any rifle.”

All these chamberings have 1:8 twist barrels in the T3X. That’s a constant. My assumption is that all will shoot “current” bullets equally well. Is that a valid assumption?

This is a hunting rifle. Max COAL is limited by the magazine and what will chamber. Single feeding is not an option.

The action length is the same no matter the chambering. The difference is in the magazine block and bolt stop.

Presumably, if I went with the 6.5x55, I would have the long action bolt stop and no magazine block. The case length for the 6.5x55 is 2.165” (55mm). The 6.5x55 lists 3.150” (80mm) as max length, but my Google Fu tells me that I can get 3.34” out of the T3X magazine. So, my max COAL would be limited my the magazine. And I could load whatever “current” bullets I want in it and have them perform just as well as in any other 1:8 twist barrel (up to the 3.34 COAL).

Likewise, if I went with the 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, or .308, I would have the medium action bolt stop and a magazine block. The case length for the 6.5 CM is 1.92” (48.8mm) The 6.5 CM’s max length is listed as 2.825” (71.8 mm). The 6.5 CM would have a small advantage in length vs the 7mm-08 (2.035” (51.7mm)) or .308 (2.015” (51.2mm)). So, presumably, with the same magazine block, the 6.5 CM can seat a longer bullet out a bit further than the other two in an unmodified T3X.

But, can the T3X be easily modified to take full advantage of the longer action by changing the bolt stop and magazine? What, if any, other modifications would be required to ensure reliable feeding? If that works, that might allow me to get the absolute most practical COAL out of one of the shorter cartridges, right?


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The 6.5x55 tikkas are out there with a wood stock and fir the handloader in a Tikka, there isn’t really a downside to the extra capacity.


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