Tikka 280 Ackley build

[spartanhunter]

I have a Tikka T3x Lite in 6.5 CM that I am looking to re-barrel and build for a 280 AI. I understand that I will need to change the bolt stop, but other than that it seems like a straight forward re-barrel and be able to shoot any factory ammo that is available.

My understanding is that the factory tikka mags will be an issue for reloading optimal 280 AI rounds. Is that OAL length issue solved with an aftermarket DBM or are you still limited by something else? What are my limitations to using my Tikka action to donor to a 280 AI build?

 

[MuleyFever]

I guess it depends on what projectile you plan to use. I did a 280ai on a Tikka and the COAL limitation was frustrating, even with the Hornady 160's. If you are going to reload a 284 may be the sweet spot for a 7mm. The 160 Accubonds loaded easy and were very accurate out of my 280ai in both the Tikka and a Kimber.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Look at mountain tactical magazines and see if they allow a longer coal. There's others that make aftermarket mags but don't know the names.

 

[letrbuck]

If I remember right, tikka mags allow a 3.34 COAL, SAAMI for 280AI is 3.330, so you don't have much wiggle room if you're a reloader and want to shoot the moderate to heavy bullet weights. You can go with UM's DBM and get up to 3.5 COAL, but you're paying 3-4x more per magazine to go to theirs.

I am a huge 280 fan, but if I were to build a 7mm tikka on a standard bolt face, it would be a long throated 284 win, like @MuleyFever mentioned

 

[bigunit]

I built one on a tikka. No regrets. I shoot up to 180 eldm with factory mags and dont feel handicapped by the mag length at all.

 

[nm.otter]

UM bottom metal and mags will handle 3.5"+

Don't forget the long bolt stop.

 

[spartanhunter]

I don't currently reload but it's in my future. My idea was that I would shoot factory ammo (which should all be fine out of the tikka mags) and then when I am ready to start tinkering I would upgrade to something like the UM DBM and mags to get to 3.5" COAL. Yes a bit spendy but something easily added later. $220 for the DBM and $130 for the mag.

@MuleyFever - Was this COAL just a problem with the Tikka mags? Or were you loading past 3.5"?

 

[MuleyFever]

I don't currently reload but it's in my future. My idea was that I would shoot factory ammo (which should all be fine out of the tikka mags) and then when I am ready to start tinkering I would upgrade to something like the UM DBM and mags to get to 3.5" COAL. Yes a bit spendy but something easily added later. $220 for the DBM and $130 for the mag.

@MuleyFever - Was this COAL just a problem with the Tikka mags? Or were you loading past 3.5"?

Keeping it under the 3.34 to fit the Tikka mags. As mentioned above you can still shoot the longer options but you are seating them really deep. Just not ideal.