Tikka UPR in 6.5CM as an all purpose rifle

[Cloudhopper]

I've had a Sako 85 in 308 Win for the last 15 years and I have it set up for stalking and target work using a March compact scope. It's my only rifle and I don't plan to go down the road of multiple rifles. It's ok but my FAC is coming up for renewal and I'm wondering if now might be a time to change. I'm well set up for the Sako with all the bullets, powders and dies etc but it's a hunting rifle and doesn't work massively well on the range (military ranges out to 1000 yards). I've had a look at the market and watched a few videos on Youtube and the Tikka CTR and UPR look like they might fit the bill, especially the UPR. The 6.5 CM is also appealing as a "do it all" cartridge. My stalking at the moment is mainly confined to the larger species with a trip to Arran very year on the hinds.
So does anyone have experience of these two rifles and are they using it for what I've described? Does the UPR have a medium profile barrel like the CTR? The advertising doesn't mention it and I can't make it out in the videos and pictures. I'm aware these rifles have a 1:8 twist but do they stabilise the heavier non-lead bullets. Will this cartridge be as effective on game as the 308? Can you top load these Tikka rifles? Would I be really better off keeping the 308 and just getting a CTR/UPR and having it also conditioned for stalking and target?

Thoughts, opinions and experiences much appreciated.
CH

 

[jthyttin]

UPR stock looks nice in pics, but in real life it has "childish" / toyish feel to it. I'm medium built at 180cm / +- 80kg and would like something scaled up a bit. No similar complaints with McMillan, Bell&Carlson etc.

Shooting a 308 is considerably cheaper than similar case size 6.5mm at the range (barrel life). Inside 200 y/m (and maybe bit further) 308 will do basically everything that 6.5mm does, trajectory wise. Just look at ballistics with 125gr class decent BC bullets, like Ballistic Tip / Accubond.

Tikka has tremendous aftermarket support (stocks etc.), I'd consider getting one with the barrel profile you like and upgrading the stock to your liking in the future after handling few candidates. You cannot topload them. Maybe consider keeping extra mag and changing it? Add extra round to the replaced mag at convenient point? That way you have the full capacity instead of minus one with topload, not that it matters with CTR mag, more so with OEM flush fit 3rd.

 

[angusb1]

I'd keep the 308 as your main stalking rifle and get a heavy barrelled rifle with an adjustable stock and more vertical pistol grip for the range. It's what I have done. Weight and a heavy barrel makes a rifle nice to shoot at the range from prone, the exact opposite of what you want to be carrying when out stalking. You can shoot long bullets with a good ballistic coefficient in the range rifle and you don't need to worry about their performance on game. You can have a scope on the range rifle suited to its purpose and you don't need to rezero for different ammo. Two setups, each specialised for their own purpose works well for me.

 

[scotch_egg]

2 rifles is always better than one.

I’ve tried the one rifle for everything and it really doesn’t work. There will always be compromise.

 

[Muir]

I have the UPR and still haven't found out two things about it:

1) What makes it 'Ultimate"
2) What the hell I'll ever use it for.

It's a long barreled CTR in a PSE knock off stock. Not worth the coinage. Accurate, yes. Ultimate? No.

A better choice would be the CTR for "all purpose". ~Muir

 

[Siggy]

Don't have a UPR because they don't make it in lefty, but it has all the features I want - cheek raiser, flush cups, cerakote solid stock, vertical grip, 10 round mag (which I don't believe top feeds). Looked into getting a CTR and then putting a PSE stock on it, which gives you pretty much the same thing, but the cost of change was too much for my wallet to bear so I ended up pimping my current T3 instead.
I know a stalker that uses one in 6.5CM as his estate rifle and it's shot everything from reds to muntjac without breaking a sweat.

 

[palo]

The only difference between the UPR and CTR is the stock.
I would keep the sako and get a heavier barreled rifle for range work.

 

[Cloudhopper]

Gents, thanks for your replies. Second rifle it is then.
CH

 

[Griff3]

The Tikka T3x supervarmint cerakote in 6.5 Creed is worth a consideration for range work.

 

[Freddie]

The super varmint has a heavier barrel than the CTR, worth noting if you are using it on the range for most of its life.
Barrels in 20" and 24", bit lighter in 20" if you intend to carry it far, longer may be your preference if range use takes priority.
I've used a varmint for years laden with night scope, illuminator, etc, it's certainly heavy compared to a lightweight stalker, but definitely manageable with the right harness, once again, look at how far you may actually have to carry it.
You can also swap the grip on the super varmint between swept back and a straighter version.
Lots of aftermarket stocks available (MDT/KRG/MPA etc) if you want to make it more range specific, great upgrade.
Quick note on the CTR, the magazines look like they are, but they are not AICS and very specific to the CTR. There are some excellent aftermarket market magazines for the super varmint (T3x), WR being one of them.
As mentioned in the previous posts, two rifles is the way to go, be realistic on how much firing each will get and pool your money into the one getting the usage.
I cant account for anybody else but unless you're an estate shooter or really taking a lot of deer, your range ammo use could be many, many times (several hundreds) than that of a range rifle in a year.

 

[nun_hunter]

In short, yes a UPR in 6.5 will do it all very well (I've got one so I'm clearly biased) but the issue I've found is the scope as that's where the compromise between a good range scope and a good stalking scope means you won't get one that's great for either (unless your range disciplines and stalking style overlap).

Depending how often you're switching between the two and if you have the ability/patience to swap two scopes over at the range and check zero etc then maybe one rifle with two scopes and save a bit of money on an extra rifle.