Thoughts on aftermarket Tikka stocks and barrels

[HungryNomad]

I've looked on various other platforms, googled searched, read a few threads on here that popped up and decided to stop lurking and join. My Tikka T3 is chambered in .30-06, I'm starting to do some research on aftermarket stocks and barrel upgrades. For those folks that have upgraded barrels, and stocks is it worth it? The gun shoots well, had a 3 shot, one MOA group at 200 yards the other day, any round after three without significant cooling time seems to start to walk up the target. I'm assuming this is from heat, I've read similar stories anyway. Basically, are there barrel and stock upgrades that are worth the money for the improvement as far as improving accuracy and functionality of the rifle?

This is a hunting rifle used only in Alaska to date. Caribou hunts in -30, moose in the swamps, blacktail and goat on kodiak. Thanks!

 

[MTarrowflinger]

Also in AK and have a Wildcat Composites stock on my Superlite in 7mm mag and love it. Haven’t had issues with the rounds walking after three shots, though. Likely won’t be changing my barrel until it’s shot out, only upgraded the stock for weight. Where in AK are you? If you’re close, I’ll let you see the stock in person...

 

[mcseal2]

Mark from the Exo podcast went that route and discusses it quite a bit recently. He was happy from what I remember. That might be a good resource for you.

 

[willfrye027]

I’m having a tikka build with a fast twist 25-06. The main reason is to shoot heavy for caliber bullets because factory tikka twists are pretty slow. FWIW I’m sticking with a factory t3x stock for now, partly for cost and partly because they work just fine.

IMO reasons to “upgrade” a tikka barrel are to get something not available from factory. Factory ones shoot very well typically..esp if you handload.

Reasons to upgrade stock: get something lighter weight or drastically different from what the factory stock will offer. Or just for fun which is fine too. But factory stocks won’t hold you back IMO.

 

[HungryNomad]

Also in AK and have a Wildcat Composites stock on my Superlite in 7mm mag and love it. Haven’t had issues with the rounds walking after three shots, though. Likely won’t be changing my barrel until it’s shot out, only upgraded the stock for weight. Where in AK are you? If you’re close, I’ll let you see the stock in person...

I’m in Nome, but thanks for the offer. I haven’t looked at Wildcat, I’ll check em out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HungryNomad]

I’m having a tikka build with a fast twist 25-06. The main reason is to shoot heavy for caliber bullets because factory tikka twists are pretty slow. FWIW I’m sticking with a factory t3x stock for now, partly for cost and partly because they work just fine.

IMO reasons to “upgrade” a tikka barrel are to get something not available from factory. Factory ones shoot very well typically..esp if you handload.

Reasons to upgrade stock: get something lighter weight or drastically different from what the factory stock will offer. Or just for fun which is fine too. But factory stocks won’t hold you back IMO.

Yeah, I guess right now I’m trying to get as much info as I can to determine if I need the upgrades or just want the upgrades. I don’t handload but it’s something I may do in the future, thats a whole ofher rabbit hole.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oregonmuley]

The McMillan Hunters Edge is a nice upgrade if you are thinking of changing out the factory stock. I have one on my Superlite 7MM-08 and its one of my favorite rifles. I like the factory stock just fine but always seem to need to change stuff just for the heck of it But on the Tikka it was well worth it IMHO.

 

[HungryNomad]

The McMillan Hunters Edge is a nice upgrade if you are thinking of changing out the factory stock. I have one on my Superlite 7MM-08 and its one of my favorite rifles. I like the factory stock just fine but always seem to need to change stuff just for the heck of it But on the Tikka it was well worth it IMHO.

I’ve perused their options quite a bit, just recently saw the Alterra stocks as well. From your experience what were the improvements the McMillan offered?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oregonmuley]

I’ve perused their options quite a bit, just recently saw the Alterra stocks as well. From your experience what were the improvements the McMillan offered?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As far as improvements, not a ton really. You save a couple ozs in weight and I would say the McMillan is a bit stiffer stock overall in the fore-end and I just really like McMillan stocks, I have them on most of my other rifles so just like the fit of them.

 

[carsonkeys]

There's a pretty substantial thread on here about the Mesa stocks that Mark from exo used. "Tikka mesa" should probably pull it up. I have a 30-06 t3x and I've made the determination to go with XLR due to a perceived QC problem with the Mesas. Personally, I'm not willing to spend that type of money and deal with the types of issues the guys over there are talking about. The @XLR guys are pretty active on here and I'd encourage you to look them up and reach out to them.

Pros for the XLR:
Very adjustable
AR style ergos (pro for me being ex-mil)
Can make it very light if you go with their titanium grips and magnesium chassis
Foldable stock (if you pay for it)
Ability to add a carbon fiber barrel later without having to buy a new stock due to the barrel channel
Pretty bad ass company/CS

Hope that helps.

 

[HungryNomad]

There's a pretty substantial thread on here about the Mesa stocks that Mark from exo used. "Tikka mesa" should probably pull it up. I have a 30-06 t3x and I've made the determination to go with XLR due to a perceived QC problem with the Mesas. Personally, I'm not willing to spend that type of money and deal with the types of issues the guys over there are talking about. The @XLR guys are pretty active on here and I'd encourage you to look them up and reach out to them.

Pros for the XLR:
Very adjustable
AR style ergos (pro for me being ex-mil)
Foldable stock (if you pay for it)
Ability to add a carbon fiber barrel later without having to buy a new stock due to the barrel channel
Pretty bad ass company

Hope that helps.

