It arrived! 8/9/2024 order. This is the tikka RokStok with Proof Sendero inlet (may upgrade barrel from 243 to 6cm (or 22 Ceedmoor) in the future.) I personally like the gap around the barrel. With the arca/pic front mount. I also opted for the 4" arca rail (mid rifle balance point).
INITIAL THOUGHTS: let's get the (-) out of the way. No surprise as this thread has said it and I will echo... the finish is not the Cadillac finish... more like the Ford pinto... You can see the lack of coverage on parts of the stock where the cerekote did not fully cover it. You can also see around the side QD mounts that "bondo" could have been used to fill the gaps! I am going to call and make sure it can be trusted to use a QD sling and not have the anchor bracket pull out... I am sure it will be fine. The fit is also not perfect around the rear tang.
Now the (+)! As for fit/finish, it is actually perfect around the bottom metal/plastic. Spot on great! This feels great in the hand and playing "hunter" in the living room with the tripod, hunting shoulder mounts in various positions, it felt great. (I know you do not need to be that steady to dryfire on a mount at a handful of yards but it is what was available tonight.) I also had them add the spacer kit and added 1" of spacers. They installed it for me at their shop so I did not need to! This fits me great! (I am 6' 0" tall with a 6' 2 3/4" wingspan for reference.)
TAKE AWAYS: without the 1" of spacers, my head would be further forward and I could probably/maybe (not confirmed) use the low height UM Tikka rings. The way it is with the spacers, I mounted the medium rings. Low rings would not work for me with the spacers for sure. I also ordered the leater patch to go over the cheek welding area... I did not use that as it lifted my sight line enough to make me wish I had ordered the high rings. I will use that leather pad on a stock tikka (.223) to help lift the little ones sight line there. The stock feels great in the hands but the 4" arca rail (at the balance point) is also naturally where you want to hold the rifle if carrying in 1 hand. Slight adjustment period to get used to that. The recoil pad is very soft but I think (not confirmed) it will be a great setup with a 243 and ergonomics.
CONCLUSION: In hind sight, would I wait months for this stock to show up looking like this in brand new condition again? Absolutely! I use (not abuse) my rifles. Would I be upset if my new work truck had a scratch, yes. But I would get over it a lot faster than if I had to send it back to the shop because it didn't work.
I will be looking for them to open the orders back up and I will grab another one for the .223. I will order that one without spacers for the kids.
I hope this helps someone decide on scope right height, leather pad, beauty expectations in one way or another. I am looking forward to actually getting to put this to real world use possibly this weekend!
