Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

[Cactus Kid]

I want a 300 win mag in tikka varmint, but they are not imported to the states.

What all is involved in getting a barrel rechambering? What is the going price for a quality rechambering job?

Finally, what happens to the ".308 win" markings on the barrel?

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

I think you would run into a problem. 308 is short action, and 300wm is a magnum length action. Not to mention barrel twist, etc. To get what you want, I suggest getting a 300WM T-3 lite and rebarreling to a heavier contour barrel.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

If that were the only issue, you could modify the boltstop, but the bolt face is different. Sounds complicated.

Like mnshortdraw said. T3 Lite. Rebarrel. Problem solved.

John

 

[Cactus Kid]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mnshortdraw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you would run into a problem. 308 is short action, and 300wm is a magnum length action. Not to mention barrel twist, etc. To get what you want, I suggest getting a 300WM T-3 lite and rebarreling to a heavier contour barrel. </div></div>

I already have the varmint but this is not out of the question

All tikka actions are long actions sonthat is not an issue.

The tikka has a 1:11 twist, fast should be adequate for 175 gr gods I'm wanting to shoot

 

[117D-RTO]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cactus Kid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
All tikka actions are long actions sonthat is not an issue.
</div></div>

Is this completely accurate? I have a T3 TAC in .308 and although the opening in the action is around 2.95" the bolt is pretty short.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

The only difference between Tikka T3 LA and SA is the bolt-stop.

John

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

You still have to deal with feeding that thing. 300WM is not going to fit in a 308 mag and inletting the stock for the longer bottom metal -er plastic is not really a good option. Bolt stop mod plus bolt face and rechambering is going to cost you considerably more than a rebarrel. I have a stainless T-3 lite in 338WM that I'll trade you for the 308 if it's a shooter as-is. A rebarrel will get you where you want to be.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Bottom plastic is the same. Only difference between calibers and cartridge lengths is the bolt stop and the spacer in the mag which puts the round further forward. 300wm mags will fit in the .308, but then the bolt stop must be changed or modified to allow the bolt to move back far enough to pick up the round. That still does not fix the boltface issue.

By the time you've spent the money to make the .308 into a 300WM, you could have bought the T3 Lite and put a really nice Krieger, Rock, Bartlien, etc. on it. If you do build a 300WM, look into having a Rem. 700 style lug installed. You'll thank me later.

John

 

[Cactus Kid]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Ok I'm sold on the the lite and putting a new barrel on it.

Ok you know what you are talking about with these tikkas.

The recoil lug that is on these things I always thought was crap. But I was talking with a guy who explained it better to me.

The aluminum is softer than the receiver and this will percent the recever drone being damaged under recoil. Also, the recover will "imprint" it's self on the lug making for a custome fit.

If I get a rem lug installed, will I have to get a new stock? Why is the rem lug so much better than the tikka lug? I ask this because tikkas out of the box shoot so well, the recoil lug system mist have some thinking behind it, it is adderall the same system they use on the trg. Not arguing just want to be better informed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bottom plastic is the same. Only difference between calibers and cartridge lengths is the bolt stop and the spacer in the mag which puts the round further forward. 300wm mags will fit in the .308, but then the bolt stop must be changed or modified to allow the bolt to move back far enough to pick up the round. That still does not fix the boltface issue.

By the time you've spent the money to make the .308 into a 300WM, you could have bought the T3 Lite and put a really nice Krieger, Rock, Bartlien, etc. on it. If you do build a 300WM, look into having a Rem. 700 style lug installed. You'll thank me later.

John </div></div>

 

[Cactus Kid]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Sorry for the mispellings, the replybox does not scroll down on the iPhone, I'm typing blind!

 

[Cactus Kid]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mnshortdraw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You still have to deal with feeding that thing. 300WM is not going to fit in a 308 mag and inletting the stock for the longer bottom metal -er plastic is not really a good option. Bolt stop mod plus bolt face and rechambering is going to cost you considerably more than a rebarrel. I have a stainless T-3 lite in 338WM that I'll trade you for the 308 if it's a shooter as-is. A rebarrel will get you where you want to be. </div></div>

Bottom "plastic" is the same. All the mags have the same footprint, the mags have spacers for shorter bullets

 

[jrob300]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

I know very few people with a T3 lite in 300wm, that can shoot a sub-7 lb. rifle well enough to know *why* it isn't grouping, but as the round count went up on mine and it "imprinted", the groups opened up. I rotated the lug 4 times (then ran out of sides)and each time the groups went from about .75 moa to way over moa.

I have my OEM stock bedded for the R700 lug. I use it for hunting. It weighs 8.5 lbs. all up. In the Manners, it's more like 13.5 and is a LOT more fun to shoot.

I can send you pics if you want.

John

 

[Cactus Kid]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Yes if you don't mind, please post pictures.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Thanks jrob300 for the corrections. I have played around with the Tikkas a little but it seems that you have the specifics figured out. The T-3 in 338WM is a handful to say the least and I wouldn't consider it a fun rifle without a brake or extra weight. A better recoil lug is pretty much mandatory on the big boomers and a better stock as well.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

No problem, mn...

I've had a few of these for many years now and have been around the block about their strengths and shortcomings. They are great rifles when stock, with a little work they are world class..

My 300WM in the hunting stock (old pic):

Detail of bedding in the OEM stock for R700 lug:

Installed in the Manners:

An even better (but very expensive!) solution. My UGSW .260 with proprietary A2 steel lug double pinned to the action:

The .260 bedded into its Manners:

John

 

[bignada]

Re: Rechambering a tikka varmint .308, a few questions

Just for fun, you might try looking at Brownells and seeing if they stock the Tikka bolt. Just buy a new magnum bolt body and get the .308 barrel reamed, and buy a new magazine. Alter the bolt stop or buy a magnum length stop.

Might just consider a .308/284 and then you got a short bodied .30-06 with AI type shoulder. If you can live with 100fps less velocity, all you need to do is improve the chamber...

I would go .308/284