CA Ridgeline vs Tikka T3x

[Brasshole]

I bought a new Tikka T3x in 300 WM last year before an elk trip. Very disappointed. I have terrific glass on the rifle and even from a bench vise, I cant get anywhere near Sub MOA. I am a precision reloader and had no idea the Tikka's were so magazine limited in terms of COAL/CBTO. After alot of measurements, I am working with more than .2" jump with loads that are max length for the magazine. Thats a big number! I swapped out the bottom metal with Red Snake Tactical (great product and Red is a great American) but that still only got me slightly longer rounds and then I had to deal with Tikka feed issues. I see so many folks singing Tikka praises and can only assume they dont reload because you cant get anything in them greater than 3.35". I am looking at a Christensen Arms Ridgeline. Seems to have everything I want in terms of weight, stock quality, trigger pull, and range of loading options. Anyone out there make a transition from Tikka to CA and if so, are you happy?

 

[coop2564]

I have no experience with the Tikka. But have a CA Ridgeline in 300wsm. There are some things about the CA also. Very short throat to work well with factory loads, Very tight specs, I've found that full length sizing works best @ sammi specs and coal. Very strong ejector springs that will leave light mark often when no pressure is there. So if you are a reloader there is not a lot you can do other than tweak powder and bullets. Good news is they are light, accurate and shoot very well with factory loads. I'm happy with mine and reload for it...but you just cant hot rod it, not made for that.

 

[Brasshole]

I have no experience with the Tikka. But have a CA Ridgeline in 300wsm. There are some things about the CA also. Very short throat to work well with factory loads, Very tight specs, I've found that full length sizing works best @ sammi specs and coal. Very strong ejector springs that will leave light mark often when no pressure is there. So if you are a reloader there is not a lot you can do other than tweak powder and bullets. Good news is they are light, accurate and shoot very well with factory loads. I'm happy with mine and reload for it...but you just cant hot rod it, not made for that.

Thanks Coop. Much appreciated. I have read alot of posts about quality control issues with CA but they seem to be 2017-2018 posts. Most recent stuff looks good. You have any quality issues with gun or accuracy issues?

 

[sierracharlie338]

I have seen the CA can be hit or miss in accuracy as well. Personally I've seen more Tikkas shoot sub MOA more consistently than CAs. You might contact Tikka and see what they will do for you if you really can't get it to group sub MOA.

 

[GW Hunter]

Tikka T3x in 300 WM is the hardest rifle I have ever tried to shoot. Tiny forearm and light in weight makes for an extremely difficult combination. I consider myself a very experienced shooter but that rifle/caliber is tough to master.

 

[GW Hunter]

A muzzle brake is a must in that rifle in my opinion…

 

[Kimber7man]

I've seen several 300WM Ridgelines shoot very well…

 

[Buck300]

I have a ridge line and dont have any issues with early pressure signs. I hit 3030 with a 212 eldx and n 570 zero signs of pressure.

 

[Brasshole]

I have a ridge line and dont have any issues with early pressure signs. I hit 3030 with a 212 eldx and n 570 zero signs of pressure.

Buck, the 212 ELDX is one of the reasons I am switching guns. The book COAL on that round is 3.5" and I cant get anywhere near that with the Tikka limitations. Any chance you will share your load data? Are you using H1000?

 

[Buck300]

Buck, the 212 ELDX is one of the reasons I am switching guns. The book COAL on that round is 3.5" and I cant get anywhere near that with the Tikka limitations. Any chance you will share your load data? Are you using H1000?

I was using n 570 but my es is to high, so I will be switching to H1000. Ca rifles come with a 3.7 magazine box.

 

[Brasshole]

I was using n 570 but my es is to high, so I will be switching to H1000. Ca rifles come with a 3.7 magazine box.

Copy. I missed the n570 is your first post. Thanks again.

 

[338 dude]

Tikka T3x in 300 WM is the hardest rifle I have ever tried to shoot. Tiny forearm and light in weight makes for an extremely difficult combination. I consider myself a very experienced shooter but that rifle/caliber is tough to master.

I shoot quite a bit my largest caliber is 338 Lapua magnum ,we had a Remington moment with my wife's 270 And decided to replace the Remington it eventually was completely rebuilt into my 65 284 I own today with a new trigger but back to the story I bought her a Tikka 270 it's a great rifle very accurate but upon the first attempt to sight it in there was a great deal of recoil even for me .I ended up putting a radial brake on it and tamed it right down she loves it!

 

[the blur]

I have 3 Tikka's. 2 shoot well, very well. 1 is all over the paper.

 

[RiverShooter]

I bought a new Tikka T3x in 300 WM last year before an elk trip. Very disappointed. I have terrific glass on the rifle and even from a bench vise, I cant get anywhere near Sub MOA. I am a precision reloader and had no idea the Tikka's were so magazine limited in terms of COAL/CBTO. After alot of measurements, I am working with more than .2" jump with loads that are max length for the magazine. Thats a big number! I swapped out the bottom metal with Red Snake Tactical (great product and Red is a great American) but that still only got me slightly longer rounds and then I had to deal with Tikka feed issues. I see so many folks singing Tikka praises and can only assume they dont reload because you cant get anything in them greater than 3.35". I am looking at a Christensen Arms Ridgeline. Seems to have everything I want in terms of weight, stock quality, trigger pull, and range of loading options. Anyone out there make a transition from Tikka to CA and if so, are you happy?

I have a 270 WSM in a T3X and get sub .30 MOA three shot groups.