Hello, need some help picking a barrel maker for my Tikka that I will be using for PRS. I checked Proofs website and it don’t seem like they come in a heavy contour? Any other suggestions for who makes a good barrel? Thanks again
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Which Tikka Barrel?
- Thread starter Steve_O
- Start date
Carbon6. I have one, and it shoots well.
As an aside, carbon fiber barrels do tend to generate a mirage much quicker than a regular barrel, so for PRS type matches, keep that in mind.
As an aside, carbon fiber barrels do tend to generate a mirage much quicker than a regular barrel, so for PRS type matches, keep that in mind.
Rock creek are top tier as well. I have only had one Bartlein barrel and could tell no difference. Any top tier barrel chambered by a good smith would be equals. You coukd send a Bartlein to them as well if thats what you want.
The only reason I recommend PVA is because they have done all my barrels and I haven’t had a reason not to keep using them. There are other guys like keystone accuracy, LRI etc that all turn out good stuff. I just have never used them.
PVA sells shouldered pre fits so you can swapit yourself
im getting ready to buy a pva barrel soon as well , just got my barrel vice and action wrench so im good to go
223, i got the short mag figured out already
...well except for load development
...well except for load development
They make their own barrels. Carbon one barrels are built of Mcgowen blanks.
Uhhh, no. McGowan has been around for a long time making barrels. Never top tier barrels but generally a step above a factory barrel. Some shoot very well, above what you would expect for the cost. It seems like their newer barrels generally perform better thank the barrels of old (newer machines?).
Also, McGowan makes their own barrels whereas PVA sources a barrel from Rock Creek and then chambers and contours them. I'm sure that saves a decent amount for the McGowan.
It sure if this is relevant in your situation but the old axiom; “ you want cheap, Fast or quality?” Pick any two holds true here IMHO. I think LRI and PVA have earned their reputations. I will go to them when I rebarrel my tikka.
Gunsmithing - McGowan barrels any good?
Hey just bought a rifle from a guy with a Remington 700sa in .243 with a McGowan stainless heavy barrel on it, from what I can tell action has not been trued and the work looks to be a little rough, sending it to my smith to look over. Wanted to know if anyone has this barrel and if they shoot...
www.snipershide.com
more info
Iam probably going with PVA just was curious what made there barrels that much cheaper.
Button barrels made to a bit lower level than a Rock and probably not as much attention to detail as PVA plus they make and machine the barrel so less mark up.
Odds are the Mcgowen will shoot pretty damn good though.
PVA offers button and rifle cut rock creek barrels. I have only bought the button cut and have been happy. They claim how Rock Creek makes them that their isn’t a bit of difference on performance or longevity. I wouldn’t know as the cheaper button barrels do everything I could expect.
Button barrels can be fantastic.
Rock creek button barrels have a good reputation.
I’ve had a bunch of excellent Shilen’s
$400 is a lot nicer to than $650-750
So semi new guy here. About a year ago I put on a PVA button 6.5 shouldered prefit on my Tikka. Bought during one of his sales and had it in my hands in less than 3 weeks. I am not a great shot but during first range trip I shot a 5 shot group that went .33 at 100.
Now I have not done it again as it was mostly good barrel a bad lucky shooter. PVA was great to deal with.
I can typically shoot .5 to .75 groups with it. That is about as good as I can shoot.
Also @bohem (Josh at PVA) is a supporter.
Now I have not done it again as it was mostly good barrel a bad lucky shooter. PVA was great to deal with.
I can typically shoot .5 to .75 groups with it. That is about as good as I can shoot.
Also @bohem (Josh at PVA) is a supporter.
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As fat as you can get. My match dasher is a pva shouldered proof comp contour, my match 6creed is a pva straight contour barrel nut set up.
The proof comp is right at 7 lbs, the straight plus barrel nut is 6 lbs, both 26".
The tikka will be a bit thinner at the shank with its slightly smaller action diameter but for prs I would put as thick as you could get for otherwise free weight and recoil reduction. I wouldnt go smaller than a m40/mtu. Ive got a 20" 6.5 creed mtu pva on my trainer rifle and its noticeably lighter and higher recoiling but its still not bad by any means. But for competing you certainly will notice it.
With the Tikka will it accept the larger Proof Comp? If so I would definitely want that contour in 26 inch. Just haven’t decided on 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor.
I assume that pva would just try to turn the shank down a smidge from to fit within the thinner action diameter but will keep everything going forward the same and thick as hell. But I dont actually know what they would do or if it would just stand proud of the action. (I just know I had to send my mcgowen howage back)
The McGowan barrels shoot great, carbon6 uses their blanks and they have a half moa guarantee. If you are looking for a better chance to have some something that preforms in the .2-.3 range Straightjacket armory or PVA will be good bets.
Bugholes can do a great prefit barrel for your Tikka. he carries many different great barrel blanks and if what you want is in stock his turnaround is very quick
Krieger does also have great barrels.
I have one ony my 6.5 creed.
It shoots 0.2-0.3 MOA, i have manage to shoot once when me nervs hold it, 0.15 MOA with 5-shots.
123gr Lapua Scenar 100-meters.
Barrel is now cut 3" off, so it is now 21".
I have one ony my 6.5 creed.
It shoots 0.2-0.3 MOA, i have manage to shoot once when me nervs hold it, 0.15 MOA with 5-shots.
123gr Lapua Scenar 100-meters.
Barrel is now cut 3" off, so it is now 21".
Just got my PVA tikka prefit in a week or so ago. Haven't shot it yet but seems to be good quality with good machining. Going back n forth between waiting on my factory barrel to be shot out (has ~900rd on it so far) and just spinning on the PVA right now....
Just spin it on and enjoy that over priced ammo! My factory 6.5 only has about 500 on it. Just know that while you might think you swap them back and forth, you won't want to.
As heavy as you want to carry. I did a McGowan #8 on my latest build. It's heavier than an MTU.
I've never had a bad McGowan, but I also handload everything so I'm always tuning the ammo to the barrel. I've never put factory ammo through most of my rifles.
This is what I'm leaning towards. I don't centerfire a ton so it might be another year until the stock barrel is worn our haha
Just read up well on taking off the factory barrel. Some say it is easy and some say it is a pain. I had a local smith do it. The finish got pretty messed up but I don't care. I asked PVA and we went with their recommended 70 lbs for the new barrel.
Funny you mention this, I just got back from a local smith who tried to pull it off. We decided to just cut a relief cut in the barrel. Hopefully I'll have it by Monday.
