New Tikka Rifles Shot Show 2024

Tahoe1305

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I’ve loaded for a number of Tikkas and put the bullets close to the lands and the barrels are still considerably slower than others. Plenty of other people have had the same results as me. My 24” CTR with 140 hybrids .020” jump was only doing 2620 with 42.7gr of H4350… that’s slow as ****. The T3 223 I had punched out to 223AI and running 75gr Amax’s with Varget was slower than what I got out of some straight 223’s with the same bullet.
Putting the bullets close to the lands without filling the case with powder does nothing.

Again to each their own. The four I’ve had are not slow when loaded correctly.
 
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Putting the bullets close to the lands without filling the case with powder does nothing.

Again to each their own. The four I’ve had are not slow when loaded correctly.

So exactly how far over pressure should I have gone? That 6.5CM load was already exceeding SAAMI max pressure and Lapua brass barely held primers after 5 firings.

You can over pressure other barrels and get even more velocity too. Throwing more powder at it isn’t the answer.

Tikka barrels are notoriously slow and they haven’t gotten a reputation for that for nothing. Believe what you want to in your fairytale land though.
 

Tahoe1305

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So exactly how far over pressure should I have gone? That 6.5CM load was already exceeding SAAMI max pressure and Lapua brass barely held primers after 5 firings.

You can over pressure other barrels and get even more velocity too. Throwing more powder at it isn’t the answer.

Tikka barrels are notoriously slow and they haven’t gotten a reputation for that for nothing. Believe what you want to in your fairytale land though.
Shouldn’t go over pressure. I’ve never had to. All my 6.5 Barrels with powders I use and 24” barrels shoot 2900fps with 140 class bullets (i use Hornady). Guess you just got unlucky. Again you do you.
 

JGRaider

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I’ve loaded for a number of Tikkas and put the bullets close to the lands and the barrels are still considerably slower than others. Plenty of other people have had the same results as me. My 24” CTR with 140 hybrids .020” jump was only doing 2620 with 42.7gr of H4350… that’s slow as ****. The T3 223 I had punched out to 223AI and running 75gr Amax’s with Varget was slower than what I got out of some straight 223’s with the same bullet.
Use slower powders.....RL26, H1000, etc.
 
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What aftermarket support isnt available for a Tikka? What do you suggest instead of a Tikka?

Triggers.
Ejector springs without having to buy a $100 kit.
Stocks/chassis.
AICS bottom metals that don’t have function issues.
AICS bottom metals that take CIP length mags.

Just to name a few.

My customs, one of which cost no more than the Tikka semi custom I pieced together and my Seekins Havak absolutely blow the Tikkas away.

A base Tikka at $600 that you’re going to leave alone and shoot as is makes some sense but these “premium” models and polishing one of the turds with 1-2K in aftermarket parts is just crazy when you can get better shit for the same money.
 

mthayr

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Yes, yes, yes, the world has heard your opinions about Tikkas over and over. Let it go.
...its in the internet bill of rights somewhere - Article 5 sub-point 7: "Thou must consistently annoy thine neighbors by pestering them with your frivolous opinions in threads where you are the only disinterested party." - let alone Article 2 sub-point 1: "Thou must be contrary".
 
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Why would a tikka need an aftermarket trigger?

To eliminate creep and get a lighter more consistent pull. For budget rifle the Tikka trigger is incredibly good but when you compare it to something like a Triggertech that you can get for any R700 base they leave a lot to be desired.

Hmm, interesting, it seems like theres TONS of aftermarket options for Tikkas. I do agree that a Seekins is a great rifle but its also more expensive. Interesting the hate you have towards them when you could just not own one and move on

700’s have tons of options. Tikkas have better options than they used to but still seriously lack in comparison. They certainly don’t have tons of options.

I don’t hate them, I literally just said they’re a good option at the base model price point. At what the more expensive models cost though they just aren’t worth it compared to other stuff that’s available and it’s not “hate” to point that out. I’ll never understand the brand loyalty and lack of logic behind it.
 

ElPollo

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I’m with @PNWGATOR on this. No interest in the new versions. I’m a fan of the standard T3X Lite. The upgrades for the new versions include bolt fluting that give more pathways for debris to get into the action, a fluted but still heavier barrel profile, and a fancy stock that doesn’t improve ergonomics. All the changes are decorative BS that decreases reliability, increases weight and increases cost. Incremental improvements like adding calibers and faster twist rates or improving stock ergos would be something positive.

And the comments about Tikka triggers needing improvement make no sense to me. Creep? Yeah, no. I think it’s the best factory trigger under $1k and I’ve never had a need to replace or modify one other than adjusting the pull weight.
 
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Triggers.
No interest in paying money to replace a nice trigger with a likely less reliable incrementally better aftermarket one
Ejector springs without having to buy a $100 kit.
Fair, haven't had one fail but dont have high round counts on any yet.
Stocks/chassis.
Depending on what you want. Getting to be lots of good options.
AICS bottom metals that don’t have function issues.
Unaware of this issue. My 223 and 6 creed in bravos work well with AI, accurate, and mdt poly mags so far without issue.
AICS bottom metals that take CIP length mags.
True long action cartridges are definitely not their forte
Just to name a few.

My customs, one of which cost no more than the Tikka semi custom I pieced together and my Seekins Havak absolutely blow the Tikkas away.

A base Tikka at $600 that you’re going to leave alone and shoot as is makes some sense but these “premium” models and polishing one of the turds with 1-2K in aftermarket parts is just crazy when you can get better shit for the same money.
Agree on their upscale models with fluting and paint being a poor value and choice compared to the base models but thats what people buy. People are spending double on cheap rifles to get fluting or carbon and cerakote because they think it looks cool. That's a manufacturer taking $ from what the market asks for issue more than anything else. Still think a tikka action is a great platform to build SA to MA cartridges off for the $ compared to a m700 platform.

I own a havak. One that after 2 mediocre barrels i bit the bullet and just paid to have a bartlein chambered for rather than spend money and time on a 3rd possible dud. I still think they are a great buy and seem to have gotten that out of their system but also think a tikka build can be just as good or better fit for certain needs.
 
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