Winter Doldrums - Time for another Tikka Project???

270quest

WKR
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Location
Boise, Idaho
Christmas gave me a bunch of gift cards that could be better used on a new Tikka Project. Nothing to crazy, but thinking I once again need a 6.5 PRC in my life - be a good compliment to the old Tikka 7 rem mag. Looking at buying a SS Lite 6.5 with 24" barrel. I have a couple thousand 139 scenars - they should pair up just fine in the PRC

The one thing I know for sure is I want to run my Backcountry Banish suppressor on it so it will need Karl to chop and thread it. I am thinking 20" with 1/2x28 threads (like to go without a false shoulder if possible) putting it just shy of 26" total barrel length.

Probably keep everything else stock for now - maybe a mtn tact straight replacement bolt. If I can make it work, a 3-12x42 S&B on top, if not may just use the extra Zeiss V4 4-16X44 I have in the safe....

NOW, with all that said, here is my holdback...I am guessing that a 20" PRC barrel with a stout load of 50-55 grains of a given powder, I can shoot 139s at say 2900? maybe 2950? My son has a 6.5 creed tikka thats chopped at 21" with a suppressor and behind 42.5 grains of H4350, it shoots 2790-2800 FPS with 139 scenars.

I am having a lot of trouble trying to justify potentially 15 more grains of powder, more recoil, louder rifle for 100-150 FPS???

Am I off base? Thoughts? I don't want another 6.5 creedmoor, but not sure theres enough gain in the 6.5 PRC based on the parameters above???
 
Last edited:
I have been trying to fill my winter doldrums with upgrading my current Tikka and building a new 223 Tikka. My main problems are the insane lead times and I keep running out of money!
 
I already built a 22 creed on a tikka - played with it and sold it...

6 creedmoor is an option as I can rechamber an 8 twist tikka .243, chop, and thread.

My daughter has a 6 creedmoor - so reloading supplies are on hand....

243 ackley that 8twist. Much easier than setting it back far enough for a creed chamber.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I already built a 22 creed on a tikka - played with it and sold it...

6 creedmoor is an option as I can rechamber an 8 twist tikka .243, chop, and thread.

My daughter has a 6 creedmoor - so reloading supplies are on hand....

I was simply recommending those because I've had a lot more fun with my smaller cartridges this year. If you've already got one, then it might not be the play. If you want something different, a 243ai would be cool.
 
243 AI is the way forward and the path to enlightenment. 48.2 grains of h4831sc and a 108 eldm gets me 3154 (22” bbl), shoots small groups, and produces very good es/sd
 
I have 2.5 projects going right now.

First is a 22 Creed build for my best friend. Moving him away from fudd guns and into the beautiful world of low recoil and always hitting where you are aiming.

Second is finishing up my 6.5-06AI. Fire forming is done. Just need to shorten the trigger reach on the Stocky’s stock with some epoxy putty, repaint, and do final load development.

Lastly, I have a 6.5 or 7mm short mag to build. I have a Tikka D-18 in 7RM that I am going to build off of. Pretty sure I am going to go with something based on the SAUM case as I am looking for 3000 from the 6.5 or 2900 from the 7 out of a 20” barrel. Looking at 6.5 SAUM Improved, 6.5 Sherman Max or Mega, or 7 Sherman Max or Mega.
 
I have 2.5 projects going right now.

First is a 22 Creed build for my best friend. Moving him away from fudd guns and into the beautiful world of low recoil and always hitting where you are aiming.

Second is finishing up my 6.5-06AI. Fire forming is done. Just need to shorten the trigger reach on the Stocky’s stock with some epoxy putty, repaint, and do final load development.

Lastly, I have a 6.5 or 7mm short mag to build. I have a Tikka D-18 in 7RM that I am going to build off of. Pretty sure I am going to go with something based on the SAUM case as I am looking for 3000 from the 6.5 or 2900 from the 7 out of a 20” barrel. Looking at 6.5 SAUM Improved, 6.5 Sherman Max or Mega, or 7 Sherman Max or Mega.
"The beautiful world of low recoil and always hitting where you are aiming." You Sir are a great friend indeed! As to the 7rm donor, I myself have 2 tikka magnums and a bat bumblebee with 3.150 coal. The mega seems perfect for the tikka and saum imp or max for my bumblebee. Although I was at the gunsmiths and he has a 6.5 prc on a medium action with a super long throat to get the 156 Berger out of the neck/shoulder junction. He's getting 3050 out of a 24 inch barrel with h1000. The prc cases feed like butter out of tikka factory mags.
 
I have 2.5 projects going right now.

First is a 22 Creed build for my best friend. Moving him away from fudd guns and into the beautiful world of low recoil and always hitting where you are aiming.

Second is finishing up my 6.5-06AI. Fire forming is done. Just need to shorten the trigger reach on the Stocky’s stock with some epoxy putty, repaint, and do final load development.

Lastly, I have a 6.5 or 7mm short mag to build. I have a Tikka D-18 in 7RM that I am going to build off of. Pretty sure I am going to go with something based on the SAUM case as I am looking for 3000 from the 6.5 or 2900 from the 7 out of a 20” barrel. Looking at 6.5 SAUM Improved, 6.5 Sherman Max or Mega, or 7 Sherman Max or Mega.

Nice! Does seem like heavy 7s at 2900 is getting into Fudd level recoil.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Be bold. 1st 7 Backcountry Tikka. Save all your casings while shooting that barrel out, then be the 1st to neck one down to 6.5 and use those Scenars.
 
Back
Top