EMERGENCY!!! Returning to the dream of one hunting rifle…

[brymoore]

This would be a good all one-only, around rifle and a fun project as well.

This would be a good all one-only, around rifle and a fun project as well.

It was a good project for my son. He took it upon himself to figure out how to do it. I stayed on the sidelines for guidance and safety issues. I don’t find the visual appeal of his spiral flute. The rifle is very accurate. I don’t remember the exact number but somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 MOA. He’s killed a few elk and deer with it. One elk on video at a distance I’ll say was a distant poke. He’s in love with it.

 

[Hammsolo]

View attachment 366088View attachment 366089View attachment 366090

It was a good project for my son. He took it upon himself to figure out how to do it. I stayed on the sidelines for guidance and safety issues. I don’t find the visual appeal of his spiral flute. The rifle is very accurate. I don’t remember the exact number but somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 MOA. He’s killed a few elk and deer with it. One elk on video at a distance I’ll say was a distant poke. He’s in love with it.

That’s awesome, and such a great lesson.

 

[Jbotto]

View attachment 366088View attachment 366089View attachment 366090

It was a good project for my son. He took it upon himself to figure out how to do it. I stayed on the sidelines for guidance and safety issues. I don’t find the visual appeal of his spiral flute. The rifle is very accurate. I don’t remember the exact number but somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 MOA. He’s killed a few elk and deer with it. One elk on video at a distance I’ll say was a distant poke. He’s in love with it.

Judging by the smile on his face, I’d say it’ll be a long time before he parts with that.

 

[VMHunter]

View attachment 366088View attachment 366089View attachment 366090

It was a good project for my son. He took it upon himself to figure out how to do it. I stayed on the sidelines for guidance and safety issues. I don’t find the visual appeal of his spiral flute. The rifle is very accurate. I don’t remember the exact number but somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 MOA. He’s killed a few elk and deer with it. One elk on video at a distance I’ll say was a distant poke. He’s in love with it.

Removing those Tikka barrels can be tough. How did yall get that done?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Removing tikka barrels:
One of these

One of these:


one of these


And some kroil.

 

[brymoore]

Removing those Tikka barrels can be tough. How did yall get that done?

Pretty much the tools in Windy’s post. He scratched the barrel getting it off because it was his first effort. Otherwise, toil and effort - barrel wrench, barrel vice and a big hammer. He didn’t ask for my help but I am stronger than him. Leverage might have helped too.

 

[VMHunter]

Nice. My buddy did some googling and decided to have a gunsmith do it but he didn’t have the barrel vice or barrel wrench.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Well, I’ve solidly decided it’s time to go to a shorter barrel and a suppressor.

Current thought - Seekins PH3 in 7 prc with a 22 inch barrel with a DEAD AIR NOMAD TI XC. Still going to drop my 3 to 15 VX5HD on it, but considering a Mark 4 for NRL stuff.

Other ideas? I don’t know much about suppressors, but I like the reviews on this one so far. It’s short and lightweight, but sounds effective for sound management.

I want to use the suppressor on “everything;” big game, predator, target, and more. I love putting miles on my feet.

I think the nomad xc is a good choice, just got one myself. Have a scythe and ultra 7 as well. Don’t think any of them are a bad choice.

Scythe seem most likely to fail on a short barreled magnum but are lightest and shortest and suppress adequately. It’s what will prob stay on my hunting rifle and I used one in nrl last year too.

Tbac is the gold standard for quality control and durability/reliability but might not be at the very top of a specs list. No adding end cap brakes but that’s one less thing to come loose or mess with too.

The new nomad xc line seems to do weight, length, and suppression very well. Haven’t shot mine enough to know how well.

Liberty precision Mach S is another that seems to be a nice option.

Easy to get lost in the minutiae between them but they’ll all work well. One developing thing is adding brake end caps to reduce recoil more. I like that for nrl but don’t like the idea of having to seal up all those ports for hunting.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Nice. My buddy did some googling and decided to have a gunsmith do it but he didn’t have the barrel vice or barrel wrench.

I did the same for the first 3 tikkas that got new barrels but finally got the stuff to do it myself on the last one. If having a smith chamber a barrel, it frequently costs nothing extra to let them do it for you.

 

[brymoore]

Son said it cost him $100 for the gear to take the barrel off. One day job.

 

[Potsie]

Just a heads up… since this is quickly turning into a “I Tikka” thread.

Stocky’s VGS are on sale, marked as $599 on the website, but drops to $399 when you add it to the cart.

Just ordered my second.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Oh, and I’d take a the havak 6.5 PRC w/ 20” barrel over the 7 w/ 22” barrel if wanting to shoot primarily suppressed.

 

[Hammsolo]

Oh, and I’d take a the havak 6.5 PRC w/ 20” barrel over the 7 w/ 22” barrel if wanting to shoot primarily suppressed.

Tell me more.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Used a 22” carbon barreled 7 saum for one season with an ultra 7. Too long. Didn’t use the suppressor much at all after that until I had shorter barrels.

Probably fine for open county situations but I did primarily late season tracking/still hunting elk and Midwest treestand hunting and I didn’t like the 29” light saber in front of my action.

 

[ismith]

First, I am diagnosed with all sorts of mental health shiz. One of them is OCD. I crave that “just right feeling.” Second, I’ve got the itch for the infamous “all-around North American Big Game Rifle.”

My tendency is to have a “perfect” rifle for each species, but I’m looking to simplify and relax. I am overly practical.

I live in Washington, and primarily hunt “western style.” I hike a ton, but am not an ounces prince. I hunt Montana every year in some way shape or form. I currently use my 22-250 for sub-pronghorn; 6.5 for deer, and 300 wm for elk.

I will be keeping the 250, because I love it and keep pelts. However, I want to pass my 6.5 along to a family member and probably sell the 300 to move to a middle ground.

I am already hard of hearing, and am going to buy my first suppressor.

My budget is ~3k for the rifle and can combo.

What are your exact rifle, can, cartridge combos? I’ll hold my current idea for now to not sway ideas.

P.S. It should be able to go to Alaska and also shoot my first NRL Skills competition third year.

Have you looked into classic custom rifles from yesteryear? If you’re already deaf you don’t need a damn suppressor, you need hearing aids. Pick up an old Neidner, Hoffman or Biesen and you’ll never regret it.

 

[ismith]

Have you looked into classic custom rifles from yesteryear? If you’re already deaf you don’t need a damn suppressor, you need hearing aids. Pick up an old Neidner, Hoffman or Biesen and you’ll never regret it.

Or a Kennedy, Brownell, Fisher, Goens or Linden.

 

[Hammsolo]

Have you looked into classic custom rifles from yesteryear? If you’re already deaf you don’t need a damn suppressor, you need hearing aids. Pick up an old Neidner, Hoffman or Biesen and you’ll never regret it.

I have them and would love to wear them hunting… I’ve tried to wear my Walker’s Game Ears over them and it’s bumpy at best.