Tikka Takeoff Swap Question

[nobody]

Anybody ever swap out one tikka factory barrel for another tikka factory barrel and NOT have it headspace or work out? I know the Tikkas have a reputation for being able to swap back and forth easy, but are they really that consistent? Wanting to pickup a factory 6.5 takeoff so I’m ready to go when my current barrel is smoked, but don’t want to make an investment mistake.

 

[Tullis94]

I'm actually really interested to see if anyone has had this problem. Some barrel makers seem to be struggling to get prefits to consistently headspace. It would be Interesting to know if it is the prefits with spec issues or if the receiver aren't as perfect as they are made out to be? I personally love the tikka prefit concept.

 

[JoeDirt]

Always check headspace, the gauges are cheap. Its not worth the risk.


Headspace on Tikkas is usually close enough. For a general hunting rifle you'll never shoot out your current barrel.

 

[nobody]

For a general hunting rifle you'll never shoot out your current barrel.

as much as I shoot my “general hunting rifle” I’m halfway burned up at less than one year of ownership. Not the type of guy to shoot half a box a year and call it good.

 

[sndmn11]

I have put three different factory barrels on my T3 and all headspace fine. The lettering on the barrel will not line up.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I have put three different factory barrels on my T3 and all headspace fine. The lettering on the barrel will not line up.

I have swapped barrels on two with factory barrels and pulled a custom barrel on one and put it on another action. All of them headspace within tolerance. One of the factory barrels was bit looser than I prefer, but it closes on a go-gauge and doesn't on a no-go, so it is still good.

In regards to the comment above regarding custom makers having issues with headspace, the only one I have heard about is McGowen. I have not heard anything like that from folks using Preferred, Oregon Mountain, or Proof.

All that being said, tolerance stacking is a thing, so you will still need to check headspace each time you swap. EABCO sells headspace gauges for most common cartridges and you can rent gauges from reamerrentals.com or 4Drentals.com for those that aren't that common.

 

[nobody]

Thanks for the replies everybody, I appreciate it. I bought a factory 6.5 creed takeoff from the classifieds on here last night for a reasonable enough price that even if it doesn’t work, I’m not out much. Figure I can always pick up a brand new aftermarket prefit if this one doesn’t work out, but I feel better having read some of these comments.

 

[SamsonMan22]

I have done a few no issues yet. I have swapped a couple standard bolt faces to 223 and swapped out the barrels, bolts between rifles, several barrels themselves on the same bolt face all have head spaced perfect along with some Prefits as well. The lettering hasn’t lined up with the factory barrels but that’s about it.