IBI barrel for Tikka is here. Maybe first in the US.

[Kisssofdeath]

Well guys and gals it has finally showed up. Door to door delivery time was 14 days. The looks is like I figured...fantastic. I have included photos so I will give dialog with those.

Barrel as received from UPS.

The shank profile is the same as the factory barrel.

Crown typical 11° and very nicely done.

This barrel chamber is cut with the Eley EPS reamer. The round I have in the barrel is Eley Team which has the EPS bullet shape. What you see sticking out is the amount of bullet that will get pushed into the rifling when the bolt is closed.

Setting headspace is done with the ammo you want to shoot. Obviously in my case I used ammo that matched my chamber to begin with. All you do is insert the round in the chamber, stand barrel on the end, have bolt in the receiver, cocked with safety on, slip the receiver down on the barrel shank, align the extractor and cut and push down until the barrel stops. After this you can tighten up the set screws.

I have a few more photos so another post will be made. Please respond after I get the second post made.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Continued from above....

Below are a couple of photos showing smear marks (cloudy area) made by the Eley Team bullet. Again, this is how much contact is being made between the bullet and rifling before firing. I know, I know you guys probably already know this but I'm writing it as if some damn liberal POS was reading it.

I used my standard 20 in/lbs torque setting for the receiver bolts.

Ready to rock n roll. Probably won't get to shoot it today as it is getting late and by the time I get set up I won't get much accomplished.

I went with another KRG Bravo stock because I liked the first one so much. I may swap it out for the Sako Green later just to see how it looks.

 

[1badDart]

Looks great! I'm off work for a week so send it to me and I'll shoot it and write a comprehensive post.

 

[Boltman82]

Looks amazing, I hope it shoots amazing too! Let us know the results!

 

[idgunnut]

Looks fantastic

 

[jimmymcnulty]

Very Nice! Well done.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to shooting it. I haven't been to a gun show in several months and we are having one this weekend. I'd like to go but I also want to shoot this barrel.

A couple of things I have noticed about the IBI barrel is, the chamber is not as tight as my Sako Finnfire. It has more wiggle. The barrel wobbles pretty bad even when fully inserted into the receiver, it probably could have been a few thousands larger. My only guess is some receivers may have a smaller ID and the shank needs to be that small to ensure fit for all?? Last thing I noticed is the rifling isn't as polished as a lot of other barrels I have such as Anschutz, Sako, Steyr and Lilja just to name a few. No idea what if any effect these will have on accuracy just an observation.

 

[littlepod]

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering one of these IBI barrels! I just want to wait for your accuracy report With the set screws in place, then no wobble right?

Regarding fluting, for a rimfire, is there any benefit besides maybe a slight weight savings / looks? Rimfire barrels don't really generate much heat right? The fluting I think is an extra $100.

It looks like this is a pretty easy swap... except for the effort to get the original barrel off. That's the part that troubles me. I don't really have any sort of workshop table, or vices, or any impact wrenches. I just have basic tools to install actions and torque wrench. I think if I brought it to a smith, it should only be about an hour work to take off my original barrel and put the new one on so that'd only cost $100 vs buying a vice and impact wrenches, and hoping that I don't strip any screws...

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Yes with the set screws tight the barrel doesn't move. The flutes are for looks and weight savings. I can hold this setup pretty steady for offhand shooting. IMO, for me, this total package (scope, barrel, stock and weight distribution) is balanced near perfect. This is for me, others may feel different. I'm sure a non fluted barrel would be too heavy for me, offhand.

 

[kl3309]

Just sayin' (and yeah, I'm jealous).

 

[Eoddave27]

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering one of these IBI barrels! I just want to wait for your accuracy report With the set screws in place, then no wobble right?

Regarding fluting, for a rimfire, is there any benefit besides maybe a slight weight savings / looks? Rimfire barrels don't really generate much heat right? The fluting I think is an extra $100.

It looks like this is a pretty easy swap... except for the effort to get the original barrel off. That's the part that troubles me. I don't really have any sort of workshop table, or vices, or any impact wrenches. I just have basic tools to install actions and torque wrench. I think if I brought it to a smith, it should only be about an hour work to take off my original barrel and put the new one on so that'd only cost $100 vs buying a vice and impact wrenches, and hoping that I don't strip any screws...

