Upgrading from Tikka CTR - 3 options want opinions

[patriot07]

Just a guy who likes to shoot - don't compete or anything. Looking to upgrade from the Tikka CTR 24" 6.5 CM that I've had for the last 7-8 years. But I'm a dad with a teacher wife so budget is important...so options are listed in increasing level of cost. Priorities with this new rifle is a 20" barrel for a suppressor and just setting round count back to 0 since I think mine is nearing being shot out (could still sell for a few bucks to a hunter or someone who isn't gonna put a ton of rounds down it). Still shoots 1/2 MOA with handloads as of right now, but it's a mile long with my can on it.

1 - buy a Tikka 20" CTR and stick my Manners stock on it (boring but affordable - would probably cerakote the new gun so would cost a few bucks)
2 - put a Bartlein on my Tikka (around $1300 with fluting, cerakote, gunsmithing, etc.)
3 - sell the Tikka for around $900 and buy a Horizon Firearms Vandal X or Prime (seem to be around $2300-$2400 street price, so nearly the same as option 2)

Which would you guys do?

 

[DarinC]

You can get a new barrel a lot cheaper than 1300

If it were me, I’d just rebarrel. If you already have it in a manners, you’re not going to gain anything by going with a horizon IMO.

 

[shields shtr]

Well, I own all sorts of custom action/barrel combos and my Tikka (which was my gateway precision gun) is still one of the best shooting rifles I own. My daughter has it now with a MDT LSS chassis and a Luth AR adjustable buttstock.

I like the Tikka Actions, and there seems to be a plethora of aftermarket stuff. I would get a SAC barrel vise and get a quality pre-fit barrel to install. It's oddly satisfying doing it yourself...especially with a Tikka.

 

[Luckyshot]

Agree with rebarrel. Hold out for someone selling a 6.5mm cut rifled blank for a deal, or just get a Shilen from NSS for $350.

Chamber for $350 by anyone. Skip the fluting and cerekote

 

[spife7980]

I’d get a prefit for 600 something dollars and skip the fluting and lipstick

 

[patriot07]

You can get a new barrel a lot cheaper than 1300

If it were me, I’d just rebarrel. If you already have it in a manners, you’re not going to gain anything by going with a horizon IMO.

Would be interested to hear about how. I would only go Bartlein. Far as I can see, it's $450 for the barrel, $180 for the fluting I'd get, $500 for the gunsmith work to cut down and thread the muzzle, turn down the breech end from 1.25" to 1.00" and chamber it, remove my old barrel, and install the new one, and $175 for single color cerakote. I think that adds up to around $1300...but will consider other options if it makes sense. I don't have an action wrench or any other major gunsmithing tools but would consider buying them.

Obviously I could save a few bucks not cerakoting and not fluting, but I've never had an aftermarket barrel and if I go that route, I'd want to get what I've wanted.

 

[patriot07]

I’d get a prefit for 600 something dollars and skip the fluting and lipstick

What all tools would I need? I don't have an action wrench, gauges, or anything like that. Would still need to get it cut down and muzzle threaded unless you can pick those options for the $600.

Who sells prefits for Tikkas? Are they already turned down from 1.25" so they'll fit in the stock? I'd consider that option.

 

[spife7980]

What all tools would I need? I don't have an action wrench, gauges, or anything like that. Would still need to get it cut down and muzzle threaded unless you can pick those options for the $600.

Who sells prefits for Tikkas? Are they already turned down from 1.25" so they'll fit in the stock? I'd consider that option.

You would want an action wrench and a barrel vice, or better yet a buddy with one.

Lots of places make tikka prefits, half of them make shouldered as well, they they are turned to the 1.1 or whatever a tikka is.

