Thoughts on aftermarket Tikka stocks and barrels

[JollyRoger]

You can’t go wrong with Nightforce. Welcome to Rokslide from the other place


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[PantherCity]

My Axial stock came to 28.2oz with lug and bedded with 2x sling swivels and a Javelin Bipod stud in the stock.

I love the NXS 2.5-10 compact. It dials well and is only 20 oz


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[khuber84]

My Axial stock came to 28.2oz with lug and bedded with 2x sling swivels and a Javelin Bipod stud in the stock.

I love the NXS 2.5-10 compact. It fails wel and is only 20 oz


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That's awesome I figured it'd be heavier. I'm finally going to use my axial on a build. Been sitting in the safe for 6 months.

 

[wind gypsy]

Honestly a lot of the popular aftermarket stocks are a downgrade from the factory stock IMO. The traditional sporter style options typically have a lousy grip and too much drop at the heel compared to a standard with the vertical grip adder. The Mesa looks pretty good minus the drop at heel, where it's worse than factory.

Axial precision is a nice looking option for a mountain rifle. Manners EH1 and AG alpine hunter are nice but not quite as trim.

As far as barrels, if the factory length, twist, and contour meet your needs and it shoots fine - there's not much reason to upgrade IMO.

 

[PantherCity]

Honestly a lot of the popular aftermarket stocks are a downgrade from the factory stock IMO. The traditional sporter style options typically have a lousy grip and too much drop at the heel compared to a standard with the vertical grip adder. The Mesa looks pretty good minus the drop at heel, where it's worse than factory.

Axial precision is a nice looking option for a mountain rifle. Manners EH1 and AG alpine hunter are nice but not quite as trim.

As far as barrels, if the factory length, twist, and contour meet your needs and it shoots fine - there's not much reason to upgrade IMO.

I believe the OP has a T3 not the T3X. I had ordered the Tikka and the axial on the same day and shot the factory stock (with ridges in barrel channel ground out) and a vertical grip and really liked it. The Axial is an improvement, but I did like the T3x a whole lot.

For anyone who has both, how does the T3 stock compare the the T3x?




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[Shane431]

I have T3s and T3x’s. I can’t tell a huge difference between the two. I know about the upgrades to the T3X but I don’t know if they really make any difference when using the rifle. That being said, none of my Tikkas are in a factory stock. They are in Manners, McMillans and a KRG. One thing I will say is that the factory barrels are accurate but slow! You can gain quite a bit of speed in an aftermarket barrel. So pending the rifles intended purpose I do think there’s a benefit to going with a new barrel. But for accuracy, factory is more than fine!

 

[Dhbwa]

For those folks that have upgraded barrels, and stocks is it worth it? 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?

No....

 

[KClark]

I have T3, T3X and Mesa stocks. The T3 is OK, not bad all around for factory tupperware stock, the T3X is the same with different checkering/texture panels and softer butt pad. The T3X with a T3/T3X CTR/Varmint cheek riser and vertical grip is pretty damn good. The Mesa has a wider, deeper grip and wider deeper forend. It's different but not $600 better in MHO. The Mesa shines in offhand and sitting, too much drop at the heel for good prone fit.

 

[sndmn11]

My Axial stock came to 28.2oz with lug and bedded with 2x sling swivels and a Javelin Bipod stud in the stock.




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What did they charge for doing the Javelin (I am assuming it was one of the flush gunsmith adapters) did you supply it or them?

 

[khuber84]

What did they charge for doing the Javelin (I am assuming it was one of the flush gunsmith adapters) did you supply it or them?

You can simply drill a hole with a forstner bit, and jb weld it into place. There are also pic rails that have the Javelin cup on them.

 

[PantherCity]

What did they charge for doing the Javelin (I am assuming it was one of the flush gunsmith adapters) did you supply it or them?

$50 for parts and labor. No brainer for me, spartan wants $36 + shipping just for the adapter.


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[sndmn11]

You can simply drill a hole with a forstner bit, and jb weld it into place. There are also pic rails that have the Javelin cup on them.

I have done four, two more on the way from England. Just curious what pros charge.

 

[sndmn11]

$50 for parts and labor. No brainer for me, spartan wants $36 + shipping just for the adapter.


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That is definitely a no-brainer.

 

[MarcherLord]

I’ve a Mesa, a McMillan Hunters Edge, and a pair of Wildcats. I feel the Wildcats were better improvements. I won’t buy another McMillan.

 

[Dhbwa]

I’ve a Mesa, a McMillan Hunters Edge, and a pair of Wildcats. I feel the Wildcats were better improvements. I won’t buy another McMillan.

+1

 

[HungryNomad]

I have T3, T3X and Mesa stocks. The T3 is OK, not bad all around for factory tupperware stock, the T3X is the same with different checkering/texture panels and softer butt pad. The T3X with a T3/T3X CTR/Varmint cheek riser and vertical grip is pretty damn good. The Mesa has a wider, deeper grip and wider deeper forend. It's different but not $600 better in MHO. The Mesa shines in offhand and sitting, too much drop at the heel for good prone fit.

That’s good info, thanks!


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[ETtikka]

Anyone have any feedback on bell and carlson?

 

[Dhbwa]

Anyone have any feedback on bell and carlson?

Besides being heavier than I like the fit has been better than McMillan or AG Composites

 

[MattB]

If shots are walking, that is likely a bedding issue.

 

[XR357]

I have played with KRG, McMillan Game Hunter, Grayboe Terrain, Bell and Carlson, and of course the factory. The KRG are great, but heavy. Game Hunter is a great stock especially when paired with a proof of large diameter barrel. Bell and Carlson is very similar in feel to the Sako A7 Roughtech Big Game and add a little weight, but has been very stiff. All have advantages and disadvantages.
As others have said hard to beat the factory unless you want more of a vertical grip. McMillan really is nice in that area.