Tikka T3X CTR with moderator 20 inch or 24?

[Southern]

I have given up on finding a right hand CTR in 7mm-08, but am still resisting the 6.5 CM. Since I have gobs of .308 and 7mm-08 brass and experience reloading those, I am leaning towards a .260 Remington. Factory ammunition is twice as expensive as 6.5 CM ( $15.00 to $24 a box vs $35 to $40), so reloading it will be. I am getting a moderator for it, but will not use it all the time, just when hunting near homes ( 1/4 mile through the woods ), so as to not disturb anyone.

What say you about the handling of the 24 inch with and without a moderator, vs the 20-inch? I can, right now, get either one in 6.5 CM, .260 Rem or .308 Win for under $800.00 USD out the door.

 

[Cloudhopper]

I've got a 20" barrelled 308 and use a steel end-mounted moderator and it's very unwieldy and get caught up easily in close cover, I shudder to think what it would be like if it was 4" further out. Have you used a moderated rifle much?
CH

 

[oowee]

24" with a mod and you should be able to stalk close enough to hit them over the head, save on ammo.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I've a tikka t3x 20" barrel with a Stalon moderator, slips over the barrel a few inches. Handles pretty nice IMO

 

[ejg]

I have both 20" and 24" with the same moderators. For hunting it does make a big difference, forget about walking muzzle down in high grass with the 24". Then again one can get used to the longer version. For me it was mainly 300wm in 24" or 308 in 20". The 20" 308 CTR will be capable out to 500m, very seldom will I ever need more range. In the meantime I have a 6.5CM in 20" carbon barrel also with the same moderator. On paper with ELD bullets this combination will get me supersonic out to 1200m which is an improvement over the 308 however not sure if this has any benefits hunting.
edi

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I have both 20" and 24" with the same moderators. For hunting it does make a big difference, forget about walking muzzle down in high grass with the 24". Then again one can get used to the longer version. For me it was mainly 300wm in 24" or 308 in 20". The 20" 308 CTR will be capable out to 500m, very seldom will I ever need more range. In the meantime I have a 6.5CM in 20" carbon barrel also with the same moderator. On paper with ELD bullets this combination will get me supersonic out to 1200m which is an improvement over the 308 however not sure if this has any benefits hunting.
edi

I don't do much target shooting (Any in fact) but 20" vs 24" in .308 - does that really make a difference on range capabilities? obviously velocities etc will change but will it affect effective range that much for target shooting.

H&H

 

[ejg]

I don't do much target shooting (Any in fact) but 20" vs 24" in .308 - does that really make a difference on range capabilities? obviously velocities etc will change but will it affect effective range that much for target shooting.

H&H

On a 308 it will a bit and maybe to get you supersonic to 1000m. What I meant was a 300wm in 24" which is useable but on the shorter side for that cartridge, a compromise for hunting.
With the 6.5 CM the guys doing PRS shooting do seem to favour 24" and over as they need stability as well as speed. My hunting 6.5CM is also just 20", again a compromise.
edi

ps, little spike taken from the other side of the valley with the 20" 6.5CM. Last Sunday.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

On a 308 it will a bit and maybe to get you supersonic to 1000m. What I meant was a 300wm in 24" which is useable but on the shorter side for that cartridge, a compromise for hunting.
With the 6.5 CM the guys doing PRS shooting do seem to favour 24" and over as they need stability as well as speed. My hunting 6.5CM is also just 20", again a compromise.
edi

ps, little spike taken from the other side of the valley with the 20" 6.5CM. Last Sunday.

Ah I know what you mean, great photo too

 

[barbel]

I have just got a 308 s/s 20 inch ctr and I put a wildcat evo on it, do not do target shooting, personally glad its not any longer.

 

[Southern]

Suppressor ownership in the USA is a licensing hassle and way overpriced.

I don't even use a 24 inch barrel rifle in the hills and mountains now

Yes, having used a suppressor on the end of an M-14, I know how unwieldy they are. This use will be in woods and hills, no shots over 150 yards. The offer of the 24 inch CTRs just came up yesterday, so I thought I would ask those who have both.

Thanks, all. Keep it coming

 

[scotch_egg]

I have a 20” bartlein and 24” carbonq 6.5 Creedmoor.

go for the 20”

also go for a Q trash panda silencer. Lightweight titanium simple light weight muzzle device. Wish I could get one in the U.K.

 

[slider]

I have a Browning with a 22" barrel. It was quite cumbersome with my original ASE SL5 moderator but has been totally transformed after swapping to a light weigh Freyr & Devick mod

 

[DIGGER101]

I have a 24 with the evo sound mod balanced brilliantly

 

[Southern]

Thanks for all the input, especially on the suppressors.

I may buy something this weekend. Studying these mods now.

 

[Muir]

I have a 20" CTR in Creedmoor. I like it quite a bit. I cannot shoot it as well as it deserves.
Components are now cheap. Factory ammo is down below $15/20.

As to suppressors: See if Suppressor Central ( formerly Dakota Silencer) based in Sioux Falls, SD can help you. They make a modular suppressor of titanium that is very good. They will do all the paperwork for you and set up a Trust, all for free.~Muir

 

[Southern]

I have a 20" CTR in Creedmoor. I like it quite a bit. I cannot shoot it as well as it deserves.
Components are now cheap. Factory ammo is down below $15/20.

As to suppressors: See if Suppressor Central ( formerly Dakota Silencer) based in Sioux Falls, SD can help you. They make a modular suppressor of titanium that is very good. They will do all the paperwork for you and set up a Trust, all for free.~Muir

Thanks for that info. I ran across a special run, uncatalogued Remington M700 ACC-SD barreled action in a VTR stock, 24 inches, 0.830 at the threaded muzzle shoulder, for under $400.00.

I figured at that price, I could find out how I like the 6.5 Creedmoor and how much I like a 24 inch barrel on it. From what I have read of owners, it gives 130 fps more than the 20-inch.

They also had a 20-inch threaded .308 Win, which was tempting, but I have so many different .308s. And I have three very accurate .30-06s which will shoot as flat as the Creedmoor out past half a mile - just with 60% more recoil.

I am going to steel glass bed this injection molded stock after I do some initial shooting. Then I may add some pillars. I am not one on of those who spends more on new stocks and triggers, when I can buy a CTR or M700 5R which I know will shoot like it should out of the box. This rifle is a learning experiment. I still may buy a Ruger American Predator Go Wild in 7mm-08, but I just like this heavier barrel for a suppressor. And if I get this 6.5 El Cheapo shooting 0.75 MOA consistently, I may build a laminated stock for it ( not more than $250 ).

Hope to be swapping loads with you soon!

 

[scrumbag]

I tend not to have less than a 24" barrel on my rifles. Get a "reflex" moderator (Goes back over the muzzle).

Also, if you get a 24" barrel, you can always have it cut shorter, difficult to add to a 20" barrel...

Scrummy