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++Bighorn TL3 Builds++
- Thread starter earthquake
- Start date
Ok guys. I don’t need a gunsmith. I just never done this particular install yet and I am very annal about perfection. Just wanted a palpable way to ensure is all done as it should. Appreciate the input.
The TL3 trigger pins are held to a tight tolerance. Do not force them in....they will go in easy when you have them perfectly aligned then you can use a punch to finish them off.
I've heard horror stories of guys beating their pins in with hammers and damaging their TL3 action and the pins...
I've heard horror stories of guys beating their pins in with hammers and damaging their TL3 action and the pins...
Thank you for that. I understand this operation can be simple (to paraphrase the Geico commercial....even a caveman can do it...) but as you just pointed out has to be done right otherwise.....it’s done wrong. And thus my initial request. Appreciate it.
Just got my Bighorn TL3 action in today, and must I say it is a work of art . But now to get it up and running, does anyone know of anywhere that has shouldered pre fits in stock or low lead times? I saw that PVA has 14 week lead times on barrels and I will do that if I must but it is going to certainly delay my shooting ?. Any advice is welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
I just got my barrel from Greg at SPR/Bugholes today. He quoted 30 days and it got here in 3 weeks. Excellent customer service, I’d highly recommend him.
I have 3 TL3's. Love them
Keystone Accuracy does lots of TL3 shouldered prefits and has a super fast turn around. They say 2 weeks or less but it's been a few days. They have both button and Kreiger cut rifled barrels to choose from.
Some company’s have certain prefits already made and ready to ship. You could call a couple of company’s to see if they have any lying around in the caliber you’re looking for. If not then you will need build one and wait for it, or you could buy one second hand. As soon as my barrel vise shows up I’ll be selling a 18” 6.5 creedmoor bartein shouldered TL3 prefit that mile high spun up. Has 102 documented rounds through it.
@reubenski I am going 6.5 CM, thanks for the offer though. I will call some places like people have suggested and see whats out there, I am feeling more optimistic now!
Call keystone accuracy. John will spin you up one in 2 weeks or less most of the time. All mine have been same or next day ship.
Waiting for my TL-3 (left)S/A from Altus as well. They said it should should ship out the end of March. Ordered a PR 22" carbon 6.5prc prefit. Still shopping for a heavy steel tube in 6.5 creed for plinking. Going to use the PRC for hunting if I can get it to shoot solids.
Are the proof TL3 prefits shipping yet? Thought they weren't going to be shipping til April?
Still waiting on the proof. Haven't got a confirmation on their expected shipping date. Got a call today from Moon at crescent customs and he'll be shipping out my 300prc rebarred Savage by end of this week so that should keep me busy till April ??
I ordered a tl3 action last week, and I can't wait to have it, UPS has tried 2 times to deliver it to my gunshop, on time at 7pm and one Tim at 8am, my gunshop opens at 9 and closes at 5:30, I hope the UPS driver reads the sign at the door and will try to deliver during opening hours 
As far as my build, I hope it's replacing 3 rifles, I want to get a 16" 6xc barrel for hunting, a 22" 6xc for competition, and a 20" 6.5cm because I have a 6.5 fluted barrel blank laying around.
No idea for a stock at this time, I want something carbon fiber light, manners or gunworks maybe.triggertech diamond should get delivered today.
As far as my build, I hope it's replacing 3 rifles, I want to get a 16" 6xc barrel for hunting, a 22" 6xc for competition, and a 20" 6.5cm because I have a 6.5 fluted barrel blank laying around.
No idea for a stock at this time, I want something carbon fiber light, manners or gunworks maybe.triggertech diamond should get delivered today.
Bit the bullet so to speak and got an order in with Altus out of FL. They had everything I wanted in stock. It’s all in and I’ll do some more pics and report once I get it going.
TL3 action, MPA comp chassis / folder, Triggertech special flat trigger, Area419 hellfire brake, Proof 20” 6.5cm stainless heavy palma shouldered prefit (I think they cut em all in house from proof blanks).
Added my Gen1 Razor on it and atlas PSR bipod. All in weight is right about 15-16 lbs. Fit and finish and feel is all good, lockup is smooth and solid on the folding chassis. Just don’t like the diamond cut bolt knob.
TL3 action, MPA comp chassis / folder, Triggertech special flat trigger, Area419 hellfire brake, Proof 20” 6.5cm stainless heavy palma shouldered prefit (I think they cut em all in house from proof blanks).
Added my Gen1 Razor on it and atlas PSR bipod. All in weight is right about 15-16 lbs. Fit and finish and feel is all good, lockup is smooth and solid on the folding chassis. Just don’t like the diamond cut bolt knob.
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RedBeard GunWorks in TX has 6.5cm shouldered prefits in stock for $675 (I think) right now. Josh at PVA will cut anything shouldered prefit for a little less than that at $575 but is super busy so there’s a wait for it. Altus will cut you one quick but they’re running about $750 I think of stainless. There’s a few others mentioned here on forums that will cut to order a stainless shouldered prefit for you for the $600 range though I can’t remember all the different names. Lot of companies are offering the shouldered prefits now. Good times for precision rifle owners I think.
