I won a Tikka T3 in .30-06 with a 22 inch barrel. I don't have anything against the .30-06 but I'd like to see if I can get a little more out of this gun so I'm thinking of changing out the barrel to a 24 inch .30-06 AI, any opinions on this?

No comment on the cal as such, but why change the barrel of a Tikka that are so renowned of their inherent accuracy?

- Lars

Mr. Ackley did not recommend the '06 Improved except for the heaviest of bullets and reported small gain there. If you must, you must, but it won't be for much. I'd be more inclined to a belted mag or something smaller... Luck.

Schauckis - The main reason I'm thinking of doing this is that the gun was free, I've got a great .270 that I use for deer, and a .300 for elk so I don't have a real need for an '06. But if I can get performance closer to a .300 without adding a lot of weight to the gun I'd like to do it. It is a very light weight gun that will be great in the mountains but it feels a little undergunned for elk at 300+ yards.

Just changing to a AI won't do much but a longer barrel chambered in AI seems like it would make a more substantial improvement in performance. Still not approaching the .300 but maybe getting closer to a 7MM.

A candidate for a 9,3x62 make ower perhaps?

Best regards Chris

I sure wouldn't waste my time and $$ on a 30-06AI. Things that come to mind are 9.3x62, 338-06.
With the right bullet a 30-06 is fine to 300. The AI capacity increase will give you basically nothing in velocity. The 2" of barrel and loading to 270 pressures will give you far more.

If I wanted a light 30-06 on the rare occasion I needed close to 300wmag velocity I would simply take my 30-06 and grab some Hornady Light Magnum ammo. Then spend my $$$ on something that I really wanted.

IF you want 300 Mag. performance, put a 30 Gibbs barrel on it-26" of course. This gives the ultimate you can get from a 30/'06 case, and also lets you fool around alot making cases, load developing, etc.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Leave it alone or go for a 9.3X62. T3's are great fun for the money as is.

Nice win.

Convert it to a 338-06 or the 338-06AI version.

Either new barrel or bore it out.

River J.,
If its what you want, do it. I have both and the imp is better accuracy a longer distances.I use it for elk with 165 Sierra HPBT. Its all you need in Colorado.