Unboxing Tikka T3X CTR 6.5 Creedmoor

I have recently become interested in the PRS scene to improve my hunting skills and general marksmanship. I decided it was time to take the plunge and buy a rifle / calibre combo suitable for longer ranges. My primary use for this rifle will be for gong smacking and the odd fox under light.

As you know I’m a massive Tikka fan and really wanted to buy the TAC A1, unfortunately it’s a bit out of my price bracket so I decided to go with the CTR. Calibre choice was a pretty simple decision. The 6.5 creedmoor is still the most popular PRS calibre closely followed by the up and coming 6mm Creedmoor. I decided on the 6.5 primarily because of factory ammunition availability and the knowledge of peers around my local club.

I have plans to build on this rifle overtime and modify it along the way as money permits. Initially I will be mounting a Leupold Mark4 8.5-25 x 50 in nightforce rings with plans underway to upgrade the optics.

Anyway, take a look below at my unboxing video of the Tikka CTR 6.5 Creedmoor and my first impressions.

Tikka T3 204 Ruger Review

As you may have noticed when fox hunting whether day or night my Tikka T3 204 Ruger is never far away. I have owned a few Tikka’s now over the years and rate them highly both for functionality and accuracy.

My Tikka T3 is the older model (non T3x model) and I specifically selected this rifle as a dedicated light weight walking and spotlighting rig. I decided to go with the hunter stainless fluted model as I really like a wooden stock and love the aesthetics of the stainless fluted barrel. Previous to this rifle I was using a varmint model and although awesome for spotlighting it was a tad heavy to walk about in the hills.

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Tikka’s are known for their smooth actions and accuracy and so far I have not been let down with my Tikka purchases. The hunter model like all Tikka models has a beautiful action and crisp trigger and comes standard with a composite magazine and trigger guard. I know many guys hate the composite (plastic fantastic) bits on the Tikka rifles however they have never once let me down over years of use. Sure the plastic bits may not look as nice as some higher end rifles however they keep the Tikka’s price down and weight in check.

My T3 hunter arrived with the trigger set a little heavy for my likings, however a quick adjustment following the included instructions was simple and effective. The T3 trigger would have to be one of the best factory triggers I have used and breaks clean and crisp once adjusted.

When I had decided on a rifle it was time to choose the cartridge and caliber. I was looking for a varmint style cartridge and caliber in something that was flat shooting, reasonably economical to shoot and available in factory offerings.

After some research and recommendations from forum pals on Australian Hunting Net I decided on the .204 Ruger. I have had exceptional results shooting factory Hornady ammunition topped with the 40 grain V-Max projectiles. I did purchase reloading dies for the 204 however have had such success with factories I have not bothered to reload for this rifle / cartridge combination.

Reloading accuracy (below)

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I was thinking i should finish this article with a pro and cons list to help influence my readers who are weighing up Tikka T3’s against other offerings. Thinking over it however there is nothing I really dislike about the Tikka. Sure I could say the composite components, however I find them suitable for the rifles purpose and they don’t seem to hamper the rifle in any way.

The only issue I have faced with any of my Tikka’s was the rifle in this review and it was totally my fault. When cleaning the rifle I over lubed the bolt which resulted in a build up of residue inside the bolt body. This resulted in a failed hunting trip where the rifle failed to fire consistently until the issue was rectified by stripping and cleaning the bolt. (Facepalm)

I don’t think you can go wrong with a Tikka T3 especially in the versatile 204 Ruger. The Tikka T3X TAC A1 has certainly piqued my interest and I think I will need to make some room for one in the near future.

5 Fox Whistling Fundamentals

When getting ready to set our for a hunt, there are 5 fox whistling fundamentals that I try to keep in the back of my mind that lead to a successful hunt.

Wind:

is pretty self explanatory in hunting, don’t let the fox smell you! It is imperative at all times that the wind is blowing towards the shooter so any potential foxes have to be on top of you before they scent you.

Sound:

remain as quiet as possible and ensure you don’t make any foreign noises you wouldn’t expect to hear in the area you are hunting. Example: Close car doors quietly, Don’t let the tin fox whistle bang against your binoculars or rifle scope. 

Control:

is a broad term i used to cover everything relating to the shot. Breathing, heart rate (where possible) sight picture, trigger release and patience. Wait for a shot to present and try not to rush it. All good in theory but often goes out the window when the adrenaline kicks in!

Outline:

try and call from a location that breaks up your outline, such as against a tree or rock. Don’t walk on hill tops and skylight yourself. If hunting at night, try not to light yourself up and give away your position by keeping your torch in an outstretched hand not close to your body.

Movement:

when a fox is coming in do no not move whilst it is looking in your direction. Try and keep all movement at a minimum and deliberate.

The most important thing to remember is enjoy yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the game and help shape out hunting skills into the future.

Get out there!