Thanks man! I’ll check that stuff out. Not really a chassis guy myself but I will read up on some of the Mesa threads and see what I can find.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Only you and your rifle can decide if replacing the stock and/or barrel is worth it.

My T3X in 6.5 CM and T3X in 300 WM both shot sub-MOA using commercial ammo. The only "upgrade" I did for these two was to have handholds developed for them. I do not believe that swapping a barrel and/or stock would have improved accuracy for these two rifles more than the handholds did. Even my T1X in 17 HMR shoots very well (commercial ammo).

As your barrel heats up due to shots, your group size will open up. Typically the thinner the barrel, the faster the barrel heats up. This is usually not that big of a deal from a hunting perspective. With that said, there are folks who do require a ton of shots just to connect on their animal despite what they post on Facebook.

 

[Trogon]

Can’t see a reason to switch the barrel unless you want a different caliber. Proof mcgowen and a few others make prefits.

 

[HungryNomad]

Can’t see a reason to switch the barrel unless you want a different caliber. Proof mcgowen and a few others make prefits.

I think the more logical side of my brain would agree with you. I’d probably be better off spending the money on hand loading equipment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HungryNomad]

Only you and your rifle can decide if replacing the stock and/or barrel is worth it.

My T3X in 6.5 CM and T3X in 300 WM both shot sub-MOA using commercial ammo. The only "upgrade" I did for these two was to have handholds developed for them. I do not believe that swapping a barrel and/or stock would have improved accuracy for these two rifles more than the handholds did. Even my T1X in 17 HMR shoots very well (commercial ammo).

As your barrel heats up due to shots, your group size will open up. Typically the thinner the barrel, the faster the barrel heats up. This is usually not that big of a deal from a hunting perspective. With that said, there are folks who do require a ton of shots just to connect on their animal despite what they post on Facebook.

Yeah, not bad advice. I’m certain I could improve my shooting if I just spent more time doing it. I can’t upgrade away my own errors.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PantherCity]

I just got a Axial Precision (now called Allterra) stock it is really awesome. Very stiff, great ergos for all shooting positions including prone and looks so cool.

You can see pics of my rifle
And others with the Axial stock in the Semi-Custom tikka thread on here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PNWGATOR]

I too like the design of the Axial Precision Carbon Hunter. Negative comb, vertical grip, slight palm swell and about 24 oz.

 

[HungryNomad]

I just got a Axial Precision (now called Allterra) stock it is really awesome. Very stiff, great ergos for all shooting positions including prone and looks so cool.

You can see pics of my rifle
And others with the Axial stock in the Semi-Custom tikka thread on here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh man, that does look good. Do you know what your weight savings on the stock was? I was also looking at the Nightforce SHV as a more budget option to the NXS you’re running. You diggin the nightforce?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[khuber84]

Oh man, that does look good. Do you know what your weight savings on the stock was? I was also looking at the Nightforce SHV as a more budget option to the NXS you’re running. You diggin the nightforce?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're not going to save weight with any Tikka stocks but a wildcat composites from Alberta. The factory stock weighs 28oz with recoil lug installed. That's pretty dang light already. I usually eliminate the lil tits the keep the barrel pressured against the stock for starters. Some add bedding compound into the forend to stiffen it up. You can get some lightweight cheek risers, the vertical grip and make it a pretty solid stock for out to 700-800y shooting. Adding a pic rail up front isn't thoug to do either, but all these add weight.
Mcmillan sporter edge is usually 28-30oz bedded, has a pretty low comb, so you'll need to keep objective at 50mm or smaller and run as low to barrel as you can. Mcmillan game scout edge is around 34oz, has a higher cheek, but still a bit low for me.
The Mesa stock is 29-31oz, has a decent comb height for larger objectives, but drops the heel down.
My rem 700 axial/alterra carbon stock weighs 27oz with pillars and a pic rail. No bedding or lug. I suspect the Tikka model will be 32oz once bedded. But the shape of these stocks is great, a hybrid between sporter and long range. I prefer a slightly more vertical grip but it works. Recoil is driven square to the body and not you face.

 

[HungryNomad]

You're not going to save weight with any Tikka stocks but a wildcat composites from Alberta. The factory stock weighs 28oz with recoil lug installed. That's pretty dang light already. I usually eliminate the lil tits the keep the barrel pressured against the stock for starters. Some add bedding compound into the forend to stiffen it up. You can get some lightweight cheek risers, the vertical grip and make it a pretty solid stock for out to 700-800y shooting. Adding a pic rail up front isn't thoug to do either, but all these add weight.
Mcmillan sporter edge is usually 28-30oz bedded, has a pretty low comb, so you'll need to keep objective at 50mm or smaller and run as low to barrel as you can. Mcmillan game scout edge is around 34oz, has a higher cheek, but still a bit low for me.
The Mesa stock is 29-31oz, has a decent comb height for larger objectives, but drops the heel down.
My rem 700 axial/alterra carbon stock weighs 27oz with pillars and a pic rail. No bedding or lug. I suspect the Tikka model will be 32oz once bedded. But the shape of these stocks is great, a hybrid between sporter and long range. I prefer a slightly more vertical grip but it works. Recoil is driven square to the body and not you face.

Sound advice. Thank you. If I were to gain a few oz I’m not going to be terribly disappointed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk