The Howikka Test Bed

So I recently setup a new 223 now I've run the Tikka a year and am happy to hunt with it almost exclusively.

The new rifle is as follows:

A Modified Stainless Howa Mini action with a take off 16 inch 223 barrel and a DPT Mini with 2 baffles and the brake attachment.

The barrel is torqued on to the action TIGHT.

It's been fitted to a Stockys VGM stock and quickly bedded using JB Weld.

Has a 6 round Jeffersons hinged floorplate.

Action screws are torqued to 65 inch pounds

Scope mounts has a 7mm recoil pin machined into them that engages the custom action pin locations to take the shear of the screws.

Currently has a Maven RS1.2 in MIL fitted.

I plan to test a whole bunch of different reloading and rifle building ideas with this rifle as well as hunt with it. Some ideas of things to try would be appreciated.

Here's some pictures to get started. I have put 120 rounds through it the last few evenings already. Will sort that data out at some stage.

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@gimp it actually might make more sense for this to go in the gear section as it won't just be reloading. And will include everything related to the rifle from zero checks to animals killed.

Sure I can move it

Is there evidence to support needing the recoil pin for the rings or is it a "well it can't hurt" modification? What's the clearance?

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Originally Posted by gimp

Is there evidence to support needing the recoil pin for the rings or is it a "well it can't hurt" modification? What's the clearance?

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My kimber zero shifted noticeably (1.5-2moa) every couple of trips and not certain if it was the Talleys or the VX3i or both. I only used 5 shot groups but they were consistently within an inch in the Creed just shifted from the zero point.

I figured I would try this as a solve/preventative mod, as well as run the Leupolds which are 7075 vs a crappy extrusion. It may not solve it but I would ike to make sure things are solid as the rifle may go to Alaska with me in August. Also since I wanted to mess with the action as a learning experience
I figured I may as well do it.

The pins are press fit in the mounts and measure 6.99mm and the holes in the action are 7.00mm. They are centered well enough the mounts are reversible. There's no perceived play without the screws in place. Once i settle on a scope i will likely loctite them in place.

Fab looking stock, did you bring that back for the states or did you have it shipped ?

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Fab looking stock, did you bring that back for the states or did you have it shipped ?

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They are stocked here by a few places. Inletting is a bit average. They are cheaper in the states the markup here is pretty bad. In the US they can be and for about 800NZD.

What part of this is a Tikka looks like a Howa too me?

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Originally Posted by trooper90

What part of this is a Tikka looks like a Howa too me?

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The action is slabsided and profiled in the same style as the tikka. Up close the action looks as much or more tikka than it does Howa. It's just a nickname.

The tikka reference in post 1 should be more clear. I have hunted and shot with a stock Tikka t3x 223 for a year now. I've killed a few animals with it and taken it out past 1000 on steel at the hunters shoot last year. I like the calibre but dislike the rifle ergonomics personally. The action adds an inch vs the howa plus unneeded weight.

The comment was meant to say that the tikka proved it was worth investing in a nicer setup 223.

Interesting project. I'm just about to complete my own lightweight 223 project, I've been shooting it but the right scope hasn't yet arrived. My objective was to throw high SD 224s such as 77s or 80s at 3000 fps. I think I'll get close, the 77 gn TMKs are doing 2930 currently which is not bad from a 21" barrel. I'm looking to achieve 3.0 kgs with scope, suppressor and sling. Did you mention the weight of yours or have I missed it?

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Interesting project. I'm just about to complete my own lightweight 223 project, I've been shooting it but the right scope hasn't yet arrived. My objective was to throw high SD 224s such as 77s or 80s at 3000 fps. I think I'll get close, the 77 gn TMKs are doing 2930 currently which is not bad from a 21" barrel. I'm looking to achieve 3.0 kgs with scope, suppressor and sling. Did you mention the weight of yours or have I missed it?

