6mm dasher prefit barrel

[adamcurtiss]

Does anyone in the uk sell prefit barrels for the tikka action?
I am looking for a heavy 6mm dasher barrel in 1/8 twist around 20-22”

 

[JRF Creedbro]

Generally, no. Why do you want a pre-fit? Just get a barrel fitted properly to the spec you want.

 

[MarinePMI]

Generally, no. Why do you want a pre-fit? Just get a barrel fitted properly to the spec you want.

You understand a pre-fit is properly fitted, right?

 

[JRF Creedbro]

You understand a pre-fit is properly fitted, right?

Maybe properly is not the correct word, but custom fitted to ensure correct headspace for the tight CIP standards we have to adhere to. Also, not all pre-fits are equal. If they are done well then yes it’s almost the same. But mass produced ones have tolerances/allowances and end up similar to a mass produced factory barrel. Plus you’re limited to chamber spec, length, profile, twist etc.

In the US they make for a cheap viable replacement, but here they don’t work out much cheaper than having a barrel custom spec’d to your requirements.

 

[HonestJohn]

Pre fit, like lothar walther does, are not perfect fits, they’re cut to standard tenon threads and marginally undersized to ensure they screw in, but are left a few thou long to be just touched down to get headspace right

 

[MarinePMI]

Pre fit, like lothar walther does, are not perfect fits, they’re cut to standard tenon threads and marginally undersized to ensure they screw in, but are left a few thou long to be just touched down to get headspace right

And therein lies the rub. Not all pre-fits are the same. If done correctly though (married to a tightly controlled action), they give perfectly fine headspace.

I fear this is a case of "don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough". "Perfect" headspace is exactly what? Minimum headspace? Median headspace? Smh...you guys make this too complicated (more than it has to be).

Of course it keeps gunsmiths in business, with wait lists that keep a continuous revenue stream throughout the year. But hey, why leverage technology to increase profits for the gunsmith, lower prices (and wait time) for the consumer, and make everyone happier?

I mean, why not keep the antiquated processes (like proofing) in place, and slowly drive people away from shooting in the UK? You guys are your own worst enemy sometimes.

 

[Dave_45]

Proof research sell barrels I think

However I’ve saw on here that most if not all require fettling by a gunsmith so it begs the question…..

Why! ?

 

[MarinePMI]

Proof research sell barrels I think

However I’ve saw on here that most if not all require fettling by a gunsmith so it begs the question…..

Why! ?

It's a liability thing. i.e. Use headspace gauges to ensure you torqued the pre-fit barrel on correctly.

But yeah, it's a CYA thing, when everyone (at least here in the US) just goes, "Yeah, sure" and screws it onto the receiver with the recommended amount of torque.

When modern precision machinery can hold +/- .0002" accuracy, you have to ask yourself why everyone is fretting, when headspace tolerances are often +/- .001" (at worst) and +/- .0004" (at best).

 

[MarinePMI]

Maybe properly is not the correct word, but custom fitted to ensure correct headspace for the tight CIP standards we have to adhere to. Also, not all pre-fits are equal. If they are done well then yes it’s almost the same. But mass produced ones have tolerances/allowances and end up similar to a mass produced factory barrel. Plus you’re limited to chamber spec, length, profile, twist etc.

In the US they make for a cheap viable replacement, but here they don’t work out much cheaper than having a barrel custom spec’d to your requirements.

Last time I checked, Accuracy International produced pre-fit barrels to CIP specs...just saying.

 

[JRF Creedbro]

Perfect headspace is anywhere between min and max, it just helps with safety and brass life. Under CIP regs this is generally .1mm (.0039”). And any action, even tightly controlled custom or Tikka’s can be off, then there is the tollerance of the chamber job, the gauges used etc. It’s not complicated, but they need fitting, checking, maybe tweaking and proofing. So at that point just have one done to suit your needs.

Unfortunately the UK market is small, so making pre-fits is not very financially viable with machinery investments etc. And importing them doesn’t offer much saving, so becomes almost pointless.

I agree proof is a pain at times, like a 4 week wait, but it does mitigate liability, so helpful from a business point of view.

