Unknown Munitions Tikka Clone action coming soon?

[eLightfoot]

All they need to make is bolts. Can’t make a tikka action better or cheaper than they already are. But buying extra bolts is a problem. people sell bolts for the cost of the whole rifle. I’ve got an extra magnum action that I want to be a 223, I don’t want to buy another whole rifle. And if they make bolts, they need to be less than $350 or I’ll just buy another used whole rifle. That might be unrealistic but if they aren’t affordable then they’ve missed the market.

 

[ElPollo]

All they need to make is bolts. Can’t make a tikka action better or cheaper than they already are. But buying extra bolts is a problem. people sell bolts for the cost of the whole rifle. I’ve got an extra magnum action that I want to be a 223, I don’t want to buy another whole rifle. And if they make bolts, they need to be less than $350 or I’ll just buy another used whole rifle. That might be unrealistic but if they aren’t affordable then they’ve missed the market.

Agree there is a good market for this, and it is a better reason to support the development of a modular bolt than switch barrel rigs. The only place I see switch barrel rigs being a good option are places where the ownership of guns is severely limited (Europe).

That said, I still wish Tikka would make a 223/arc/grendel-length action and that it was fully supported by the aftermarket like the regular length actions.

 

[BRTreedogs]

When are they just going to change there name to Unknown Firearms?

Seems like they are trying to down play ammo as much as possible. I’ve checked several times and they never seem to have any ammo available.

They talked on a podcast a year or so ago i believe about a modular tikka bolt.

Idk if there’s much middle ground for a complete action.
Something that directly competes with the Anti X would be the only thing I’d consider

Integrated Picatinny, reasonable weight, will feed from multiple bottom metal styles, detachable mags can kiss my rear end, guaranteed head space, interchangeable bolt face, around $1500 bucks.

 

[wind gypsy]

When are they just going to change there name to Unknown Firearms?

Seems like they are trying to down play ammo as much as possible. I’ve checked several times and they never seem to have any ammo available.

They talked on a podcast a year or so ago i believe about a modular tikka bolt.

Idk if there’s much middle ground for a complete action.
Something that directly competes with the Anti X would be the only thing I’d consider

Integrated Picatinny, reasonable weight, will feed from multiple bottom metal styles, detachable mags can kiss my rear end, guaranteed head space, interchangeable bolt face, around $1500 bucks.

They've been open on S2H that the ammo business isn't their favorite and that they'd be happy to get out of it. Seems like they are only in it to avoid burning some customers that have relied on them.

 

[8404]

It sounds like they view ammunition manufacturing as a necessary service when providing high level custom rifles, to feed THOSE rifles. I got the impression if they could go away from ammunition completely they would be happy to.

 

[S-3 ranch]

They've been open on S2H that the ammo business isn't their favorite and that they'd be happy to get out of it. Seems like they are only in it to avoid burning some customers that have relied on them.

Their ammo is imo over priced by a large margin compared to other companies
And custom loaders and are a nitch market in comparison

 

[ID_Matt]

Reasons I can think of for folks wanting a custom action over a tikka:
- Fits existing 700 platform triggers/stocks
- Long action, heavy bullet COAL constraints
- Short action is actually a short action
- Larger tennon threads and bolt lugs
- Lighter bolt lift
- Integral pic rail
- modular bolt

It would need to have different tennon specs, lighter bolt lift, modular bolt, and built in pic rail IMO to come close to justify a cost 4x a factory tikka action.

I would add:
- Nitride
- Bolt Fluting (looks neat)

Lighter bolt lift and integral rail are my 2 favorite parts about my custom actions vs tikkas.

 

[HNTR918]

UM need to make both of these.

1. Factory Bolt for Tikkas under $300.

2. A Tikka bolt to work with factory receiver that has swappable bolt heads. Could sell many for $600 with heads/bolt stop at $50-$100 each.

 

[LostWapiti]

UM need to make both of these.

1. Factory Bolt for Tikkas under $300.

2. A Tikka bolt to work with factory receiver that has swappable bolt heads. Could sell many for $600 with heads/bolt stop at $50-$100 each.

Why would I want that when I can just have a bolt of each size(which I and most already have) and swap the whole bolt as needed?

 

[TaperPin]

It’s hard (impossible) to compete on price against a mass produced rifle, so they will have to change it to provide additional value - integral pic rails are cool - Tikka fans have a lot of brand loyalty - will it translate into clone loyalty?

Modular bolts sounds fun, but will rarely be used - mainly I’m guessing it will cut down on receiver inventory since any receiver can use any bolt face. Complete bolts of a different bolt face won’t be cheap - replacement bolts for Rem 700 are made by a bunch of guys and they are all over $300 and need to be fitted to ensure headspace.

