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++Bighorn TL3 Builds++

Yes I do. No, it requires relief at the tang and bolt handle on the skins.

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Relieved with a rotary tool and sanding drums carefully until a piece of paper won’t get stuck at any point from bolt body down, like relieving a barrel channel that’s contacting. Take down the high spots until they’re not there.

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I don’t have a milling machine so I used files and the same rotary tool to relieve the skins where the tang is too long.

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Clears bolt handle nicely when folded.

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I love the combo. This chassis was purchased from Mile High back in March. Recoil lug clearance was checked and is sufficiently deep and makes 100% contact across the TL3’s lug. Great shooting gun.
Thank you!
 
Anybody have pictures of the Bighorn TL3 with black nitrided bolt? A part of me is a fan of the ascetics of the NP3 and DLC combo...
 
If the aesthetics are something you're concerned about, you can polish the nitrided bolt body and it will be just fine.
@b6graham just helped to make my mind up. The black on black is every bit if not more so attractive. I was just getting ready to preorder but am hung up on tang. I imagine medium as most I see are such.
 
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Now if my manners would show up...
 

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I have another AX chassis / TL3 question: My chassis arrived this week and it came with a taller scope rail to clear the full length Picatinney rail running down the top of the fore-end. However, the holes in this taller rail do NOT line up with the holes in the Bighorn.

I can't use this rail now. If I stick with the standard scope rail from BH, and remove the full length Picatinney section from the chassis, my scope still makes contact with the barrel shroud.

I either need a taller scope rail, or remove the full length Picatinney section and go without, but with taller rings.

**Does anyone make a TL3 compatible tall scope rail that will work with the AX chassis forend rail?
 
I have another AX chassis / TL3 question: My chassis arrived this week and it came with a taller scope rail to clear the full length Picatinney rail running down the top of the fore-end. However, the holes in this taller rail do NOT line up with the holes in the Bighorn.

I can't use this rail now. If I stick with the standard scope rail from BH, and remove the full length Picatinney section from the chassis, my scope still makes contact with the barrel shroud.

I either need a taller scope rail, or remove the full length Picatinney section and go without, but with taller rings.

**Does anyone make a TL3 compatible tall scope rail that will work with the AX chassis forend rail?
I’m so happy I’m not the only one who’s attempting this. You will need a custom rail. Talk to Short Action Customs. Mark said he can do a rail that will give you a continuous one. Either one or two piece.
 
Finished my TL-3 6.5prc a few weeks ago. It's going to be a dual purpose rifle for precision and hunting. It's in a XLR Envy chassis, 22"sendero-Proof barrel, trigger-tech. My plan is to put this barreled action into a manners MC-5 for hunting and switch the barrel and stock for the rest of the year for precision shooting. Still trying to decide on glass?
 

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Looks like a good deal. Been leaning toward 3-18 mark 5 ? Trying to keep it light as possible for hunting.

I’d put a very strong vote in for the Vortex Razor AMG. Very very good dual purpose optic and comes in at 28oz. Granted the 6-24x might not be ideal for short range hunting scenarios. But it’s just as good in the field as it is shooting a PRS match. It does both equally well.
 
Definitely going to wait for the Nightforce 2.5-20X50 to debut before I make any hasty decisions.
Curse of MilXT not coming out until fall. We have to wait. But well have tons of reviews

Though based on some sources and discreet comments. Itd be safe to preorder one or two now.
 
Curse of MilXT not coming out until fall. We have to wait. But well have tons of reviews

Though based on some sources and discreet comments. Itd be safe to preorder one or two now.
Can’t say I’ve ever seen Nightforce put their name on crap product. Haha
 
Got my Left handed TL3 in. And I forgot to order a barrel nut. Whoops.

Criterion 6.5creedmoor 26" MTU is on in the mail.

BixnAndy tacsport pro is on order.

Still havent decided on a chassis. I dont shoot competition but I might want to.
I had an MPA chassis and liked but I am leaning in other directions for this build
 
Got my Left handed TL3 in. And I forgot to order a barrel nut. Whoops.

Criterion 6.5creedmoor 26" MTU is on in the mail.

BixnAndy tacsport pro is on order.

Still havent decided on a chassis. I dont shoot competition but I might want to.
I had an MPA chassis and liked but I am leaning in other directions for this build
Oh do tell the other direction for the build.
 
I really think I'm going to go with the MDT ACC or the KRG whiskey 3
I don’t think you’d be making a bad choice with the Whiskey 3. I find it to be more comfortable and more natural than the MPA as much as I like that chassis as well.
 
