Best option for a tikka 6mm build

[JDBAK]

I bought a new 1-8” Tikka .243 for $600 (steal!). It went straight to Kampfeld Custom to get cut to 18” and threaded, and while at it throat it long for 109 ELDM. Haven’t shot it yet, but seems pretty ideal for my uses.
Funny, I started as a kid 35 years ago hand loading and hunting with a .243. A bunch of calibers later I’m decided my ideal is a .243 again, but modern heavy bullets, Rokstock, suppressor and Maven scope.
Long storage trip….

 

[DRUSS]

I have a 280AI also and really like this cartridge. I too was fireforming before brass was available.
I did build a 243AI also and my fireforming load ended up being 108gr at 3k still grouping under 1/2" so didn't feel like I was losing to much other than time.
Honestly I have been contemplating a 6um or maybe finally getting on the y.6.5 bandwagon. Not sure which one........ 147gr above 3k would be the goal though, hopefully with 20" barrel

 

[wyosam]

I’ll probably never shoot the barrel out of it. I might end up going this route if I end up going a new tikka. Just chop the barrel and call it a day. I would love a 243AI but fireforming is such a PITA, although 100 pieces of formed Lapua brass would probably outlast the barrel. The .243AI would actually probably work really well with 1/8 twist in a short barrel for heavy’s.

Why is fireforming a pain? Go shoot your gun- bam you’re fire formed. I usually do an abbreviated load work up (typically a dozen rounds or less), then I have a load that works fine for fireforming. Probably not far from what it will shoot when it’s done. Then go shoot it. Hunt with it, shoot steel with it, positional practice, etc. whatever you’re going to do with the rifle. By the time it’s broke in enough for final load work, you have brass. 100 is great for a hunting rifle. That said, Dasher would be great as well, and feeds perfectly from tikka mags.


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[JDBAK]

I bought a new 1-8” Tikka .243 for $600 (steal!). It went straight to Kampfeld Custom to get cut to 18” and threaded, and while at it throat it long for 109 ELDM. Haven’t shot it yet, but seems pretty ideal for my uses.
Funny, I started as a kid 35 years ago hand loading and hunting with a .243. A bunch of calibers later I’m decided my ideal is a .243 again, but modern heavy bullets, Rokstock, suppressor and Maven scope.
Long strange trip….

 

[LostWapiti]

I just bought a 1:8 D-18 Tikka 243. I will probably push the throat out a touch to optimize for 109s. Since I don’t mind longer ish barrels the 22” fluted and threaded barrel is perfect for me and should get me my target velocity of 3000. I was thinking about all sorts of options but I’m so stoked on this for just over $1k after rebate this is going to do everything I need and be stupid simple and be easier on barrels than some of the magnum options I was considering doing custom. I bought the Cabela’s exclusively model which was on sale, they are doing 10% discounts every Monday through the holidays for cardholders, and the rebate so it worked out very well.

Got some Lapua brass on order. I already have the bullets since I use them for PRS and an M+ magazine and tons of H4831SC so I’m ready to go.

 

[JollyRoger]

I went through this a little over a year ago. My build:

Tikka CTR 6.5CM in a KRG Bravo (that I shot a lot and loved).
Took it to a smith, had a Bartlein 3B 1-7.5” twist 6mm barrel cut to 20” and chambered in 6CM screwed on. Cerakoted and I was off to the races.

Since then it’s on its second scope (SWFA 5-20 to a Maven RS1.2) and now resides in a Rokstok instead of the Bravo. It’s a sweet rifle and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.