At least parts won’t be plastic, or will they? lol

 

[wind gypsy]

UM need to make both of these.

1. Factory Bolt for Tikkas under $300.

2. A Tikka bolt to work with factory receiver that has swappable bolt heads. Could sell many for $600 with heads/bolt stop at $50-$100 each.

How do you figure people would buy a bunch of $600 bolts + $50-100 heads vs just buying a couple $300 bolts? Especially since many customers likely already have the factory bolt and would just need 1 different bolt face option.

 

[wyosam]

Yes, it's certainly intriguing what they are working on. Consider that UM currently charges $1970 for a vesper and BAT likely had way less development effort into that because it's on the same m700 platform as their prior existing actions. I have a hard time seeing how it all pencils out being as a guy can get a tikka donor for $500-600 right now including the trigger! They are going to have to do some things that seriously set them apart and I don't see what that could be.

I've only had one "modular" rifle, a Desert Tech with a 6.5x47 barrel and a 300 Norma barrel. I found re-zeroing was enough of a PITA that the whole concept is less enticing to me now. If a guy has 2 or 3 of the same pre-fitable actions and 4-5 barrels for them I could see a little more utility.

A few Tikkas and a bunch of barrels works pretty well for me. Two hunting set ups that are identical (aside from barrel), and one that is heavier with a big scope that is typically a 6 Dasher or 6.5-284. Rezero’s seem to be pretty close to repeatable. For example if I pull off 338-284 barrel and put on a 243 barrel, it will of course have a different POI, but if I keep track of what I dialed to rezero, I can reverse it when I switch back and be very close.


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[huntnful]

I have never personally understood the attraction for switch barrel rigs. I’ve spent so much time and money trying to get to a point where I have guns that reliably hold zero every time and all the time. Why would I want to sacrifice that where I would intentionally have to change my zero? Heck, I don’t even like using loads that have significantly different zeros in my guns.

I’ve had 3 switch barrel setups now, and they definitely sound better in theory than they are in reality. It’s nice to save the money on an extra stock, scope, trigger, rings & bottom metal. But it’s really just not that great. I’d definitely recommend having 2 full setups of someone wanted a trainer rifle and hunting rifle. Nice to have them turn key coming out if the safe for sure.

 

[HNTR918]

How do you figure people would buy a bunch of $600 bolts + $50-100 heads vs just buying a couple $300 bolts? Especially since many customers likely already have the factory bolt and would just need 1 different bolt face option.

No, it would be one $600 bolt body with each additional head being $50-$100.

OR

Buying entire bolts for $300 each.

So if you are starting from scratch or if you think you will be wanting several different chamber options, then you could do the $600 option. But if you already have a factory bolt, and just want another one then the $300 option would be cheaper.

 

[LostWapiti]

I'd rather have more actions, not more bolts. I don't want to be taking barrels on and off actions but swapping bolts between guns is the easiest thing in the world.

 

[HNTR918]

Why would I want that when I can just have a bolt of each size(which I and most already have) and swap the whole bolt as needed?

Because a single bolt with swappable heads is a lower total manufacturing cost, if you want three different bolt head sizes.

 

[LostWapiti]

Because a single bolt with swappable heads is a lower total manufacturing cost, if you want three different bolt head sizes.

This would only make sense for people who currently own 0 Tikkas.

 

[wind gypsy]

This would only make sense for people who currently own 0 Tikkas.

Or people who buy a stripped receiver without a bolt. Because a tikka action is going to come with a bolt so even if a guy wanted 3 different bolt faces for a switch barrel setup, it would still be cheaper and more convenient to buy 2 more bolts than one more with 2 bolt faces in this imaginary scenario.

 

[GoatPackr]

I'm not sure where guys are finding tikka actions consistently at 5 or $600? Especially stainless. Bolts aren't $300 either. Yes occasionally you might see one.
Being able to simply click and purchase a Tikka action or bolt that will probably have a few extra perks such as a pic rail, aftermarket trigger and changeable bolt face for near or slightly more than a Tikka rifle at MSRP is going to sell. It will also fuel more for aftermarket items such as stocks. Just like the Rem 700 market has options.
The Tikka market is a wave and it's building. IMO this is just what it needs. I think Being the first clone on the market is good and will help that wave biuld. Maybe in the future we will see options for a Tikka mini or extra long. Imagine a 300 RUM or 338 Lapua in a Tickka like action. You just never know.

 

[mt100gr.]

I see so many references to an integral pic rail....are the UM Tikka rings already out of style?