Back in Black - Tikka T3 Battue Lite: bead blasted, parkerized, and Arma-coated

The Kurgan

The Kurgan

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Location
Steel Town and The Peg
Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 scope
MaSi QD mount (ONLY available from Finland... want one? talk to me!)
Lumley Arms titanium bolt handle and carbon fibre bolt knob
Lumley Arms 4140 ordnance steel shroud (QPQ nitrided black)
extra 5-round magazine
all metal parts (except bolt) bead blasted, parkerized and Arma-coated in matte black

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If there's one criticism of murdoc's work, it's that there are subtle ding marks on the 'driftable' front sight presumably from when he tapped it out, and he put it on backwards (patterned section to the back, but it fits either way in the dove tail so no big deal)... luckily the front sight hood hides the subtle ding marks. Overall, a bullet proof finish and in a nice matte black. I'll be sending my Remington 870 cantilever rifled barrel to him next, as well as a Supertrapp exhaust end cap. :)

Oh, and I lost a small screw that holds down the front sight (dang it). Finding a replacement is proving to be a massive challenge. Be careful if you are doing something similar -- those screws are tiny.
 
Question, Did the painter disassemble the barrel during the whole process ? I'm interesting to do but don't like the idea separate the barrel from action. Thanks.
 
I disassembled everything, EXCEPT the bolt release and the driftable front sight.

He will do the disassembly for an additional charge if you feel the need.

Best part of murdoc's service... you get a 100% weather resistant and durable finish... unlike the cheap and thin "blued" finishes of today, and the so-called "stainless" metals that still rust if you give them a chance. This Battue is really "all-weather" now. :)

BTW, he can take a bit of time to finish a project. Just be patient... he's busy, which is good sign. Mine was a complete month turn around.
Compared to my Kel-tec POS rifle that has been with Vault Distribution for over a year "at repairs", and my Danish M58 getting customized by a smith (6 month turn around)... 1 month isn't too bad. :)
 
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I "downgraded" a Sako with a similar stock. :)
I have absolutely no desire to buy an aftermarket fibreglass stock. The factory stock is light, rigid, and hard to damage. What's not to like?
 
Since you settled on the VXR after all, how do you like it? I really like mine, enough so that I'm getting another to sit on my 375.
 
Bead blasting and parkerizing provide an excellent base for the Arma-coating to adhere to.
Even rattle-can barbeque paint holds up extremely well if baked onto a parkerized finish.
 
The Kurgan said:
Bead blasting and parkerizing provide an excellent base for the Arma-coating to adhere to.
Even rattle-can barbeque paint holds up extremely well if baked onto a parkerized finish.
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That makes sense. I like the choice of scope since it makes a lot of sense to have a low powered scope with a wide field of view and a lighted reticule on the Battue.
 
Well there's alot of crap at inflated prices everywhere you look.... it seems you have to pay real premium dollars, and a bit of work, just to get a level of finishing that will evade the elements. Tikkas provide a great (accurate) platform that is also easily upgraded if need be. In the end, I spent Sako dollars, but got the versatile and handy rifle I wanted. I also sold 8 rifles this year to help fund an RV, and I wanted at least one new rifle to take away the sting.
 
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