Tikka T3 as a donor action.

[robbobsam]

Hiya Guys,

My initial plan for a custom .223rem has fallen through, the gunsmith has started to quibble about the price and the price started to increase, so my intrest in buying it started to decrease.

Therefore I am back to the drawing board.

I have just been looking for some rifle components and have come across the following that are all currently available.

Tikka T3 stainless action and trigger.
stainless steel 26" Kreiger 1 in 8 barrel with an M18 X 1 thread for sound mod.
Mcmillan A3/5 stock. My Proposed Stock

All the above bedded using marinetex.

My initial intention was to go with .223rem, but I am starting to lean towards the .223AI, what do you guys think ???

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.

What do you think ???

 

[liltank]

Go for it. As you know Tikka actions are sturdy and nice. I wouldn't mind a 223AI. It's a Kreiger barrel, so you know it's quality. You can never go wrong with a McMillian.

Tank

 

[BuckSnort]

Sounds like a nice setup.. I'd go with the .223AI

 

[liltank]

I know you asked about the Lothar Walther barrel in your last post. Here is a video I found on accurateshooter.com.

Lothar Walther's Woodall Explains Barrel-Making Methods « Daily Bulletin

Tank

 

[Tikkamike]

Let us know how this build goes. I am about to have one of my old tikkas rebuilt. Who is doing your build?

 

[WildRose]

Hiya Guys,

My initial plan for a custom .223rem has fallen through, the gunsmith has started to quibble about the price and the price started to increase, so my intrest in buying it started to decrease.

Therefore I am back to the drawing board.

I have just been looking for some rifle components and have come across the following that are all currently available.

Tikka T3 stainless action and trigger.
stainless steel 26" Kreiger 1 in 8 barrel with an M18 X 1 thread for sound mod.
Mcmillan A3/5 stock. My Proposed Stock

All the above bedded using marinetex.

My initial intention was to go with .223rem, but I am starting to lean towards the .223AI, what do you guys think ???

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.

What do you think ???

What is your intended use for the rifle? That's the first question before we even start to discuss the best calber(s) etc.

 

[robbobsam]

What is your intended use for the rifle? That's the first question before we even start to discuss the best calber(s) etc.

90% of the time this rifle will be used for long range varmint shooting out to 600yds and beyond. In addition I may use this rifle for a bit of target shooting maybe out to 800yds.

 

[WildRose]

90% of the time this rifle will be used for long range varmint shooting out to 600yds and beyond. In addition I may use this rifle for a bit of target shooting maybe out to 800yds.

If I were you then I'd look very seriously at 6.5 creedmore, 6.5 Lapua, and .260 Rem. Far superior rounds for those purposes and it won't cost you a dime more on your build.

The .223 bullets simply cannot compete with the above for this application.

The only .223 I'd consider even adequate would be a .22-250 or .220 swift but even at the higher velocities they provide you are still hamstrung by the limits of the ballistic coefficients of the .223 vs the above.

There are however a hell of a lot of guys still addicted to the .243/6mm for your applications as well.

I just prefer the 6.5's because, again, higher bc's and much better performance in wind/long range.

I've done some shooting (successfully) at ridiculously long ranges with both the .204 Ruger and .220 Swift, but I know full well I am much more limited with them than I am my .260 and if I want to shoot a deer or even larger game with the .260 as well as varmints, I'm not under gunned.

Since you're still working on this project from the ground up give it a good long think before committing since your original deal fell through. Consider it now an opportunity rather than a problem.gun)

 

[Tikkamike]

Not saying the 223 wont shoot that far because it for sure will. But a 243 , 243ai etc would fight the wind a lot better at those ranges. But I have always thought a fast twist 22 would he fun for the exact purpose you have in mind. If your thinking 223ai why not go with a faster 22 Like 22-250 for the extra velocity and the dies wont be as expensive and no fireforming cases.

 

[liltank]

He already owns a .243.

Tank

 

[6.5shaggy]

This is a wild suggestion but you may consider a 22 PDK(6.8spc improved and necked down). I have one in an AR-15 and love it. With a 20 inch 8 twist barrel I get 3400 with 68 gr match and 3700 with 50 gr V-Max on around 29 gr of powder. I works MUCH better on coyotes and hogs than a 223 and easily rings steel at 800. I like it so much I am starting one on a Rem 700.
Components are easily available and brass forming is as simple as any ackley; just neck down and shoot. PTG has reamers, Forester dies and Remington brass is all you need. Check 20pdk.com for more info if your interested.

P.s. : McMillan told me that the Tikka T3 was only available in the A5 and Sako styles, I was wondering if you where told something different.

 

[cummins cowboy]

I personally would just get a t3 varmint in 223, I don't think putting a custom barrel on an existing action will shoot any better. I have owned 3 tikkas and all of them shoot insane groups. I think 223 tikkas also come with 8 twist barrels as well, so I really don't see the need of even doing a custom. since the twist and caliber is already made by tikka.

as for a donor action I would LOVE to do something on a tikka action someday, the singe stack mag should feed great. I also think there is a big advantage by having the top of the action solid and having a port, this stiffens the action ALOT. the trigger is already great. I even think the way the stock to action fit from the factory is good. just screw on a barrel. I wish they would do a 6.5-284 in a varmint barrel, I bet they would sell a bunch of them.