Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
Tikka,Savage or Remington can take a prefit barrel with ease. I've done one of each they all take a barrel nut for head spacing. I get my barrels from X-Caliber along with there barrel nuts.
Next build : tikka vs savage storm
- Thread starter tonechaser88
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jlynch34
Member
I LOVE my Tikka Lite in 270win.
Timnterra
Well-Known Member
Here's my take on the quandary. Let me start off by saying I am not a Tikka supporter I own many more Remington than anything else. But Tikka is a far superior product. Tikka makes very accurate light weight out of the box rifle with a very good action having all the features of a custom action at a bargain price. Savage makes a very accurate out of the box rifle. Savage actions have some clunky appearance and awkward features like the worst bolt release design ever conceived! I may be the only one but I hate the savage bolt release with a passion. Tikka has a nice simple side bolt release like every good custom action. Savage actions are notorious for faulty ejection and I've experienced this on most of the ones I've owned. For no apparent reason the bolt drops shells back in the action instead of ejecting them out. The tikka has a sako extractor already installed. Tikka makes their actions so precisely that they don't need to be blueprinted and the headspace is within One thousand of an inch. Every tikka i have ever had properly headspaced to every other barrel i tried. This is why companies are able to sell shouldered profit barrels because they don't have to worry about headspaced differences. There is no need for a tikka barrel nut because they actually hold MFG tolerances close enough to make their actions the same. The one downside I see to the tikka is that it is a medium length action and too short to run real long action cartridges. But for a wsm it is perfect I use the long action bolt stop and have 3.3" of breathing room to run 225gr bullets In my 300 wsm and 195s in my 7mm wsm and don't have to push the boat tail into the case neck junction.
I actually started long range shooting as a savage supporter because I'm a DIY addict and I wanted to make my own guns. New technology has advanced so much that you can build a DIY custom with a prefit on any action you want. Because of this I only own one Savage now and it's a 22lr. The shortcomings are just not worth it to me anymore.
I actually started long range shooting as a savage supporter because I'm a DIY addict and I wanted to make my own guns. New technology has advanced so much that you can build a DIY custom with a prefit on any action you want. Because of this I only own one Savage now and it's a 22lr. The shortcomings are just not worth it to me anymore.
tonechaser88
Well-Known Member
This has me back to reconsidering. I know if I go the tikka route , I'll be taking the tikka route from here on. Obviously the cost is going to be higher because I'll have to purchase an ultra light stock or potentially another xlr chassis for the different action. I have an older savage short action with the top bolt release and it has the slot in the bottom of the bolt face that ejects the cases reliably. But I have the newer actions that I'm not as big a fan of. I've heard the tikka barrels from the factory are tough to get off, true ? I'd be buying a 270 wsm or 300 wsm tikka and take the barrel off instantly, probably run the original stock and upgrade later. As far as I know , you can't get a tikka action only right ?
tonechaser88
Well-Known Member
Are all tikka actions the same length ? Just differs from bolt face size ? Magnum or standard ?
Timnterra
Well-Known Member
All tikka actions are the same they have a short and long bolt stop and a different magazines for short and long calibers. For some foolish reason the short magnum calibers come with a short action bolt stop that limits the bolt pull to about 3". It's easy to replace if you go short action. I would buy a 300 win mag or 7 rem mag and not worry about having to swap the bolt stop.
Timnterra
Well-Known Member
The barrels are very tight and require a sturdy barrel vice to remove. If there is a gunsmith that builds rifles near by I would just take it over to them and ask them to pull it off. If they are good at what they do and not jerks they will do it in 5 minutes and not charge you. I live close to LRI and they will pull a barrel for me for no charge.
tonechaser88
Well-Known Member
Just for educational purposes , and I appreciate that you are sharing this info, if someone wanted to build a long case shootin iron off of a tikka action , let's say a 300 PRC shooting the longer bullets , is the tikka factory action limiting to that kind of build in length ?
You can buy tikka actions. A few on here from time to time. Usually $400-$500. About same price if you buy factory rifle and get $150 for the stock and barrel.
I'd go tikka. Don't think you'd be disappointed. I concur the ejection issue on savages is rough…and I've bought improved extractor kits and still not as smooth as I'd like.
tonechaser88
Well-Known Member
I do not have a gunsmith close by at all unfortunately. I'd be willing to give it a shot .
tonechaser88
Well-Known Member
What does a factory unfired tikka barrel go for ? $75?
Depends. If you're patient maybe $100 if you get the superlite.
Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
Tikka barrels are a bitch to get off. If you don't want the barrel the easiest way to remove the tube is put it in a lathe and cut a groove in the barrel just behind he action shoulder about .010-.015 1/8" wide and .100 deep with a parting tool. Easiest way by far
D
Deleted member 48126
Guest
Tikka all the way. I love remingtons and Remington clones, but I own two tikkas. They are very close on the heals of a custom action. I have owned savage. I can't get over the heavy bolt lift, sloppy bolt during cycling, and, yes I'm a prude, it's looks.
