Anyone ever build a custom on a tikka action?

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blueoval56

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So I have an opportunity to pick up a Tikka T3 for a really decent price and was wondering if anyone here has re-barreled one of these bad boys. I've always liked tikka's but have never owned one.
I found a couple custom builds on a few of the U.S. forums, and they looked awesome, but I'm curious if anyone up here in Canada has ever had one worked on.

I did some research and found a couple options for triggers, rails, stocks(the manners T4 looks good), and some neat goodies from hinterland shooting supplies. They have a replacement bolt and a replacement bolt shroud that's made out of aluminum to replace the factory plastic one. Also found a bottom metal kit from CDI.

Soooo, would you build on a tikka action if you had the chance?
I have never shot a tikka that couldn't shoot, and I can't get over how smooth that action is... Like a hot knife through butter.

All thoughts welcome!
 
great actions, but the only limitation (mind you it doesn't stop the Savage crowd) is that the front of these actions is curved down to a point where the barrel meets the action which is only (as I recall) only 1.1". Many target shooters like a heavier barrel in the breech. The choice of stocks out there now make them a reasonable choice... the recoil lug system (in the stock not the action) made that a bit trickier to find and make stocks work. I think the only hang up is the availability of triggers if you feel the need to swap it out. I would build on a Tikka any day. Good actions with lots of room.
 
paperslayer said:
great actions, but the only limitation (mind you it doesn't stop the Savage crowd) is that the front of these actions is curved down to a point where the barrel meets the action which is only (as I recall) only 1.1". Many target shooters like a heavier barrel in the breech. The choice of stocks out there now make them a reasonable choice... the recoil lug system (in the stock not the action) made that a bit trickier to find and make stocks work. I think the only hang up is the availability of triggers if you feel the need to swap it out. I would build on a Tikka any day. Good actions with lots of room.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the reply. The triggers on the ones I have shot were factory triggers at about 2 pounds, which is supposed to be as low as they can be adjusted without messing with springs. They were pretty nice I thought. I found that Jard makes a 12 ounce trigger as a drop in for T3's, and they get great reviews. But not sure if they can be bought up here...
I also read that it's possible to use a Remington style recoil lug if you rebarrel, but haven't found any pictures of that to confirm if it's possible. I don't see why not though.
The largest round I have seen a T3 chambered in is a 300 WM. Is this a magazine limitation? Could you rebuild a T3 into a 7mm STW or possibly one of the RUM cartridges?
 
yes you can use a remy style recoil lug, just has a bit less meat on the collar. You would be limited only by the bolt face with cartridges, but if using longer bullets on an STW /300RUM you may have issues unloading loaded rounds wihout removing the bolt
 
Thanks for the info paperslayer.
I think this will have to be my next project. Maybe something like a 6.5 creedmore... I don't have anything in 6.5 yet.
Now I just have give the local smith a call and see if he'll even touch a tikka. He's mostly a Remington/ full custom kind of shop.
And so begins another build adventure!
 
Well I built a 22br on an older tikka M-55 and it works superbly , there is just more aftermarket stuff for the rem and savage which is why they are most often used.
As far as the T-3 goes I think it is a great action .
 
I have a T3 action with a Shillen barrel in a Manners T4 stock with a CDI bottom metal and I like it a lot. No real work was done to the action, the parts were put together and it shoots 1/2 MOA. The bottom metal just makes it look cool. I haven't even bothered to bed the action to the stock. The T3 action is pretty flat on the bottom and the fit is quite snug so with mine only being a mild recoiling .223 I just couldn't be bothered since it shoots great as is.
 
That's exactly the type of build I'm thinking about!
Would you be willing to share some pictures so I could get an idea of what that looks like all put together?
 
I'm collecting pieces for a 6xc build on a Tikka 595 action.Imported a stock from GRS in norway.
S6301068.jpg
 
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Thanks Tikka223, that looks awesome. The Tikka's have such clean lines in my opinion.
How do you like the CDI bottom metal?

That GRS stock also looks awesome, would love to see that project when it's all done.

I also found out that you can get a Russo A-5L inletted for a T3. I think that would be really nice as well, I'm a big fan of laminate.

Thanks again for all the pics guys!
 
Barrel pretty much has a 1" contour barrel the whole length, 26" total. The CDI is very nice but be warned that you will either have to file down the outer sides of the AI mag's feed lips or you will have to file down the inside of your action to make it fit. Filing the mag was quick and easy and I don't think it weakened the mag at all.
 
I had a semi custom 7 MM RSAUM built on a M-695 hunter. 27" Benchmark barrel, fluted #5 shilen contour, throated for the 180 gr. berger vld bullet seated to 3.10" oal, glass and pillar bedded, action trued up, trigger reworked to 1.5 lbs. I couldnt be happier with the results and am looking forward to some long range smack down now that i have a load worked up.
 
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