 

[mark5pt56]

Rebarrel with a profile and length to suit your needs. Put it into a Bravo with CTR mag option. Drop the fluting, nothing but looks. Want it to be lighter--pick the right profile.
CTR/AICS mags? you already have the mags in CTR, you don't compete and need the slightly cheaper AICS option, never had an issue with CTR magazines.
The Bravo is a cheap upgrade, not "needed" but does make the rifle more adjustable to you. Plus maybe fit your kids later with adjustment to the spacers.

My opinion, don't spend money on stupid shit just because others may, needed or not. Spend it on ammunition and training.

Barrel length? if you don't need the barrel short for a certain reason, don't rob yourself of ballistics. I would say 22"-24" on rebarrel. If you are simply taking to the range and from a bag to bench, a 22-24 is a nice balance.

--22-24" heavy palma-M24 in the bravo is my vote

 

[powdahound76]

Rebarrel

Re think about flutes. (Dont waste the $) they look cool. Serve no good purpose.

Krylon over cerakote for a 2500 rd barrel.
(You said budget was key and I am the king of being cheap!!)

Stick with the Manners you have.

I like shorter barrels part of the time.
If mostly range, I go longer.
Hunting I like shorter (light and handy)

 

[mark5pt56]

Rebarrel

Re think about flutes. (Dont waste the $) they look cool. Serve no good purpose.

Krylon over cerakote for a 2500 rd barrel.
(You said budget was key and I am the king of being cheap!!)

Stick with the Manners you have.

I like shorter barrels part of the time.
If mostly range, I go longer.
Hunting I like shorter (light and handy)

Missed that part!

 

[ma smith]

1 - buy a Tikka 20" CTR and stick my Manners stock on it (boring but affordable - would probably cerakote the new gun so would cost a few bucks)
2 - put a Bartlein on my Tikka (around $1300 with fluting, cerakote, gunsmithing, etc.)
3 - sell the Tikka for around $900 and buy a Horizon Firearms Vandal X or Prime (seem to be around $2300-$2400 street price, so nearly the same as option 2)

These are some very "specific" options, but you could possibly look at things more broadly as follows

1. New OEM Barrels. $250-400 (eg from JA outdoors). Pick your profile and features. Cheap & accurate. MV is slow if it matters.
2. Prefit Barrel, Non-OEM. $500-700 from a gazillion sources. Plain finish is fine. Faster MV and more profile options. If it matters.
3. New Rifle. $2500 lego build ($1300 action +$600bbl +$600 chassis). Do this for a spefic purpose only.

The number one priority I would say here is figure out what you want to do with the rifle. This is really the dermining factor of barrel profile and length, and MV requirements.

 

[Memberberries]

Get a prefit, you can go to a local smith and have them cerakote and install it for probably $200 ish if you don't want to buy the action wrench, vise, and headspace gage. Forget the flutes, you said you're on a budget after all

 

[patriot07]

Rebarrel with a profile and length to suit your needs. Put it into a Bravo with CTR mag option. Drop the fluting, nothing but looks. Want it to be lighter--pick the right profile.
CTR/AICS mags? you already have the mags in CTR, you don't compete and need the slightly cheaper AICS option, never had an issue with CTR magazines.
The Bravo is a cheap upgrade, not "needed" but does make the rifle more adjustable to you. Plus maybe fit your kids later with adjustment to the spacers.

My opinion, don't spend money on stupid shit just because others may, needed or not. Spend it on ammunition and training.

Barrel length? if you don't need the barrel short for a certain reason, don't rob yourself of ballistics. I would say 22"-24" on rebarrel. If you are simply taking to the range and from a bag to bench, a 22-24 is a nice balance.

--22-24" heavy palma-M24 in the bravo is my vote

I already have a Manners stock. I hate the 24" barrel when I take it out west hunting with a can on it. I'm thinking 18-20.

Always wanted a fluted barrel. If I don't go fluted, I'd probably just sell this CTR and buy a 20" and save the $

 

[Memberberries]

I already have a Manners stock. I hate the 24" barrel when I take it out west hunting with a can on it. I'm thinking 18-20.