I don’t think you’d be making a bad choice with the Whiskey 3. I find it to be more comfortable and more natural than the MPA as much as I like that chassis as well.
I liked my Howa in the MPA. I still havent ruled the mpa out. I have the chance to try some other peoples MDT and KRG, shot an XLR a d it was nice too. So many options now. It is great
 
I liked my Howa in the MPA. I still havent ruled the mpa out. I have the chance to try some other peoples MDT and KRG, shot an XLR a d it was nice too. So many options now. It is great
It is great and almost overwhelming at times! Haha
 
Bear with me.... I am getting everything I need together. I have my criterion small shanked barrel and TL3. I have a Bighorn 12pt nut on the way.

Criterion in their video suggest no using a barrel vise.

How are you holding the action or barrel when you tighten up the nut? External action wrench? Internal action wrench?

I am trying to figure out if I should buy the internal wrench, or just use an action vise.

Any input. I would be thankful I think I a. Over thinking this
 
Bear with me.... I am getting everything I need together. I have my criterion small shanked barrel and TL3. I have a Bighorn 12pt nut on the way.

Criterion in their video suggest no using a barrel vise.

How are you holding the action or barrel when you tighten up the nut? External action wrench? Internal action wrench?

I am trying to figure out if I should buy the internal wrench, or just use an action vise.

Any input. I would be thankful I think I a. Over thinking this

For barrel nut set ups, I use the Northland Shooters Supply action Wrench/Vise as a vise to hold the action in place and spin the barrel on. An internal wrench won’t do you much good unless you have a barrel vice already.

Some guys prefer to use both an action wrench and a barrel vice to make sure headspace is perfect, since the barrel tends to move when you torque the nut down. I’m not one of those tho.

If you don’t have any tools right now and just want to buy one and keep it simple, my vote goes to an external action wrench.
 
Thank you for your reply.


I have an existing barrel wrench , but the criterion video saying dont use one threw me.

Thank you for the answers
 
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Thank you for your reply.


I have an existing barrel wrench , but the criterion video saying dont use one threw me.

Thank you for the answers
Youre just tightening the nut to the action. Holding the barrel in a vice is only a convenience.
So long as the nut tightens to the action without the barrel spinning and you dont try to spin the action onto the barrel against the nut you wont have issue with the action/barrel relationship changing.
With a vice holding the barrel I can hold the action wrench in the same spot whiule torquing the nut down to the action. Without that holding the barrel for me its just a bit more unwieldy since Im also trying to actually hold the whole weight of things in position.
 
I would never go back to barrel nuts but if I did and when I did I used rocksett on the nut and used a barrel vise and action wrench for repeatability.
 
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For those running shouldered and torquing to spec... is there a point in having the barrel cerakoted, or will the vice just scratch up the finish?

I would like to cerakote with all the humidity we get here on the east coast. I have a viper vice, if that matters.
 
I would like to cerakote with all the humidity we get here on the east coast. I have a viper vice, if that matters.

Wrap a piece of cardboard around the barrel and the cerakote will be fine. Most guys aren't cerakoting simply because the barrel is being shot out and changed often enough it doesn't warrant the cost.
 
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Mark @ SAC gave me the best idea. Get yourself a roll of drywall paper tape from Home Depot or whatever. Each time I need to put a barrel in the vice, I tear off a few inch piece and wrap it around the barrel and put it in the vice. Works great, no marks
 
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I just rattlecan my barrels because I'm not going to pay to coat something I change 2-3 times/yr.
In the SAC vice with the barrel wrapped in tape, even the spray paint is fine.

A benchrest shooter showed me at the range last weekend, they wrap theirs in a strip of suede leather.
 
Drywall tape works great. I've also used cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tubes in a pinch, and they work just as well.
 
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Just finished piecing together my rifle, It’s my first custom action gun. Taking it out to the range on Monday, but I can’t help to take it out of the safe to look at it.
 

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I’m so happy I’m not the only one who’s attempting this. You will need a custom rail. Talk to Short Action Customs. Mark said he can do a rail that will give you a continuous one. Either one or two piece.

Did he give you a rough price on that? I’m interested in that like I’m interested in pizza and a nice pair of tits.
 
Still waiting on my Bighorn.... but on SAC’s IG he did a custom rail on a ARC action inside of a RACS chassis. Closest thing I reckon until ours get done.

Is he going to be offering them on his website or do I need to get in touch and get on a list?

Thanks for answering, this sounds awesome.
 
All the new inventory I see at places like Bugholes and Altus are still the old NP3 or CRN or whatever they are bolts. No updates to description on Bighorn's website describing the change in bolt body finishes. I will wait to get one; just want confirmation from Bighorn that is what's shipping.
think there was post maybe in FEB idk. it's in this thread. that said when each would be DLC/Nitride
 
Is he going to be offering them on his website or do I need to get in touch and get on a list?

Thanks for answering, this sounds awesome.
No it’ll be a totally custom for your gun kind of deal. Which is better I think because the fit will be perfect. Shoot him an email. He’s great to talk with and loves to get involved with customer ideas. No question is a dumb one to him either.
 
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