Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rifle Choice/Decision

Good Morning,
Sorry for the lengthy ramble....especially being my first post.
I've been browsing the forums as I'm planning on getting back into hunting after many years absence. Growing up in the northeast I predominately used a custom Remington Model 7 in .243 for deer (sold off firearms when kids were young as my wife was uncomfortable). Now located in Southern California have looked strongly at the 6.5 Creedmoor as a good all-around caliber.
That being said, I've been drawn to both the Tikka T3X Lite Compact (20' Barrel & 5.9lbs) and the Barrett Fieldcraft (21" & 5.2lbs) and do realize these two are not an apples to apples comparison (one being more budget friendly, the other almost semi-custom).
I'm vertically challenged (5'4" and 140lbs) and have always tended to go with a short action compact rifle as they fit better.....these two seem to feel equally as comfortable even with the Tikka Compact having a 12.5" LOP vs the Barrett's 13.75".
Handling them, they both have smooth bolts but the Tikka seems to have slightly more play. Metal work appears great on both.. Cosmetically the Fieldcraft is absolutely beautiful and love the cheek piece and how stiff the stock is.
This rifle will be a do it all rifle for what I"m planning (deer, wild boar, coyote, sheep, and on the very rare occasion, elk) so at least initially, am not looking at multiple rifles.
I'm willing to pay the Fieldcraft price and do like everything about it and it gets positive reviews.....but the Tikka seems to get good reviews too and am pretty sure will work equally well.
Any pro's and con's you could provide on each would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
cdg

If it were me, I would buy the Tikka and then spend the extra money on optics. You do get a lot of rifle with the Fieldcraft, but I am not sure if it is $1000 more rifle. That being said, there is a world of difference in a $450 optic and a $1000 optic.

Hitting well is about shooting well. Shooting well is about shooting corectly. Shooting corectly is about rounds fired.

I’ve hunted and killed with both rifles you asked about. Quite a bit.


The Fieldcraft is a good gun. The Tikka is a good gun. The fieldcraft is a great specialty ultra LW rifle. The Tikka is great light weight general purpose rifle.


You will be money and ability ahead to buy a T3x Comact in 223 with 1-8”, AND T3x Compact in 6.5 Creedmoor. Both with reasonable scopes (SWFA SS 6x42mm), and sportsmatch rings. Use the 223 with 77gr match ammo to learn what you’re doing.

I would buy Tikka, get a good scope and good mounts!

Good advice.

Very well said. If it were me, I'd buy the Tikka, spend the difference on glass and ammo.

^^^This^^^

Witnessed three plastikka failures this year: two plastic clip related in the field, and one brought into my gunsmith buddy's shop where the two piece bolt madness failed.

Go for a used ruger 77 type carbine with open sights.....

More info please.

A crushed mag is not a rifle failure. And what “two piece bolt madness” failed?

I’ve seen more than two dozen T3’s used in some horrible ways, with over 100,000 rounds through them.

I have been trying to replace a rifle I gave to the daughter, 6.5X57 Steyr. So far a Sako, Sauer, and now a Tikka. Hoping I will find one that will do what the old one will. I have had several Tikka's, never have had an issue. Mags are for the most part are "bullet proof" even seen one run over by a 2500 no problems. Have had Zero luck with Ruger's YMMV.

I’ve a few of both. I would go Tikka. Trouble free.

Curious what troubles you have had with the Fieldcraft?

Curious as well....

I’ve got a 6.5 CM that I can’t get to shoot consistently from one day to the next and seems to walk as it warms up (with several different factory loadings). It also would skip picking up a round every so often but playing with the mag spring helped. I have two other FCs (stubby 6.5 and a 6CM) that shoot well and am happy with the rifles.

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t had any issues with mine but that is interesting.

As an aside, if anyone is looking for a screaming deal on one (FC) in swede, don’t delay.
https://www.whittakerguns.com/product/73946

My Tikka magazine flew off the roof of a pickup and went cartwheeling down a paved road at 60 mph. Aside from some road rash it is fine and still works perfectly.

I'd get the Tikka and not even look back..

Thank you for all the advice and recommendations. I found the Tikka T3X Lite Compact on sale for $599 so am going to go with it.
Again....thanks :-)

I have had to send my Fieldcraft back twice for ejection issues. It is currently in transit to my house from the last issue. Mine is an early model 30-06 and I have owned it for 2 years now and have not been able to hunt with it yet due to the extraction issues. I may get to this year if I have time to get scope mounted and sighted in.

I also own three Tikkas that have been trouble free so far. I like the Fieldcraft better if the ejection issue is finally solved but if I were buying new, out of your two choices, I would buy the Tikka and some good glass!

HeavyBarrel

Welcome to the forum and back to the wonderful world of shooting. If the Fieldcraft doesn't stretch you budget, get it! You deserve it.