if a fella wanted to build a custom rifle???

W

whitearrow

New member
out of a tikka t3 action and wanted the caliber to be either 270 wby mag or 7mm wby mag. i know all tikka t3's are long action but what about case or rim diameter? would i need a donor rifle in 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag for mag issues and bolt issues? i've never had a custom rifle built before but am a tikka t3 nut and i love weatherby mag calibers.
thanks for any thoughts,
Big Ed
 
I think the simplest solution would be to go with the 7MM Wby Mag. Probably either a simple rechamber job to ay the worst set the barrel back one thread and rechamber. To go with the .270 Wby would require a rebarrel.
Not sure how well the Wby cartridges will work from the magazine though.
Paul B.
 
that was my next question. who would make a barrel as accurate as the factory sako/tikka barrel? what smith could do a factory looking as far as fit and finish quality?
thanks,
Big Ed
 
Depends on what your idea of a custom rifle is. Staying with the same bolt face makes things more simple.
A new barrel is a simple enough job for a competent smith, but not really a custom rifle. I'm also not sure how into working on a tikka many will be.

So for all my future custom and precision gunsmith needs, I will go to Accurate Ordnance. They consistently build rifles that are more accurate than probably 99.9% or more are capable of squeezing from them.

With customer supplied parts.
True action - $200
Lap lugs $35
Factory trigger tuning $75
Barrel install $300
Barrel crowning $50, threading $100
Bedding options between $150 and $235


There's cheaper gunsmiths, but everything that leaves their shop is a perfect as a rifle can be. It would be better than factory by a lot. They also keep enough parts in stock to have a very quick turnaround.

Not sure how I feel about putting that much money into a tikka though.
 
I think the first question would be why would you sink that kind of money in a Tikka action when there are much better choices for a custom rifle.
 
My first full custom was on a Rem 700. For the same money it takes to fix all the problems, you can get a Big Horn, Defiance, etc. for the same money.

The custom I am going to have built next will be all custom parts from the get go, no donor, no fixing production quality.

Pick your builder, start a conversation and pick the best parts for your application.
 
Well I guess thinking more about it this wouldn't be a absolute full on custom. It would just be a rechamber and probably rebarrel and stock fitting. Why use a tikka action? Because I believe in em that's why. They are very solid accurate firearms from the factory. I lost confidence in current production Remington m700 yrs ago personally. Folks don't have an issue with dudes building semi custom rifles off savage actions so why so much pushback about a tikka action? Unless y'all know shomething that I don't about tikka rifles,I have several, that there is a serious issue,not internet babble and regurg about your fav rifle, then why the push back? I simply asked what would need to be done IF I wanted to use the tikka t3 action to make a 7mm or 270 wby mag as far as bolt face and mag compatibility and the such.
Thanks fellas for those that offered helpful info,
Big Ed
 
If you really want a custom and are not locked into the MFG you list, the best choice is a Savage.

Huge choice of pre made barrels for that gun as it does not have head space requirements of a regular gun (the head space is custom indexed and then a nut is tightened down)

If you want a multi shot, then you buy a Savage on sale.

In this case if you are going magnum the a magnum type as it avoids one of the few custom parts need, aka a bolt head.

Get a good deal on a non magnum then the bolt head is peanuts.

Savage also offers single shot target receivers, you can build the whole gun up from there.

note: not sure if there is a multi shot target option, they do have multi shot magnum targets.


There are buttons rifled options per Shilen, Criterion, XC, McGowan.

A bit more you can get a cult rifled from Bartlein, Brux, Krieger (some waits, some not depends on if the contour and caliber you want is in stock.

As I could not find ANY heavy barrel let alone Bull barrel 30-06 at the time, I build my own (including the tools to do the barrel work at around $150). Otherwise its simple that a sun smith would probably charge $50 to do a swap from a donner receiver)

There are a ton of Savage supplies out there for different bolt handles, triggers (though if you ge an acu trigger I like those a lot) and any stock possibility you could want.

