New Barrel Help

[SeatoSummit88]

Hey Everyone, I just picked up my rifle from the gunsmith after he did a deep clean for me. He pointed out and showed me that the inside of my barrel apprx 2 inches down from the muzzle break has bad pitting and would not be safe to shoot beyond this season, as the build up could catch my jacketing and cause the barrel to basically bubble out and/or burst. This is a Tikka T3 Lite in .300 Win Mag with a blued barrel. This was a gift about 5 years ago and I did not get to choose the barrel finish. I don't want to push my luck, so I'd like to see available options for replacement. Obviously interested in stainless finish this time around. Can you guys talk to me about the differences/pros/cons between a fluted and non fluted barrel. Also where would I go to find a replacement barrel, Tikka direct...or are there other companies that I should look into which may provide a better product? I'm out of my league on this... Currently shooting Federal Premium Nickel Trophy Bonded Tip Rounds in 180 grain. Thank you!

[10mmg]

I have heard good thing about benchmark barrels. Haven’t had one of their barreles but the thread job they did for was great.

[GWP]

I guess if the rest of the bore is good I would consider taking off the 2", as long as you have the barrel to spare?
I have shot a lot of different types of barrels over the years, and I really think it boils down to personal preference more than any one profile over another. Once you find what it likes to shoot, I am not sure it really matters.
All of the tuning and worrying about the barrel I have seen, the 'shooter' makes the biggest difference. That includes competition shooting as well. The 'confidence factor' may be worth the extra care if that is needed.
I did a lot of fur shooting in Montana with an old WWII sniper that had been shooting the same completely stock Model 70 270 for longer than I was alive and I have seen few shooters that could challenge him.

[Karl Blanchard]

Cheapest option is a take off tikka barrel.  Lots of guys doing semi customs off New tikkas so no shortage of brand new Tikka barrels. Have your smith spin it on and go. Better option is a new barrel. Benchmark are amazing but so are most other quality barrel makers.

[buckfvr]

I would use Benchmark, but if youre staying with factory ammo you dont really need a premium priced barrel. 

Cheapest option is a take off tikka barrel.  Lots of guys doing semi customs off New tikkas so no shortage of brand new Tikka barrels. Have your smith spin it on and go. Better option is a new barrel. Benchmark are amazing but so are most other quality barrel makers.

 

[Born2late]

I'm a little biased cause i live by benckmark and my niece works there.(ask for Kourtney she usually answers the phone)
They make great products and really care about what they do.
Your close, drive up and meet them in person.
Tell them uncle beaver sent you and you might get a discount
Ask them about muzzle breaks also.

[b23]

To bad you aren't looking for a new Tikka 300 WSM take off barrel because I could probably help you out with one of those. 

If you go the custom barrel route any of the top tier barrel companies like Benchmark, Krieger, Hart, Brux, and Bartlein just to name a few will serve you well.  If you're relatively local to Benchmark I am always a fan of using someone I can actually drop my stuff off to instead of mailing it to them.

[jasnt]

From the sounds of it any of the mentioned options will be better than what you got now

[Tim in Wa.]

I don't see a s.s. option on Benchmarks site

[Karl Blanchard]

I don't see a s.s. option on Benchmarks site

benchmarks website kind of sucks but I assure you they have every option imaginable.  Best thing to do is just call them and tell them what you're looking for or just hand it off to your gunsmith and let him deal with it.

[dreadi]

If it’s not safe to shoot “beyond this season”, it’s not safe to shoot now. I’d get a second opinion.


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[GWP]

If it’s not safe to shoot “beyond this season”, it’s not safe to shoot now. I’d get a second opinion.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
Type 07 Class 2 NFA Dealer
http://www.blackhammerarms.com
https://www.Silencershop.com/blackhammerarms
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms
GLOCK Certified Armourer

I was not going to mention it, but I had a 30-06 I shot for many years that was rusted internally for about 3” from the tip when I got it. Cleaned the rust out and it shot good so kept using it. Your results may differ, but I shot it a lot and I do not remember any build up happening.

[SeatoSummit88]

Cheapest option is a take off tikka barrel.  Lots of guys doing semi customs off New tikkas so no shortage of brand new Tikka barrels. Have your smith spin it on and go. Better option is a new barrel. Benchmark are amazing but so are most other quality barrel makers.

  Thanks Karl. I was seeing that on Google; A lot of guys doing carbon fiber barrels, other material and adding various customizations. Definitely not partial to Tikka Brand or any other out there. Lots of choices out there

[SeatoSummit88]

I'm a little biased cause i live by benckmark and my niece works there.(ask for Kourtney she usually answers the phone)
They make great products and really care about what they do.
Your close, drive up and meet them in person.
Tell them uncle beaver sent you and you might get a discount
Ask them about muzzle breaks also.

  Right on!  This seems to be the favored company to look into. I'll definitely do that.

[SeatoSummit88]

To bad you aren't looking for a new Tikka 300 WSM take off barrel because I could probably help you out with one of those. 

If you go the custom barrel route any of the top tier barrel companies like Benchmark, Krieger, Hart, Brux, and Bartlein just to name a few will serve you well.  If you're relatively local to Benchmark I am always a fan of using someone I can actually drop my stuff off to instead of mailing it to them.

I guess I don't have an opinion on the barrel being Tikka or from Benchmark/other company. I've shot this rifle with factory loads and a stock blued barrel that has proven 1 inch groups at 200 yards for the past 5 or 6 years. I'll probably have to keep a budget in mind...unless the wife never notices the barrel going from blued/black to stainless...haha