Switch Barrel Tikka T3?

[stevec]

Has anyone seen this:

SWITCHLUG – West Texas Ordnance, Inc. | Custom Rifles & Accessories!

A device that allows you to quickly swap barrels on a Tikka T3 with apparently return to zero.

I suspect that the cost of buying this (£120), shipping it to the UK (if possible), having it fitted (if anyone will do it) and buying an extra barrel could well be more than the cost of another Tikka T3, but it would allow you to have a take down rifle or there could be a cost saving if you have a highly modified rifle or want a custom calibre.

 

[jthyttin]

It's not true takedown because forend is sticking out in front of action and you only gain part of the barrel length as length savings. If you remove action from stock, the stock itself is around the same length as barreled action so no great savings there either (compared to non-altered factory Tikka).

Depending on cartridge you can have similar solution with no extra parts or a tool that engages the bolt raceway enabling you to remove the barrel. On factory rifle this requires removing the barrel and relieving the rear face (that contacts the action) a little bit. Right hand rifling twist tightens the barrel to the action so no worries about loosening. But cartridges with larger bullets, higher velocities or faster twists might tighten the barrel too much. And ths only works on designs like Tikka or Howa that have recoil lug integral to receiver (instead of clamped between receiver and barrel, which creates too many variables regarding zero retention)

 

[stevec]

Almost certainly a non-starter as the only Tikka T3 barrels I can see online are as much as a new rifle and more than and Schultz and Larsen or Blaser barrel.

 

[Ronin]

Been tried in numerous guises by various custom manufacturers

None work successfully

The accuracy international quicklock being the exception as it’s built into the action rather than being an add on

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Why not just index the barrel and use the standard time honoured method of torque to spec

Mr Ronin above made a very fine pair of 338 Lap Mag and 300 Norma Mag barrels for me with a dimple under each to indicate position after torque

Worked a charm

 

[308tikka]

It isnt a difficult job to screw tikka barrels on and off, so I dont see any advantage to do otherwise.

The advantage of having spare barrels is however, match grade barrels in twist rate and profile of choice, in a variety of chamberings without having to do 1-1 receivers, so as long as the slots are on fac, you have a lot of flexibility, and no waiting for FLDs. Once granted.