Feedback on Preferred Barrel Hybrid Lite for Tikka T3x Lite

[Megalodon]

My data point:

24” 1:7.5 chambered in 25CM 5/8x24 threads. 45.5 oz without thread protector. Took almost exactly the advertised 10 weeks.

Will find out how it shoots in a few weeks.

 

[Okie_Poke]

I never did order a blank from Preferred. I may do that if I ever get around to a 280 AI build. But I did send my factory 30-06 barrel off to Kampfeld and had him chop it to 20," thread 5/8x24, add a collar, and cerakote the barreled action graphite black. He did a good job---the thread protector blends with the collar seamlessly. I can't wait to get it out and shoot it!

 

[Megalodon]

Really happy with my barrel so far. 70 rounds on it yesterday.

On initial unboxing I had a little remorse not going with a heavier profile. It’s chambered 25 CM to be a NRLH light gun, and as sits I have a spare ~15 oz. After shooting it, absolutely no concern though.

This is also the easiest to clean barrel I’ve ever had, I kinda was starting to think people were lying about barrels only taking a few patches. This one is awesome. I did a mild break in, yeah I know they’re bogus, but it also can’t hurt.

I loaded virgin alpha 25 CM brass with cci 450, 134 eldm, and 39 gr of H4350. Shots 12-21 averaged 2642 with something like a 7 or 8 SD. Was just shooting range steel, but from what I could make out through the scope groups from 300 to 500 looked great. Consistent hits at 770.

Maybe the best part is I never felt the barrel got too hot. Did mostly 5 shot strings, with 2 10 shots, and barrel just barely getting too hot to touch on the 10s. It was 50 degrees and 5-8 mph winds which probably helped, but still impressed.

 

[Harvey_NW]

It’s chambered 25 CM to be a NRLH light gun

I loaded virgin alpha 25 CM brass with cci 450, 134 eldm, and 39 gr of H4350. Shots 12-21 averaged 2642

Just shooting skills? I've been looking into NRL matches and concluded my 25CM with similar performance wouldn't make power factor.

 

[LostWapiti]

Just shooting skills? I've been looking into NRL matches and concluded my 25CM with similar performance wouldn't make power factor.

With a 134 grain you only need to be at 2835fps to make power factor. Very easy to do unless you have a short barrel. Tons of people are shooting and winning with 25 Creed.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

With a 143 grain you only need to be at 2835fps to make power factor. Very easy to do unless you have a short barrel. Tons of people are shooting and winning with 25 Creed.

I don’t know the power factor number that’s needed but I’m at about 2690fps with 134s in a 20” barrel. I don’t believe that’s high enough to make it.

 

[LostWapiti]

I don’t know the power factor number that’s needed but I’m at about 2690fps with 134s in a 20” barrel. I don’t believe that’s high enough to make it.

That is not high enough. Power factor is projectile weight(grains) X Velocity(fps) >=380,000

 

[Megalodon]

Mine is 24” which is gonna be borderline, but after I get all 200 shot once I’ll work up and find pressure. Hoping 41.5-42 gr of H4350 gets me to that 2850ish. If not I’ll run the 138 Atips once they are available. I bet getting those to mid/high 2700’s would be doable.

I’m pretty deep into NRLH, have a factory and heavy build. This year will be 3rd year and probably 10-12 2 day matches.

 

[Harvey_NW]

With a 134 grain you only need to be at 2835fps to make power factor. Very easy to do unless you have a short barrel. Tons of people are shooting and winning with 25 Creed.

Yeah I have a short barrel, if I go I'll just take my primary hunting rifle in 6.5 PRC.

Mine is 24” which is gonna be borderline, but after I get all 200 shot once I’ll work up and find pressure. Hoping 41.5-42 gr of H4350 gets me to that 2850ish. If not I’ll run the 138 Atips once they are available. I bet getting those to mid/high 2700’s would be doable.

