Tikka M65A
Tikkakoski · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1988
Overview
The Tikka M65A is a Finnish purpose-built sniper rifle variant of the Tikkakoski M65 bolt-action rifle, introduced in 1988 near the end of the platform's production run. It uses the M65's 90-degree rotating bolt with two locking lugs and two safety lugs, and a free-floating, cut-rifled barrel with six grooves. The M65A distinguishes itself from the sporting M65 rifles through an aluminium-bedded stock built around an internal aluminium chassis, an adjustable walnut cheekpiece, an adjustable trigger, and a UIT accessory rail for mounting a bipod. It feeds from a detachable single-stack box magazine holding five or ten rounds and is most commonly chambered in .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO) for precision and marksmanship use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1140 mm (44.88") |
| Barrel Length | 600 mm (23.62") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 833 m/s (2733 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3370 J (2486 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Aluminum |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62 NATO, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Aluminum Bedded Stock, Aluminum Chassis, Adjustable Walnut Cheekpiece, Uit Accessory Rail, Adjustable Trigger, Cut Rifled Barrel
Base model
Tikka-M65
Production
Production years: 1988-1989
Late-production sniper variant of the M65 line; the M65 family was manufactured by Tikkakoski from 1969 to 1989.
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Discontinued: 1989
Notes
The M65A was the last and most specialised member of the Tikka M65 family, which itself succeeded the M55 and was superseded by the Tikka M658 in 1990 following Sako's acquisition of the Tikkakoski rifle line. Base M65 rifles were offered in roughly eleven chamberings from .25-06 Remington and 6.5x55mm Swedish up to belted magnums such as .300 and .338 Winchester Magnum; the M65A sniper configuration centred on .308 Winchester.
Background
Arriving in 1988, the M65A was Tikkakoski's attempt to turn its accurate but conventional hunting action into a dedicated marksman's rifle just as the company's rifle business was being absorbed by Sako - making it one of the last true 'Tikka' precision rifles before the brand's post-1990 reinvention.