Tikka, barrel swap or keep it?

[Matt5266]

I know so many people post this stuff, but this one is personal haha. There is alot of knowledge also on this forum. Here's the story.

Recently picked up a Tikka T3X superlight with a fluted bolt, chambered in 243 Win. It's the 1:8 twist.

I already have a 300 WSM that I love and will never sell. Nostalgia for me. And I have a Tikka in 223.

I was deciding on either a 22 or 6 creed when this sweet deal came up and I couldn't pass it.

I'm trying to figure out what I should do. Rebarrel to the 22 or 6 creed or just keep the 243. It will be chopped to 18 inches and threaded for a can. I will eventually acquire a aftermarket stock for it as well.

And I know lots of people will say shoot the barrel out and then do whatever you want then.... unfortunately for me life has been crazy and I dont shoot near what I used to. It will probably take me a few years to shoot out that barrel.

Also my goal is a lighter recoiling round that will get me to around 700 yards or so for hunting. No I wont do that very often if at all, but that 223 will kill out to about 475 yards so just wanting something kinda in between what I got. And I do reload my own ammo.

Thanks gents! I'll post a pic of the rifle in question.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Keep it in .243.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[MuleyFever]

With factory 90 ELDX you should be in that 650 yard max range.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

With factory 90 ELDX you should be in that 650 yard max range.

This is the way. 95 SSTs are also lethal on deer and elk. An 8 twist Tikka barrel will likely shoot both very well.

OP, If you do decide to “upgrade” I’ll buy your barrel.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Also since you reload you could use the 103 ELDX or 108 ELDM and get at or past your desired yardage.

 

[MuleyFever]

Didnt catch the reloading part. You can easily do what you want with the 243 reloading.

 

[199p]

Not much point in rebarrel to 6cm bro just shoot it

 

[Matt5266]

Thanks guys! ....What's the preferred for the guys that have shot both? 103X or 108M. Idaho guy here. So everything from pronghorn to elk is the goal

 

[satchamo]

Thanks guys! ....What's the preferred for the guys that have shot both? 103X or 108M. Idaho guy here. So everything from pronghorn to elk is the goal

I prefer 108s. I had a roughtech 243 cut down to 18 and I run 108s in front of 42 grains of H4350. I’m getting ~2900 fps with minor pressure signs. This gives me a 700 yard gun. This is a quick 6 shot group I shot prone out of my truck bed last week with that same recipe. I’m working on tightening up my ES and SDs but I’ve shot 30 rounds of this same recipe now and it flat hammers.

I have shot the 103s but I admit they were loaded by UM last year before I started reloading on my own and they had them loaded so hot they were blowing primers (they took care of me). They didn’t group great but these were clearly way too hot so I don’t have a solid comparison. But from what I’ve seen with the 108, I have had no reason to even try the 103s again.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Thanks guys! ....What's the preferred for the guys that have shot both? 103X or 108M. Idaho guy here. So everything from pronghorn to elk is the goal

Whichever one shoots better.

 

[hereinaz]

Whichever one shoots better.

This is the answer. Every other difference is minimal.

 

[Rugger7622]

If you are just looking to scratch an itch, my vote would be an 18-19", 22 Creed. I bought a PVA barrel from a member here and swapped my 1st Tikka barrel. The 22 creed has become my most fun round so far, it's a 16.5" barrel shooting 88 ELDM's right at 3,000 without pushing it and 10 shot groups are at or under an inch so far. I've shot, 77TMK's, 80 ELDX's, 85.5 Bergers and 88 ELDM's and they all shoot great. Fun gun for sure!

 

[hereinaz]

If you are just looking to scratch an itch, my vote would be an 18-19", 22 Creed. I bought a PVA barrel from a member here and swapped my 1st Tikka barrel. The 22 creed has become my most fun round so far, it's a 16.5" barrel shooting 88 ELDM's right at 3,000 without pushing it and 10 shot groups are at or under an inch so far. I've shot, 77TMK's, 80 ELDX's, 85.5 Bergers and 88 ELDM's and they all shoot great. Fun gun for sure!

My 14” SBR tikka in 22 creed is my new favorite, lol. Love this round.

 

[Matt5266]

Update:

After receiving several PMs about guys wanting to buy the barrel o decided I must be over thinking things and decided to keep it. I dropped it off today to a nice local veteran that owns a business in my area. He is gonna chop it at 18 inches and thread it. He is going to install a 5/8x24 collar on it as well. Charging me $190. Seems reasonable to me? He did a great job ok another tikka for me but not collar on that one so we will see.... I'll post a pic when it gets back.

Thanks for everyone's help and input!

 

[Dave Thomas]

Keep it 243. Since it's an 8 twist and you reload the 6 creedmoor won't do anything that the 243 will.