How bad is this idea?

Ragin_cajun · Dec 12, 2024

So after having a seekins hit and loving it I decided that I want a light weight switch barrel dedicated hunting rifle and this is what I’ve come up with but I’m curious in what ways do you see this going wrong before I run up to Altus and talk to them about making it happen. I originally thought about a terminus Zeus but that’s a really heavy action and counter productive to the light weight aspect so with lots of research I found a light weight tikka t3x action with a wto switch lug would do the trick. I know that the bolt would be the holdup but there’s an outfit in Canada that makes tikka bolts where you can change the bolt face. All of this with carbon barrels and a hunter26 stock should make for a really nice and really light setup “THEORETICALLY!”. And that’s why I’m here, are you guys laughing and thinking “that’ll never work” and if so what am I overlooking?
Calibers I would like to shoot with it are
22creedmore
6GT (already load for 6GT anyway)
6.5 prc
7 prc

spife7980 · Dec 12, 2024

That’s a lot of work instead of just getting an origin.

powdahound76 · Dec 12, 2024

^^^^ what he said.

Or a Ti3 if you wanna spend $ and save some more oz.

or get a Seekins PH2 and barrels…..
there is a slick one in the PX FS.

And a dealer who is a supporter here doing a good clearance on them. Driftsgear I think?
Their CF stock is light and pretty nice. Unique grip feel and easy to shoot well.

longshot2000 · Dec 12, 2024

Sounds like a lot of work, and when you have issues, which part do you blame? What does all this cost when you are done? I am biased, but the Cadex Kracken might be an answer.

Tx_Aggie · Dec 12, 2024

longshot2000 said:
Sounds like a lot of work, and when you have issues, which part do you blame? What does all this cost when you are done? I am biased, but the Cadex Kracken might be an answer.

I think the OP wanted to build a lightweight hunting rifle, something lighter than the Seekins HIT he already owns. Maybe a 15lb Kracken isn't the best fit?

powdahound76 · Dec 12, 2024

Tx_Aggie said:
I think the OP wanted to build a lightweight hunting rifle, something lighter than the Seekins HIT he already owns. Maybe a 15lb Kracken isn't the best fit?

Why you gotta read all the details and be all logical and stuff man???

KYAggie · Dec 12, 2024

Hmmmm. Are you using a long Tikka action? I might be mistaken as I don’t have a 7 PRC, but does it fit in a short action?

I’m not sure if you can change the bolt head between standard and mag or if you would have to get a whole new bolt, but these Mac Bro’s actions are less than 20oz. They have long actions too.

https://macbros.com/product/new-element-action/

Also, I’m trying to figure out why you would want an expensive carbon barrel for a lightweight rig instead of a small profile steel and possibly fluted barrel that’s lighter than the carbon ones. If you are running a suppressor then yeah, the beefier carbon barrels are better suppressor platforms than lightweight stainless and the carbons are lighter than a steel barrel that’s large enough to be a good suppressor platform. But if you are just wanting a light hunting rig with no suppressor, you might consider a fluted stainless barrel, they are often lighter than the same length carbon.

spife7980 · Dec 12, 2024

KYAggie said:
Hmmmm. Are you using a long Tikka action? I might be mistaken as I don’t have a 7 PRC, but does it fit in a short action?

Tikkas are all the same action length, 223-magnums. Its just the length of the bolt stop itself reaching forward into the action that prematurely impedes the bolts rearward travel on shorter chamberings.
Its a new bolt, tikkas dont swap heads.

Megalodong · Dec 12, 2024

There's too much overlap with your cartridges imo. What is your perceived use case for wanting each cartridge?

cas6969 · Dec 12, 2024

Tx_Aggie said:
I think the OP wanted to build a lightweight hunting rifle, something lighter than the Seekins HIT he already owns. Maybe a 15lb Kracken isn't the best fit?

No, but it would still be a TINY bit lighter.

