Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka T3x Lite 22.3" vs 24.3"?

I like my 18” Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor. It makes for a handy truck gun when checking the cows and pasture fences. Easy to get it in and out of the truck and it rides on the seat good.

The downside is that I lost some velocity but it did kill a 7 pt buck last year at 280 yards using a 130 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullet traveling at 2600 fps. This year I’m going to use a 120 grain Nosler BT and pick up a little velocity.

If I had it to do over I would have had it cut to 20” and wouldn’t have lost as much velocity. It is still very accurate out to 500 yards which is the farthest I’ve shot it.

Agreed. This was the 270 SL and was a great rifle but I’ll likely never get over carrying my M70’s so I recently sold it. But it was about as nice as I’ve done for an all around blaster that carried well and shot amazing too.

I have Tikkas in both barrel lengths. Unless I was buying a magnum cartridge, like my 7RM, I’d prefer the 22” barrel. I’d also take stainless rifles every time.

Go SS with a 24” barrel for the 6.5 Doucheknot.

From Remington in 2003.
MV 2000-2500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
MV 2500-3000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
MV 3000-3500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
MV 3500-4000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
Lyman reloading.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 1000-2000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 5 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2001-2500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2501-3000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3001-3500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3501-4000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
Don't let facts get in the way of a good story.

I have a few Tikkas cut to 18 inches. They balance well and are not overly long with suppressors.

I have a few Tikkas cut to 18 inches. They balance well and are not overly long with suppressors.

22” by far. Took a 24” tikka SS creedmoor on my last two sheep hunts. First one was no problem, second hunt involved lots of bushwhacking through alders……never again will I take a 24” barrel on a hunt with any chance of brush busting!

Thanks all!

I may switch over to 7mm-08 if it means getting the configuration I want but we'll see.

Some beautiful rifles and rigs here!!