Tikka tx3 tact A1 or DD Delta 5 pro? Or?

SurfcasterPE

SurfcasterPE

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I’ve been reading and researching for months now and have been dead set on the Tikka, but got to drool over the Daniel Defense at the LGS today and it’s an absolute unit! I have not had the chance to fondle the Tikka yet. I’m thinking either would be in 6.5 CM.
Primary use would be to keep up with my uncles and cousins on the family farm where there are targets at 100 out to 1000ish yards and in between. I keep stretching my limits with my .223 AR but need something more to keep up with the big boys.
My uncle prefers his old school German Mauser in 30-338 but suggested I get the Tikka in 6.5 and I have read many good things about it here and elsewhere. The DD I haven’t researched or heard as much about yet, but know they make a fine AR.
Anything else I should be considering in that price range? The tikka is $1900, DD at $2500 and probably top of my budget.
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I'd go with the Tikka. I've got it's little brother, a CTR in .308. That action is smooth like glass. Be aware of the cost of magazines. Spares are $90 unless you happen upon a sale at Eurooptic or Beretta. .
 
So guys, I went to another LGS today that had the Tikka and after handling both I went back and got the DD. I’ve now read great things about both and talked to a guy that owns both. Just like it better. The stock on the Tikka was an initial turnoff though it could be upgraded. Had a buddy along for a 2nd opinion and we both were impressed with the DD though sure the Tikka would be an excellent choice.
Anywho. Happy shooting!
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The Tikka stock just had a cheap plastic cheek rest and no adjustment on the length… I like that it folded, but… and the fore grip… just made it feel like a basic build AR.
Sorry y’all, i thought I would love it after all I have read, but after handling it and the DD, I just wasn’t feeling it. 🤷‍♂
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Average Joe said:
Don’t have to justify anything to us. Both make solid rifles. I’d be happy with either one. Keep us updated on what glass you go with and how she shoots.
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I get that. Just thought it was worth noting why. For the last couple months I thought I was buying a Tikka. Lol.
 
SurfcasterPE said:
For the last couple months I thought I was buying a Tikka. Lol.
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And I’ve been in the same boat. I’ve went to my LGS several times just knowing I was going to buy X. Then when I arrive, hold and work the action etc. and change mind on the spot. And leave with something else lol. Funny how it works some times.
 
Average Joe said:
Gotcha. Have an idea about glass yet?
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I’ve got the Arken above on the way based on seeing and using my uncle’s and what he has to say. He’s been shooting out to 1000 for decades right there. I’m learning about optics and there’s sooo many options for such a wide $$ range. Hope it will be a decent choice for the money and keep learning. I’m new to this long distance stuff.
 
I looked at both of those rifles this week in Cary and was going to buy them both, but the trade in value that was assessed for my trade firearms was insultingly low. These rifles have a great rep, but I went somewhere else and they gave me enough to buy two Christensen Arms MPR rifles with a little left over. I went back the following day and bought a used Tikka T3x Tac 1. I will let you know how they do after this week. We are taking the Christensens, Bergara B-14 HMR and the Tikka out for a spin and see which does the trick. We plan to run the same glass and ammo on each to be fair. I did this with a bunch of 7.62 AR10 platforms years ago and it proved a fruitful endeavor.
 
Elenaidan said:
I looked at both of those rifles this week in Cary and was going to buy them both, but the trade in value that was assessed for my trade firearms was insultingly low. These rifles have a great rep, but I went somewhere else and they gave me enough to buy two Christensen Arms MPR rifles with a little left over. I went back the following day and bought a used Tikka T3x Tac 1. I will let you know how they do after this week. We are taking the Christensens, Bergara B-14 HMR and the Tikka out for a spin and see which does the trick. We plan to run the same glass and ammo on each to be fair. I did this with a bunch of 7.62 AR10 platforms years ago and it proved a fruitful endeavor.
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How did the AR10s do?
 
