You may recall my failed efforts to entice Gunwerks to inlet a Clymr for Tikkas last month. Out of pure frustration I called the only other company who brags about stock ergonomics and paid them $1,349 to fill my Clymr-shaped hole.
Allterra recently updated their $849 Tikka stock with a choice goodie from their most recent r700 clone model: a recessed pic/flushcup rail. Bedding is absolutely mandatory per Allterra, so I sent them a spare action (excuse the abused cerakote, this one has some miles) and had them do their worst for $250. Their bedding work is absolutely fantastic. You can see from pictures that both the barrel channel T-nuts and the action area were treated with care and precision. I've had bedding done by bad and very good (LRI) in the past, and this job is on the far end of the latter spectrum.
The astute amongst you will note that our total is now $249 shy of my figure. Knowing that this stock would not come in mountain-light, I threw some cash at turning it into the ultimate NRL Hunter Tikka. The first $75 was a bribe for Todd to cut a new CNC inlet program for the Atlasworx AICS bottom metal. It is definitively not a drop-in for a t3x inlet, no matter how sloppy.
The next 90 bucks went to an exceptionally slick SRS balance-point ARCA install.
The final $85 was for shipping from Boise to Wyoming, with the unexpected surprise of a cheap but serviceable plastic case.
So, how did it turn out?
Simply put, this is an expensive ($1100 realistic base) but excellent stock which represents the best a man can have for his Tikka - right now. It is not perfect, and will face significant pressure from the ~$600 Rokstok if the latter is executed correctly.
Allterra puts a Gunwerks-level of emphasis on their ergonomic geometry, and much of it does the trick. The fore-end is a savvy blend of flat for tracking and rounded for versatility. The inset pic rail does not interfere with any positional or off-hand grip. The cheek rest protrudes awkwardly like an old Sako stock, but produces a comfortable cheek or chin weld with low or medium rings. The grip is a modern hybrid vertical design that works well for various hand sizes and enables very comfortable prone shooting.
The trigger reach is improved over the Stocky's VC (about a quarter inch but feels like more - see pics) but still requires careful "forward" hand placement for my size-large (but short fingered) d**k beaters to achieve a 90 degree trigger pull. That hand placement might induce more torque than a neutral grip which truly takes advantage of Allterra's unilateral palm swell. The Clymr stock has some magic between its thumb rest, curve, and trigger reach that still feels noticeably better. Bellyaching aside, Allterra's grip is comfortable, versatile, and enables good control whether prone, square to a tripod, or shooting offhand. There is no doubt that a hybrid grip feels better to stalk around with than a 90 degree grip, and there is a similar lack of doubt that a truly vertical grip is more optimal to shoot true long range with. It's a trade-off.
Some of you will be curious about the balance of plant, so in no particular order you're looking at a:
1) 6.5prc 22" Proof pre-fit (yes, I got it on sale. yes, I wish it was steel. yes, I only bought it because nobody else was selling an in-stock ready-to-go
2) Lumley titanium + carbon bolt knob + handle (noticeably lightens lift, with .5" extra leverage)
3) Sig Sierra6 3-18 BDX in sportsmatch rings (will post standard drop tests shortly)
4) UM level, aft of rear ring (gotta represent)
5) WY arms 5" titanium 30 cal "suppressor" (no, it's not remotely hearing safe. yes, it makes magnums tolerable when I'm wearing foam plugs. no, I wouldn't buy it again)
This old veil action will get the black nitriding it so richly deserves after years of service. Once I'm done with Sig and SHV f1 drop tests and possibly a hunt, this rifle will get a 6.5cm bolt and barrel, and will get put through its paces with my standard Trijicon 3-18 ffp in UM rings on top during the 2024 NRL hunter season.
I'm open to any questions you may have and tests you may want to see, so don't be shy.
Best,
-J
Allterra recently updated their $849 Tikka stock with a choice goodie from their most recent r700 clone model: a recessed pic/flushcup rail. Bedding is absolutely mandatory per Allterra, so I sent them a spare action (excuse the abused cerakote, this one has some miles) and had them do their worst for $250. Their bedding work is absolutely fantastic. You can see from pictures that both the barrel channel T-nuts and the action area were treated with care and precision. I've had bedding done by bad and very good (LRI) in the past, and this job is on the far end of the latter spectrum.
The astute amongst you will note that our total is now $249 shy of my figure. Knowing that this stock would not come in mountain-light, I threw some cash at turning it into the ultimate NRL Hunter Tikka. The first $75 was a bribe for Todd to cut a new CNC inlet program for the Atlasworx AICS bottom metal. It is definitively not a drop-in for a t3x inlet, no matter how sloppy.
The next 90 bucks went to an exceptionally slick SRS balance-point ARCA install.
The final $85 was for shipping from Boise to Wyoming, with the unexpected surprise of a cheap but serviceable plastic case.
So, how did it turn out?
Simply put, this is an expensive ($1100 realistic base) but excellent stock which represents the best a man can have for his Tikka - right now. It is not perfect, and will face significant pressure from the ~$600 Rokstok if the latter is executed correctly.
Allterra puts a Gunwerks-level of emphasis on their ergonomic geometry, and much of it does the trick. The fore-end is a savvy blend of flat for tracking and rounded for versatility. The inset pic rail does not interfere with any positional or off-hand grip. The cheek rest protrudes awkwardly like an old Sako stock, but produces a comfortable cheek or chin weld with low or medium rings. The grip is a modern hybrid vertical design that works well for various hand sizes and enables very comfortable prone shooting.
The trigger reach is improved over the Stocky's VC (about a quarter inch but feels like more - see pics) but still requires careful "forward" hand placement for my size-large (but short fingered) d**k beaters to achieve a 90 degree trigger pull. That hand placement might induce more torque than a neutral grip which truly takes advantage of Allterra's unilateral palm swell. The Clymr stock has some magic between its thumb rest, curve, and trigger reach that still feels noticeably better. Bellyaching aside, Allterra's grip is comfortable, versatile, and enables good control whether prone, square to a tripod, or shooting offhand. There is no doubt that a hybrid grip feels better to stalk around with than a 90 degree grip, and there is a similar lack of doubt that a truly vertical grip is more optimal to shoot true long range with. It's a trade-off.
Some of you will be curious about the balance of plant, so in no particular order you're looking at a:
1) 6.5prc 22" Proof pre-fit (yes, I got it on sale. yes, I wish it was steel. yes, I only bought it because nobody else was selling an in-stock ready-to-go
2) Lumley titanium + carbon bolt knob + handle (noticeably lightens lift, with .5" extra leverage)
3) Sig Sierra6 3-18 BDX in sportsmatch rings (will post standard drop tests shortly)
4) UM level, aft of rear ring (gotta represent)
5) WY arms 5" titanium 30 cal "suppressor" (no, it's not remotely hearing safe. yes, it makes magnums tolerable when I'm wearing foam plugs. no, I wouldn't buy it again)
This old veil action will get the black nitriding it so richly deserves after years of service. Once I'm done with Sig and SHV f1 drop tests and possibly a hunt, this rifle will get a 6.5cm bolt and barrel, and will get put through its paces with my standard Trijicon 3-18 ffp in UM rings on top during the 2024 NRL hunter season.
I'm open to any questions you may have and tests you may want to see, so don't be shy.
Best,
-J
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