Tikka bottom metal replacement questions

[barrister]

It's the time of year when I'm bored. I've decided to do a couple of Tikka modification projects. I have two Tikka T3x donor actions and barrels I've acquired. 30-06 and 6.5 Creedmore calibers. I'm going to have my local gunsmith put them in AG Composites Privateer stocks and do a little bit of optimization work on them. My specific questions relate to the bottom metal.

I've used the search function here and at other sites to read threads on this topic. Those have helped get me to this post regarding options from Lumley, High Desert Rifle Works and Oregon Mountain Rifle Co. Here are my questions:

1. I would of course welcome any current feedback on these three options. Especially these variables: (i) any affect on accuracy, (ii) ease of installation/clean fit and (iii) quality of the product itself?

2. The Oregon Mountain Rifle Co. site has aftermarket screws listed for purchase and the Lumley package seems like it includes aftermarket screws. I can't tell with High Desert Rifle Works if screws are included. Is this an important detail to get "better" screws for installation of the replacement bottom metal instead of reusing the factory screws?

3. High Desert Rifle Works has a specific mention that their bottom metal works with AG Composites stocks I'm sure they all will work, but if you have any specific input with this combination, I appreciate receiving it.

4. Based on the threads I have read, I plan to use the factory magazine. I definitely don't want any issues with fit or them falling out of the bottom metal. Please let me know if you've had this issue. I have already disqualified other options based on this issue.

Thanks in advance for you feedback.

 

[WyldGoose]

I’ve been curious myself and the Lumley has caught my eye. I’ve stuck with the factory plastic for now because I don’t really want to deal with shims to make a nice machined piece fit.

 

[Scottgolf]

I used the Oregon Mountain on my Tikka. I bought their screws but not really sure if I had to.. I am very happy with this setup.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Any noticable accuracy increases with a bottom metal?

Or is it mostly cosmetic/don't like the semi plastic factory option?

 

[Macintosh]

I have a high desert bottom metal. It's +/- the oem bottom, just made of aluminum. Quality is excellent, finish is excellent, it's a drop-in fit depending on the stock. It's really the stock that's in question more than the bottom metal, if the pillar height in the stock is too short it will bottom-out your mags, if its too long you can occasionally get the bolt riding over the top of a cartridge in the magazine without picking it up. And there's some wiggle-room in the middle, ie you have a bit of range where it's "just right". The high desert comes with shims that your gunsmith can bed into the stock under the bottom metal if this is an issue. Usually it's simply a drop-in fit.

You wont find any accuracy difference whatsoever--any difference there I believe you would have seen the exact same thing un screwing and re-installing the factory bottom metal. What you might see is slightly better consistency by virtue of allowing you to torque to 65in/lb without any fear of deforming the plastic stock or pulling a screw through the bottom metal, bc 45inlb as recommended by tikka for their plastic parts can allow the action to move inside the stock a bit.

 

[wind gypsy]

I like metal bottom metal just because you can torque it down without it being all spongy like plastic. I have high desert and mountain tactical, both work fine but i'd go with high desert of those two. I dont know of any deficiencies with the factory screws.

If you're having a gunsmith bed your rifles in AG stocks, just have them make sure the bottom metal depth is appropriate at the same time.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Any noticable accuracy increases with a bottom metal?

Or is it mostly cosmetic/don't like the semi plastic factory option?

No.

It's cosmetic and "feel good" when running higher than 55" lbs on the screws.

 

[barrister]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I’m going to go with the High Desert product. Anyone aware of Rokslide or other discount codes for these?

While I’m asking, any knowledge of discount codes for Talley rings?

 

[Marbles]

My only reason to use Lumley bottom metal is the artic trigger guard. Otherwise they are cosmetic. The Lumleys fit tight in factory plastic and RokStocks.

The magazine release on my Lumley was too short in factory plastic stock, swapping it for the factory plastic mag release corrected the issue.

Only reason to get different screws is if you want stainless to minimize rust, for most people that is not an issue. In salt water environments, even stainless rusts, so I'll take all the help I can get.

 

[barrister]

My only reason to use Lumley bottom metal is the artic trigger guard. Otherwise they are cosmetic. The Lumleys fit tight in factory plastic and RokStocks.

The magazine release on my Lumley was too short in factory plastic stock, swapping it for the factory plastic mag release corrected the issue.

Only reason to get different screws is if you want stainless to minimize rust, for most people that is not an issue. In salt water environments, even stainless rusts, so I'll take all the help I can get.

I changed my mind and went with the Lumley's due to the lower cost and they also sell trigger springs I could bundle with the purchase/shipping. Now I'm getting a bit of buyer's remorse because there is more feedback out there on the High Desert product. Based on your usage with the Lumley's, do you have any issues or regrets going that route?

 

[Brix8984]

Lumley arctic is currently the best factory magazine style aftermarket tikka bottom metal made imo

 

[NSI]

Barrister: "While I’m asking, any knowledge of discount codes for Talley rings?"

Avoid the Talleys. Search here if you're curious, or just trust me. Use UM or Sportsmatch rings that have recoil bosses and grip the integral rail.

-J

 

[Skydog]

Avoid the Talleys. Search here if you're curious, or just trust me. Use UM or Sportsmatch rings that have recoil bosses and grip the integral rail.

-J

Yes, I've already seen numerous comments/photos in other threads about Talleys failing. Thanks!

Edit: I think we're in the wrong thread!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have th Lumley and the high desert. Both came with screws, neither required any "fitting" other than the Lumley being a really tight fit.

Neither have any issue with factory magazines. I didn't notice any improvement in accuracy but I didn't shoot either rifle much before making the switch. You can torque the thing down more tightly with metal vs plastic.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

The lumley arctic is great. I have it on my 6.5 creed and I’m thinking about getting it for my 30-06.

 

[HuntHarder]

To try and piggy back off of the OP, Do any of you use the Lumley AICS conversion bottom metal? I really like the MDT polymer mags and was curious how they function in a Tikka.

 

[barrister]

I’ve always been fine with Talley rings, with no failures. That includes a fall and direct impact of the rings on a rocky surface. I try not to get too caught up in the potential for a small sample size to have an echo chamber effect on Rokslide or other places. Having said that, I did read as much as I could find on the topic and I did decide to try the Sportsmatch rings. They get good reviews and are very cost effective. I appreciate the suggestions on those.