Always wanted a fluted barrel. If I don't go fluted, I'd probably just sell this CTR and buy a 20" and save the $

coming from a guy with a bunch of fluted barrels, skip the flutes and buy more ammo

 

[Hickswr]

Buy a NEW 20” CTR takeoff barrel for $200 or less and pay someone $100 to install it.

$1300 to rebarrel a Tikka is insane even for a guy with an unlimited budget.

 

[patriot07]

These are some very "specific" options, but you could possibly look at things more broadly as follows

1. New OEM Barrels. $250-400 (eg from JA outdoors). Pick your profile and features. Cheap & accurate. MV is slow if it matters.
2. Prefit Barrel, Non-OEM. $500-700 from a gazillion sources. Plain finish is fine. Faster MV and more profile options. If it matters.
3. New Rifle. $2500 lego build ($1300 action +$600bbl +$600 chassis). Do this for a spefic purpose only.

The number one priority I would say here is figure out what you want to do with the rifle. This is really the dermining factor of barrel profile and length, and MV requirements.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I take it hunting out west and shoot at home with buddies (just east of Dallas). The rifle is unweildy at 24" with a can on it. And I don't really need the MV. But I don't shoot comps or anything.

I don't have the tools to install. It would be significantly cheaper to buy a new CTR, swap stocks with mine, sell the old one, and basically only be out $100-$200 and have a new factory 20" barrel that way. $300-ish for a new OEM barrel plus hundreds of dollars on tools...may as well go prefit at that point.

Can you give me a source who sells prefit Bartlein barrels? Looks like bugholes no longer has the nuts to fit tikka and I don't know who else does bartlein.

coming from a guy with a bunch of fluted barrels, skip the flutes and buy more ammo

yall are making me reconsider...

 

[Memberberries]

I think you can use nuts from other places as long as the thread is correct. might be able to call them and see if they still have some in stock also

 

[TheBigCountry]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I take it hunting out west and shoot at home with buddies (just east of Dallas). The rifle is unweildy at 24" with a can on it. And I don't really need the MV. But I don't shoot comps or anything.

I don't have the tools to install. It would be significantly cheaper to buy a new CTR, swap stocks with mine, sell the old one, and basically only be out $100-$200 and have a new factory 20" barrel that way. $300-ish for a new OEM barrel plus hundreds of dollars on tools...may as well go prefit at that point.

Can you give me a source who sells prefit Bartlein barrels? Looks like bugholes no longer has the nuts to fit tikka and I don't know who else does bartlein.



yall are making me reconsider...

Josh at PVA @bohem does Tikka prefits

Check with Southern Precision Rifles too

Keep what you got and swap barrels

 

[bohem]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I take it hunting out west and shoot at home with buddies (just east of Dallas). The rifle is unweildy at 24" with a can on it. And I don't really need the MV. But I don't shoot comps or anything.

I don't have the tools to install. It would be significantly cheaper to buy a new CTR, swap stocks with mine, sell the old one, and basically only be out $100-$200 and have a new factory 20" barrel that way. $300-ish for a new OEM barrel plus hundreds of dollars on tools...may as well go prefit at that point.

Can you give me a source who sells prefit Bartlein barrels? Looks like bugholes no longer has the nuts to fit tikka and I don't know who else does bartlein.



yall are making me reconsider...

I'll take the opportunity and toot my horn a little here:

I started the Tikka prefit industry, first as barrel nut installs and then as shouldered prefits.
We are the experts in the field.

We can make you whatever you'd like. Stainless, fluted, carbon, cerakote, no cerakote... anything from 16.5-28" long and I have blanks on hand in any contour from a pencil (we make the cores for our own carbon blanks) up to 1.16" dead straight.

patriotvalleyarms.com

 

[WeR0206]

I'll take the opportunity and toot my horn a little here:

I started the Tikka prefit industry, first as barrel nut installs and then as shouldered prefits.
We are the experts in the field.

