Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

[beenjammin]

Well. I have been looking for a tikka 595 master sporter for a while and finally found a guy who builds them up. A place called MT guns and the owner Mac Tilton. Well.. I called him up and chatted with him for a bit. Im guessing I am not his average customer as I dont compete in the NRA speed matches out to 600 yards. "All I want is a .308 master sporter built since they are hard to locate" He kept telling me that a .308 was really a waste of my time for 600-1000 yards out of a 22" barrel. He told me my best bet was to look on the net for one for sale. He did not want my money to build me one.... I was stunned. I did not even argue wit the guy about the .308 at 1000 because it was not going to even be worth getting into. What I fail to understand is why he did not seem to want to do business with me just because I wanted a .308. His site says that he will build a factory rifle if that is what you want...

Anyone have experiece with Mac? He was very nice on the phone, but He just could not understand that I wanted a Tikka Master sporter in .308.. I told him it was not for any NRA match shooting where speed was an issue. It shouldnt matter what I want to do with it, it is what I want for crying out loud.

This is the second time my money was no good when it comes to a dang Tikka master Sporter. Im starting to think they are cursed.

 

[pdd614]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Mac sent me running as well when I asked about rebarreling a lefty m695. what a shame because I freakin loved that action.

 

[beenjammin]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

He must be rich and not need the money. he acted like the mastersporters were everywhere... I cant find one in .308 anywhere.

Maybe this is a good thing, its not like its going to shoot better then my AW, I just thought I would be nice since my .22lr is in the exact same stock. Macs prices did not seem bad at all. He sounded thrilled to make me one in a 6.5x47 lapua as according to him I needed to reach 1000. I wish Lowlight would send him his video of his 18" reaching 1000 with no problem.

Macs dead set on it not making it though, and he sounds like a man whos opinion is not going to change on the matter.

Just frustrating.

 

[chrisj]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

If you want someone who rebarrels and works on Tikkas...call Mo Defina @ master Class Sports in Brookfgield, CT 203-775-1013. He is a top highpower shooter and has built a number of Tikkas, both T3 and 595 for me, and others. He shoots a T3 in 6mm br for across the course competition. he will also fit them into Mcmillan and manners stocks as well. Of the probably hundreds of rifles I have owned over the years...still the most accuracte was a Tikka 595 Master sporter that he rebarreld to 243 winchester with a Wilson chrome-moly barrel. 1/4"-1/2" 5-shot groups at 200 yards.

 

[jwn8552]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Why don't you just buy the stock and action, then have someone put it together with the barrel you want? Site says you can buy it at any stage of completion.

 

[Massoud]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Mac is a great guy, and extrememly knowledgeable. He's not really like GAP though, he's more of a niche 'smith and he's heavily involved in cross-the-course type stuff.

He probably know's that a .308 will make 1k, but those guys go for better ballistics.

 

[beenjammin]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why don't you just buy the stock and action, then have someone put it together with the barrel you want? Site says you can buy it at any stage of completion. </div></div>

Exactly what I thought. This is the reason for the post.... I tried to do just that. Again, he was very nice and Im sur he knows his stuff and has been doing it way before I was born, but still, all i wanted to do was to give him business. I guess he just thought it would be more adventageous to me to keep looking for one for private sale, but there just are none.

 

[benchduck]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

mac is rich great guy

 

[steelcomp]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Mac is not rich...he's done all right for himself, worked very hard and built a very successful business. (Anyone who races cars knows of Tilton products) He's definitely not gunsmithing for a living and is very opinionated and very knowledgable, but also very focused on what he does. I've talked to him about doing the gunsmith work my Sako 7mm rm and he seemed interested enough. I'm still months out on the barrel, but for me it's between him and Karl Campfeld. Mac's a good guy.

 

[bth87]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Check your PM box
Ben

 

[Pthfndr-CA]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Mac built my 695, in 6.5x55, for XC and LR prone matches. Only had to wait about 4 weeks. Maybe he was more willing to do that because I got a 29" barrel. My stock has all the bells and whistles listed on his website for the Master Sporter stock. Not including glass my total investment was $1500, and that included the donor action bought here off the Hide.

 

[Tioga]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Check your messages

I just bought a new 22-250 continental and UPS broke the stock deliverying it. I had planned on buying master spoter stock anyway. Now UPS is buying it good thing it was insured. Will only have 525.00 invested in new master sporter

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Mac Tilton tikka build from MT guns

Several years ago, early on in my shooting "education" I called Mr. Tilton and asked him some questions about modifying my Master Sporter. I inadvertently failed to account for the 3 hour time difference and called him at about 0630 PST! He couldn't have cared less--he was already up and spent the next hour answering my stupid questions while tending to his tomato garden.

He is good people.