Two barrels, one Tikka?

[5811]

Does anyone use a Tikka setup with multiple barrels? Is this common?

I know the factory barrels are tough to remove but once that's done, it seems like a simple swap. I have a Tikka in 6 creed and a new to me 308 barrel that I'd like to start shooting/loading for.

Unthreaded Tikka are pretty cheap right now if i was to buy for a donor action, but when you add a stock and optics and it gets expensive. I'd rather just swap barrels back and forth as the mood strikes, are there any pitfalls to this I'm not considering?

Edit to add: I'm thinking I'd switch a few times a year, at most.

 

[letrbuck]

I think I've seen this video before...

 

[letrbuck]

Ok, jokes aside it's not a terrible idea, but you would want some good tools to do the swaps. A tikka swap is a little more involved than a barrel nut rifle, but totally doable

You'd want the appropriate headspace gauges for each barrel, a good barrel vice, action wrenches, and a good torque wrench

 

[wind gypsy]

I've got spare tikka barrels sitting in my safe but no desire to swap stuff around much. A guy could do it and it probably just depends how much of a hassle it is to re-zero after the switch. If I could sit on my deck and zero after a barrel swap, i'd maybe entertain such an idea more. I had a Desert Tech for a while and that was enough for the idea of swapping barrels around to lose appeal.

Ok, jokes aside it's not a terrible idea, but you would want some good tools to do the swaps. A tikka swap is a little more involved than a barrel nut rifle, but totally doable

You'd want the appropriate headspace gauges for each barrel, a good barrel vice, action wrenches, and a good torque wrench

I'd think shouldered would be easier than a barrel nut. Screw on, screw off.

 

[letrbuck]

I'd think shouldered would be easier than a barrel nut. Screw on, screw off.

My experience is fairly limited, but I find barrel nuts easier to both break free and torque to spec than a shouldered barrel and the barrel vice is less critical. Not vastly different effort wise tho

 

[Cyril]

I have been thinking about a similar thought but swapping different barreled actions into an MDT HNT26 chassis. There are some good deals on tikkas and really want a chassis rifle. I was thinking about the same calibers, a 6mm with a 20" PVA barrel and also a T3 lite in 308, chopped down to 16.5"

 

[Castle Rock]

I do it a bit and it’s quick and easy, no need for anything fancy just a decent barrel vise and action wrench

 

[Runwilderness]

I am committed to going this route..at least in a trial basis.

I have a 223 takeoff and just bought the bolt that I plan to swap with my current 6.5x55 after I get a few more hundred rounds through that combo and the Rokstok. I plan to the ramp up my volume of rounds/range session for training this summer, but want to (for now) go back to the Swede for hunting season.

My thoughts: less recoil for longer range sessions but mostly $$ at higher round counts.

I have the tools (already removed and reattached the 6.5x55 once); my unknowns are whether the time to swap and resight 2x per year will outweigh having to only have financed one action, stock, and optic.

 

[Maverick1]

No. That’s dumb.

 

[Maverick1]

Why just have one when you can have two?

 

[atmat]

Not worth it. Tikkas are cheap enough to just buy two barreled actions and use pic rings.

 

[Runwilderness]

Why just have one when you can have two?

About 3000 rounds of ‘free’ ammo when looking at the total build cost delta.

 

[Trr15]

I can understand the thought, but this sounds like a pain in the a$$ to me. Can’t imagine the cost savings being worth the extra effort in the long run.

 

[JFK]

It’s one of those ideas that sounds great, but just isn’t in reality.

 

[5811]

Not worth it. Tikkas are cheap enough to just buy two barreled actions and use pic rings.

This is a good idea. Kind of a middle ground, switch stocks and optics but not barrels.

But I know me. And I'd have a stock and scope for both in no time.

 

[atmat]

This is a good idea. Kind of a middle ground, switch stocks and optics but not barrels.

But I know me. And I'd have a stock and scope for both in no time.

Then by the same token, if you bought two barrels you’d have a new action in no time.

It’s much easier to change a stock and pic rings than a barrel.

 

[eamyrick]

I think I've seen this video before...

I feel like you have to be in your late 30s to get this one.

 

[Undrcoverrednek]

This is my plan. Bought .243 Tikka, will shoot the barrel out, then rebarrel probably 6 dasher or GT for almost all year, then get long action bolt stop and mag to use 284 win or 7 Backcountry starting right before hunting season for more wallop if I get an elk tag.

 

[5811]

Then by the same token, if you bought two barrels you’d have a new action in no time.

Oh, I'm aware. This thread is an attempt to be more responsible.

 

[sndmn11]

I have multiple barrels for one Tikka action. It works out well. I also have multiple barrels for a vanguard action.