Savage will build you a custom if they have the parts.
 
Talk to these guys. Tikka specialists. https://tikkaperformance.com/index.php?route=common/home
You won't have any issues with the bolt face. Both 7mm's, the .300 and .270 use the same bolt face. Mag length shouldn't be an issue either. All of 'em are very close in OAL.
However, you need to decide on a budget first. For example, Mountain Tactical wants $549 to install the barrel, I think it includes the barrel. They do not do Weatherby chamberings though. Gives you an idea of prices anyway.
 
I have no problem with a customized Tikka. It may not be my choice, I'm super-annuated and prefer more traditional designs. I have owned MDL 700's and moved on long ago, but I I got away from drilled bar stock types MDL 700, Tikka, Savage, Browning, most any affordable rifle now days is this type. I'm not bashing them. They all have reputations for accuracy, light weight and reliability.

The rifles I own now are Wby MKV, 340WBY, a hand me down, WBY Vanguard 300WBy, Cooper MDL 22, 6.5-284, and some pistols. The bolts and receivers of these and other older designs, Mdl 98, Mdl 70, Sako L61,Howa/Vanguard and some others were machined from solid steel billets. The bolts were machined, handles and all from a solid piece of forged steel. The receiver were also machined with an integral recoil lug or two.

I spent from 1967-2006 on the beautiful MS coast, was relocated after Katrina by my employer. Go back for spells. My point is that I'm a lifelong shooter and hunter. Started reloading for magnum centerfire in 1976. I didn't find a lot lot opportunity for magnum riflery locally. I appreciate your choice of chamberings. They might be much better suited to where I am now.

I assume from your choice of WBy chamberings that this will be a sporting rifle. What and where are going to hunt or just shoot? Powerlines or beanfields? Montana maybe?

On the subject of smith's. There is a very well respected gunsmith, that frequents this forum, that insists that Tikks'a are his least favorite work. I don't know all of his issues, but maybe he will see this and post. He's a neighbor of mine, lives over in Wyoming, a couple of hundred miles away.

You will get loads of opinions on what's the best. All of them and $5.00 will get you 16 ounce quad shot latte. Good luck and where are you in the great state of MS?
 
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MarkCO said:
My first full custom was on a Rem 700. For the same money it takes to fix all the problems, you can get a Big Horn, Defiance, etc. for the same money.
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I'd say this is one of those yes and no type of deals. Depending on what you're trying to accomplish with the rifle. If you're building a hunting rifle, then I'll say you can get away with a donor M700. If you're building a rifle to compete against others then a custom action is the way to go.

I can buy a M700 ADL donor for less than $400 and get it trued up for around $250 and that's good enough for a hunting rifle. Most custom actions start out around $1000. I can usually get into a decent barrel, and a trued up action for the price of a custom action and the rifle will still shoot well enough to hunt with at any ranges I'm going to shoot.

RC20 said:
If you really want a custom and are not locked into the MFG you list, the best choice is a Savage.
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Savage is the best choice for a DIY guy, but they aren't what use if I was paying someone else to do the work. Savage used to be great when you could get 10/110 actions for a reasonable price, but now they cost more than an M700 for a donor. I've used Savage for several builds, but my threshold for the action is about $300. If I can't get the action for around that I'm going to a different manufacturer for my action.
 
thanks fellas for the thoughts and opinions they will be taken into account. handlerer2 i'm in east central MS close to meridian. yes this will be a sporter contour barrel and will hunt pipelines and green fields with it. i really don't need these particular chamberings but i have bought into the hydrostatic shock from high velo cartridges. i also like the flat shooting that wby mags offer and i'm a sucker for oddball chamberings. EVERYBODY shoots a good 'ol 30-06 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it either. i just prefer a conversation piece caliber personally. to even screw with tradition more i want this rifle with a 24" tube and not a traditional 26"er due to the particular stands i whitetail hunt out of they can be kinda unwieldy. i like weatherby vanguard's also but alas wby doesnt chamber the vanguard in 270 or 7mm wby mag.
Big Ed
 
whitearrow said:
i really don't need these particular chamberings but i have bought into the hydrostatic shock from high velo cartridges. i also like the flat shooting that wby mags offer and i'm a sucker for oddball chamberings........i like weatherby vanguard's also but alas wby doesnt chamber the vanguard in 270 or 7mm wby mag.
Big Ed
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Well they do offer the .257 Weatherby Mag and it fits the bill pretty well for what you want. 24" barrel, high velocity, flat shooting, and more than enough for MS white tail and much larger game.
 