Fred said:
How did the AR10s do?
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Not to hijack a thread but, We had Larue, FN Scar, H$K, POF. For reliability of mags the Scar and the Pmags for the POF and Larue win. For accuracy the H$K was hands down the winner with factory ammo (we used five different factory ammo options.....this wasn't even close). The Larue and POF were about tied for second place and the Larue with hand loads it is equal to the H$K. The Scar was miserable by comparison. The best blend for accuracy, magazine cost, customer support, and fit finish would be Larue. I had two MR762A1 H$K at one point and like a fool I sold one. This is the only firearm I have ever really regretted selling. It is a tac driver with quality ammo. 550 yards is a chip shot for this rifle.
 
SurfcasterPE said:
So guys, I went to another LGS today that had the Tikka and after handling both I went back and got the DD. I’ve now read great things about both and talked to a guy that owns both. Just like it better. The stock on the Tikka was an initial turnoff though it could be upgraded. Had a buddy along for a 2nd opinion and we both were impressed with the DD though sure the Tikka would be an excellent choice.
Anywho. Happy shooting!
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Great choice. :) TBH I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both are amazing rifles and I'd personally be delighted to have either one. When I get into the 6.5 game I hope to get a DD Delta 5 Pro myself. I look forward to hearing how it groups with FGMM and any handloads you work up.
 
Got to break it in today and also a chance to shoot the Tikka I thought I wanted. Just worked out perfectly. Both awesome guns and I love the 2-stage trigger on the Tikka, but I do think I made the right choice.
That Tikka owner has the DD on order now. 🤷‍♂️
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Fred said:
@Elenaidan Any bolt action testing results yet? I'm looking forward to those.
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Well I am happy to report and @SurfcasterPE can confirm or deny, the @SurfcasterPE NEW Daniel Defense Delta 5 will deliver a consistent group under .5 moa with match ammo (actually a hunting ammo as well) .37 and .43 being the spread identified. The Tikka T3 was a used gun before I bought it. The best we could get on this USED Tikka was a 1" moa. I have to admit I thought that the 1/2" moa was going to be a dubious claim from Daniel Defense. I was wrong, surprised and pleased. I look forward to owning one shortly.
 
Elenaidan said:
Well I am happy to report and @SurfcasterPE can confirm or deny, the @SurfcasterPE NEW Daniel Defense Delta 5 will deliver a consistent group under .5 moa with match ammo (actually a hunting ammo as well) .37 and .43 being the spread identified. The Tikka T3 was a used gun before I bought it. The best we could get on this USED Tikka was a 1" moa. I have to admit I thought that the 1/2" moa was going to be a dubious claim from Daniel Defense. I was wrong, surprised and pleased. I look forward to owning one shortly.
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Did the B14 HMR and Christensens make it out? Were these 5 round groups? Thank you for the info.
 
Fred said:
Did the B14 HMR and Christensens make it out? Were these 5 round groups? Thank you for the info.
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The B14 we had sighted in earlier in the week using the same ammo as they Tikka 140 gr ELD Match Hornady. It produced 1 MOA as well. Keep in mind that the Tikka and Bergara were both used rifles and there should be given some leeway for that fact. The Christensens never made it out of the house. I had several things about them that I could not get past. The stock folding towards the bolt instead of away, the length of pull and comb adjustments needed a very small allen wrench to be adjusted which makes it not at all user friendly in the field. I did find the magazine cutout on the non bolt side a nice feature. To be honest, I have become less a fan of Carbon Fiber as time goes on. I will forever be a metal rifle guy. These were not five round groups on the Daniel Defense, but on the Bergara and the Tikka they were in excess of 5 round groups at two hundred yards utilizing three grain weights in the same Hornady ammo. We got hard dope on the Tikka before people started to pile into the 550 range. The groups were repeatable at distance with the glass used. The Hornady match ammo of 120, 140, 147 grain weights performed really well and we did not see great variances within these for the groups when we tested them. All of these rifles could reliably hit on 8" plates at 550 yards.

On a side note, we had a HK MR762A1 in 7.62 with an ACOG (low magnification) attached that could get reliable hits (3 out of five maybe) without much effort at 550 with surplus ammo. This would lead me to believe that any of these 6.5's are just yawning at this distance and the true test for the rifles and the shooter will only be proven at the 1K mark.
 
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