It took my smith a lot longer to take my barrel off than anticipated. The big issue he had though was he snapped the first driver off in the set screw and couldn’t get the broken piece out. After that he tried everything he could to take the set screws out before drilling them out. He worked on it for a full day off and on trying to take it apart. If I would have known I would have just drilled them out before delivering it to him and saved him the frustration.

KOD how did you end up getting your set screws out?

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

That looks real nice Clark. Are you using any adhesive to hold the barrel in the receiver. Or do you think the 3 set screws will be enough?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

KOD how did you end up getting your set screws out?

I believe it wasn't a single attack but a combination of attacks from Sgt. Kroil, Capt. Impact Driver, Major BT Wrench, Pvt. Tiny T15 and General KOD applying constant pressure on all to work together as a team.

The key method I do believe is using the Battery Terminal wrench down low "sitting on the receiver" and being able to apply very slow constant pressure on the screws. I believe this is better than using a long screwdriver. I would point out that I didn't have to use heat.

Side note, we did have 4 casualties in this operation.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Also, did you measure the shank diameter that goes into the receiver. If so what’s the diameter?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

That looks real nice Clark. Are you using any adhesive to hold the barrel in the receiver. Or do you think the 3 set screws will be enough?

Who is Clark?

No, no adhesive or anything like that. I hadn't planned on it but Ryan at IBI said it wasn't needed. The barrel is not going anywhere.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Also, did you measure the shank diameter that goes into the receiver. If so what’s the diameter?

I was going to do that but kept forgetting. I know it is a lot smaller than factor, too small IMO. More on that to come.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

How much torque did you use on the 3 grub screws?
Clark is a reference to National Lampoons Vacation.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

How much torque did you use on the 3 grub screws?
Clark is a reference to National Lampoons Vacation.

After Ryan from IBI told me that it didn't make any difference as far as accuracy is concerned "they tested already", it was an afterthought. Other words, I can't know as I didn't use the torque wrench. More on those screws to come.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Gotcha thanks for the response. Looking forward to results.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

KOD, how much was the barrel before fluting? Their site leave much to be desired.

 

[littlepod]

KOD, how much was the barrel before fluting? Their site leave much to be desired.

Non fluted is 319+ shipping.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Thanks for the response. Is that on their site or you just know from talking with them?

 

[littlepod]

Thanks for the response. Is that on their site or you just know from talking with them?

From talking with them. I'm about to order. Just deciding on what reamer to use. Winchester 52d or Eley EPS.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Good to know. I’ll be calling this week.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

$319 is the price like Litttlepod said.

I didn't know we had an option on the chamber as Ryan didn't mention it. If I had a choice I would have went with the 52D chamber. I have the EPS and have no issues with anything regarding reliability.

@ MilClick, Ryan said I couldn't get a threaded barrel for the Tikka. I will have to ask him about this as I would have rather had the threaded barrel for suppressor use. I am still putting this together and want to shoot more with better, more visible bullseye targets. For now I will leave you with a teaser photo. Don't beat me up for showing a single cherry picked group but I'm saving the entire target for later. 5 shots, 55 yards. eyes closed....just kidding on the eyes closed.

 

[idgunnut]

$319 is the price like Litttlepod said.

I didn't know we had an option on the chamber as Ryan didn't mention it. If I had a choice I would have went with the 52D chamber. I have the EPS and have no issues with anything regarding reliability.

@ MilClick, Ryan said I couldn't get a threaded barrel for the Tikka. I will have to ask him about this as I would have rather had the threaded barrel for suppressor use. I am still putting this together and want to shoot more with better, more visible bullseye targets. For now I will leave you with a teaser photo. Don't beat me up for showing a single cherry picked group but I'm saving the entire target for later. 5 shots, 55 yards. eyes closed....just kidding on the eyes closed.

View attachment 7163814

If you take the 1" dots and use a single hole paper punch from Walmart it works really well and the white shows up great against the cross hairs. Very nice shooting by the way

 

[littlepod]

$319 is the price like Litttlepod said.

I didn't know we had an option on the chamber as Ryan didn't mention it. If I had a choice I would have went with the 52D chamber. I have the EPS and have no issues with anything regarding reliability.

@ MilClick, Ryan said I couldn't get a threaded barrel for the Tikka. I will have to ask him about this as I would have rather had the threaded barrel for suppressor use. I am still putting this together and want to shoot more with better, more visible bullseye targets. For now I will leave you with a teaser photo. Don't beat me up for showing a single cherry picked group but I'm saving the entire target for later. 5 shots, 55 yards. eyes closed....just kidding on the eyes closed.