We can make you whatever you'd like. Stainless, fluted, carbon, cerakote, no cerakote... anything from 16.5-28" long and I have blanks on hand in any contour from a pencil (we make the cores for our own carbon blanks) up to 1.16" dead straight.

patriotvalleyarms.com

+1 on this. I spend a lot of time reading threads here and your work definitely comes Highly recommended.

Sorry this is a little off topic but I’m really looking forward to getting Rock Creek origin action pre-fit. Do you happen to know when they will be back in stock? Im looking to get a cut rifled 6GT.

 

[noremorse92]

Dude definitely just rebarrel your existing action as long as you are happy with it. Don't overthink it.

A factory take off is the cheapest option. It will shoot as well as your current barrel did when new and ought to headspace just fine. You'll be able to find 308 and 6.5cm barrels easily enough.

If you go custom you might as well shell out a little more to have the barrel custom fit to your rifle vs a prefit. You can find deals on top notch blanks all over the web, especially the classifieds. You can't go wrong with a Bart or krieger.

 

[patriot07]

I'll take the opportunity and toot my horn a little here:

I started the Tikka prefit industry, first as barrel nut installs and then as shouldered prefits.
We are the experts in the field.

We can make you whatever you'd like. Stainless, fluted, carbon, cerakote, no cerakote... anything from 16.5-28" long and I have blanks on hand in any contour from a pencil (we make the cores for our own carbon blanks) up to 1.16" dead straight.

patriotvalleyarms.com

Is there a reason I can't send you a PM? Tried but not working. Have a few questions. Would consider PVA - have heard nothing but good things.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Is there a reason I can't send you a PM? Tried but not working. Have a few questions. Would consider PVA - have heard nothing but good things.

https://patriotvalleyarms.com/gunsmithing-tools-and-services/

 

[patriot07]

https://patriotvalleyarms.com/gunsmithing-tools-and-services/

I looked on the site.

Questions - not showing any 6.5mm prefits that I can see when I click on rock creek prefits

Not seeing a wrench to use with the barrel nut

 

[LuvDog]

PVA Osprey Pre Fits.

Fluted, cerakoted and threaded is under #1k

Osprey 6.5mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

 

[patriot07]

PVA Osprey Pre Fits.

Fluted, cerakoted and threaded is under #1k

Osprey 6.5mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

What's the benefit of osprey over rock creek?

 

[spife7980]

What's the benefit of osprey over rock creek?

They make the osprey blanks themselves, they no longer regularly stock rock creek blanks.

 

[patriot07]

PVA Osprey Pre Fits.

Fluted, cerakoted and threaded is under #1k

Osprey 6.5mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

Unfortunately by the time I buy the tools, I'm at about the same price as just a phone call to the gunsmith who could order the bartlein blank and do it all.

 

[patriot07]

They make the osprey blanks themselves, they no longer regularly stock rock creek blanks.

Dang

Just talked to SPR - their prefit options are expensive also. Where is this $600 prefit?

 

[Hrsmn51]

I have a couple PVA nut barrels on Tikkas
They work
Also have an Osprey and a Rock Creek I can see little difference with bore scope or performance.
The Rock Creek is 20" 223R and works great suppressed.

 

[Hrsmn51]

Northland Shooter supply is less but use Criterion barrels.
Can't remember but Criterion is a button rifled barrel from a major producer.
Shot a couple of these before PVA existed
H

 

[bohem]

Barrel nuts from PVA do not require a special wrench. We don't even make/offer one, even in the shop we just use a 12" long adjustable wrench and it works well. This was not an accident in how we made our barrel nuts, it was envisioned to require simple, common tools.

We don't regularly stock blanks that we don't make. Very occasionally we will get some Rocks, Shilens, or others but we don't order cut rifled blanks because we make a high end blanks. We also don't take requests to make a barrel out of a specific blank unless you're sending us that blank you want used. If that is the case, we also do not warranty anything with the blank as it's not our product.

