VikingsGuy
Well-known member
Any of you rebarrel a Tikka T3X lite? How about HOWA 1500? If so, what brand would maintain or improve the accuracy I am used to with the factory barrel?
Tikka and HOWA 1500 rebarrel advice
- Thread starter VikingsGuy
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VikingsGuy
Well-known member
Brand preferences?
Ask brockel. Me, I will use one of the Montana barrel makers when I am ready just cuz. mtmuley
LuketheDog
Well-known member
Did you shoot out a Howa barrel or just want to put a new one on?
MT_Chad
Well-known member
Proof Research makes a drop in carbon fiber barrel for the tikka now. 
fishing4sanity
Well-known member
Bartlein, Krieger, Proof Research (carbon fiber or steel), Rock Creek, etc. I haven't rebarreled a Tikka or Howa, but those are some of the barrels I have used.
turbobrick
Well-known member
The thought of a Proof barreled Tikka makes me all giddy, that would be my choice for sure.
HandgunHunter
Well-known member
Brux, Bartline, and krieger are my go to brands.
if you want a light Hunting gun I normally go towards krieger.
for a hunting gun carbon fiber doesn’t make sense. The only advantage to carbon is it cools quicker. You can get a top shelf barrel for 1/2 in a light taper. A hunting gun won’t need to cool quicker since it’s only going to be used for 1-2 shots on a day in the field.
A large dia barrel and a light taper will both shoot just as well given time to cool.
only place carbon fiber makes any sense is in competition like PRS matches...
if you want a light Hunting gun I normally go towards krieger.
for a hunting gun carbon fiber doesn’t make sense. The only advantage to carbon is it cools quicker. You can get a top shelf barrel for 1/2 in a light taper. A hunting gun won’t need to cool quicker since it’s only going to be used for 1-2 shots on a day in the field.
A large dia barrel and a light taper will both shoot just as well given time to cool.
only place carbon fiber makes any sense is in competition like PRS matches...
I don’t see ANY carbon fiber barrels at PRS/ tactical matches anymore. That fad has passed. Just the opposite. Heavier and heavier barrel profiles are getting more common. Weight isn’t really a concern unless it’s a ruck match where you are moving from firing point to firing point in a limited amount of time. I shot a match last weekend and two of MDTs factory shooters were there showing off their new chassis. Both their rifle were in excess of 20 lbs. Both were insanely stable shooting off of the various improvised firing points. My McMillan A5 feels like a 2x4 in comparison.
I 100% agree with the post above. I also agree with his barrel choices. No reason to put a carbon wrapped barrel on a hunting rifle unless you just like the look.
I 100% agree with the post above. I also agree with his barrel choices. No reason to put a carbon wrapped barrel on a hunting rifle unless you just like the look.
std7mag
Well-known member
The thought of a Proof Research barrel on a huntiing rifle does appeal to me.
Large profile barrel with less weight. What's not to love?
Heck, even Savage is getting on the Ultra Light bandwagon using Proof Research barrels.
Not sure about the Howa, but the Tikka action is pretty light weight.
You could take Melvin Forbes practice of a 1.5 contour, 24" barrel to heart. Gives a little more weight out front, and a little extra velocity with the longer barrel.
Large profile barrel with less weight. What's not to love?
Heck, even Savage is getting on the Ultra Light bandwagon using Proof Research barrels.
Not sure about the Howa, but the Tikka action is pretty light weight.
You could take Melvin Forbes practice of a 1.5 contour, 24" barrel to heart. Gives a little more weight out front, and a little extra velocity with the longer barrel.
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
Both barrels are fine, but want to have thicker profile barrels to support suppressor usage.
HandgunHunter
Well-known member
to run a suppressor I think a #4 thru Remington varmint is the contours that will work best.
if you want to keep weight down now there would be a reason to use a carbon wrapped barrel.
turbobrick
Well-known member
This is exactly why I have 3 CF barrel rifles.
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
I would love to re-barrel my 4 pencil barreled hunting rifles with Proof CF, but at $950 each plus gunsmitthing costs it's not worth it for the 2-3 shots a year I take with hunting rifles. I will probably just end up saving the suppressors for the range (plus hunting with my 280AI which is threaded already).
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turbobrick
Well-known member
I originally had a ridiculously nice titanium and carbon fiber rifle built in 260 Remington, 8 pounds with glass and suppressor. I loved it, but I felt that 260 wasn't enough for some of the things I wanted to do, so I bought a factory CF in 300WM. It weighs a tad more, but it is a do all cartridge for me. Hunting with a suppressor is really important to me, so I sold the super light one to reinvest in hunting gear, and use the 300WM as my primary hunting rifle. All that to say, pick out one rifle and cartridge you really like and will use for the most hunts, have it barreled in CF, thread on your can, and hunt. In my opinion and from my experience, you won't regret it.
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
For me having a bunch of different options is part of the fun, but I do take heed of the saying, “fear the man with one gun, for he knows how to use it”.
turbobrick
Well-known member
Oh, I'm all about having tons of guns, don't get me wrong I have an arsenal. I'd just pick the best hunting caliber and rifle and focus on that first. Maybe budget to do one a year. My first Proof I got on sale from Stockey's Stocks, if you shop around and check for sales you can do very well.