View attachment 7163814

Let me know how it goes! Right now I'm just waiting... $319 + $100 gunsmith work = cost of a new Tikka basically, but if it improves the precision by a good 20-30% I'm in! Cheaper than going a $1750 barreled V22.

 

[littlepod]

I’ve ordered one, it will be going into a 455 action. I ordered an 18” long,threaded muzzle with the Eley EPS chamber. Total is 473$ Canadian shipped.
I purchased it through Jerry at Mystic Precision.
I also called IBI and talked to Ryan, great guy and answered all my questions.
I’ll update as well when I assemble my parts.

Do you know if Mystic Precision will do Tikka barrels too? I'd love to have a T1X, Eley EPS, Threaded Barrel.

 

[littlepod]

I also have been wondering about that. Mystic Precision makes a lot of notch notch barrels and its about time we get one for Tikka.

I just emailed Jerry, and he's working with me on my requirements. I'll update once I know more.

 

[littlepod]

Looking forward to your Pm on this, i would like to twick my Tikka before upcoming varmint hunt.

For Varmint hunts, what are general requirements? I don't hunt, just compete in precision rifle. The stock Tikka has done about 1moa for the most part, but I'd like it to be a sub moa rifle out to 150 yards.

Where I saw some possible influences on my Tikka were 1/4" target @ 50 yards, and I was like hmm... a nicer match barrel with a good pairing with match ammo would've made that happen with a lot more confidence.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Did I read correctly. IBI isn’t threading the muzzle end for $319?

 

[kthomas]

I also have been wondering about that. Mystic Precision makes a lot of notch notch barrels and its about time we get one for Tikka.

He doesn't make any barrels, he just sells them...

 

[kthomas]

Did I read correctly. IBI isn’t threading the muzzle end for $319?

They won't thread the muzzle end, for some weird reason.

 

[kthomas]

Great looking rifle!

I'll be following the thread, interested to see how IBI progresses. Initially reports on their centerfire barrels (from first hand accounts) were pretty disappointing, but I've heard they are getting better (2nd or 3rd hand accounts only). Haven't heard anything about their rimfire barrels.

Looks like it's already showing promise though!

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Ok just wanted to confirm. That will add another $125 from my smith. If it shoots good it will be worth it.

 

[JMcBurn]

Ok just wanted to confirm. That will add another $125 from my smith. If it shoots good it will be worth it.

If you are gonna buy the barrel then pay to have it threaded, why not just pay a smith to put a full custom barrel on it?

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Got an email back from Mystic today. I was quoted just under $500 for a McGowen in 17HMR. Prefit for T1X and threaded muzzle.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

If you are gonna buy the barrel then pay to have it threaded, why not just pay a smith to put a full custom barrel on it?

My goal for a new barrel is to make a switch barrel set up. I need a 17 HMR for Prarie dogs next spring so I’ll want it to be easily removed and replaced. Looking into the cost I’m better off just buying a new T1X in 17 HMR and not fooling with a barrel. But then I have a rifle sitting most of the year with no use.

 

[JMcBurn]

My goal for a new barrel is to make a switch barrel set up. I need a 17 HMR for Prarie dogs next spring so I’ll want it to be easily removed and replaced. Looking into the cost I’m better off just buying a new T1X in 17 HMR and not fooling with a barrel. But then I have a rifle sitting most of the year with no use.

Idk man it all depends on what you value the time of swapping a barrel and what you expect accuracy wise.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

I expect minute of prarie dog at 159yds which is what my CZ 455 gave me last year. It was a very successful hunt. Factory rifle should do what I need. Also just noticed a big shipment must have recently arrived as I see them in stock in lots of places.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Well, how many people shoot 600 rounds in approximately 4 hours? Just finished up shooting 12 different types of ammo through the IBI barreled Tikka. Final report on the IBI barrel will follow shortly. There is a lot to say and discuss.

Spoiler alert, it was worth the money, I'm glad I bought it and would buy another if it was offered in 17 HMR or 17 HM2 or another 22 LR if it was threaded for a suppressor. It's a keeper for sure.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Looking forward to your report.

 

[3guns2hands]

i dont mean to burst your bubble, def not the first one.
been running mine for a few months.

 

[Tx_Aggie]

i dont mean to burst your bubble, def not the first one.
been running mine for a few months.

Sweet rifle!

