Advice in building a .223 trainer from a .308

[2-Stix]

Hi,
I have 3 Tikka T3Xs with NF NXS scopes and UM Rings all in factory stocks; 7RM (my hunting rifle), 6.5CM (my sons) and a .308 win (my first rifle and now the back up).

Should I just sell the .308 and get a new .223 or have the barrel swapped out and I assume and new bolt face? Whats the ecomonical way forward?

 

[Str8shtr]

Probably easiest would be to sell your bolt and buy a 223 bolt. Might be able to find someone to trade you.

 

[dreadi]

Get a Ruger Ranch Gen II in 5.56. They take standard AR mags of all types

 

[waspocrew]

You could likely trade your bolt, but then you’re still out the cost on swapping barrels. Barrel swap isn’t too much if you do it on your own (assuming you have tools), but will be more expensive if using a gunsmith.

Personally, I’d sell the 308 and buy a new .223.

 

[mtnbound]

Hi,
I have 3 Tikka T3Xs with NF NXS scopes and UM Rings all in factory stocks; 7RM (my hunting rifle), 6.5CM (my sons) and a .308 win (my first rifle and now the back up).

Should I just sell the .308 and get a new .223 or have the barrel swapped out and I assume and new bolt face? Whats the ecomonical way forward?

A new 223 bolt will cost around $350 and new barrel will cost $500+ so I don’t think there is much difference in either path.

 

[2-Stix]

Thanks. I figured I should just buy a Tikka .223 and sell the .308. I came up with the same math and options... I just needed to be back checked on it as I have not done barrel swaps. I know the bolt is $350-$400 and I could get a .223 factory take off for $100-$200 and still at that point the loss on the 308 will be less than the bolt/barrel swap cost.

I could also look for a bolt trade, get a .223 take-off barrel, and look for a friend to do the swap. That might be a wash.

Thanks again.

 

[Str8shtr]

You can buy a 223 bolt body from J/A outdoors for $300.

 

[echampion8]

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steve300xcw]

Could buy a bolt and a take off barrel. I bet you'll be around $400-$450. Then a mag. Then the tooling or pay to have it swapped.

A new 223 is $560 off EuroOptic, I gotta wonder, why even bother swapping stuff around at that price?

I'd set the 308 up with some cheap factory ammo that it likes and just tuck it back in the corner. I understand that sometimes the budget doesnt allow that though.

 

[SloppyJ]

Keep the 308 and buy a 223. Bonus if you can find a new one thats threaded and already had a short barrel. No reason to spend the same amount and only have one gun.

 

[echampion8]

He’s running into California tax issues and his local ffls has stupid high transfer fees.

 

[Steve300xcw]

as I have not done barrel swaps.

Its pretty simple to do. And with as many take off barrels as there are out there, kinda a selling point to the tikka's IMO