How to build a Tikka .358 win

[HebrewSamurai]

Howdy,

I am looking to potentially build a .358 win. I know the tikkas are famously easy to rebarrel and are somewhat universal. That being said, do I need to start with a 308 T3x or can I get whatever chambering I find the best deal on and pop on the new barrel?

Thanks for answering a noobs question.

 

[Long84]

The easiest route would be start with a standard short action chambered rifle (.243, .308, 6.5cm). That way you start with the correct magazine, bolt stop, and bolt face. Sell the take off barrel to recover some money.

Standard long action such as .270 or .30-06 you'll have to swap out the bolt stop and magazine for their short action counter parts.

For the sake of thoroughness. A magnum chambered rifle can be used. But you'll have to swap out the bolt as well.

 

[onlybrowning]

I just put one together. Nothing to it. I went with Preferred Barrel Blanks pre-fit in Hybrid Lite contour after speaking with them about it. I haven’t shot it yet, but it feeds from the standard M magazine great.

 

[Leaf Litter]

The easiest route would be start with a standard short action chambered rifle (.243, .308, 6.5cm). That way you start with the correct magazine, bolt stop, and bolt face. Sell the take off barrel to recover some money.

Standard long action such as .270 or .30-06 you'll have to swap out the bolt stop and magazine for their short action counter parts.

For the sake of thoroughness. A magnum chambered rifle can be used. But you'll have to swap out the bolt as well.

I don't think you'd even need to swap the bolt stop, just the magazine. Swapping the bolt stop would shorten the bolt travel, but leaving the LA bolt stop in wouldn't cause any issues that I know of. I run a LA bolt stop in my 6.5 CM FrankenTikka with no feeding issues.

To OP; Use a high performance penetrating oil like KROIL on the barrel/action threads at least a week before you want to remove the factory barrel. It'll pay dividends when it comes time for removing the barrel.

 

[Long84]

I don't think you'd even need to swap the bolt stop, just the magazine. Swapping the bolt stop would shorten the bolt travel, but leaving the LA bolt stop in wouldn't cause any issues that I know of. I run a LA bolt stop in my 6.5 CM FrankenTikka with no feeding issues.

To OP; Use a high performance penetrating oil like KROIL on the barrel/action threads at least a week before you want to remove the factory barrel. It'll pay dividends when it comes time for removing the barrel.

You have taught me something. I knew guys were using long action when loading heavy projectiles long in short cases. But I was unsure if they would work in general/normal situations.

 

[teflonhunter]

I used a Preffered Barrel shouldered pre fit few years ago. Of all choices I went with 35 Remington. I have multiple other rifles chambered for 35 Rem and load for them. Screwed the barrel on , cked head space and 1st group shot was sub moa and is a consistent sub moa shooter with all bullets tried. Feeds like butter with M mag and short bolt stop. Can't see a 358 being a problem.

 

[onlybrowning]

I used a Preffered Barrel shouldered pre fit few years ago. Of all choices I went with 35 Remington. I have multiple other rifles chambered for 35 Rem and load for them. Screwed the barrel on , cked head space and 1st group shot was sub moa and is a consistent sub moa shooter with all bullets tried. Feeds like butter with M mag and short bolt stop. Can't see a 358 being a problem.

Nothing wrong with that. I bet recoil is mild as well.

 

[Axlrod]

If buying new, get the 22/250 8twist, or 243. Resale of the barrel will be better. Also stay away from Ceracote, they are more prone to spin when you are trying to remove them.

 

[prm]

Another option is to get any 308 based cartridge and have JES rebore it. They did a couple different 338 Federal T3Xs for me. They each shot well. Not as refined as a new barrel, they XxX out the cartridge marking and stamp the new. Also, use 6.5 Creedmoor mags, they allow for a longer OAL.

 

[onlybrowning]

Another option is to get any 308 based cartridge and have JES rebore it. They did a couple different 338 Federal T3Xs for me. They each shot well. Not as refined as a new barrel, they XxX out the cartridge marking and stamp the new. Also, use 6.5 Creedmoor mags, they allow for a longer OAL.

JES doesn’t rebore Tikkas anymore…

 

[prm]

JES doesn’t rebore Tikkas anymore…

That’s a bummer. Wonder why? Did two for me. Regardless, you are correct, says so right on their website.

 

[Castle Rock]

The steel is too hard