It's a little OT, but how difficult is it to reach the mag release on the T1X in that ACC chassis? Any issues with mag changes on the clock?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

i dont mean to burst your bubble, def not the first one.
been running mine for a few months.

That's great. How do you like it? If you are in the US how or who did you go through to you purchase your barrel?

 

[3guns2hands]

Sweet rifle!

It's a little OT, but how difficult is it to reach the mag release on the T1X in that ACC chassis? Any issues with mag changes on the clock?

its wide open, easy to reach. already won a few nrl22 matches with it.

 

[3guns2hands]

That's great. How do you like it? If you are in the US how or who did you go through to you purchase your barrel?

i like it alot, it prefers center x/sk rifle match. did not have much luck with ANY eley product.

 

[littlepod]

i like it alot, it prefers center x/sk rifle match. did not have much luck with ANY eley product.

What did you get yours reamed with? They offer both Win 52d and Eley EPS. I posted on another thread tagging you about how you like your MDT ACC overall. I've been considering getting one and trying it out over the Bravo to see.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

i like it alot, it prefers center x/sk rifle match. did not have much luck with ANY eley product.

Interesting results. How did you acquire your barrel?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

The main objective of this write up is to help someone decide if they want purchase a barrel made by International Barrels Incorporated AKA I.B.I.. This is not an advertisement for them. IBI is not compensating me in any way or form. I bought this barrel with my money.

The barrel I received has a very loose fit between the shank and receiver. I wish a million times I had measured the shank but I didn’t. Ryan with IBI tells me this is normal but (IDK) but I'm thinking he may look into making it at least .001” or .003” larger. It will not take much to create a snug fit. I used a piece of shim stock that is .003” thick that reached from 4 to 8 o’clock around the bottom of the barrel shank. Before doing this my groups were just average groups. I could get 5 of 10 groups under .05” at 55 yards but that’s definitely not what I was looking for. I don’t have any photos showing the shim or this process because at the time I wasn’t in a picture taking mood, if you know what I mean.

I have already touch on a lot of barrel specifics above to let’s go straight to the accuracy as that’s what most people want to see anyway. All of the groups posted were shot with the shim in place and the barrel was never removed again. All groups were shot with receiver bolts at 20 in/lbs. Ryan said they saw no difference in accuracy when experimenting with the 3 barrel screws so I just tightened them down pretty good and left it at that.

Here are a couple of photos showing the ammo tested, rifle and range.
This first one was taken after I was finished, it was getting dark but with the amazing clarity the Vortex Razor HD GEN II made it easy to see the dots.

I switched stocks. I prefer the Sako green with both guns but one has to sit in the Tan stock.

All ammo tested on 10-15-19. One ammo that you may notice is missing and that is Eley Tenex. I have lost a lot of faith in Tenex and can't make myself buy it for $17 a box anymore.

These next three photos show the ammo as shot in sequence. The barrel has never been cleaned since first getting it when I ran one dry patch down. I don't know the exact round count but I would imagine between 1300 and 1400 rounds have been shot so far. Please spare me the cleaning lecture if you have one. Everyone has their own beliefs, superstitions and so on regarding cleaning a 22 rimfire.

What I do want to point out is there is no significant 1st round flyer. The exception is with the Lapua Center-x shot on 10-15-19, it does seem to have had one. But, would it have if I had already been shooting Center-X?? Also I want to point out that switching ammo doesn't require a few shots to get "in the groove" or be accurate. Some people believe you need to do that and that's fine with me. Based on my experience I don't have that belief. Maybe on the very first shot such as the Center-X but I do not believe it for every single time you switch ammo. You may have a particular gun that exhibits this behavior but I don't think it's the norm.

I started with Eley Team, shot left to right and finished with RWS R50.

Now for individual targets and commentary above. I will start with what I think shot the best. Read the targets it has information.

Lapua Center-X shot the best. There is a lot to be said about these two. targets. 1st, all but one group is UNDER .5" that's 19 out of 20 groups. 15 out of 20 are 3/8" or better. That's including the groups that's 3/8" - 7/16", that's like splitting hairs anyway. On the second target a slight movement of something on my end prevented me from getting 3 additional 1/4" groups. 5 of 10 were at 1/4". All shots on their own target are all in the same area next to the bullseye.

Now that I've got you thinking about targets or hopefully I am, I won't need to give as much dialog from here on.

Next best is another Lapua product called Pistol King. I'm surprised I don't see people shooting this ammo much as I think it's great.

I'm at my 10 limit photo. To be continued.