Lol. Yup. Just like you had said. I picked up one of the RossPrecision barrel vises and used that to get the barrel on to about 40-45 ft/lbs. Going to run that torque for a while and see how it does with cold and heat or if I need to go more or can get by with even less.
I was told by my gunsmith who chambered my prefit to do 80 to 100 ft/lbs on my barrel. /shrug
Yep, anywhere in that range should work good. That's what I use with my Ross vise.
True. Most barrel MFR’s reccomend the 80 ft/lb torque for their barrels. I’ve got mine going for a switch barrel type setup. Planning on testing (like several of the guys on here have) the different torque settings and ease of removal and stuff. I can easily torque to 40-45. More than that I think i would need a hitch mount or bench mount setup.
Paperwork that comes with your TL3 states 70lbs for shouldered barrels. 35-45lbs is for nut setups.
Does it matter? Idk but all my shouldered barrels on my TL3's are 70lb and nuts 40lb
Does it matter? Idk but all my shouldered barrels on my TL3's are 70lb and nuts 40lb
First part of my build arrived
Lefty triggertech diamond
Lefty triggertech diamond
Yup. My only concern is the temp changes and heating and cooling of barrel ma
Yes I know what the paperwork for the barrel and action both list as their recommended values. I invested in this action and setup for the ability to run light(er) torque values on the barrels for the ability to easily swap between calibers if I choose to. I’ll be monitoring and checking barrel torque in relation to witness marks I placed as well as checking things for accuracy related issues to torque. Will see how it all pans out. Lot of other users on here have run and are running lighter torque settings for the same reason. That’s why I’m trying it out.
Wow you guys getting all technical on torque values. I tighten it as much as I can by hand then smack it with a rubber mallet... Done.
Don't worry about it. I've shot mine from below freezing temps up through hot summer days, slow fire and getting barrel super hot. Barrel is not going to come loose on you or shift around.
So I got a box of ammo down the barrel and break in is done. Having mag problems though. Rifle came with a 5rd Accurate Metal mag and trying to use that mag and have it feed feels like I'm trying to close an action full of sand and gravel and the brass has some nice scrapes from feeding out of that mag. Switched over to my magpul 10rd AICS mags and those don't want to seat and when I can get em to lock in place the bolt rides over the rounds half the time. The magpul 5rd mags work fine. Got home and tried the magpul "fine tuning" like MPA has a video of with shaving a little material here and while now they lock into place fine, they still have same feeding / bolt over the rounds issue. So I think the TL3 with AW cut I got isn't going to run with the magpul mags... which sucks... cause they've worked in every other rifle/chassis I had... So that leads me to metal mags and what magazines are ya'll using and having best luck with. My setup is TL3 AW cut in a "new" MPA Comp Chassis. The chassis has no mag well screws or anything either. Any luck with the MDT 12 round mags? Those look interesting to me for having an extra round available. Ya'll let me know what you think or if you don't want to reply on here just shoot me a private message. Thanks
I have zero issues running AICS, ARC and MDT 13rd in my TL3, MPA or TL3/ACC or TL3/Envy setups in 6.5x47L. AW will not run in the TL3/MPA but will in the Envy...
6.5creedmoor
I’m struggling a bit with this mainly cause I’ve used the magpul mags in 3 different rifles (savages, Rem700, Bergara actions) four different action/chassis setups and they always worked. And if I modify mags to work in this new expensive setup then my new rifle will only work with those mags. Is it something because it’s an AW cut or something with the chassis do you think?
I'm running AW in the TL3/MPA so it comes down to trial/error and being able to tune you magazine feed lips to the gun. AICS, Accurate, ARC and AW have all worked for me at one time or another.
Idk. Never ran Magpul mags. ARC mags have been 100% consistent with x47L as well as AICS in the TL3/MPA BA.
Well crap. Wonder what the heck is going on with my setup then? I’ve only got magpul and an accurate aics 5rd magazine. Accurate mag doesn’t feed smooth and binds and action drags and it chews up brass. Magpul mags don’t seat properly and bolt glides over the rounds. Dammit. Lol
Ok.. i Know this sounds like I’m whining cause I kinda am... but I’ve got to try to custom fit / tune / modify mags to work on this setup now more than likely? I just dropped a bunch of money, saved and sold and traded for months to get it all together. And I’m gonna have to buy some different mags and probably make magazines work for it? Crap man... that’s not what I wanted to hear. Lol
Ok. Looks like I’m gonna have to buy or borrow some mags and see what works. Dangit.
I’ve emailed MPA and BigHorn as well to ask them what they thought. I’m impatient and spring is finally here so we are thawing out some and the range is beckoning me for load development. Don’t want to go and spend a bunch of money on mags to just try out if it’s something off with mag catch in rifle though. Know what I mean?
Heres MDT 13rd 6BR prototype mag I'm testing for them.
I've ran their 13rd 308 style.mag as well. It's amazing. Grab one, you wont be disappointed. Double stack, single feed.
I've ran their 13rd 308 style.mag as well. It's amazing. Grab one, you wont be disappointed. Double stack, single feed.
