Split Tikka T3 Sporter thread

[ovenpaa]

Dave

What are you like with plastics? - Don't fancy making 10 round mags do you? (for the 6.5x55) - There is a thread on SD from a guy whop made some replacements in various acrylics - they look good, but are no larger in capacity. (Or in metal if you like?!)

I guess the magazine spring might be an issue?

Something to ponder?

Also UKGunworks make a metal replacement "bottom metal" as opposed to the Tikka's plastic to take the standard mags - something you could do?

Mike

Mike, yes I can make magazines, I would probably make the base, follower and so on and then ask a precision sheet metal worker I know to fold the sides (He works to +/- .001") It would be an interesting project, downside is to make a single magazine would end up far too expensive for peoples tastes as it would be a one off, if I built a run of say 5-10 then they would be a lot cheaper however I would then have to hold them on the shelf in the hope someone had one.

As an example I modify the Tikka T3 .223 to shoot full length rounds instead of the 2.300" Tikka build for, my magazine conversion is mostly done by hand although I machine the internal block and it is a long and time consuming task and a tad scary as if I make a mistake and crack the case that is over GBP100 down the pan, I charge GBP49.95 posted for this job which considering the first one took me over four hours is not a bad price and when I say you cannot distinguish it externally from a factory magazine I do mean it. Do people buy it? Well yes however people do prefer the bottom metal option which is understandable even if it is GBP250 more than my option which incidentally I usually turn around in 48 hours.

Yes I can build bottom metal and may well start doing it one day once I have decided which rifle(s) to build for so I can run a batch of 10 or so.

[M99]

Dave

From what I understand the exterior dimensions of the Tikka mags are all the same? It is just the follower, spring and in the case of the 223 the block that differs in size - is this correct?

Would you be looking at an order of 10 of one calibre or 10 of various, before you would consider doing it?

I am quite sure we could quickly drum up orders for 10 x 10 round Tikka mags - payment up front etc? (I would want 2)

Thoughts?

Mike

[ovenpaa]

Mike, the only Tikka T3 magazines I have had through my hands were .223 for modification and they did look to be full length to suit .308 however that is one measurement I did not note as it was not needed. First thing is to check with a few T3 owners to see what the dimensions of the magazines are. Is the standard 6,5SE T3 magazine double stack like the .223?

I should be able to build a common base and spring and then add a dedicated follower and rear block for the shorter rounds. My concern is differences in feed angles and magazine lips as they could take an age to develop and confirm operation.

Certainly something to consider though.

I do not work on payment up front, in fact I prefer to build and mail the parts out first and make sure the customer is happy before asking for payment.