Think of it this way:

Walk into the Mercedes dealership and tell the salesman you want a car and it needs to be a BMW and Mercedes needs to service it under Mercedes warranty.

What's the benefit of osprey over rock creek?

Ospreys are comparable to the cream of the crop, top shelf blanks out there. We regularly hear feedback from customers (hunters, competitive shooters, and just regular enthusiasts alike) that the Ospreys are among the most repeatable and accurate rifle barrels that they've owned.

The Osprey is our own product.

We make them here, we know what our production schedule is and our lead time had dropped while our on-time delivery has increased substantially since 2021.

If someone is waiting for a $599 button rifled Rock Creek prefit to come back it's going to be a long, long wait as there are no plans to resurrect 2018 pricing with a blank we no longer purchase.

 

[LuvDog]

Dang

Just talked to SPR - their prefit options are expensive also. Where is this $600 prefit?

You said you wanted a fluted, cerakoted, threaded barrel. That's what makes it more expensive than a plain prefit.

 

[bohem]

Is there a reason I can't send you a PM? Tried but not working. Have a few questions. Would consider PVA - have heard nothing but good things.

I stopped incoming PM's because people couldn't handle the rule "no order changes will be honored through anything except PVA emails. We will not do it via voicemail, facebook, or forum messages".

office (at) patriotvalleyarms.com is a perfect way to get ahold of us. Either Ben or I respond within 1 business day.

 

[tacoman69]

just get it rebarreled

 

[patriot07]

You said you wanted a fluted, cerakoted, threaded barrel. That's what makes it more expensive than a plain prefit.

Yeah I gotta have it threaded

I’d be fine if it’s blued instead of cerakoted if that saves money. Don’t want a raw steel barrel anymore. Can live without flutes

But none of those changes take it from 500 to 1300. They take it from 1000 to 1300. Relatively small changes

 

[patriot07]

You said you wanted a fluted, cerakoted, threaded barrel. That's what makes it more expensive than a plain prefit.

SPR was $900 and change without fluting or cerakote. Then tools on top of that. Nearly $1300 without any of the extras

 

[patriot07]

Barrel nuts from PVA do not require a special wrench. We don't even make/offer one, even in the shop we just use a 12" long adjustable wrench and it works well. This was not an accident in how we made our barrel nuts, it was envisioned to require simple, common tools.

We don't regularly stock blanks that we don't make. Very occasionally we will get some Rocks, Shilens, or others but we don't order cut rifled blanks because we make a high end blanks. We also don't take requests to make a barrel out of a specific blank unless you're sending us that blank you want used. If that is the case, we also do not warranty anything with the blank as it's not our product.

Think of it this way:

Walk into the Mercedes dealership and tell the salesman you want a car and it needs to be a BMW and Mercedes needs to service it under Mercedes warranty.


Ospreys are comparable to the cream of the crop, top shelf blanks out there. We regularly hear feedback from customers (hunters, competitive shooters, and just regular enthusiasts alike) that the Ospreys are among the most repeatable and accurate rifle barrels that they've owned.

The Osprey is our own product.

We make them here, we know what our production schedule is and our lead time had dropped while our on-time delivery has increased substantially since 2021.

If someone is waiting for a $599 button rifled Rock Creek prefit to come back it's going to be a long, long wait as there are no plans to resurrect 2018 pricing with a blank we no longer purchase.

Thanks for the reply.

Someone above had posted to get a $600 prefit. I didn’t make it up that in my head.

I’m not looking for a Mercedes. Just trying to figure out the option that makes sense.

 

[LuvDog]

When PVA has them in stock.

And if you want a custom Barrel, that’s fluted, threaded and cerakoted

 

[WeR0206]

When PVA has them in stock.

View attachment 8580541

And if you want a custom Barrel, that’s fluted, threaded and cerakoted
View attachment 8580547

Pretty awesome deal!

