Looking for tikka build/ rebarrel advice

[Highvoltage]

Got a ss tikka 308 sitting in the cabinet. It's by far my favorite deer rifle. I have custom and semi custom rifles but when deer season rolls around I always find myself grabbing my 308. I have a Bartlein 8 twist 24" featherweight blank just begging to be used. I'd like to get the most performance without the headache and still be accurate and easy to load for. I don't want to fireform so 260 ai and Sherman's are out ( no offense). What would you guys do? 6.5/06 or 6.5/06 ai, 6.5x284? Or something else. I can change the bolt stop and grab a long magazine. Just trying to plan it out. Best wishes.

 

[1894C]

Don't want to fire form but 6.5-06ai? So would that be a 6.5-280AI?

I am in the process of re barreling a tikka to a 338 Federal. If you're looking to use it as a woods gun, that would be tough to beat. I assume your blank is a .264 which is why all the chambering you suggested are .264s. In that case the big Swede gets my vote. 6.5x284 Norma.

 

[waspocrew]

6.5-284 for sure.

 

[graywolf]

Sounds like you'll miss your .308. Why not keep it and get a cheap used tikka long or short or magnum or short mag action donor to make what you want. A 270 wsm to build a 6.5 PRC?

 

[Highvoltage]

Yes 6.5/280 ai not 6.5/06ai sorry about that. That blank is a .264. I'd like to do the prc/saum but thought I could repurpose the 308 vs buying another action and get similar performance. I think a tikka prc would be a great 1 gun for all type gun.

 

[nksmfamjp]

6.5-06AI is a pretty sweet round....Lapua brass; 3000+ fps with 140's; performance ok from 22" barrel. I would shoot 140's or bigger.

 

[338 dude]

Got a ss tikka 308 sitting in the cabinet. It's by far my favorite deer rifle. I have custom and semi custom rifles but when deer season rolls around I always find myself grabbing my 308. I have a Bartlein 8 twist 24" featherweight blank just begging to be used. I'd like to get the most performance without the headache and still be accurate and easy to load for. I don't want to fireform so 260 ai and Sherman's are out ( no offense). What would you guys do? 6.5/06 or 6.5/06 ai, 6.5x284? Or something else. I can change the bolt stop and grab a long magazine. Just trying to plan it out. Best wishes.

6.5x284 Norma is my favorite

 

[Highvoltage]

Just for my clarification the 6.5/280 ai is just 1 step through a sizing die correct? I know nosler makes some decent brass as well. What's gained or loss between 6.5x284 vs 6.5/280 ai? It will finish at 23" if that makes a difference and I planned on running 140-156 through it. Any feeding issues to worry with?

 

[nksmfamjp]

Just for my clarification the 6.5/280 ai is just 1 step through a sizing die correct? I know nosler makes some decent brass as well. What's gained or loss between 6.5x284 vs 6.5/280 ai? It will finish at 23" if that makes a difference and I planned on running 140-156 through it. Any feeding issues to worry with?

6.5/280 ai.....no experience. Probably just one step. IMO, the real question is where will you get dies. You could do the Sherman, but that would be something you said no to.

Frankly, I would look through the Redding die list for what is available. Might just call. I know they make 6x47 and it is not shown.

 

[cjl2010]

6.5x284 because lapua brass

 

[sierracharlie338]

6.5x284 because lapua brass

Ding ding ding... winner here

 

[nksmfamjp]

Ding ding ding... winner here

Agree, but 280 ai Peterson brass is pretty good.

 

[pttp]

.308 win/short action eliminates cartridges using .30-06/.280 cases.
Going with 6.5-.284 Norma, will there be enough room in the magazine to utilize 156gr. bullets?

 

[Highvoltage]

.308 win/short action eliminates cartridges using .30-06/.280 cases.
Going with 6.5-.284 Norma, will there be enough room in the magazine to utilize 156gr. bullets?

I believe all tikka actions are same length so all I need to do is change the bolt stop or modify it and replace the short action mag with a 30/06, 270 mag and everything should work well for short Med or long action cartridges with a standard bolt face. I'm starting to lean towards the 6.5x284. Now my next question is this... my 6.5 creed with rl 26 gets me 2950 in a 24" barrel, where would you guess the 6.5x284 would put me with a 23" barrel?