Thoughts on a tikka build idea I am tossing around

[270quest]

I reached out to Karl, waiting to see his response, but figured I would pose this question here.

I am thinking of retiring/refreshing the Tikka 7 rem mag. Retiring as in barreling it with a feather lite contour carbon barrel from Carbon Six that finishes at .750 and rechamber for 7 PRC at 22", threaded for a suppressor. - Pretty strait forward.

The hold up is it sets in a Standard Fill McMillan Sako Classic stock. Per McMillan, that stock can be modified to hold up to a #4 Douglas barrel blank. I really don't' want to have to buy a new stock if at all possible. Do you think its feasible to fit this barrel into this McMillan stock?

Otherwise, I may have to look at getting a new McMillan stock to accommodate that larger barrel - probably a Game Hunter.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

IMHO, ditch the carbon barrel, figure out what steel contour fits reasonably and go with that. Also go shorter unless you have already hunted with a 22" barrel and suppressor and don't mind. The kids 243win is threaded at 22" and is far more annoying than a 18-19" barrel with a can on it.

 

[wind gypsy]

IMHO, ditch the carbon barrel, figure out what steel contour fits reasonably and go with that. Also go shorter unless you have already hunted with a 22" barrel and suppressor and don't mind. The kids 243win is threaded at 22" and is far more annoying than a 18-19" barrel with a can on it.

^This. If you like the existing stock buying a whole new stock in addition to the upcharge for carbon over a steel barrel is insanity. I'd just get a steel tube close to the original contour and roll on.

 

[amassi]

Douglas #4 is a fairly stout steel contour
I’d drop down to a 3 or 3b or taperless .750
All would be drop in for your stock, have adequate clearance and take any threading you may want.


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[270quest]

IMHO, ditch the carbon barrel, figure out what steel contour fits reasonably and go with that. Also go shorter unless you have already hunted with a 22" barrel and suppressor and don't mind. The kids 243win is threaded at 22" and is far more annoying than a 18-19" barrel with a can on it.

I will be running a 6" can, and ran my sons rifle at 21" and it seemed like a good match. I might consider going to 20" barrel. Have ran steel all my life, want to play with a carbon on this one.

 

[wind gypsy]

Douglas #4 is a fairly stout steel contour
I’d drop down to a 3 or 3b or taperless .750
All would be drop in for your stock, have adequate clearance and take any threading you may want.

I dont think douglas #4 is that stout. Finish at 0.650 @26" but seen to go down pretty quickly on the breech end. Smaller than a #3 bartlein for sure.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I will be running a 6" can, and ran my sons rifle at 21" and it seemed like a good match. I might consider going to 20" barrel. Have ran steel all my life, want to play with a carbon on this one.

Its your money, I have a carbon 24" 300wsm which I went carbon at the time for a stiffer barrel at that length. Been there/done that and when going shorter barrel I have zero interest in spending the extra money for no gain (other than if that aesthetic is worth it to you) and sometimes its a detraction (some carbon barrels get wonky as they heat up).

I notice a different handling the 22" versus my 19" both in the field and when in/out of vehicles, both fit my gun case still with a can on, but the 22" doesn't fit my safe as well.

 

[wind gypsy]

I will be running a 6" can, and ran my sons rifle at 21" and it seemed like a good match. I might consider going to 20" barrel. Have ran steel all my life, want to play with a carbon on this one.

If it appeals to you, to each his own. Hopefully someone can confirm your existing stock can be hogged out to fit the featherweight contour. An entirely new micky stock and bedding it is a pretty significant price on top of the hundreds extra for a blank just to have a McGowan with some carbon glued onto it though.

 

[270quest]

I emailed McMillan with the barrel dimensions and they confirmed that the stock would not/should not be used for that large of barrel. If thats the route I want to go, it will need to involve a new stock as well.

I feel like if I have to buy a new stock and barrel, might as well get another action and just build another rifle and retire the 7 mag...Have to think this one thru a bit more...

 

[Axlrod]

I emailed McMillan with the barrel dimensions and they confirmed that the stock would not/should not be used for that large of barrel. If thats the route I want to go, it will need to involve a new stock as well.

I feel like if I have to buy a new stock and barrel, might as well get another action and just build another rifle and retire the 7 mag...Have to think this one thru a bit more...

Now you're on the right path!
McMillan's were always my favorite, from my first one in the mid 90's that came on factory Winchester's to a custom build with a Game warden.
I have had a chance over the last few months to shoot the McM G.W. side by side in field conditions with a Rokstok from Unknown Munitions. I like the Rokstok over the McM for hunting by a wide margin.

 

[waspocrew]

At the end of the day, it’s just money. You only live once, so build it the way you want. If carbon is your thing, give it a try. I have a mix of steel and carbons -from now on, I’ll probably just go with steel.

Barrel length and suppressor is definitely up to you and your hunting style. I hunt a lot more open areas, so a longer barrel + can doesn’t bother me. If you’re in a lot of timber and tend to have your rifle in a pack, shorter would likely be better. I have a few 22” barrels and an 8” can isn’t an issue at all.

I think a whole new build would give you plenty of options, instead of making compromises just so you can use an existing stock.