Tikka T3x "Ranahan" Review

[cal30_sniper]

I’d have to go back and look for the 77gr Norma fps, I’m thinking 2650-2700 fps. I blew up two bolt shrouds and was piercing/blowing primers pretty regularly…

Did they have crimped primer pockets like the 69gr? If not, maybe that explains why they went to crimped primers now.

 

[HighUintas]

I’ve been really struggling with the Norma 69gr. Groups are so-so, but the BC only trued up to about .280 G1 (a lot less than the .390 or so that Norma advertises for their 69gr bullet.

Good to know on the Norma 77gr stuff. What kind of velocities are you seeing with it?

I’ve got the itch to try something like the 75 or 80 ELDM or a 62gr ELD-VT loaded long for the WR mags I picked up, but I also have a lot of other fish to fry before I get to that.

I should have tossed a box or two of the AAC 75bthp your way on Saturday! I didn't realize you were searching through ammo options for a Tikka 223.

The above shoots really well in my factory 223 lite, chopped to 16", as did the black arc 77otm reman, when it was in stock. Between 1-1.5" for larger round counts. The velocity spread on the AAC is abysmal though.

I also have some 75eld I'm going to try on mine loaded long with the ascension 3d print mag. Not sure what brass I'll use yet, but I'll be trying accurate 2520. Hopefully it works out

 

[rafiki]

I’m interested in what you find with the other loads, particularly the Berger.

Getting 2,888 fps from the but also the largest 10 rnd groups (1.77”) out of everything I’ve tried so far out of the ranahan. AAC 77 TMK was slower 2,677 fps with 142 ES but shot 17 rnds in a 1.28” group


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[cal30_sniper]

A thing of beauty showed up in the mail yesterday…



Please note this was an available Rokstok and I didn’t spec out the pattern, but it ended up being less ridiculous than I was anticipating.

 

[UnckleBob]

This thread has me wanting to go down to Europtic (I only live about 30 minutes away) and pick one of these up. It would be a fun gun with a decent scope and suppressor just like the OP's.

If I lived that close to them, I would be broke.

 

[rafiki]

screwed on the scythe ti and tightened up some 100 yd 10 rnd groups. hndy 73 eldm @ .948" and berger bt target @ 1.015"

 

[cal30_sniper]

screwed on the scythe ti and tightened up some 100 yd 10 rnd groups. hndy 73 eldm @ .948" and berger bt target @ 1.015"

I’m hoping to take mine out tomorrow and test out the Rokstok. I definitely want some medium rings for it now though.

I picked up another oddball Tikka today. Report to follow after I get done with the drill press!

 

[cal30_sniper]

Teaser on the other rifle. I’ll do a thread on it soon:

 

[HighUintas]

Teaser on the other rifle. I’ll do a thread on it soon:

View attachment 869163

Arctic version?

 

[cal30_sniper]

Arctic version?

Frugal Man’s Arctic is what I’m going to dub it.

It’s a .308 Drover in a laminate stock with regular magazine that came off a donor rifle, and an old Redfield 102 peep for a Winchester 94 I had in the drawer.

Still need to get the M15 CB mount for my TBAC on it.

 

[HighUintas]

Frugal Man’s Arctic is what I’m going to dub it.

It’s a .308 Drover in a laminate stock with regular magazine that came off a donor rifle, and an old Redfield 102 peep for a Winchester 94 I had in the drawer.

Still need to get the M15 CB mount for my TBAC on it.

View attachment 869220

That's pretty sweet. I noticed the sight was a red field but wasn't aware of any that can be put on a Tikka rail.

 

[cal30_sniper]

That's pretty sweet. I noticed the sight was a red field but wasn't aware of any that can be put on a Tikka rail.

Yeah, the only sight I could find that attaches up top was the New England Custom Gunsmith setup. I'm sure it would work just fine, but I like the design of these old Redfields (and the old steel Lymans of the period).

I had to drill and tap the vertical flat on the side of the receiver just forward of the bolt handle. The action width of the T3x is very close to a Winchester 94 (which also has vertical flat sides), so only a slight move in windage and little more elevation was required to line up with the factory sights on the Drover.

All this has me thinking that a fellow could also machine an A2 sight housing that interfaces with the Tikka rail, and run a taller front sight post up front. Heck, with the .750 straight taper barrels a lot of guys are running, even a clamp on front sight post from an AR would work.

 

[UnckleBob]

What is the purpose of the Ranahan line?

 

[cal30_sniper]

What is the purpose of the Ranahan line?

Seems like an appeal to the ranching “truck gun” market. Same thing with the Drovers. That niche was traditionally filled by a buckhorn wearing Winchester or Marlin lever action, the more beat up the better.

These days that role is filled by an AR-15 in probably all but the states that don’t allow them. As reliable rugged optics have matured, the need for an iron sight rifle doesn’t really exist outside the hunting world driven by special regulations.

So, outside of having a good set of features at a strong price point (on clearance at least), it seems like a niche gun that isn’t likely to catch on, at least in its intended role. For me, the right barrel length and factory threading made sense for something intended to train for 20” suppressed hunting rifles in larger calibers.

 

[solarshooter]

Did you open up the barrel channel? Have you tried any 77gr TMKs?

 

[cal30_sniper]

Did you open up the barrel channel? Have you tried any 77gr TMKs?

Haven't touched the barrel channel, the Rokstok I have it in now has good clearance. If I end up putting it back in a factory stock, I'd probably relieve the channel first.

No TMKs, only SMKs (which it loves). I doubt I'll really do any serious hunting with it, I really bought it to set up with the same form/fit/function as the 25 Pronghorn (25-300WSM) that I'm putting together, for extensive practice without barrel burning. The most hunting it will probably see is popping yotes in the back yard.

 

[HighUintas]

Haven't touched the barrel channel, the Rokstok I have it in now has good clearance. If I end up putting it back in a factory stock, I'd probably relieve the channel first.

No TMKs, only SMKs (which it loves). I doubt I'll really do any serious hunting with it, I really bought it to set up with the same form/fit/function as the 25 Pronghorn (25-300WSM) that I'm putting together, for extensive practice without barrel burning. The most hunting it will probably see is popping yotes in the back yard.

I like the sound of that barrel burner! What parent brass are you using? Adg or lapua 300wsm?

 

[rclouse79]

Dang, I had been waiting for one of the new threaded t3x's to show up and my local Scheels but now I am thinking about going this route. I assume it is identical to other t3x models outside of the iron sights? Did you end up finding something to put in the screw holes for the sites? If I got this I would probably put it in an XLR chassis.

 

[cal30_sniper]

I like the sound of that barrel burner! What parent brass are you using? Adg or lapua 300wsm?

I’m forming it from ADG 270 WSM brass using Redding 25-300WSM dies (I’ve got Redding 270 WSM bushing dies I may switch to after they’ve been fired). Preferred Barrels has the reamer for 25-300, and they throated mine for seating 134gr ELDMs and 133gr Berger EHs long.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Dang, I had been waiting for one of the new threaded t3x's to show up and my local Scheels but now I am thinking about going this route. I assume it is identical to other t3x models outside of the iron sights? Did you end up finding something to put in the screw holes for the sites? If I got this I would probably put it in an XLR chassis.

As best as I can measure, the sight threads are M4x0.5mm, which I haven’t been able to find a plug screw for. I’m working on a Globe sight adapter for the 20” T3X Drover I bought that uses the same sights. I’ve got some M4x0.5mm screws on order for that project, so we’ll hopefully see if I’m right soon!