Custom action or use a tikka

[coyotekilla]

So I have tikka t3x actions, currently they are barreled 1:8 223, 1:14 22-250, 1:8 6.5cm, 1:8 6.5prc

I shoot steel for fun to 1k yards, mostly with the 6.5 creed upr. Hunt whitetail & coyote long range with the 6.5 prc (ace game), the 223 is the backup thermal / blinker for the 500 and in steel. The 22-250 is pretty much a night time coyote killer.

Should I rebarrel the 223 from a 20" ranahan to a 24 or 26" full bull barrel? Rebarrel the 24" 22-250 varmit to a 1:8 varmit, or just go to a full custom action like a kauger or pacific tool & die? Both would get an urban rifleman exterior nut varmit or full bull barrel.

 

[wind gypsy]

Dont get a PTG action.

I like tikkas but a big part of why i like them is they are economical compared to customs and a little lighter than most standard customs. I do believe they are less issue prone for a hunting rifle but i wouldn't fear a well done 700 clone.

 

[bnewt3]

I would keep the 223 as-is. Have fun with the 22-250 action.

 

[Judd]

This place is heavy on the Tikka love...I'm a self admitted custom snob. Few reasons, it's not hard to get lighter than a Tikka, what some folks calls smooth I refer to as sloppy, the triggers suck (although the new TriggerTech might solve that, haven't had one in my hand yet) and I much prefer a mechanical ejector over the spring plungers. That narrows most of mine to either Zermatt or Kelbly.

FWIW - Kauger has some models with dual ejectors. I also stay away from any action with dual ejectors...they show pressure sooner than the single ejectors. The PTG action used to be a Stiller, I don't know if it still is though...been a while since I had a PTG action in hand and Stiller has changed hands twice since then.

 

[30338]

Money to burn? I'd go all out with Defiance or Impact action and start with a 7" twist 22 creedmoor.

Way less money, 7" or 8" twist 22-250 on the tikka and run 75 grainers as hot as you can.

 

[Packmansion]

You will save a lot of money rebarreling the tikka obviously. The only benefit i see with the 700 pattern is the vast options for stocks. The 700 will be alot sticker than a tikka out of the box but after you shoot a couple thousand rounds the action will smooth out. Being that tikka has a pretty good selection i dont see the substantial added cost as a benefit. A 22-250 with a 1:8 twist would be great with 88 eldms. It would probably keep up with your 6.5 creedmoor at 1000 yards... the 223 however is a great catridge for practicing. Save a lot on powder... dow side with 223 is the sds are hard to keep under control which is a bummer if you want to shoot past 600 yards...

 

[satchamo]

The only thing you gain from a custom action is a lighter wallet. But to each their own

 

[mtnbound]

So I have tikka t3x actions, currently they are barreled 1:8 223, 1:14 22-250, 1:8 6.5cm, 1:8 6.5prc

I shoot steel for fun to 1k yards, mostly with the 6.5 creed upr. Hunt whitetail & coyote long range with the 6.5 prc (ace game), the 223 is the backup thermal / blinker for the 500 and in steel. The 22-250 is pretty much a night time coyote killer.

Should I rebarrel the 223 from a 20" ranahan to a 24 or 26" full bull barrel? Rebarrel the 24" 22-250 varmit to a 1:8 varmit, or just go to a full custom action like a kauger or pacific tool & die? Both would get an urban rifleman exterior nut varmit or full bull barrel.

Are they all shot out? What's your reason for re-barreling?

 

[coyotekilla]

Are they all shot out? What's your reason for re-barreling?

No, they have between 50 and 250 rounds down them. The 223 ranahan was bought to become a semi custom, but true to tikka form its not too bad of a shooter stock. But one can buy a ranahan & a barrel cheaper than 1 can buy a super varmit.

 

[Jwilly27]

Dont get a PTG action.

I like tikkas but a big part of why i like them is they are economical compared to customs and a little lighter than most standard customs. I do believe they are less issue prone for a hunting rifle but i wouldn't fear a well done 700 clone.

^ I have heard some recent horror stories of PTG

And I feel like everyone needs a custom action in there safe. (Defiance, impact, lone peak) you won’t regret having another bolt gun

 

[gbflyer]

I have had customs built and built customs myself. I'm done with them. The factory European rifles are great and you'll get your money back on them. Custom is worth half or less of the investment unless you're talking some sort of bespoke British double.