I’ve been considering a 280ai build on a tikka action for quite a while and wondering if anyone has a smith recommendation for tikka work? The only thing that gives me some concern is i’d like to at least have the option to run some high BC bullets up to 168-175gr bullets and the magazine Max COL is pretty short.
A good machinist should be able to chamber and thread the barrel with out issue, then screw it to the already very good receiver.
I have run 162 ELD-X's, 180 Berger Hybrids, Lapua 180 Scenar's, and the Hornaday 175 ELD-X.
The 162's run ~2850 ft/s the 175 and 180's run ~2725 ft/s.
I load to magazine length and have a bit more than 0.100" jump to the lands.
No issue (when I get the wind right) getting hits on an IPSC Target at 1160 yards (target is roughly 22" tall x 17" wide).
I use a 10X SWFA, side parallax adjustment, in Burris Signature Zee Rings on a Talley pic' rail.
The 175 ELD-X is ideal for the 280ai if you are using a standard cup/core bullet. Its performance window pretty much mirrors the velocity of the 280ai, this is to say the bullet will perform as advertised from under 100 yards to past 800 or so yards. The load is 54.54 grains of H4831, brass is formed from Lapua 30-06, and Federal match primers. Barrel ( Benchmark 8 tw 5R) is 24" from bolt face to muzzle....23" from receiver to muzzle.