KYAggie · Dec 12, 2024

spife7980 said:
Tikkas are all the same action length, 223-magnums. Its just the length of the bolt stop itself reaching forward into the action that prematurely impedes the bolts rearward travel on shorter chamberings.
Its a new bolt, tikkas dont swap heads.

I learned something, thanks! I don’t have any Tikas obviously. The first thing that comes to mind is how Sig handles that with my R93. They use different bolt stops that integrated into the different magazine inserts for any particular cartridge. I’m not sure how that could be handled with a custom action like a Mac Bro’s or Origin should one try to use a long action for the Ops list of cartridges as I haven’t run into that issue personally; perhaps someone else might know if its possible. With his list, with a custom action, you would have to use a long action if you wanted a 7 prc barrel. The others could be handled with a short action and changeable bolt heads like an Origin would be ideal. The Solus has changeable bolt heads too, but it’s heavy; even the “lightweight” Solus is heavier than an Origin. I bet that Tika action is pretty light, but you would have to include the weight of the WTO switchlug.

Ragin_cajun · Dec 12, 2024

spife7980 said:
Tikkas are all the same action length, 223-magnums. Its just the length of the bolt stop itself reaching forward into the action that prematurely impedes the bolts rearward travel on shorter chamberings.
Its a new bolt, tikkas dont swap heads.

There’s a bolt available for tikka that has a swappable head

powdahound76 · Dec 12, 2024

Someone post a link for this bolt for a tikka with a swappable head please.

I havent seen it and either my google fu (work computer) Duck duck go fu (home) are really bad or it is hard to find.

JR1200W3 · Dec 12, 2024

Ragin_cajun said:
So after having a seekins hit and loving it I decided that I want a light weight switch barrel dedicated hunting rifle and this is what I’ve come up with but I’m curious in what ways do you see this going wrong before I run up to Altus and talk to them about making it happen. I originally thought about a terminus Zeus but that’s a really heavy action and counter productive to the light weight aspect so with lots of research I found a light weight tikka t3x action with a wto switch lug would do the trick. I know that the bolt would be the holdup but there’s an outfit in Canada that makes tikka bolts where you can change the bolt face. All of this with carbon barrels and a hunter26 stock should make for a really nice and really light setup “THEORETICALLY!”. And that’s why I’m here, are you guys laughing and thinking “that’ll never work” and if so what am I overlooking?
Calibers I would like to shoot with it are
22creedmore
6GT (already load for 6GT anyway)
6.5 prc
7 prc

I've been swapping barrels on a Tikka T3 for about 5 years. I bought two donor actions, kept one and both bolts. I had one bolt opened up to a magnum bolt face and I screw shouldered barrels on by hand and torque them in with a crescent wrench on wrench flats. Except the 22 Creedmoor barrel which is CF; I just use a strap wrench. No need for a WTO Switchlug. It just permanently alters your action to require barrels cut for it and it provides a weaker joint between the barrel and action than just torquing the barrel on. I can buy Tikka prefit barrels and just screw them on. I have barrels in 6.5 SST and 22 Creedmoor for this gun.

JR1200W3 · Dec 12, 2024

But if you do the math, it's cheaper to buy a Solus or an Origin to do the same thing

FuhQ · Dec 12, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
But if you do the math, it's cheaper to buy a Solus or an Origin to do the same thing

I agree, and almost posted this same exact thing, but I deleted it, because I know how taboo it is to mention the Solus, even though the new magnum long actions just dropped, and still use Origin prefits, 700 clone triggers, and 700 footprint stocks/chassis. But every time you mention the word Solus, it tends to put the Fudds into a tailspin for some reason.

Hey OP ( @Ragin_cajun ) , this might fit your options list, give it a look... It's hefty at 33.1 oz. but they're built like tanks, and once they break-in, they get extremely smooth. I have a few short actions that after a few hundred shots, the bolt glides like it's on ceramic coated air bearings. They're just as smooth as any other custom I've shot/handled after break-in. Not sure why people hate them, they're actually really nice, and you get a lot of action (features) for your money.

