Best Tikka prefit steel barrel

[260284]

Right now. I have a couple 18” Preferred 6 cm barrels that came in, 7.5 tw, Hybrid Lite with 5/8 threads. And, some more on order.

I have had good luck with them and now stocking them we have continued having success. Here are the first test shots out of four different 22 creeds. All I did was torque the new barrel onto my test Tikka.

My 20" 7.5 twist hybrid lite is a hammer with 108 ELDM and 87 V-Max handloads so far. Just over 100 rounds on mine. These are 5 shot groups.

 

[260284]

My

3 prefits from preferred have been perfect. 2 prefits from mcgowen and both had to be fixed.

McGowen prefit won't chamber a factory 108 without severe jam. It shoots my 80 and 87gr handloads ok though. Radio silence from them.

 

[bojangles808]

Welp I was wrong about McGowan then sounds like there's still challenges. I just a got a 6cm from them so fingers crossed. Sam was great to deal with. As someone who had to send their PVA back it seems like Preferred seems like the only company not having recent issues

 

[wind gypsy]

Welp I was wrong about McGowan then sounds like there's still challenges. I just a got a 6cm from them so fingers crossed. Sam was great to deal with. Preferred seems like the only company not having issues

I've read of a handful of preferred issues but they certainly seem to have better odds of success than mcgowan. I'd feel even better about them if I was sourcing through LS Wild.

From a LRH thread - looks like basically zero freebore:

 

[bojangles808]

I've read of a handful of preferred issues but they certainly seem to have better odds of success than mcgowan. I'd feel even better about them if I was sourcing through LS Wild.

From a LRH thread - looks like basically zero freebore:

Interesting. that definitely seems like someones best bet if he has the contour/specs you want and he will proof it for you

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m not a gunsmith but I do wonder what happens to a reamer after too much use. I’d think that little clearance in the freebore would be the first to go but I don’t know.

I got a 223 wylde barrel from LRI that’s the same. Zero freebore. Actually shoots amazing so I havnt messed with it but it is mildly irritating when I went to start loading ammo.

Now I bore scope every barrel before I put it on the action.

 

[Soless]

I’m not a gunsmith but I do wonder what happens to a reamer after too much use. I’d think that little clearance in the freebore would be the first to go but I don’t know.

I got a 223 wylde barrel from LRI that’s the same. Zero freebore. Actually shoots amazing so I havnt messed with it but it is mildly irritating when I went to start loading ammo.

Now I bore scope every barrel before I put it on the action.

I've been burned a few times when I went nuts building AR's and the barrel makers were claiming their barrels were solid. Started putting the scope down the bores and it was easy to see why they weren't shooters. I scope EVERY barrel before installing now.

 

[bojangles808]

My

McGowen prefit won't chamber a factory 108 without severe jam. It shoots my 80 and 87gr handloads ok though. Radio silence from them.

welp I think mines going to go back to them. can barely get the bolt closed on factory 105s and ttheres groove marks. 108s is also very rough. my bet is undersized freebore. annoying

 

[B23]

Anyone have much experience with Proof Research's CF prefits? I'm considering one of their CF prefits chambered in 25 Creedmoor and 22in in length.

 

[Dan Carey]

How do you headspace these prefits?

 

[Trogon]

How do you headspace these prefits?

Now that's a low blow there!

 

[Dan Carey]

Why is that a low blow?

 

[roadsterguy]

Why is that a low blow?

I would like to add to that question if I may, I have read it's very hard to loosen an original Tikka barrel, is it that hard and need to send it out or not really.

 

[skipper907]

i

How do you headspace these prefits?

if it is a shouldered prefit the headspace is set to the action the barrel is cut for. You can check the headspacing by using a headspace go and nogo gauge after the barrel is installed on the action

 

[Dan Carey]

Are Tikka's all cut to a standard length? talking about a shoulder barrel installation.

 

[skipper907]

I would like to add to that question if I may, I have read it's very hard to loosen an original Tikka barrel, is it that hard and need to send it out or not really.

not always. it was more of a problem with t3 model than the t3x (newer current) model

 

[5811]

How do you headspace these prefits?

Personally:
1- I screw the barrel on tight,
2- I go to brownells and midway to look at gages,
3- Add the go/no go gages to my cart,
4- Turn my computer off and never think of it again.

 

[skipper907]

Are Tikka's all cut to a standard length? talking about a shoulder barrel installation.

not totaly sure what you are asking. but the tenon action theard is the same for t3 and t3X or other t3 actions

 

[Dan Carey]

I've read of a handful of preferred issues but they certainly seem to have better odds of success than mcgowan. I'd feel even better about them if I was sourcing through LS Wild.

From a LRH thread - looks like basically zero freebore:

Looks like the operator was forcing the reamer too hard on the finish cut.

 

[Dan Carey]

not totaly sure what you are asking. but the tenon action theard is the same for t3 and t3X or other t3 actions

OK. You order a 243Win barrel for a T3X how does the supplier know how to set the headspace? Or do you have to do something to set it?