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:

 

[Without a Paddle]

I have a Tikka T3x gen one in 6.5cm. Personally I do not think you need a brake on that gun. I would recommend spending money first on a decent recoil pad. I have the backstop, but you are mostly paying for the marketing. It does work really well though. Without a brake you can comfortably shoot it without ear protection. If you want a pre-threaded barrel I believe the Gen 2 has that from the factory.

Personally my setup is pretty bare bones:
T3X Gen 1
Talley rings
Leuopold VX Freedom II 3x12?? I forget the exact magnification
Backstop Recoil Pad
Ebay grade butstock pouch. It was like $10 at a gun shop in fairbanks. It did need to be slightly modified to be hunting grade.
Spartan Precision bipod (do not recommend, big waste of money)
Edgar Sherman sling (modified to make it more comfortable)