Best Tikka prefit steel barrel

[philcox]

Was wondering if a Tikka takeoff is just as good as a prefit? Any experience on that?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Was wondering if a Tikka takeoff is just as good as a prefit? Any experience on that?

It’s what I’ve used for years now. Yes. As good or better.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Was wondering if a Tikka takeoff is just as good as a prefit? Any experience on that?

It’s what I’ve used for years now. Yes. As good or better.

With the caveat that if the Tikka barrel has the right twist for your preferred projectile and DA.

 

[Lawnboi]

Iv had only one tikka barrel shoot as well as all but one prefits I have used on them.

For some reason those 6.5cm tac/ctr barrels just shoot! Other than that I’d be buying a prefit.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

With the caveat that if the Tikka barrel has the right twist for your preferred projectile and DA.

Correct. Some of the older Tikka barrels had slower twist rates so make sure to get the fast twist variants if running heavy for caliber bullets. Good call out!

 

[dirtytough]

Iv had only one tikka barrel shoot as well as all but one prefits I have used on them.

For some reason those 6.5cm tac/ctr barrels just shoot! Other than that I’d be buying a prefit.

Agreed. I’ve had a few Tikka barrels that take work to get around 1.25 MOA. Only 1 prefit is there. And it didn’t take work. The few bullets I’ve tried all shoot about that. All the others are under 1 MOA without trying.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Agreed. I’ve had a few Tikka barrels that take work to get around 1.25 MOA. Only 1 prefit is there. And it didn’t take work. The few bullets I’ve tried all shoot about that. All the others are under 1 MOA without trying.

When you combine barrel longevity for cartridge, repeatability long term with very high round counts and barrels run at high temps, accuracy in large enough sample sizes for the data to matter, and less QC issue/hummer barrels per unit, aftermarket barrels absolutely do not win out over factory Tikka and Sako barrels.

 

[5811]

When you combine barrel longevity for cartridge, repeatability long term with very high round counts and barrels run at high temps, accuracy in large enough sample sizes for the data to matter, and less QC issue/hummer barrels per unit, aftermarket barrels absolutely do not win out over factory Tikka and Sako barrels.

I'm curious what that large sample size of data looks like? You have substantial and validated data for each of the qualities you listed vs all prefit manufacturers and cartridges?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I'm curious what that large sample size of data looks like? You have substantial and validated data for each of the qualities you listed vs all prefit manufacturers and cartridges?

Not “all”, no, but a fair amount.

Look it’s not taking away anything from aftermarket barrels, and this is one of the topics I bring up here that gets lots of folks hung up.

Prefits shoot great most of the time, Tikka/Sako barrels shoot great most of the time. Guys fussing over 0.25 MOA or 0.5 MOA as the only metric when choosing a barrel is where it becomes silliness.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Prefits shoot great most of the time, Tikka/Sako barrels shoot great most of the time.

Only reason I'd go with a lapped prefit over a takeoff is if velocity could be a limiting factor, because some Tikka barrels can be slow. Even then it would probably be negligible, but it could be worth considering.

 

[hereinaz]

Tikka doesn’t make a 6 creed or 22 creed or 25 creed…

This is one area prefits are the only option.

Otherwise, Tikka have as good a reputation as prefits. There is debate, but having seen as much discussion and such, I would have no problem using a Tikka barrel.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Tikka doesn’t make a 6 creed or 22 creed or 25 creed…

This is one area prefits are the only option.

Otherwise, Tikka have as good a reputation as prefits. There is debate, but having seen as much discussion and such, I would have no problem using a Tikka barrel.

Yep! Buy a good/known prefit for those cartridges and you're off and running!

 

[rharbaugh]

ACE barrels has on their website that they’re going to start doing tikka prefits. I inquired back in March and just got this reply.

“I apologies for missing this email earlier but we’re getting very close to having prefits ready to go. Looking like approx. a 6-8 weeks lead time depending on cartridge. What would you be interested in as far as cartridge and contour, we do offer a factory replacement contour as well as an ultra-light tikka contour?”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Only reason I'd go with a lapped prefit over a takeoff is if velocity could be a limiting factor, because some Tikka barrels can be slow. Even then it would probably be negligible, but it could be worth considering.

Yep, or cartridges they don't support yet as mentioned by @hereinaz

Or if you shoot a tikka barrel out and want to try something new. Give it a go!

 

[dirtytough]

When you combine barrel longevity for cartridge, repeatability long term with very high round counts and barrels run at high temps, accuracy in large enough sample sizes for the data to matter, and less QC issue/hummer barrels per unit, aftermarket barrels absolutely do not win out over factory Tikka and Sako barrels.

I spent hours trying to get a couple factory tikkas to shoot 1.5 or better. 2.5-3” is not acceptable. I also have had some that shoot crazy good but alas they are 30-06 type of cartridges that I’m not that interested in shooting.

