Tikka Action... What to Build

[WyoWild]

Have Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor that I am ready to re-barrel.

Will be going with a short (16.5") suppressed rifle for this set-up with a focus on ELK hunting. My other two hunting rifles are a 20" 6 Creed and a 20" Ultralight 6 ARC so I have my 6mm bases covered. Looking at something in in 0.257 to 0.264 range.

Debating between just throwing a new shorter 6.5 CM barrel back on or opting for a 25 Creed. Will be using a SWFA 3-9x40 and maximum shot distance will be 600 yards (500 and in much more likely). Seems like out of a 16.5" barrel I will get the best ballistics with the new 25 cal 130ish grain bullets but selection is more limited. In the 6.5 CM I would likely stick with the 130 TMK although out to 600 yards I could get flatter trajectory and about equal wind-drift with the 6.5 mm 107 TMK.

 

[mtnbound]

Have Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor that I am ready to re-barrel.

Will be going with a short (16.5") suppressed rifle for this set-up with a focus on ELK hunting. My other two hunting rifles are a 20" 6 Creed and a 20" Ultralight 6 ARC so I have my 6mm bases covered. Looking at something in in 0.257 to 0.264 range.

Debating between just throwing a new shorter 6.5 CM barrel back on or opting for a 25 Creed. Will be using a SWFA 3-9x40 and maximum shot distance will be 600 yards (500 and in much more likely). Seems like out of a 16.5" barrel I will get the best ballistics with the new 25 cal 130ish grain bullets but selection is more limited. In the 6.5 CM I would likely stick with the 130 TMK although out to 600 yards I could get flatter trajectory and about equal wind-drift with the 6.5 mm 107 TMK.

I know it's not on the list, but I say 22CM.

 

[WyoWild]

I know it's not on the list, but I say 22CM.

I'd consider it but live in WY and we have a 6mm min for elk.

 

[SChuntr]

What platform is your 6ARC, looking at building one myself. Also i recently shot a buddies 25-06 and man it shot great, low recoil too


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[wind gypsy]

Is the tikka barrel dead?

Dont think there is an overwhelming choice between 25 and 6.5. 25 wins on ballistics, 6.5 beats it with options/simplicity and not needing new dies or possibly brass.

Personally if paying for a custom barrel the 25 appeals to me. The practical side of me says that would be wasteful since there's 2 unfired lite takeoff barrels sitting in the safe.

 

[Lawnboi]

if I had a 20” 6 creed in my safe I’d be buying other stuff before building a 16” 6.5 or 25. I just don’t see what it’s going to accomplish. Unless your into 2500fps

Ammo/components
Another 6 creed blank
Suppressors
Tripod/bipod/bags
Upgraded optic

That’s what I’d be buying.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

If you reload, I’d go 6.5…you already have all the stuff.

 

[WyoWild]

What platform is your 6ARC, looking at building one myself. Also i recently shot a buddies 25-06 and man it shot great, low recoil too


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Mine is a Howa Mini Action with the 20" carbon barrel I got through Brownells. Bedded it in a Stocky's VG Mini stock and it shoots well. Currently shooting Berger 105 VLDs at 2660. Just got some 95 TMKs to try which should be about 2750ish.

 

[WyoWild]

if I had a 20” 6 creed in my safe I’d be buying other stuff before building a 16” 6.5 or 25. I just don’t see what it’s going to accomplish. Unless your into 2500fps

Ammo/components
Another 6 creed blank
Suppressors
Tripod/bipod/bags
Upgraded optic

That’s what I’d be buying.

So you are saying I don't "need" a new rifle... all valid points. I think biggest thing for hunting more timbered country is a more compact rifle but I certainly could tote the 6 Creed, even with the 6" can its not too unwieldy.

 

[SChuntr]

Mine is a Howa Mini Action with the 20" carbon barrel I got through Brownells. Bedded it in a Stocky's VG Mini stock and it shoots well. Currently shooting Berger 105 VLDs at 2660. Just got some 95 TMKs to try which should be about 2750ish.

That’s what i want to build but probably won’t splurge on the carbon.


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[sierracharlie338]

My 25 is a hammer. Glad I built it which I never thought I’d say because creedmoor ewwwww……

My 25 and 6mm are my primary rifles and the 6.5 (260) sits in the safe.

 

[WyoWild]

That’s what i want to build but probably won’t splurge on the carbon.


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If doing it again I would probably just get the 22" sporter barrel and cut it back to 18"

 

[WyoWild]

My 25 is a hammer. Glad I built it which I never thought I’d say because creedmoor ewwwww……

My 25 and 6mm are my primary rifles and the 6.5 (260) sits in the safe.

Thats the way I am leaning.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Depends, do you like to tinker? If so the 25 sounds fun. If not just get a 6.5take off and have it chopped, cheap/easy.

 

[NSI]

I don't love 16" 6.5 creeds - they're doable but slow (particularly in factory loadings), and if you go with the light projectiles you lose a lot of what makes match bullets kill so well.

If you're wanting to go short in Wyoming obviously 6mm with more powder is the answer (6 Arc, 6 Creed, 6 PRC, 6 UM, etc). But since you already have an Arc, yeah between the two I'd go 25 creed 134 eld-ms.

-J

 

[WyoWild]

Depends, do you like to tinker? If so the 25 sounds fun. If not just get a 6.5take off and have it chopped, cheap/easy.

I definitely like to tinker

I don't love 16" 6.5 creeds - they're doable but slow (particularly in factory loadings), and if you go with the light projectiles you lose a lot of what makes match bullets kill so well.

If you're wanting to go short in Wyoming obviously 6mm with more powder is the answer (6 Arc, 6 Creed, 6 PRC, 6 UM, etc). But since you already have an Arc, yeah between the two I'd go 25 creed 134 eld-ms.

-J

Yeah could do another 6 Creed and have a compact 16" brush/woods gun and then a heavier longer 20" set up for longer range.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

a 6.5mm 107 gr bullet is a real weird choice for elk, especially when there are so many good killing bullets in that caliber.

 

[NSI]

I definitely like to tinker


Yeah could do another 6 Creed and have a compact 16" brush/woods gun and then a heavier longer 20" set up for longer range.

You'll only have 100fps separating those rifles...

-J

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Even if there is cartridge overlap it sounds like the OP wants a shorter handling rifle so who cares if the cartidges are similar, the use cases are different. If he wanted to consolidate rifles that is a different discussion but that wasn't what he asked.


I have a 243 and 6creed, I also have more shooters in the house than just me.

 

[Southernfried]

I'd consider it but live in WY and we have a 6mm min for elk.

I know I am slow, and suck at the four letter word of math, but isnt the 25 cal less than the 6mm? Or did I miss read something lol either way, new guns are fun! lol