 

[Rodney65]

I think you can use nuts from other places as long as the thread is correct. might be able to call them and see if they still have some in stock also

Sorry for the dumb, off topic question but what's the deal with barrel nuts and why would you want one on a Tikka? I have rebarreled one of my CTRs but just reinstalled a takeoff barrel and I plan on doing it again, no nut required.

A barrel maker near me offers replacement Tikka barrels with nuts. Why would that be preferable?

 

[patriot07]

When PVA has them in stock.

View attachment 8580541

And if you want a custom Barrel, that’s fluted, threaded and cerakoted
View attachment 8580547

Had not seen that option before. I'll have to call my smith and see what he'd charge to cut down and thread and possibly also cerakote, but this seems like a really solid option. Thanks!

I'll have to confirm that the Tikka prefits get turned down to 1.15 at the action end, but I'm sure they do. If so this may be the direction I go.

I don't have any reviews on Osprey - are they up there with the Bartleins of the world?

 

[patriot07]

Sorry for the dumb, off topic question but what's the deal with barrel nuts and why would you want one on a Tikka? I have rebarreled one of my CTRs but just reinstalled a takeoff barrel and I plan on doing it again, no nut required.

A barrel maker near me offers replacement Tikka barrels with nuts. Why would that be preferable?

It was a way to adjust and lock down headspacing if they're not headspaced to the shoulder. Or at least that's my assumption.

 

[Memberberries]

Sorry for the dumb, off topic question but what's the deal with barrel nuts and why would you want one on a Tikka? I have rebarreled one of my CTRs but just reinstalled a takeoff barrel and I plan on doing it again, no nut required.

A barrel maker near me offers replacement Tikka barrels with nuts. Why would that be preferable?

because then they don't have to worry about headspace on your action. let's you make it tight or loose or spot on depending on what you want.

 

[Rodney65]

It was a way to adjust and lock down headspacing if they're not headspaced to the shoulder. Or at least that's my assumption.

Oh okay. I had just thought Tikka T3Xs were some common a prefit wouldn't need tweaking like that.

 

[WeR0206]

Had not seen that option before. I'll have to call my smith and see what he'd charge to cut down and thread and possibly also cerakote, but this seems like a really solid option. Thanks!

I'll have to confirm that the Tikka prefits get turned down to 1.15 at the action end, but I'm sure they do. If so this may be the direction I go.

I don't have any reviews on Osprey - are they up there with the Bartleins of the world?

From what Ive read the Ospreys are up there with the Bartlein, Proof, Kreigers, Benchmark, etc.. Cut rifled SS hand lapped

 

[bohem]

I'll have to confirm that the Tikka prefits get turned down to 1.15 at the action end, but I'm sure they do. If so this may be the direction I go.

Our Tikka prefits are 1.16 at the shank.
There are reviews on the website for each barrel, click on "Reviews" in the product description area to see them.

Osprey 6.5mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

Osprey 6mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

When PVA has them in stock.

View attachment 8580541

It's unlikely we will do any of these in the future due to the amount of time that it took to move the initial batch.

 

[vno.helix]

If you take it hunting, 22 inch Proof carbon is something you might want to consider:

https://jaoutdoors.com/product/tikka-proof-pre-fit-barrels/

Proof Research: 6.5 Creedmoor, Carbon Fiber, Sendero, Tikka T3x, 1 - 8 Twist, 22"

Proof Research: PROOF Research pre-fit carbon barrels for Tikka actions make it easy to upgrade your current rifle.

www.milehighshooting.com

 

[patriot07]

It's unlikely we will do any of these in the future due to the amount of time that it took to move the initial batch.

If yall change your mind, let me know. It's the best option I have for sure. Being sold out of those, it must not have been too hard to move that batch? (Hopeful question)

Are you planning to get Tikka action wrenches back in stock at any time soon?