Tikka T3x Lite Veil Wideland.....

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pyscodog

Active member
....in 6.5 PRC. Seems one followed me home yesterday. I had been looking at a T3x in a local store a few days ago and finally decided I wanted it. When I went back it was gone. So Saturday I hit four different stores and looked at several options but had my mind set on a Tikka. In another rack, same store the T3x was, they had the Veil Lite. A couple hundred dollars more but had a fluted barrel and bolt and I assume CeraKote finish in Desert Verde, looks like burnt bronze to me and a camo stock. Also a metal bolt shroud and supposed longer mag. It also has a steel recoil lug. I don't know if these are standard on the new T3x or just on the Veil but I like the features and if it holds true to Tikka's, it should be a hammer. Brass and dies are ordered and on their way.
 
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I ....... HATE ....... YOU !!!!!!
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I've been drooling over that rifle for several weeks now but just haven't made myself pull the trigger. I have the PRC dies & brass already.

That steel recoil lug is standard on all the Tikka's now. Huge improvement.

Are you going to leave the brake on it or switch to a can?
 
I don't have a suppressor so I'll probably leave the break on it. I had to spend a little more for the Veil but I think it was worth it in the long run. Fluted barrel and bolt and the Ceracoat would cost more than the difference in the Veil vs the standard T3x. I doubt I got a screamin deal from the shop I got it at. They are on the "high end" shops in Tulsa, but they are also the only ones that had the rifle in stock. Sometimes you just have to pay more if you want it. I didn't do any online shopping so I don't know if it was a deal or not. It fell within my budget so I bought it. Tikka's have sure went up in price since the last time I bought one NIB, but so has everything else. I should have been in the deer woods today but I think I will go to the gun club and try out this new rifle instead.
 
I put 13 rounds of factory Hornady 147 grain ELD-M through it this morning. Keeping it under an inch was no problem. I'm sure after it gets broken in and shooting hand loads it will do better. I had two groups that hovered around a half inch but just had to shoot a 4th shot and opened the group up but still decent. I had a really strong north wind and my old eyes were not working their best today either but enough of excuses. Its a Tikka, I have high hopes in the accuracy. Triggers a little over three pounds out of the box and very crisp. I like a lighter trigger so I'll fix that later today. All in all I like the rifle alot. I'd like to possibly hunt with it this season but doubt I will get a load worked up in time but its shoots the factory stuff plenty good enough to hunt with so its possible.
 
I'm waiting on my dies and brass but did buy a pound of Staball HD to try out when they get here. I don't think I want to shoot 147 grain pills but something in the 120-130 class should take care of anything I hunt. Like everything, it will be trial and error. I tried to find a modified case today also but no one has them in stock. I'll just have my smith make me one when I can get to it.
 
Yes it is. My smith has the tap to make them but I thought instead of bothering him I would just buy one. He doesn't charge me anything to make one. I have a bunch of them for many different cartridges. They're pretty handy for finding OAL. I like using the ones he makes because its a fired cartridge from my rifle.
 
How is it with the brake installed? A concussion or just loud?

I'm thinking I might remove the brake altogether when I get mine and just put a thread protector on instead.

And if you DO remove it, let us know if the POI changes afterwards.
 
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The Tikka comes with a thread protector. I haven't shot mine without it yet. I wear muffs so the noise doesn't bother me. The day I shot it I was in our All Weather building with just the barrel sticking out the window so noise wasn't bad at all. Outside under the awning may be a different story. With the break, the recoil is mild. And its a good quality made break, not like that cheap piece of sheet metal Browning uses.

I hunted this morning and my feet got cold so I went to Bass Pro looking for some better socks. Found some decent socks but I also found the OAL Modified case for the PRC there. I could wait for my smith to make one but he's hunting and didn't really feel like waiting for him. Needed some shell holder to so got them as well.
 
I did a switch on the T3x. I changed everything I was using. Well, except dies and brass. I used a CCI LRP, H4831SC and a 130 Berger VLD-Hunting bullet seated .010 off the lands but still fits the mag. Results were 5 different loads, 3 shots each, from 50 grains to 54 grains. Largest was a .689 and smallest was a .146. The hottest load produced the smallest group. Now to load some more to verify and check for speed. I hoping for 3000-3200FPS but probably going to be closer to the 3000FPS but that will still work for my use.
 
I got to the range today and chronographed the 130 Bergers. While accuracy is suburb, velocity is way lower than expected. A 5 shot string averaged 2760. That's way lower than what the books claimed but I was going off of IMR4831, not Hodgdons 4831SC. I didn't think there would be that much difference. I guess I need to find a powder that will give me good accuracy as well as velocity. Not sure what that is as of yet though.
 
Did you try the StaBall HD yet? It might get you close to 3000, but that will likely be at the top end of the scale when pressure signs start getting concerning.

Everything I have read (and take with a grain of salt) points to MAGNUM as the fastest powder for the PRC.

But honestly, if I could get a 3 shot string consistently under 1/2" and the speed above 2850 or so I'd be inclined to go with it.
 
I tried Staball HD but with a Barnes bullet. Accuracy was horrible. Then went to a 123 grain ELD-M. Accuracy was much better but still not the groups I'm looking for. The Nosler book said IMR 4831 was a good powder and should be around 3100 FPS. I had some but not enough to work a load with and of course, nothing on the shelves, so I substituted H4831SC. Accuracy was fantastic, .146 three shot group at 100yds and a half inch at 200 but velocity was 2760 average. My 7-08 shoots that fast with a heavier bullet. So I'm kinda back to square one. I did pick up a pound of VV N560 and book speeds are a little over 3000 FPS. It recommends mag primers and I'm short on them but have a friend that has some extras. Like I said, back to square one but that's what we do. Its only money!!
 
Your comparison between the PRC and 7-08 is interesting because that is what is holding me up getting one. My 7-08 is just as good (better in some instances) than the 6.5 until you get WAY out there. I keep trying to convince myself that I need one but reality is telling me different. And since I already have the 6.5 CM that makes it seem even more like a want instead of an actual need. But I do love the high BC bullets that we have for the 6.5s ..........
 
When did we ever "NEED" another gun? LOL!!

I sold all my Creedmoor stuff. I had a custom 6 CM and have had sevral 6.5's. Sold all of it, guns brass and dies. I was hoping the PRC was going to be a speed demon and maybe with the right combination it will be. I just haven't found it yet. I have a FN Mauser in 6.5x55 and am working loads for it. It has an after market barrel but a really long throat so I figured it was a good candidate for those Barnes that like a bunch of jump. So far its shooting them pretty good. And it will keep up with the Creeds. Or should anyway.
 
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