Tikka T3 rechambering

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windy

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Good Evening
I need some advice on a project I have been thinking about. I would like to have a modern hunting rifle chambered in 256 Newton. Would it be possible / good idea / value conscious to buy a Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor and have it rechambered to 256 Newton, long action bolt stop added and a 30-06/270 magazine. Any advice, stories or tips from people that have tackled a similar project would be great.
Thanks
Windy
 
You would likely be better off starting with a T3X in 6.5x55, simply because you would only have to rechamber.

I don't have anything against such conversions but you very likely won't be able to recoup any of the costs to do the job and will very likely lose money on a hard to sell conversion.

I did a Remington Mod 700 in 6.5-06, which comes very close to being a clone of the 256 Newton.

The Newton is a great and very nostalgic cartridge. I wanted one myself for years. However the 6.5-06 reamer came along first.

The Newton, built on a Tikka T3 receiver can really be made to perform, velocity wise and if the barrel is a shooter, it will be a joy to shoot.
 
.256 Newton ammo is best made from shortened .270 brass Seeing a 6.5x55 is a little fatter in the butt the barrel may have to be set back to clean up re-chambering?
 
mbogo3 said:
.256 Newton ammo is best made from shortened .270 brass Seeing a 6.5x55 is a little fatter in the butt the barrel may have to be set back to clean up re-chambering?
Click to expand...

You're only talking about .004 in. Not enough to worry about. I've used take off 6.5x55 barrels to make up 6.5-06 chambered rifles. Yes there is a very slight bulge that would be eliminated by setting the barrel back but it's hardly noticeable and seeing as this project is going to end up with a rifle that is only going to be fed hand loads it's not an issue.

Still, you're right. If you're going to go through the trouble of putting a custom rifle together, chambered for a wildcat of your dreams, do it right all the way through. Mind you, if the OP is planning on keeping this rifle, why not go ahead and purchase a new barrel blank for the job, with a longer barrel to wring out the best performance this cartridge is capable of. Tikka barrels for their 6.5 chamberings are 22 inches.

The Newton should have at least a 26 in bbl for best performance
 
It was speculation on my part as I didn't have time to take a peek at the case dimensions.Though I am a fan of most 6.5's the 6.5x55 especially.
 
Thanks for the input. My motivations for this build is a beginner rifle for my son Newton. Might as well have a rifle with your name in the cartridge. If it is possible I like the idea of a T3 for a beginners rifle as compared to a custom rifle due to budget and I wont have to worry so much about wrecking it. I do have a first model Newton chambered in 256 Newton so feeding it wont be an issue and I would let him use my rifle but he is a lefty and drops things a lot.
Is Ron Smith still gun smithing? I cannot find a contact for him online.
Thanks
Windy
 
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