First tikka build

[DUCKMAN11]

Am I the only one that reads these threads and thinks... Do none of these people have electric or water bills to pay. I mean every other thread is about some $3k rifle build while they casually mention about 10 other $3k rifle builds. Am I the only chump hunting with factory rifles? And yes I am looking to build a custom rifle. Like once in a lifetime dream rifle... It's why I troll here. But in the meantime... Maybe not specific to just this thread but when I read all the comments... Who knew so many people built custom rifles, like once a year? Maybe I'm just Jealous that I don't have as much time to spend on just guns and shooting. (just a minor rant, not intended at anyone, more of self-awareness type post)

I agree with you 100%!!! Thats why I'm going to do all the work I can do myself. I'm not knocking anyone's opinion or recommendations or the companies recommended......

But im not going to pay someone $2500 or more to use their barrel vice.

Now if I was turning a Remington 700 into something it wasn't when it rolled out the factory doors...... yes I'd buy a stock and barrel blank and whatever else and take it to a smith and have them do the lathe work and fit everything up.

But I have enough tools and knowledge to be dangerous and not to sound disrespectful to anyone...... im not afraid to try to do something myself.

I bought a tikka action not only because they are awesome actions but because everyone and their dog makes a prefit for them that I can screw on myself with a go-gage.

I build a rifle about every 3 years it seems like. My needs change or hunting style and terrain change and I want a different tool.

 

[DUCKMAN11]

I am a steel barrel guy. I have never really liked the looks of the CF barrels, nor wanted the pay the extra cost for them. If you are looking for the rifle to be on the lighter side, I would go with a Bartlein #3 contour which is the same as a Benchmark or Brux #4 contour. (.660" at the muzzle at 26") and have it fluted. As far as stocks go, I like the Pure Precision (Mesa) stocks. I normally just use the factory bottom metal and mags. The Hells Canyon mags are very good though. I ran them on a 7 SAUM and it worked great.

I'm kinda leaning towards an IOTA stock. The price is right and the lead times are awesome. I'd like a barrel that will finish around .725" at the muzzle. I'd assume that a Bartlein with a muzzle of .660" wouldn't have much of a shoulder threaded 5/8×24.

 

[Lee7588]

When hunting are you blind/stand hunting or spot/stalk? Are you going to use a muzzle brake or suppressor? If doing blind/stand hunting I would use a bdl floor plate. I have bdl floor plates and extended magazines, the bdl will allow you to rest the gun and be more balanced when doing so. If you intend on using a brake/suppressor then I'd go CF to have the muzzle diameter needed for threading and to keep weight down I use Proof research. As far as stocks look at McMillan, manners, greyboe, and stockys they should all offer what you are looking for

 

[Lee7588]

Am I the only one that reads these threads and thinks... Do none of these people have electric or water bills to pay. I mean every other thread is about some $3k rifle build while they casually mention about 10 other $3k rifle builds. Am I the only chump hunting with factory rifles? And yes I am looking to build a custom rifle. Like once in a lifetime dream rifle... It's why I troll here. But in the meantime... Maybe not specific to just this thread but when I read all the comments... Who knew so many people built custom rifles, like once a year? Maybe I'm just Jealous that I don't have as much time to spend on just guns and shooting. (just a minor rant, not intended at anyone, more of self-awareness type post)

When I built my first custom, I sold off a few factory guns to pay for it and yes there is over $3k in that rifle. My wife and i don't spend money on alot of things Amazon and grubhub or anything like that are not regulars at my house. We don't go out to eat much, just because the food at home is usually better tasting. We are empty nesters. And we don't get new vehicles every few years, both of our vehicles are 10+ years old. All of that being said we don't know the Joneses so we don't feel the need to keep up with them. If you want a custom at whatever price point then cut some expenses or get a side job to add to your income. There is nothing wrong with a factory gun.

 

[akmtnhnt]

Am I the only one that reads these threads and thinks... Do none of these people have electric or water bills to pay. I mean every other thread is about some $3k rifle build while they casually mention about 10 other $3k rifle builds. Am I the only chump hunting with factory rifles? And yes I am looking to build a custom rifle. Like once in a lifetime dream rifle... It's why I troll here. But in the meantime... Maybe not specific to just this thread but when I read all the comments... Who knew so many people built custom rifles, like once a year? Maybe I'm just Jealous that I don't have as much time to spend on just guns and shooting. (just a minor rant, not intended at anyone, more of self-awareness type post)

I think it might just be the amount of people doing it. Not that everyone has 30k in custom rifles in the safe.

