Greg at Bugholes suggested Trigger Time and Scott Wiechel in our area for re-barreling, etc.

that is a pretty strong endorsement.. Greg built my 6.5 Creedmoor

Have no doubt either Tony or Scott can do the work, and do it well. Last one I had rebarreled and some other work done I talked with Tony first and for valid reasons he turned it down so Scott got the job after talking woith him and some of his customers. Very happy with the rifle.

Purely out of curiosity, what was the deal breaker?

Metric Threads. CZ 527 rebarrel, open up barrel channel turn barrel to fit along with glass and pillar bed. Scott with the machines said no problem so he got the job and had no problem.

^^ Exactly. That's the first thing I thought of. Tony did a metric re-barrel job for me, and he said he won't do it again. You have to convert your entire gun smithing lathe over to metric gears. And threading metric, he said there was some problem with stopping and starting at the exact same spot, or something to do with the set up. I don't blame him!

Knowing a bit about cutting threads myself, once he explained what is involved with his lathe, cutting metric, I don't blame either. I would have the same policy. Scott probably has a second lathe set up for metric. Tony said he will do the same one day.

I'll bet your right. That's the only way I see it worth the effort. I'm gonna keep this so if I get a Howa (I think they are metric) and the barrel gets replaced, I know where to go already.

Pretty sure Scott has his setup for that or with the CNC controlled can make the switch easier with programming and head changeout but IIRC he has a couple lathes. Something about Scott, if he does a job for you he keeps the CNC programming and can turn you another barrel to what ever you want when it comes time to replace the barrel.

well, in business, it has to worth your time..

There is not a single thing wrong with getting a smith with excellent references like above to do a traditional shouldered barrel install.

However, there are a bunch of new options popping up regarding pre-fits and barrel nuts. For instance, you can get a very very nice Tikka specific prefit from Patriot Valley Arms or Bugholes with a barrel nut. These guys are set up to churn out these barrels, so you're getting a pretty good price on quality components. It's particularly attractive when you think about how you can change your own barrels and not have to go to a smith at all anymore. Just get a go gauge, and action wrench, and a barrel vice. Based on my research, the performance seems to be there. I do think it's wise to get a smith to remove the factory Tikka barrel to get the ball rolling. I hear that can be a real bear.

What is Triggertime's contact info or website?

Tikkas if I recall have a 25mm shank and 1.5 mm thread pitch, but some have gotten around it by doing a 1 inch 16 tpi thread and it worked fine from what people have told me.

Ronnie I can thread it if someone else can finish the shoulder/headspace it. Hopefully you found someone by now since we talked yesterday though.

Metric is super easy for me, 3 of my lathes have universal inch/metric gear boxes.

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I know I’m late to the tea party here but I also recommend Scott Weichel. I have nothing to compare his work to but I will say he does an excellent job. I will continue to use him as long as he works for the public. He is a competition shooter and takes that approach with his builds. Spend some time talking with him and you will not be disappointed. The only drawback is he’s a dang yankee. His talent makes it more than ok.

Pertnear, has he ever cut and threaded a barrel for you? I need to get some barrels threaded before my suppressor gets here.