Tikka options up north

[backcountryplatinum]

Hi - Picking up a Tikka T3X 6.5 Creedoor for a long term build and hunting rifle.

I have a few options and I wanted to pick your brains and get opinions. I am a novice when it comes to this - I currently have a 24 inch Tikka 7MM Rem Mag Veil Wideland and love it. It has an 18mm barrel instead of 16mm and is cerakoted with a fluted action and barrel.

Options are from cheapest to most expensive

22 Inch Tikka T3X Lite in Stainless Steel - Not threaded Gen 1
24 inch Tikka T3X Superlite in Cerakoted Stainless Steel Multi Cam - Thread with brake in the 15x1
24 inch Tikka T3X Veil Wideland Lite - Threaded with brake in the 5/8"-24

-Can I get the T3X Lite threaded for a SRS brake? About a $600 price difference between the 22 SS and the 24 Veil.

Any issues with a 22 inch barrel vs 24? Planning to shoot 142 ELDX

Also do I even need a brake on a 6.5 CM?

Thanks all

 

[JMundy84]

Lite barrels can 100% be threaded I would go with that option myself, definitely for a gun you plan on building on and a 22" barrel will be slightly slower than a 24" but not enough to make a difference you'll be able to notice theres plenty of people shooting animals at considerable distances with much shorter.

 

[backcountryplatinum]

I'm reading it might not be able to be threaded in 5/8"-24 which limits muzzle brake selection

 

[JMundy84]

Personally I wouldn't put a brake on a 6.5 cm unless is was an extremely light rifle the noise/muzzle blast to recoil reduction wouldn't be worth it for me but it would really depend on how sensitive to recoil you are. I hunt with a 24" tikka 6.5 in a krg bravo so it's not exactly light but I don't feel like the recoil is excessive at all.

 

[backcountryplatinum]

Personally I wouldn't put a brake on a 6.5 cm unless is was an extremely light rifle the noise/muzzle blast to recoil reduction wouldn't be worth it for me but it would really depend on how sensitive to recoil you are. I hunt with a 24" tikka 6.5 in a krg bravo so it's not exactly light but I don't feel like the recoil is excessive at all.

I'm not sensitive to it at all. Don't have much experience shooting lighter calibers tbh.

Going to have a leupod vx-5 3-15 on it and a bipod. Should end up sub 9lbs.

 

[JMundy84]

Sticking with the factory stock? If so I'd put a limbsaver pad on it and shoot it a bunch before considering a brake.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Since you are in Canada and cannot run suppressor anyway I would opt for more barrel length just to get the free velocity of a longer tube.

I’d setup and shoot it first before you consider adding a brake, you can always thread 1/2 28 and put an adapter on later to give you 5/8 24 compatibility. (I’ve done this a lot without issue)

I shot my 24” D18 profile 6.5CM without any muzzle device and keeping sight picture was not bad even in field positions.(mine was in a Stockys VG stock and Swfa 6x scope)

 

[backcountryplatinum]

Since you are in Canada and cannot run suppressor anyway I would opt for more barrel length just to get the free velocity of a longer tube.

I’d setup and shoot it first before you consider adding a brake, you can always thread 1/2 28 and put an adapter on later to give you 5/8 24 compatibility. (I’ve done this a lot without issue)

I shot my 24” D18 profile 6.5CM without any muzzle device and keeping sight picture was not bad even in field positions.(mine was in a Stockys VG stock and Swfa 6x scope)

The thought of a 22 inch is so appealing as my 7mm is 24 + muzzle. Trying to go light.

 

[ColPenguin]

It costs roughly $200 to have a barrel threaded. That has potential to be more economical than the $600 greater option.

Many gunsmiths may only thread lighter contour sporter barrels to 1/2-28 instead of 5/8-24. That may limit your brake options if you go that route.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

The thought of a 22 inch is so appealing as my 7mm is 24 + muzzle. Trying to go light.

Sounds like you what the answer is.

the barrel threading is a non issue you can use whatever 5/8-24 brake you want once you put an adapter on your 1/2-28 threaded barrel. I ran 4 light barrels all threaded 1/2-28 with 5/8 adapters spun on and those barrels shoot great.

 

[nm.otter]

2026 Superlites with 22" barrels and 5/8"-24 muzzle thread should be available.
TFTT6323A130FB0B (RH)
TFTT6323B130FB0B (LH)

 

[Marbles]

A good smith can install a permanent and tapered collar and give plenty of shoulder on thin barrels. Like this: