Tikka Build Questions

[jt63]

Hello Rokslide,

I’m getting back into rifle hunting after years of strictly bowhunting in the midwest and am in the process of planning a 4th rifle mule deer hunt to Colorado this year.

I’m set on getting a Tikka T3X Lite, likely in .308 as I’m partial to the round (I could be convinced otherwise though).

My plan is to slowly upgrade the rifle throughout the years as my budget is limited this year (buying a house/saving for a family).

All that said, I’ve kind of mapped out the following:

2025 - Buy rifle & top with SWFA​

2026 - Thread & buy suppressor, cut barrel to 18-20”, Cerakote​

2027 - Upgrade stock (if I feel it's needed)​

2028 - Explore carbon pre-fit barrel options​

Two questions jump out to me:

1. Is it worth buying the stainless over the blued if my plan is to upgrade over time?
2. Am I missing anything from this semi-custom tikka build plan?

Again, my budget is limited this year so I’m needing to space it out over time.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[wesfromky]

Tikka seems to be releasing some shorter, threaded barrel options, so you might not need that part of step 2 if you wait for a couple of months.

 

[nobody]

1. Yes
2. Yes, DON’T buy a carbon barrel. They aren’t any lighter than a properly contoured steel barrel, and all reports indicate there seems to be a much higher likelihood you’ll get a lemon than with a steel barrel. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze, and a good quality steel barrel will allow you to save a few hundred dollars as well.

 

[atmat]

There is zero benefit to carbon barrels, though some potential drawbacks. The stock barrels on Tikkas are generally as accurate as any other barrel I’ve shot — so I would not consider this “upgrade”.

The factory stock leaves something to be desired, but a $20 vertical group makes it significantly better.

I’d always go stainless over blued. But it’s honestly unlikely to matter for most.

 

[jt63]

Thanks, nobody and atmat, that's good info regarding the carbon barrel. I'm not really sold on them anyways which is why I said "explore". I'll likely stick with the factory barrel which will sure make my wallet (and my wife for that matter) happy.

 

[cal30_sniper]

If you’re set on .308, this one has the specs you’re looking for. Take off the iron sights, add your muzzle device of choice, and drop it in a Rokstok:

Tikka T3x Drover .308 Win 20" 1:10" Bbl Roughtech Green/Blued 10rd Ranch Rifle JRTXWV316/20 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Drover .308 Win 20" 1:10" Bbl Roughtech Green/Blued 10rd Ranch Rifle JRTXWV316/20 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[RWT]

Ditto on the carbon barrel. I thought I needed one. Turns out I just wanted one. It shoots well, but I am just not a fan and will likely replace it with a steel 16” threaded prefit when budget allows.

 

[wnelson14]

Tikka T3x Hunter .308 Win 16.1" 1:10" M15x1 w/ 5/8"x24 Bbl Matte Hunter Stock/Blued 3rd Ranch Rifle JRTXAR316/16 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Hunter .308 Win 16.1" 1:10" M15x1 w/ 5/8"x24 Bbl Matte Hunter Stock/Blued 3rd Ranch Rifle JRTXAR316/16 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I just picked up one of these and a 3-9 Swfa. Pretty awesome set up.

 

[rclouse79]

I was in Scheels yesterday and saw they finally had the factory threaded T3. I would go that route instead of spending money to thread one. I like your scope choice. I did the same along with an xlr chassis. Love it so far.

 

[Speaks]

Yea forget the barrel, add the vertical grip and a recoil pad and call it good. Maybe rokstock.

308 is fine, not my first choice, but fine

 

[jt63]

Yea forget the barrel, add the vertical grip and a recoil pad and call it good. Maybe rokstock.

308 is fine, not my first choice, but fine

Not to derail the build thread but what would your preferred caliber of choice be? I've considered 6.5 PRC as well

 

[Ringbill27]

If you plan to cerakote I’d save the money and go with the blued action. I wouldn’t go carbon barrel.
The only thing you didn’t mention that comes to mind is a trigger swap but I like the factory tiggers and probably would keep it.
I’d hold off and find one of these newer short barreled Tikkas unless you are looking for a cartridge that’s not offered by tikka.

 

[Speaks]

Not to derail the build thread but what would your preferred caliber of choice be? I've considered 6.5 PRC as well

6.5 creedmoor has similar performance (better long range) at 25% less recoil. Prc has similar recoil but better performance. Nice thing about 308 is they arnt picky on ammo and have good barrel life.

Strictly mule deer 223 or 243 could be options as well. If tikka had a factory 6cm that would be my pick.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Not to derail the build thread but what would your preferred caliber of choice be? I've considered 6.5 PRC as well

A Tikka 308 barrel will last as long as most shooters will live or own the gun. I know of multiple 8,000-10,000 round tikka barrels still shooting great.

So from the standpoint of longevity, good readily available ammo, very predictable ballistics in heavy for caliber high BC bullets, and great killing ability, it’s hard to argue with a 308.

The arguments against are long range ballistics inferiority and increased recoil over other cartridges.

 

[Schmo]

I would hold 1-2 months for the slightly shortened and already threaded version that is coming. Takes care of those expenses for you right away. Also, go stainless, even though you plan to cerakote it. Stainless is just better for a hunting rifle.

For your stock, at least buy a vertical grip to replace the sporter grip. At some point, upgrade to a Stocky’s VG or a Rokstok

Edit: Consider 6.5 Creed over 308.

 

[nm.otter]

20" threaded barrels

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Ember/Tungsten 4rd Rifle JRTXRBT382 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Ember/Tungsten 4rd Rifle JRTXRBT382 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Coyote Tan 3rd Rifle JRTXRC382 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Coyote Tan 3rd Rifle JRTXRC382 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[JohnJohnson]

Wait for a stainless threaded Tikka. And don't get a carbon barrel.

Signed: A goofy looking dumbass who jumped on the carbon barrel trend years ago and regrets it.

 

[gtriple]

For a couple hundreds bucks more than the SWFA 3-9, you can get a Maven RS1.2 used. It’s a lot better scope IMO.

I wouldn’t go stainless or Cerakote. I’d save the money and do a blued version now. Then have UM nitride it later.

 

[Sundodger]

I will never buy another blued rifle again, but I live in a part of the world where even stainless rifles rusts...

 

[Karl B]

As others have said, tikka barrels shoot right with most other aftermarket barrels. Accurate is accurate so no need to pull a barrel just to replace it with a more expensive barrel that does the same thing. Heck I've been buying factory tikka take off barrels to replace tikka barrels. Cheap and easy.