Who to cut and recrown a Tikka Barrel?

[Steve300xcw]

Hose clamp for a cut guide? You fancy sumbitch!

 

[aschuler]

I hear/read these suggestions quite frequently.

My questions is, how does someone evaluate the competence of a gunsmith they have never used?

I had a 24" 308 barrel I wanted cut to 18" and threaded for a can. I called a local gunsmith wanting to support the locals as much as possible. When I asked about it he told me "a 308 will shoot terrible with that short of a barrel" and "you'll lose a bunch of accuracy".....that was when I decided to find someone else

 

[Feral Jared]

This thread popped up at the right time for me. I was about to drop off my 708 barrel at the local gunsmith, but checking out Kampfeld, I'm going to send it to Karl. He offers 5/8-24 on a sporter barrel with a shoulder for less than my local guy that was just going to do 1/2-28.

 

[Bmhunts]

Looking at doing the same to mine. If you don't mind me asking, what's the ballpark price to get that done?

223 was threaded 1/2x28 with cut threaded and thread protector was $125

270 was threaded 1/2x28, was cut, threaded, flared adapter with thread protector was $185

 

[doverpack12]

What does the shipping process to Kampfeld look like? Do you have to go through an FFL both ways, one way or not at all?

I have 3 barrels to do.

 

[gbflyer]

What does the shipping process to Kampfeld look like? Do you have to go through an FFL both ways, one way or not at all?

I have 3 barrels to do.

Federal law allows you to ship your rifle to a FFL holder for repair and they can ship the same back to you. Various states have their own way of micro-managing the 2A, as do freight providers, so make sure to check. I use US Postal.

 

[hunterjmj]

Fisher TandC in Lewistown MT does fantastic work and quick turn around. Had him cut and thread a couple rifles and he also bed a rifle in a McMillan for me.
I'm cautious about gunsmiths I haven't used from past bad experiences so I'd definitely stick with tried and true.

 

[AK4570]

Buy the facing and crowning tools from Brownells, a hacksaw (or Portaband if you're a power tool guy), and go to town! It will cost about the same as paying a gun plumber for the first barrel, but after that, everything else is free.

Where are you located? With that information, we can probably narrow down a short list of competent smiths that wouldn't require shipping (more $).

Best regards,
John

 

[LeftyWilbury]

another vote for Kampfeld Customs. sent a few rifles his way. very pleased with his work.
so are my rifles.

 

[Cschoonover90]

Who have you successfully used in the past to cut and recrown a Tikka barrel?

I’d definitely use someone that’s well known. I’ve had a bass experience with a gunsmith, even though he went to Montgomery gunsmithing school.

 

[Teo74]

another vote for Kampfeld Customs. sent a few rifles his way. very pleased with his work.
so are my rifles.

View attachment 1025433

That looks excellent! Choose wisely, You would think any gunsmith would be comfortable doing this work but I've seen some pretty botched jobs.

 

[ghott]

Another vote for Kampfeld. He chopped/threaded/shouldered a Tikka barrel for me. Great work, pretty quick turnaround and always answered emails.

 

[Stud Duck]

It's going to Kampfield, although I'm half tempted to do it myself.

 

[Andouille]

Anyone.

If fast turnaround is critical, ADCO in Ohio.

ADCO recently had my barrel for only 7 days and it spent 3x that time in shipping! Great service and excellent value, perhaps not as "pretty" as Kampfield's shoulder job, but I'm very happy with the turn-around and overall quality, plus no more adapter!