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As pictured its 3.2kg with the Maven. Not super light but a nice functional weight. Have another scope to try hopefully after I hunt with it next week that will save a little. More. All my kimbers weighed around 2.5kgs but not suppressed and tiny scopes. Barrel is the hardest place to save the weight. If I want lighter I'll probably build the whole action.

The 18inch tikka does 2850 with 75 elds and is warm. How long a barrel are you going? What optic? What can? You might be a smidge ambitious on velocity and weightwise barrel length and action dependent.

I've got a Ziess HD5 3-15 coming, supposedly under 500gms/18oz. I'm also getting a Nielson sonic 35 as that should save a useful amount over the DPT.

My stock is walnut and currently 960gms, it might get a few grams removed from under the barrel and the butt.

Barrel is 530mm/21" and I've had the 77s at an honest 2960 but that's pushing 65,000psi according to GRT, which I'm not sure is a good idea in 223 brass. The 2930 is closer to 60,000psi which is a wee bit saner, especially if a cobber grabs a couple of rounds off ya. I'm not worried about brass life, it's a hunting rifle and it's mostly lost anyway. Brass is Geco, it's not showing any pressure signs at all and primer pockets are still good after 3 reloads. The big thing is mag length, I've got 61.5mm which is way more than the Sako 75/85 (with the consequence for them that anything over 2900 requires pressures beyond sensible).

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Originally Posted by Tentman

I've got a Ziess HD5 3-15 coming, supposedly under 500gms/18oz. I'm also getting a Nielson sonic 35 as that should save a useful amount over the DPT.

My stock is walnut and currently 960gms, it might get a few grams removed from under the barrel and the butt.

Barrel is 530mm/21" and I've had the 77s at an honest 2960 but that's pushing 65,000psi according to GRT, which I'm not sure is a good idea in 223 brass. The 2930 is closer to 60,000psi which is a wee bit saner, especially if a cobber grabs a couple of rounds off ya. I'm not worried about brass life, it's a hunting rifle and it's mostly lost anyway. Brass is Geco, it's not showing any pressure signs at all and primer pockets are still good after 3 reloads. The big thing is mag length, I've got 61.5mm which is way more than the Sako 75/85 (with the consequence for them that anything over 2900 requires pressures beyond sensible).

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You will save about 230grams in the scope. The Sonic is apparently 60grams heavier in standard form than the mini and I'm already only running 2 baffles. Your stock has an extra 300grams. I usually run at or near 60k then make sure I'm atleast a grain of any signs incase of field issues. I'm not mag limited in either the howa or tikka but I think you will find the albeit limited velocity data from my jump test surprising. I did.

What action are you using? I don't see you getting much lighter with your components so far. For reference a 19 inch kimber in 2.55kgs with a 200gram lighter stock, a very light barrel contour, a 200gram lighter scope, no suppressor.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Interesting project. I'm just about to complete my own lightweight 223 project, I've been shooting it but the right scope hasn't yet arrived. My objective was to throw high SD 224s such as 77s or 80s at 3000 fps. I think I'll get close, the 77 gn TMKs are doing 2930 currently which is not bad from a 21" barrel. I'm looking to achieve 3.0 kgs with scope, suppressor and sling. Did you mention the weight of yours or have I missed it?

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2930 pulls me up with the 77tmk out of a standard length tikka. Long Waters mag but they shoot best at 2.3" oal. Headcase's Geco brass is lasting well (but slowly disappearing into the tussock). I wouldn't like to push it much hotter - 3k sounds a bridge too far for the TMK. I get there with the 74's (standardTikka). 2206H for all.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

2930 pulls me up with the 77tmk out of a standard length tikka. Long Waters mag but they shoot best at 2.3" oal. Headcase's Geco brass is lasting well (but slowly disappearing into the tussock). I wouldn't like to push it much hotter - 3k sounds a bridge too far for the TMK. I get there with the 74's (standardTikka). 2206H for all.

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Could try the new Nas3 high pressure steel cases. But I doubt it's worth it. I will settle probably velocity wise around 2650-2750 out of the 16 inch barrel and be happy. I have the Creed if I ever actually needed more (i won't).