Back to the drawing board for a compact stock for Tikka T3X

[farmer14]

Morning gents!

I purchased a Tikka T3X Roughtech 6.5 Creed with the heavier D-18 barrel profile (I think that’s the profile).

I also purchased a Tikka T3x Compact stock for my son.

My plan was to drop the barrel, action and trigger from the roughtech into then compact stock per the guidance from 2 different companies (I won’t name them, but they gave me terrible advice).

The two ARE NOT COMPATIBLE. The heavier barrel profile from the rough tech does not drop into the grooves/channels of compact stock. The bottom plastic piece fits fine - it’s the barrel from the roughtech that’s too big to fit into the channels of the compact stock.

I’m going to own this mistake - I did as much research as I could to ensure compatibility.

I don’t want to cut the rough tech stock.

What are my options for a compact stock for this Tikka that doesn’t break the bank? My son can’t really fit into the full length roughtech stock quite yet. The compact stock fits him perfect (Crazy how much difference a 30 mm spacer can make).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jimbee]

Just sand out the barrel channel.

 

[farmer14]

Just sand out the barrel channel.

@Jimbee I thought about that. Look closely at the barrel channels. They are not made wide enough for the heavier barrel profile.

 

[MuleyFever]

Sand/Dremel the whole thing out. People have done it.

 

[Jimbee]

@Jimbee I thought about that. Look closely at the barrel channels. They are not made wide enough for the heavier barrel profile.

I stand by my advice. Sand it. Start with an angle grinder if you're impatient like me and prioritize function over fashion.

 

[farmer14]

Thanks @Jimbee and @MuleyFever but I want to stay away from any serious mods to a stock. I e tried a stock mod for another rifle and it shot terrible after my sub par work. Looking for an off the shelf option.

 

[Archer86]

It's easy get a wood dowl wrap it with sand paper and start working the barrel channel it will open up fairly quick

 

[bnewt3]

MDT field stock? Or Oryx?

 

[Jimbee]

Hogging out a barrel channel shouldn't negatively affect how a rifle shoots. Just trying to be helpful.

 

[farmer14]

It's easy get a wood dowl wrap it with sand paper and start working the barrel channel it will open up fairly quick

Have you done this exact thing before? Curious as to what you used? Wood dowel into a drill? How do you attach the sand paper? How do your sand out the sides/walls of the barrel?

 

[wnelson14]

Have you done this exact thing before? Curious as to what you used? Wood dowel into a drill? How do you attach the sand paper? How do your sand out the sides/walls of the barrel?

Sand paper wrapped in a socket as well and go up in size as you go, and elbow grease.
Shouldn’t take longer the. 20-30 minutes

 

[RWT]

Have you done this exact thing before? Curious as to what you used? Wood dowel into a drill? How do you attach the sand paper? How do your sand out the sides/walls of the barrel?

I have done it on a Tikka, Bergara and Stockys CF factory stocks. I use a large 1” wooden dowel, 1” PVC pipe or a 1” socket. Wrap 120 sand paper and go to town. Rinse it off when finished. I prefer the 16” dowel or PVC as they allow leverage and more even pressure than a socket.

 

[bnewt3]

MDT field stock? Or Oryx?

Those require changing mags so you may not want to do that.

Boyds?

 

[WyldGoose]

Appropriate sized socket wrapped in sandpaper. 20 min. Easy work.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Another vote for just opening the thing up

Start with an angle grinder if you're impatient like me

Time to upgrade to a cordless die grinder...

 

[eightyeight mag]

Oh my God sand the mfer and be done

 

[bnewt3]

OP gets to do what he wants/feels comfortable with. If thats NOT modifying the stock then thats his choice.

 

[farmer14]

Oh my God sand the mfer and be done

Sounds like the response from my wife. Honey, is that you?

 

[farmer14]

I have done it on a Tikka, Bergara and Stockys CF factory stocks. I use a large 1” wooden dowel, 1” PVC pipe or a 1” socket. Wrap 120 sand paper and go to town. Rinse it off when finished. I prefer the 16” dowel or PVC as they allow leverage and more even pressure than a socket.

PM inbound

 

[SupressYourself]

Unless it's like inches of material that needs to come off, it ain't no thang.
I've done it on both wood and plastic stocks. Grab a deep socket that doesn't quite fit, wrap it 100-ish grit and slide it back and forth for a while. It won't change the integrity of the stock, and won't even really change the look much either.

Check the fit often and size up the socket if needed. It's really hard to mess this up with a socket and sandpaper, as it takes off a little material at a time and does it evenly on both sides.

One tip: Once it fits, take a bit more out, as you'll want to make sure it's still free-floating when the action is torqued down and to account for flex in the stock when pressure is exerted on it, like when it's sitting with its full weight on a bipod.