Any recommended gunsmith around GTA can swap barrel for Tikka?

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sonichanxiao

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Looking for a gunsmith around GTA area, preferably within 2 hours driving distance can help me swap the barrel for my Tikka.

Got recommendation for Jason at Gun Co in Ottawa, being told Tikka has some special action which requires some special vise or tool to uninstall the factory one. But thought it would be a long way drive there from Toronto.

Could the swapping work be completed within the same day if arrange a time with gunsmith?

Thanks a lot.
 
sonichanxiao said:
Looking for a gunsmith around GTA area, preferably within 2 hours driving distance can help me swap the barrel for my Tikka.

Got recommendation for Jason at Gun Co in Ottawa, being told Tikka has some special action which requires some special vise or tool to uninstall the factory one. But thought it would be a long way drive there from Toronto.

Could the swapping work be completed within the same day if arrange a time with gunsmith?

Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

Has the barrel you wish to install been fitted to the action you wish to install it on?

If so - a gunsmith with a barrel vise and an action wrench is able to do the swap in a few minutes... it usually takes longer to remove the scope and the stock.
 
guntech said:
Has the barrel you wish to install been fitted to the action you wish to install it on?

If so - a gunsmith with a barrel vise and an action wrench is able to do the swap in a few minutes... it usually takes longer to remove the scope and the stock.
Click to expand...

After watched this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDp-lx2oZJc, I had the same thought, a vise and an action wrench should be sufficient and maybe some simple tools should be able to do the job. Maybe more time on the headspace measurement part.

But a local gunsmith told me the Tikka's barrel/action is special, requires some special tool to uninstall it. They don't have it, so recommended Jason in Ottawa. If anyone can do it on the same day, I don't mind to drive further and wait a bit onsite.
 
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Nothing special about any Tikkas I have pulled barrels on... you just need a good barrel vice and a wrench that fits the action...

Headspace is adjusted by machining on the barrel, refitting to the action and a chambering reamer and a go gauge. Not something most people do at home.

I just notice a previous post stating, "it is still barrel nut one."

I have never seen a factory Tikka with a barrel nut.
 
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OK - PVA shows pre-fit barrels for Tikkas on their website, which include the barrel nut (and wrench hopefully). This simplifies the installation of the new barrel, as the nut arrg't allows you to make adjustments for headspace. So, pretty well any gunsmith with a 308 go gage can handle this. What remains is the removal of the old barrel. If you don't want to save the old barrel it can be removed by taking a relief cut at the shoulder on a lathe - this saves the need for a barrel vice and action wrench...
BTW - What makes you think you need a new barrel?
 
guntech said:
Nothing special about any Tikkas I have pulled barrels on... you just need a good barrel vice and a wrench that fits the action...

Headspace is adjusted by machining on the barrel, refitting to the action and a chambering reamer and a go gauge. Not something most people do at home.

I just notice a previous post stating, "it is still barrel nut one."

I have never seen a factory Tikka with a barrel nut.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I may try a different gunsmith round and see if they can confirm it.

Sorry, I mean the PVA barrel I got is a barrel nut one, something like that they called. Shouldered prefit is something new at PVA for tikka that's what I have been told.
 
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cosmic said:
OK - PVA shows pre-fit barrels for Tikkas on their website, which include the barrel nut (and wrench hopefully). This simplifies the installation of the new barrel, as the nut arrg't allows you to make adjustments for headspace. So, pretty well any gunsmith with a 308 go gage can handle this. What remains is the removal of the old barrel. If you don't want to save the old barrel it can be removed by taking a relief cut at the shoulder on a lathe - this saves the need for a barrel vice and action wrench...
BTW - What makes you think you need a new barrel?
Click to expand...

Yes, the PVA barrel comes with a barrel nut and a (bespoke) wrench.

If the video included in my previous reply indicating the right idea or direction, I guess I could see if someone's garage has the right tool(for the vise), and I just need some torque wrench and set of go/no go gauge for headspace for the new barrel, correct? Or any gunsmith should have the mentioned tool, I believe?

The reason I want to put on a new barrel is kind of stupid, just want to keep a new factory barrel(tikka doesn't sell factory ones).So any barrel I shot out later can be easily replaced with another aftermarket one.

I guess any barrel which uninstalled properly from the action can be reinstalled/used again, right? It's not like an one way traffic?
 
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Buddy

You are way over thinking this. that tikka barrel will go 2000 plus rounds if you treat it well. Shoot it then change it. and when you change it : get it to a good gunsmith and you want to wait ? Good smiths have a back up of projects, just remember you get what you pay for. maybe the guy down at jiffy lube can swap it when you get your oil changed. I just got lucky on a barrel swap only took 5 weeks.

its kinda like the mountain bike world :
Strong, Lite, Cheap pick any two ...
 
ramhunter said:
Buddy

You are way over thinking this. that tikka barrel will go 2000 plus rounds if you treat it well. Shoot it then change it. and when you change it : get it to a good gunsmith and you want to wait ? Good smiths have a back up of projects, just remember you get what you pay for. maybe the guy down at jiffy lube can swap it when you get your oil changed. I just got lucky on a barrel swap only took 5 weeks.

its kinda like the mountain bike world :
Strong, Lite, Cheap pick any two ...
Click to expand...

Thanks for your info.

I figured out I would be shooting around 12-1500 before winter depends how much practice I will do. That's what I got the barrel early.

I know all the gunsmiths would be really busy. And if it is a quick job, I might try to do it myself first. Also a good DIY experience and learning. Doesn't seem much high end tools required.

Got a quote and time frame from a gunsmith not far, took about 1 week and less than $100. If that's the fastest for a gunsmith to do a swap, I may just book a time with him.
 
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