whitearrow, You like the Howes why not buy 257Wby and just have new barrel put on for either 270Wby or 7Wby. As to the 270Wby being oddball. I shoot 270/30-06 and 270Wby on a rem action with Rock Creek 5r barrel. I also had neck bushing die and seater made from chamber reamer for the 270Wby.

I'm not sure what magazine length is for Tikka but with .378 free bore for 257/270 and 7mmWby you may be limited to SAAMI spec OAL .
 
White arrow, for the money you are going to end up with in your custom build, you could buy a WBY Mark V. I am all for customs, but when it comes to WBY cartridges, I am a fan of WBY rifles.
 
Fellas y'all didn't think it would be that easy did you? In regards to the vanguard in Roys fav 257 bee, well I have one. I love it I just want a 270 and/or 7mm wby mag. I just want something that will shoot a heavier projectile than 110 grains sometimes.
Thanks,
Big Ed
 
whitearrow,You like the Howe in Wby so what's wrong with doing 270/7Wby using another Howe as donor. Sound like you don't have tikka as donor so you have to buy one or if you have one then use it.

I like the Rem so I tend to build more using those rifles as donor as my 270Wby was a 30-338mag and before that 7mag.
 
Savage is the best choice for a DIY guy, but they aren't what use if I was paying someone else to do the work. Savage used to be great when you could get 10/110 actions for a reasonable price, but now they cost more than an M700 for a donor. I've used Savage for several builds, but my threshold for the action is about $300. If I can't get the action for around that I'm going to a different manufacturer for my action.
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If you watch Cabella's, on Savage they will have a $75 rebate, Savage has regular $75 rebate (or continuous). You can get an action for around $300.

Sell the barrel and that's another $75 towards the project.

Stocks are give away.
 
RC20 said:
If you watch Cabella's, on Savage they will have a $75 rebate, Savage has regular $75 rebate (or continuous). You can get an action for around $300.

Sell the barrel and that's another $75 towards the project.

Stocks are give away.
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I live nearly 200 miles from the closest Cabela's, and I'm not walking out the door with a Savage M10/110 action for $300 after rebates and selling off the parts and paying for gas/diesel. I'm better off to have one shipped to my FFL transfer agent but that adds $70-80 total to the cost of the action Plus the only Savage 10 actions I'm interested in are the ones with the top bolt release, not the bottom. Adding the top bolt release would run about $70 more if the action didn't come with one.

Was at the local Wally World today and the Remington ADL W/scope was $380 plus tax, the Savage Axis ran from $330-390 plus tax they. No contest right there as to which rifle I'd buy, plus all the same tools I own to build a Savage will take apart a M700. I can put a M700 back together with a barrel nut same as the Savage, plus I have a lot more parts to choose from than I'll ever get in a Savage 10/110 rifle.

I can sell off all the parts on the Remington and get into a Trigger Tech or Timney trigger for only a few dollars more than I can get into a Savage with the rebate and selling the barrel. Last M700 I tore down I sold off all the parts on GB and after shipping I was $215 into the action and picked up a Timney trigger for $105 shipped on sale. So I had $320 in the action, unfortunately someone wanted it more than me and I sold the action for $450 and bought another ADL in .223 to play with and had some money left over.

You can talk Savage all you want, and for the DIY person it is still a good deal. However, I'll stand by my statement that they aren't the best value in rifles out there anymore. I'll choose a M700 almost every time now over the Savage, unless I can find a good deal on a used action.
 
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