I’m pretty deep into NRLH, have a factory and heavy build. This year will be 3rd year and probably 10-12 2 day matches.

Ah, gotcha. Mine is only 19" and was chambered with the 131BJ reamer so the throat is pretty short with 133's. Only 100rds on it so far, but I get ejector marks at 39gr with a can on, so I don't think I could get anywhere near without throating it out and riding the edge. Still heavily considering punching it out to 25-284 and throated for the longer 130's..

 

[Megalodon]

Have over 200 rounds on mine now. This will kinda be a 25 CM post instead of the barrel, but whatever. I’m still very very impressed with the barrel.

From rounds 11-20 to rounds 191-200 it sped up exactly 70 fps for a 2712 10 shot average with 39.0 H4350 and 134 ELDM.

Then did full prep on once fired brass and a ladder just to find velocity/pressure. Here’s what got for 3 shot averages:

41.0: 2804
41.3: 2819
41.6: 2848
41.9: 2862
42.2: 2884
42.5: 2906
42.8: 2929

No traditional signs of pressure on brass or heavy bolt lift, but over 2900 from a 24” barrel seems pretty hot. Needless to say I’ll be able to shoot the cheaper ELDMs for NRLH than god!

Here is a 30 shot group with the last of my break-in/fire form load of 39.0 of H4350. Completely virgin brass, no mandrel or anything, .020 off lands. I shot it 10 rounds at a time. I know this would’ve been better as a compiled 10x3, or 5x6, or anything other than a 30 round blob but I was really just trying to get the rounds down range.

 

[Xringer07]

Another data point:

20” 7 SAUM with 1-8 spiral fluting and threaded 5/8x24. Weighs 2lb 1oz and took 14 weeks from order to doorstep.

 

[Jerns]

I know this is an older thread. I’m considering converting my 7rm to 7prc the reason is really to get a shorter (ease of carry) and ideally lighter barrel. However. It is looking as if the weight savings may not be there. The 7rm is a Tikka Superlite in 24”. Even with a Tikka Lite Hybrid and the helical 12 fluting on a 20” barrel, will I save more than about 2 ounces?

 

[Timberline001]

I know this is an older thread. I’m considering converting my 7rm to 7prc the reason is really to get a shorter (ease of carry) and ideally lighter barrel. However. It is looking as if the weight savings may not be there. The 7rm is a Tikka Superlite in 24”. Even with a Tikka Lite Hybrid and the helical 12 fluting on a 20” barrel, will I save more than about 2 ounces?

You’ll save about 5 oz in my experience

 

[UnckleBob]

I know this is an older thread. I’m considering converting my 7rm to 7prc the reason is really to get a shorter (ease of carry) and ideally lighter barrel. However. It is looking as if the weight savings may not be there. The 7rm is a Tikka Superlite in 24”. Even with a Tikka Lite Hybrid and the helical 12 fluting on a 20” barrel, will I save more than about 2 ounces?

Why not cut the 7RM back to 20"?

 

[Jerns]

Unfortunately the fluting would make that really hard. Also, I’m not a reloader so want the 7prc velocities (for the loads that achieve them).

Why not cut the 7RM back to 20"?

 

[Timberline001]

I missed where you said super lite. Yeah 2 oz is probably about right

 

[Jerns]

I missed where you said super lite. Yeah 2 oz is probably about right

Deep diminishing returns here! Going to leave as is.

 

[Timberline001]

Deep diminishing returns here! Going to leave as is.

2 oz is a lot when you’re building a light weight rifle . An ounce here and an ounce there adds up.

 

[Jerns]

2 oz is a lot when you’re building a light weight rifle . An ounce here and an ounce there adds up.

Well, I don’t want it to be too light weight. My weight investment is going into my optic at the moment. It’s on the heavier side, but I love it. Have been shaving ounces on rings, bolt handle, stock, etc. Last two place to look are sending the action to UM for light weighting and the barrel.