Websites like this are bad though. Makes you think of all the things a lot more often and want to build more guns.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

Why do you say go steel instead of CFW? And it's going to be 26" ..... im not a short barrel guy

I haven't had very good luck with CF barrels and they're expensive.
I didn't realize 24" was a "short barrel" but ok, you're talking about .730 muzzles so 26 is going to take a heavier barrel for virtually zero ballistic advantage.

 

[DUCKMAN11]

I haven't had very good luck with CF barrels and they're expensive.
I didn't realize 24" was a "short barrel" but ok, you're talking about .730 muzzles so 26 is going to take a heavier barrel for virtually zero ballistic advantage.

I was referring to 20-22" barrels as being "short". And you are right that a .730" muzzle is going to take a light Palma or similar contour. The first 3 bullets dont really know what contour they are being fired from anyhow. I also don't see a huge advantage in CFW barrels vs a fluted SS barrel. They might be a little lighter but not by a whole lot. Now if a CFW barrel with an .830" muzzle weighed half what a fluted SS barrel did with the same contour....... I'd buy nothing but CFW. But I think you really only get a 20-30% weight reduction for 2x the price.

For some folks that's money well spent and in certain applications that 20-30% weight reduction is huge.

I hunt out of a stand 80% of the time BUT I'd like to be more comfortable if I do decide to do more walking especially during the rut. If I can get this rifle in at 10# fully dressed I'd be happy.

 

[Arcola]

On my Tikka, I went with a 22" Carbon Six sendero, Mountain Tactical bottom metal and mag. Also installed their trigger spring. Had LRI flute the bolt for sh!ts. Originally installed a Mesa altitude but swapped that for an AG Alpine Hunter. It's 8lbs scoped (NXS 2-12). Was slightly lighter with the Mesa. Very happy with all aspects of it.

I have a Mesa stock for sale if you're leaning that direction.

 

[DUCKMAN11]

On my Tikka, I went with a 22" Carbon Six sendero, Mountain Tactical bottom metal and mag. Also installed their trigger spring. Had LRI flute the bolt for sh!ts. Originally installed a Mesa altitude but swapped that for an AG Alpine Hunter. It's 8lbs scoped (NXS 2-12). Was slightly lighter with the Mesa. Very happy with all aspects of it.

I have a Mesa stock for sale if you're leaning that direction.

What did you have it chambered in?

 

[Arcola]

7mm08

 

[soyshaun]

Am I the only one that reads these threads and thinks... Do none of these people have electric or water bills to pay. I mean every other thread is about some $3k rifle build while they casually mention about 10 other $3k rifle builds. Am I the only chump hunting with factory rifles? And yes I am looking to build a custom rifle. Like once in a lifetime dream rifle... It's why I troll here. But in the meantime... Maybe not specific to just this thread but when I read all the comments... Who knew so many people built custom rifles, like once a year? Maybe I'm just Jealous that I don't have as much time to spend on just guns and shooting. (just a minor rant, not intended at anyone, more of self-awareness type post)

You read my mind exactly and this will be a stretch for me too but what does a guy have to do to just have an extra 3-5k around to "try" a different custom rifle. What do they do for work to spend that money on multiple rifles and where do I sign up?

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Plenty of people buy one component at a time, sometimes over years…before that first build gets going. When you are patient and not in a hurry there are better deals to be found.
Maybe one day I won't be so spontaneous.

The only problem with building the first one seems to be the more urgent need for #2, and so on. Men find themselves creating a lot of reasons to justify that next one.
At least that's what "people say".

 

[DUCKMAN11]

You read my mind exactly and this will be a stretch for me too but what does a guy have to do to just have an extra 3-5k around to "try" a different custom rifle. What do they do for work to spend that money on multiple rifles and where do I sign up?

You do it like I'm doing it and Jonny Cash it.....One peice at a time. I could have 5k to throw at a rifle but I'm not going to do it. I like making my own stuff also.

I mean put back $50 a week and you got $2600. I totally get that in this economy that's easier said than done also.

 

[Lee7588]

You do it like I'm doing it and Jonny Cash it.....One peice at a time. I could have 5k to throw at a rifle but I'm not going to do it. I like making my own stuff also.

I mean put back $50 a week and you got $2600. I totally get that in this economy that's easier said than done also.

Diggin the Cash reference