best/easiest .260 barrel switch for Tikka?

[Graywolf.260]

I have a T3 lite in .243 and want to put a .260 on it for precision long range targets. It'll go in a Manners mcs-t4. Aside from barrel quality, is there a make of barrel that would work best in terms of ease of fitting? I'm thinking about Krieger. I'll probably use a local gunsmith but that's not a done deal. I've never swapped a barrel out, and I'm not sure if it would be worthwhile to have the action trued by a quality shop but I'd like to keep the budget as low as I can without sacrificing too much quality.

 

[cowlickkid]

Re: best/easiest .260 barrel switch for Tikka?

I had Lilja do a custom Tikka M595 barrel contour some years back for my .20 Practical project that fits into the factory stock perfectly. I am not 100% sure, but the newer T3 models have a very similar, if not the same, contour. Here is a link to Lilja's custom contours. It is a .pdf file that shows all the factory contours Lilja offers. The Tikka contour is called the "tikka595". It gives the dimensions that you can compare to your T3 barrel.

http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/factory_contours.pdf

I have used Lilja's for many years and have never gotten a whiff of copper in any of them even when shooting .20 caliber
bullets at 4200 fps. My favorites are the 3-grooves. And I have never had one that didn't shoot excellent in terms of accuracy. You will not regret a Lilja.

 

[trigger time]

Re: best/easiest .260 barrel switch for Tikka?

When you order your stock from Manners, just have them inlet the barrel channel for what ever contour you want to go with. Then get that contour on your barrel. Just about any of them over a #3 will be bigger than a T3 lite. You'll have more of a gap when running your 243 but it'll work just fine. One thing about the Tikka is the action is 1.2 wide, so the breech of your barrel will either have to come 1.2 or be turned down to fit. Depending on what smith you use he may or may not charge you to do that. Just something to keep in mind when ordering your barrel. Hope that helps.
Tony

 

[jrob300]

Re: best/easiest .260 barrel switch for Tikka?

PM sent

John