So I have a couple questions in this post:
Has anyone every built up a Tikka into a 280AI? I have a Tikka T3 Lite in 7mm-08. I have been wanting a 280AI since my dad picked up a Ruger No1 in 280AI. I have looked at numerous rifle brands that factory offer a 280AI but none of them compare to how much I love my Tikka action and trigger, even a Christensen Ridgeline. I know the Tikkas are all long action, so it seems a possible barrel change, mag change, and bolt stop change should be all that is needed. I have also seen that it should be possible to ream out the 7-08 barrel to a 280AI since they're the exact same caliber but this is WAAYY above my knowledge. I have been looking at a couple different barrel manufacturers and most of them are carbon barrels. What is yall's opinion on carbon barrels? Also, do y'all know if any changes would need to be made to the bolt going from a 7mm-08 to a 280AI?

The bolt-face should be the same, and you could technically have it reamed to .280 AI if you'd like. You'll need the bolt stop machined or replaced, new mag (are the SA/LA mags the same length, or do you need new bottom metal and an LA stock?). You could also ream it to 7-08 AI and gain quite a bit. Are you set up to handload?

The mags are the same length. The SA mags just have a block in the back internals and a shorter follower. There is a company that sells nicer machined bolt stops. Was gonna pick one of those up along with the rear metal bolt shroud they sell along with a l/a mag. How difficult is it to have it reamed out to 280 AI?
I’m not currently set up (want to be) but have friends who are and would allow me to use their setups

Bolt stop change, yes
Long action magazine, yes.

I know my gunsmith does not like re-chambering a barrel. It is difficult to properly indicate the barrel to center in the lathe. 100% of the time, if I am going to change cartridges, it will get a new barrel. You're paying good money to the gunsmith, you might as well use good parts.

Carbon barrels are great for cutting weight. And they will shoot well for 2 or 3 consecutive rounds. So, they are for carrying and hunting with, not for a reptitive shooting rifle. Bartlein is now making a carbon wrapped barrel, I would try to get one from them first and foremost. .280 A.I., 7mm-08, 7mm-08 A.I. I have done extremely well with a 1:9 or 1:8.7 twist rate. But I like 162 gr bullets, and a 175 gr would be on my list for .280 A.I.

You would be a very sad boy if you butchered your 7-08. At least I would. 30-06 is the cheapest Tikka made. Yes, every caliber is typically a different price, I don’t know why. If you get the 30-06 you just need a barrel swap. No Mag or bolt stop change so you save money there.

I think the difference between one rifle or two is going to be $500 when it’s all said and done. Of course the difference is two rifles.

Keep your 7-08, or sell it to me for the price of a 30-06. You’ll be ahead either way.

I’m curious about this.

https://omrifles.com/products/280-ai-tikka-prefit

While I havent added costs up or know what they are, i looked at converting a savage to a different caliber where i would have to change the bolt face and magazine etc. and I decided it would be at least easier and probably cheaper to just buy another rifle. I finally opted to just do a barrel swap in the same parent family of cartridges so I wouldnt have to worry about any of the rest of it.

I purchases a Tikka t3x superlite in 7mm mag with the plan of having it re-barreled into 280AI. I have a 280AI from APR and I love that round but I wanted a lighter rifle for mountain hunting.

I shot some factory 7 mag rounds and it shoots so well that I couldn't take it and have it re-barrelled. Now I just hunt with it as a 7 mag.

You would've needed a new bolt. And bad news is, a Tikka bolt is something like 70% of the cost of another rifle.

Thanks, I guess I got lucky then. I still want to have that done so I will keep my eyes open for an appropriate donor.

Appropriate donor would be a .270 or a .30-06. Same bolt face and long action as .280 A.I.

So would I have to worry about the bolt with a 7-08?



I am as well. I have considered trying to buy a donor rifle in 270 and swap the barrels on that so that I could keep the 7-08 (it would be a good gun to keep for my kids). I’m trying to figure what the total cost of reconfiguring my current rifle would be to see if I want to spend the same $$ plus the cost of a 2nd rifle.

I had one rebarreled to 338-06 and replaced the bolt stop and magazine. Used to be a 22-250, everything else was fine. As FiremanJG pointed out, if you start with a 270 win or 30-06, its just a barrel swap.

Awesome!!! Where did you purchase the barrel for your Tikka? I was unsure if the bolt would have to be swapped as well. Im going to make this a project to start working on/saving for after the holidays. I want a 280AI and I love my Tikka. I'm just trying to figure out if I want to save some $$ and re-barrel my 7-08 or save that rifle for my wife(to possibly ever shoot) and kids and buy another Tikka and re-barrel that one....

I did just see that LRI has come up with a really nice drop in Tikka bolt for $375, and they were saying they'd be out in December. Tikka is an outstanding rifle, but it gets a lil complicated doing a quick swap between a long action magnum and a short action. Not impossible, but sure seems like a pain. Just for giggles, a more cost and time efficient approach would be an Origin short action with a couple barrels and bolt heads. You'd have to do a short mag like 7 SAUM, but swapping calibers would take a matter of minutes. Doubt you'd even have to take the action out of the stock.

I bought a #4 shilen barrel from brownells and had my gunsmith chamber and install it. 338-06bis just a 30-06 blown out to .338 caliber so the bolt face is the same. Had to have him swap the bolt stop and change magazines.

Has anyone have any photos and specs how they did this? Did you work with a gunsmith I want a custom 280AI with a woox superleggera stock with a Tikka action I think it would be amazing

I've rebarreled several Tikkas now. It's a great platform to work with. I own several myself.