I’m a Tikka fan. But when I can load the powder I want, the bullet I want, and it always shoots good enough with a prefit first try vs trying 5 different bullets and 4 different powders to get below 1.5” I’ll go prefit option every single time.

And if true that Tikka/Sako barrels are the best available, why don’t aftermarket barrel companies copy their manufacturing process? Is it more expensive? I doubt that since Tikka rifles are fairly inexpensive.

Anyway since you made the claim that “aftermarket barrels absolutely do not win out over factory Tikka and Sako barrels.” Show some actual data to back it up. Exact round counts, temps, barrel specs, how many barrels from every manufacturer, etc.

I am going to assume you have shot out “large enough sample sizes for the data to matter,” with exact same specs from every aftermarket barrel manufacturer. How many is a large enough sample size? 10+?

Anyway looking forward to the actual data.

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m right there in that nearly every tikka factory barrel was 1+ moa for the most part. 1.5moa was easily achieved but I could not keep excellent groups in all but a couple.

I’m spoiled now. If I can’t keep it 1moa or under especially in something I might be shooting a match with, I’m not interested in it.

Of course I can keep a 1.5moa 223 around to shoot at deer sub 400 and for unsupported practice. But that’s hard to do when I can burn a little more powder and shoot a dasher that is much easier.

I would be happy buying any ctr or tac 6.5cm take offs though

 

[Harvey_NW]

I’m a Tikka fan. But when I can load the powder I want, the bullet I want, and it always shoots good enough with a prefit first try vs trying 5 different bullets and 4 different powders to get below 1.5” I’ll go prefit option every single time.

I do believe chamber geometry plays a role in this. If you told me you had that issue in traditional chamberings I would say that's probably just bad luck, but if you had that issue in some of the more modern chamberings like 6.5CM or PRC I would have questions.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I spent hours trying to get a couple factory tikkas to shoot 1.5 or better. 2.5-3” is not acceptable. I also have had some that shoot crazy good but alas they are 30-06 type of cartridges that I’m not that interested in shooting.

I’ve spent days and weeks trying to get many prefits and custom barrels to shoot 1.5 or better. Including the most expensive barrels money can buy.

I’m a Tikka fan. But when I can load the powder I want, the bullet I want, and it always shoots good enough with a prefit first try vs trying 5 different bullets and 4 different powders to get below 1.5” I’ll go prefit option every single time.

Always? To the tune of what quantities and cartridges? I’ve seen nearly all aftermarket brands shoot great, but also have seen many not shoot.

And if true that Tikka/Sako barrels are the best available, why don’t aftermarket barrel companies copy their manufacturing process? Is it more expensive? I doubt that since Tikka rifles are fairly inexpensive.

So something being more money makes it better? Their manufacturing process is incredible to see in person. You should do some research on their steel used, their cold hammer forging, stress relieving process, and pressure chamber function testing. This happens to every barrel and gun that leaves the factory. This is not happening with your button cut blanks from barrel OEMs.

Anyway since you made the claim that “aftermarket barrels absolutely do not win out over factory Tikka and Sako barrels.” Show some actual data to back it up. Exact round counts, temps, barrel specs, how many barrels from every manufacturer, etc.

I can provide more info when I’m back from shooting today.

I am going to assume you have shot out “large enough sample sizes for the data to matter,”

Correct.

with exact same specs from every aftermarket barrel manufacturer.

What do you mean? Profile? Twist rate? Stainless versus blued? Nitrided versus chromoly? What are you after here? You are reaching quite a bit, when I’m making a generalization based on 100s of samples of each. And clarified my statement in post number 69 of this thread.

Anyway looking forward to the actual data.

It doesn’t seem like you are. Seems your mind is made up and all you’re doing is attempting to invalidate in order to potentially not have to walk your claim back a bit. I’m not interested in those types of back and forths on the internet honestly.

 

[dirtytough]

I do believe chamber geometry plays a role in this. If you told me you had that issue in traditional chamberings I would say that's probably just bad luck, but if you had that issue in some of the more modern chamberings like 6.5CM or PRC I would have questions.

The two worst were a 1-8” 243 and a 1-8” 223.

In the 223 I’ve tried 4 bullets. 53, 62, 73, and 75 grain. 4 different powders. I’m lucky if it will shoot 1.5” with the best loads every 10 shot group. But it’s good enough for practice. The 62’s and 75’s were around 3” groups.

The 243 was sorta better. 6 different bullets, 3 powders to get it under 1.5” consistently. It ended at 1.1” for 10 shots.

I don’t care one bit if a barrel lasts longer and stays more consistent under high rates of fire, etc if it shoots like crap. I’ll take a barrel with half the barrel life that will stay consistent for 10 round strings if it shoots good to start with.

And agreed it could just be bad luck for sure.

 

[nm.otter]

Tikka doesn’t make a 6 creed or 22 creed or 25 creed…

Yet.