I want no more than a 20" barrel, threaded.
I want it to be lightweight (i.e., not as heavy as the CTR)
I want to pay $1,000 or less
Why is this so hard?!
Is there something out there that meets this simple criteria? Would prefer the Tikka action, but they just don’t seem to offer these attributes together in one package.
Haha. I literally had a call with some higher ups at Tikka yesterday, and that’s PRECISELY what I told them.
That’s All I want too! I’m into shorter barrels now that I’m into suppressors. I don’t mind the small drops in velocity associated with it. Most of the animals I shoot are 300 and under( most way under) anyway.
Sign me up on that list too! I love the Tikka platform and such but the absence of threaded barrels broadly is uber annoying. Honestly has caused me go elsewhere a few times.
Did we ever figure anything out here? lol
Yeah, basically I just took a normal T3x Lite Stainless and sent it in to Silencer Central. For $166 I got it cut and threaded. I think the rifle was 879, so just slightly more than $1K total. If I am hunting from a stand or blind, or target shooting at the range, I take the CTR. If I’m stalking/hiking I take this T3x Lite. The gun weighs 6.2 lbs. before adding a 22 oz. scope and an ultralight Banish Backcountry suppressor, and here is the “after” result:
If I went with a lighter scope like a Swarovski Z3 or Leupold VX-3HD, I could cut this down another 1/2 pound.
The cut/thread turnaround from Silencer Central was pretty quick, too. About 2 weeks, might have been 12 days. I remember being surprised it came back so fast.
the vx3hd is the scope I was looking at. Were they able to thread at 5/8x24?
What you are able to thread will depend on the caliber and how far down you cut the barrel. I went with 18" and due to .308 diameter of bore, it was still 1/2x28. You might have better luck if you chamber something with 7mm or 6.5mm diameter… You can request a specific thread pitch when you submit the form on Silencer Central, but they will let you know if they have to do a different one. But, I haven’t had any issues with this thread pitch in any case. Works great, haven’t lost any accuracy post-cut-and-thread. The Banish Backcountry supports hubs for different thread pitches, too, and I have both–one for 5/8x24 and the other for 1/2x28, so this is not a problem.
Do you prefer one over the other between the ctr or lite? Do you notice a difference in accuracy between the 2?
I have two T3x Lite actually. Both of them and the CTR shoot excellent groups, and with many loads. My very best groups are with the CTR and ELD-X/ELD-M 143 and 140 grain. I can get 1/2 minute consistently. But the 308 using 165 gr and 168 gr federal premium also do very nice, sub-MOA groups. I have 100% confidence with both rifles for hunting. If I ever got into competition shooting I would pick the CTR though.
It is hard to say one is a favorite over the other, but I would have to give the edge to the T3x lite, only because of the cut barrel to 18”, so it makes it feel more like a carbine, and that 2” makes a difference when adding a can. Actually, I am half ways tempted to get another one, maybe in 7mm-08 and have it cut even shorter to like 16”—they might even be able to get 5/8x24 at that point.
Oooo
A 16 inch 5/8 threaded 7-08 would be awesome! If you do that please let us know!
That is interesting - a 16" 7-08 on a chassis with a collapsable butt stock as a backcountry rifle. 160 grain if going for elk (or 140~ if Copper).
I was pretty settle on a 308 for this setup, but this might be more fun. Certainly faster, but fewer ammo options.
Would you settle down for a 24" barrel and 5.6 lbs?
But, it is more than a $1000, but, not much.
That’s good to hear that both models shoot great. I’ve thought about a 7mm-08 myself.
Yeah, Weatherby is obsessed with long barrels and achieving top velocity, but I honestly just prefer the shorter barrels. As for weight, it’s a factor, for sure, but I have this Howa 1500 Superlite, which is ~5.4 lbs., and still only weighs 6.5 lbs. with the scope and everything. Unfortunately, the action has been problematic for me. It is so sloppy and loose, and just can’t hold up to the ultra-smooth repeatability and reliability of the Tikka. Or even a standard Howa action, for that matter. I absolutely love how light this thing is, but I will reach for my Tikka first.
Yea it is the compact tactical rifle (CTR) but mine is 20” version (it comes in 20 and 24”).
Note: the CTR is the exact same rifle as the Arctic, TAC and the UPR, they just use different chassis/stocks as variants on the same barreled action.