SOLUS Lightweight Long Action - .540 Bolt Face

Shop SOLUS Lightweight Long Action - .540 Bolt Face and more at AeroPrecisionUSA.com!

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

JR1200W3 · Dec 12, 2024

FuhQ said:
But every time you mention the word Solus, it tends to put the Fudds into a tailspin for some reason.

Everything in moderation. If it looks like you're trying to silence other people, people notice and bide their time to push back on something else that seems unrelated

FuhQ · Dec 12, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
Everything in moderation. If it looks like you're trying to silence other people, people notice and bide their time to push back on something else that seems unrelated

I guess the reason I mention them, is because I know they work...And work well. There's lots of disinformation out there by folks who all have different agendas behind it. Some have a personal issue with Aero, some think it's "Poors shit", and others are just mad that it does the same thing they're $4K builds do, for half that price. I can personally understand that last one...I've done it to myself before buying something budget that did the same damn thing, and just as good, for way less money. But that's also part of the nature of technology advancing along, too. Higher-quality at better prices, thanks to advances in machinery and automation.

It seems like most of the people just get upset when you mention something the OP asks about, that is related to their questions/posts, but because it's not somebody else posting's favorite brand, they get all butthurt, and say it's garbage, and that you should buy their recommendation instead. The only time I'll tell somebody don't waste your money on something, is if I know personally that it's junk, or not worth the price, and it's trying to help save them from making the same mistakes I did, or somebody that I know did. Personally, I don't care what anybody buys, it's their money, I just want people to realize that not everything new that challenges the old guard, is junk. There's plenty of room for both new and old. And people will still buy plenty of each.

Smith1 · Dec 12, 2024

KYAggie said:
The Solus has changeable bolt heads too, but it’s heavy; even the “lightweight” Solus is heavier than an Origin. I bet that Tika action is pretty light, but you would have to include the weight of the WTO switchlug

The lightweight Solus is still “heavy” but this is subjectively crossing into the land of diminishing returns. Is it worth the headache to potential save 7-10 oz of a lighting cut tikka, possibly less? I don’t think so but that’s me.

OP what chassis/stock, scope, rings ect are you planning? Lots of areas to cut weight

Ragin_cajun · Dec 12, 2024

powdahound76 said:
Someone post a link for this bolt for a tikka with a swappable head please.

I havent seen it and either my google fu (work computer) Duck duck go fu (home) are really bad or it is hard to find.

Tikka T3 Bolt Body — PRPrecision - tikka bottom metal

Couple Tikka’s single action length with the increase in pre-fit and factory take-off barrels on the market today, aftermarket bolt bodies have been the final missing link to full, switch barrel capability on the Tikka platform. My T3 bolt bodies are CNC machined from 4340 and Nitrided for excellen

www.prprecisionrifles.com

Ragin_cajun · Dec 12, 2024

So my plans have been put on hold after a call today. Since I like my seekins hit so much I called them and asked about possibly a custom lightweight switch barrel hunting rifle and they said for me to hold off a month and keep an eye on there social media Because something will be released that should seriously strike my interest. That being said a seekins gun fitting my description is very exciting because I’m certain it will be a shooter, a better system then what I was trying to piece together and much cheaper. Christmas might be coming late lol

powdahound76 · Dec 12, 2024

Ragin_cajun said:
Tikka T3 Bolt Body — PRPrecision - tikka bottom metal

Couple Tikka’s single action length with the increase in pre-fit and factory take-off barrels on the market today, aftermarket bolt bodies have been the final missing link to full, switch barrel capability on the Tikka platform. My T3 bolt bodies are CNC machined from 4340 and Nitrided for excellen

www.prprecisionrifles.com

Those are entire bolt bodies.

