Unknown tier 1 Tikka build vs Seekins PH3

[Swampcruiser]

I’m looking for input and curious if there are an experiences with UM’s Tikka builds? I’m looking to do a 18-20” 6 creed or 6.5 that I will use suppressed. I like the idea of having UM do a tier 1 Tikka build with a Rokstock but don’t wait to have the stock hold it up. I also really like the looks of the Seekins PH3 line - those won’t hit the shelves for a bit I guess but I’m stuck with a 20” barrel and probably a heavier rifle.
Has anyone on here done a UM Tikka build on that tier 1 level? I might prefer this route as most of my other bigger cal rifles are Tikka T3x.

 

[swavescatter]

Paying someone to "build" a Tikka is like hiring another man to mow your lawn (for an OEM caliber). Just buy the Tikka you want and swap the stock yourself? Any gunsmith with chop/thread the barrel how you want for less than $150, but now many come threaded. Having done a full custom (Tier 69?) Tikka build at UM, I now realize that just leaving it mostly alone (aside from chop/thread) and shooting the damn thing is the smart move.

Gunsmith "builds" take months, and cost way too much for super incremental improvements, if you see any at all. But if you want some splashy colors I'd go for the Seekins. I prefer the Tikka action over Rem 700.

 

[kswaterfowl]

I agree with the above. Get a Tikka action, buy a prefit 6 creed from LS Wild, and a whatever stock you want. They are easy to put together. There are plenty of us on here that have the tools and gauges needed to do barrel swaps and installs, if you don't have them.

 

[TxLite]

I agree with the above. Get a Tikka action, buy a prefit 6 creed from LS Wild, and a whatever stock you want. They are easy to put together. There are plenty of us on here that have the tools and gauges needed to do barrel swaps and installs, if you don't have them.

Not to mention if you just don’t want to DIY, my smith charged me $100 to remove and swap the barrel on my first one and had it ready for pickup in about 2 hours.

 

[Swampcruiser]

Yup- the more research I do, I think you guys are right. I can grab a 6.5PRC stainless for $699 or a creed for a little more and go from there- stay in the Tikka world. I was just being lazy looking for the 6CM easy button.
I'm not sure it's like paying for the lawn to be mowed- more like paying to have someone scoop the dogsh*t

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Yup- the more research I do, I think you guys are right. I can grab a 6.5PRC stainless for $699 or a creed for a little more and go from there- stay in the Tikka world. I was just being lazy looking for the 6CM easy button.
I'm not sure it's like paying for the lawn to be mowed- more like paying to have someone scoop the dogsh*t

I had UM do my Tikka 22 CM barreled action. It took 7 months. I did have them lighten and nitride the action, which I’m glad I did. But still, it was paying a premium over doing what’s been suggested here. You pay full price for a Tikka rifle, just for the action, from UM. Then add the cost of an ACE barrel. Mine came to $2,000 just for the barreled action. Affordable compared to a Defiance and a prefit, but certainly more than what most are paying for Tikkas.

 

[bowrunner81]

I’d get this if I could do it again. I have this rifle in the 24” version and am building a 6 creed off a tikka in 308 win I have. There is a recoil reduction going from a 6.5 creed to a 6 creed. But both feel like pellet rifles compared to the rifles I shot all my life. Also, yes there is an advantage balistically with a 6 creed starting out a couple hundred feet per second faster. But, unless you are a dedicated shooter, I think people ask for a longer range gun than they need. Not too long ago I thought 400 yards was too far for me to shoot and I would have passed.

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

 

[bowrunner81]

Oh yea. And shoot the piss out of it.

 

[Swampcruiser]

Ya that Roughtech is a beauty- Ive had my eye on that deal- wishing it was truly threaded at 5/8x24 but the adapter has me bawking. Not sure its an issue tho.

 

[RyanT26]

The tier 1 package seems like a lot of money for what it is.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I would take a stock Tikka over any Custom Remington clone.

Get a tikka in 6.5 CM and burn the barrel down in training and hunting. After that, you will know precisely what you want to do. It will probably be a 6CM Tikka.....

 

[Colby]

I don’t really get all the seekins love granted I’ve only shot 1 sample but it didn’t really squeal my wheels. The one my buddy has feeds terrible out of the factory mag it came with. Bolt wants to bind if you run it like you mean it. Stock shape kinda sucks. They look nice and his is accurate enough but me personally I’d rather have the most basic tikka over the fanciest seekins. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Reburn]

Paying someone to "build" a Tikka is like hiring another man to mow your lawn (for an OEM caliber).

Some of us have better things to do then cut grass like the help.
Dont be a hater.

 

[swavescatter]

Some of us have better things to do then cut grass like the help.
Dont be a hater.

Your help is in El Salvador now pal. Better fire up the YouTube and learn to be a man!

 

[waspocrew]

The tier 1 package seems like a lot of money for what it is.

Agreed - Nearly $1700 for a factory Tikka in a Rokstok with cerakote seems a bit much.

 

[Reburn]

Your help is in El Salvador now pal. Better fire up the YouTube and learn to be a man!

This is Texas more come over monthly then leave monthly. No danger of my grass getting long or my concrete not getting poured.

 

[waspocrew]

I'd go the Tikka route - if you absolutely need a Rokstok, buy one when available again an install yourself.

 

[Shortschaf]

Factory Tikka chopped and threaded
Put in stock of your choice
Put a barrel on it at any time if you want

I did the custom rifle route. My second rifle was a factory tikka chopped and threaded as above mentioned

The value is not there for me in the semi-custom rifle world of $1000-$2500

 

[bowrunner81]

Ya that Roughtech is a beauty- Ive had my eye on that deal- wishing it was truly threaded at 5/8x24 but the adapter has me bawking. Not sure its an issue tho.

Most would say it’s not an issue, but I don’t have this rifle to tell you yay or nay.

 

[Megalodon]

I understand the lack of love here for the Seekins as it isn't Rokslide Approved™ (aka under the S2H marketing umbrella). But their bolt rifles absolutely hammer, and their service is nothing short of amazing. I would take a PH3 over a Tikka at the same price any and every day. I have both and compete with both, a PH2 and a fully customized T3x.

I don't like saying that just because things are used in competitions they must be the best, but if you look at NRLH matches I bet every single match this year will have 1 and likely 2 or 3 Seekins on the podium for the factory class. They work, and they work in harsh conditions.