 

[MarinePMI]

Perfect headspace is anywhere between min and max, it just helps with safety and brass life. Under CIP regs this is generally .1mm (.0039”). And any action, even tightly controlled custom or Tikka’s can be off, then there is the tollerance of the chamber job, the gauges used etc. It’s not complicated, but they need fitting, checking, maybe tweaking and proofing. So at that point just have one done to suit your needs.

Unfortunately the UK market is small, so making pre-fits is not very financially viable with machinery investments etc. And importing them doesn’t offer much saving, so becomes almost pointless.

I agree proof is a pain at times, like a 4 week wait, but it does mitigate liability, so helpful from a business point of view.

Oh, don't mind me. I'm just on my annual rant about UK folks not embracing technology, and clinging to old (labor intensive) ways.

Seriously though, I'm well aware of the challenges to the UK market for pre-fits. It just boggles my mind that an everyday UK Joe can't be confident and/or competent enough to torque a barrel into place and use a set of headspace gauges. There's a reason it's called "gun plumbing"; it isn't rocket science.

I'm sure @Ronin is reading this, chuckling, and shaking his head. (He knows I go on about this every year or so)

 

[JRF Creedbro]

You’d think so, but my experience with a lot of people is i wouldn’t trust them to change a light bulb

I embrace technology for gun plumbing, but the UK market makes it difficult to be viable. Many have tried and failed unfortunately.

Oh and in regards to AI barrels/actions, i’ve never seen them out of spec

 

[HonestJohn]

Prefit can be fitted nice and tight to the correct headspace at home, no go, and just a tiny bit of resistance on close bolt on go gauge, with a small amount of tenon adjustment on a lathe, headspace gauges and a barrel vise is all needed. I suspect that’s what the OP is looking for.

anyone with a degree is skilled should be able to fit a prefit barrel safely and have an excellent outcome. In fact, there is no need for proof in the U.K., only if you are going to sell or transfer ownership. And, to be fair, that’s quite sensible.

But if you do your own garage work, and it’s just for your usage, no, you don’t need to have it proofed.

 

[MarinePMI]

You’d think so, but my experience with a lot of people is i wouldn’t trust them to change a light bulb

I embrace technology for gun plumbing, but the UK market makes it difficult to be viable. Many have tried and failed unfortunately.

Oh and in regards to AI barrels/actions, i’ve never seen them out of spec

We call that here "Thinning out the gene pool".

Ya just gotta let the dumb ones weed themselves out.

 

[Ronin]

Oh, don't mind me. I'm just on my annual rant about UK folks not embracing technology, and clinging to old (labor intensive) ways.

Seriously though, I'm well aware of the challenges to the UK market for pre-fits. It just boggles my mind that an everyday UK Joe can't be confident and/or competent enough to torque a barrel into place and use a set of headspace gauges. There's a reason it's called "gun plumbing"; it isn't rocket science.

I'm sure @Ronin is reading this, chuckling, and shaking his head. (He knows I go on about this every year or so)

Wouldn’t miss this for the world Tim

 

[Ronin]

Wouldn’t be so bad if all manufacturers held their tolerances

But I’ve more than a few times been asked to fit “xyz” cartridge standard take off barrel to same brand manufacture action that has had to be altered to come into headspace spec

 

[MarinePMI]

Wouldn’t be so bad if all manufacturers held their tolerances

But I’ve more than a few times been asked to fit “xyz” cartridge standard take off barrel to same brand manufacture action that has had to be altered to come into headspace spec

Word.

But, many are starting to get there (holding pretty tight tolerances on their actions). Tikka, Bergara, to name a few (though Bergara had a rough start out of the gate).

I'd never trust a Remington 700 with a shouldered pre-fit. But, then again, that's why they make "Remage" pre-fits with a barrel nut (many of which now don't look so....utilitarian).

Eventually all the older manufacturing machines will wear out, and then perhaps, finally, they'll all start to hold tighter tolerances.

One can only wish it'd be sooner.

 

[MarinePMI]

Wouldn’t miss this for the world Tim

I figured you'd get a chuckle.

 

[BE Precision]

Highland Outdoors have some Proof Research CF in stock for Tikka T3, but not in that chambering. Very limited stock, only 4 barrels showing on the stock list. 6.5cm, 6.5 prc and 7prc.