You have to install FP, handle, extractor, and ejector.

As noted by Spife, the Origin has a swappable bolt head. Small part just at the end of it.
Same body. Same handle. Same FP.
extractor is on the bolt head already.

Seekins is the same.

I would look at the Origin or Seekins if it were me.

This is not nearly as cheap, easy, or as fast.

It is a pretty darn good option for canuckistan where owning guns is harder, so they could shoot a 223 for varmints and training, then swap to a big round for moose or bear.

brazz04 · Dec 13, 2024

This is my hunting Tikka, I actually own four Tikkas in total so I can swap bolts around when needed. To me the advantage to the Tikka is the footprint staying the same when swapping calibers. I leave the magnum bolt stop in two and a SA bolt stop in my 223. I just spin a 22" 7PRC proof barrel on when hunting elk out west and use Mountain Tactical mags, then when I come back to Texas, swap that for my 16.5" 6.5 Creed barrel and away I go. No feeding issues using the correct mags from the factory Tikka bottom metal (this is the biggest reason I went Tikka on this). It's in a carbon Stocky's VG stock with the factory bottom metal. Just got a Jolene S to keep it suppressed and lightweight that also swaps between the barrels. This rifle weighs 8lbs 9oz with either barrel (suppressor and scope included in the weight total).

My other Tikkas and my 223 (and my T1X) live in Bravos for range fun, so I have a few shouldered barrels I can swap between on those as well.

I'll be the first to say, this is not the cheap way as bolts are expensive, but I was already started down the Tikka road, so it made the most sense for me.

Hecouldgoalltheway · Dec 13, 2024

You could just get a nice used 6gt or 22cm, or build one, and a nice used 6.5prc or 7prc or build one, and you'd never have to swap anything.

What would you use a 22cm for that you couldn't use a 6gt for, or vice versa?

The same for 6.5 and 7 prc. The overlap of those two cartridge groups is like 99.99%..

Then you wouldn't have to do anything but either pick up one complete zeroed rifle or the other. You'd only have to load for 2 cartridges, you wouldn't burn ammo constantly re-zeroing between barrel swaps etc. One of them will sit most of the year without being fired anyways. Hell, get a 6cm for everything from coyotes to moose..

B_w. · Dec 13, 2024

Ragin_cajun said:
Tikka T3 Bolt Body — PRPrecision - tikka bottom metal

Couple Tikka’s single action length with the increase in pre-fit and factory take-off barrels on the market today, aftermarket bolt bodies have been the final missing link to full, switch barrel capability on the Tikka platform. My T3 bolt bodies are CNC machined from 4340 and Nitrided for excellen

www.prprecisionrifles.com

thanks for this link

krumfola · Dec 13, 2024

brazz04 said:
This is my hunting Tikka, I actually own four Tikkas in total so I can swap bolts around when needed. To me the advantage to the Tikka is the footprint staying the same when swapping calibers. I leave the magnum bolt stop in two and a SA bolt stop in my 223. I just spin a 22" 7PRC proof barrel on when hunting elk out west and use Mountain Tactical mags, then when I come back to Texas, swap that for my 16.5" 6.5 Creed barrel and away I go. No feeding issues using the correct mags from the factory Tikka bottom metal (this is the biggest reason I went Tikka on this). It's in a carbon Stocky's VG stock with the factory bottom metal. Just got a Jolene S to keep it suppressed and lightweight that also swaps between the barrels. This rifle weighs 8lbs 9oz with either barrel (suppressor and scope included in the weight total).

My other Tikkas and my 223 (and my T1X) live in Bravos for range fun, so I have a few shouldered barrels I can swap between on those as well.

I'll be the first to say, this is not the cheap way as bolts are expensive, but I was already started down the Tikka road, so it made the most sense for me.

View attachment 8567963

What bolt handle/knob is that?

brazz04 · Dec 14, 2024

Anarchy outdoors handle with a badger knob.

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