Tikka t3x bottom metal OEM (Beretta) vs. Mountain Tactical? Also AICS vs Factory mags?

[alexinc]

Trying to read up as much as I can. Any advantage of going what I believe is "OEM" by Beretta for bottom metal vs. Mountain Tactical? Some posts even claim the OEM is actually just made by Mountain Tactical, but without the branding on the bottom trigger guard (which I prefer.) It's also $25 cheaper.

Also, looking in the future if I am building a 308 and this is mainly for hunting - is it best to keep factory stock and just keep factory mags? The chassis are either pretty insanely expensive ($1600 for MDT) or is straight up over a lb heavier for the KRG Bravo. Just trying to see what advantages it really takes other than looking much cooler and getting an adjustable length of pull and cheek riser.

 

[Ajsomp]

Don’t waste your money on the aftermarket bottom metal if you keep the factory stock or a stock for factory bottom metal.

The KRG Bravo is a great option- go AICS over CTR if you do it.

 

[alexinc]

Don’t waste your money on the aftermarket bottom metal if you keep the factory stock or a stock for factory bottom metal.

The KRG Bravo is a great option- go AICS over CTR if you do it.

Why do you say not on the bottom metal if I keep factory stock? Honestly, the only reason I am looking into a KRG Echo (not the Bravo) was for the cheek riser and better pistol grip ergonomics. But, it makes the rifle significantly heavier and this is a backcountry hunting rifle which makes me pause.

 

[Steve300xcw]

For a 308 hunting rifle. I'd run the factory bottom metal and mag. Change out the grip and slap a cheek riser of choice on it and call it done.

Have one t3x that was carved out to take AICS mags. It works great, but if I could have ran the factory mags I would have.

 

[Ajsomp]

Why do you say not on the bottom metal if I keep factory stock? Honestly, the only reason I am looking into a KRG Echo (not the Bravo) was for the cheek riser and better pistol grip ergonomics. But, it makes the rifle significantly heavier and this is a backcountry hunting rifle which makes me pause.

Because all it’s doing is emptying your wallet. The factory bottom metal is more than sufficient. Even with a rokstok, I keep the factory bottom.

The echo is not the same as the bravo, wouldn’t recommend the echo. If you just want the pistol grip and cheek piece, get the full frame outdoors kit and leave off the bag rider.

the weight of the bravo is more, and you have to use AICS, but it’s a better chassis all around and will shoot better. I reminded myself of that two weeks ago shooting a 308 in a bravo stock. It really wasn’t that heavy - even with a heavier profile barrel and a 10x Swfa. If it were my 308 that’s what I’d be doing.

 

[FLS]

I’ve got a 308 Roughtech that’s gone from factory with vertical grip, to an Echo, and now it’s in a McMillan Mountain Tracker. All worked just fine. I like the ergos of the Echo. Very comfortable grip and the adjustable cheek piece is nice. I think it’s good for what it cost, but it’s not a bravo The Mcmillan is a very well built stock, but I wish I had gone with standard bottom metal inlet instead of CTR inlet. It’s not a match rifle, so I don’t really need 10 rounds. CTR and AICS conversion are noisy. I like it but I’m not in love with it. Impulse buy.
Unless you just like to tinker with stuff get a vertical grip for your factory stock, a stick on cheek pad and call it a day. A no frills, reliable 308 is a killing machine.

 

[alexinc]

I’ve got a 308 Roughtech that’s gone from factory with vertical grip, to an Echo, and now it’s in a McMillan Mountain Tracker. All worked just fine. I like the ergos of the Echo. Very comfortable grip and the adjustable cheek piece is nice. I think it’s good for what it cost, but it’s not a bravo The Mcmillan is a very well built stock, but I wish I had gone with standard bottom metal inlet instead of CTR inlet. It’s not a match rifle, so I don’t really need 10 rounds. CTR and AICS conversion are noisy. I like it but I’m not in love with it. Impulse buy.
Unless you just like to tinker with stuff get a vertical grip for your factory stock, a stick on cheek pad and call it a day. A no frills, reliable 308 is a killing machine.

I don't like the idea of changing the factory mag which is why I am hesitant to go AICS and CTR. This would be for deer/elk hunting only and screwing around in the range. I would like an adjustable cheek riser but it seems like a pain to get one, having to change the entire chassis basically