What am I missing: Tikka builds

[tstowater]

After gleaning as much information as possible, I took the plunge in the Tikka rabbit hole. Bought a pair of T3X Lites with 20 inch threaded barrels. The only difference is that the 223 is blued as dealer wasn't able to track down a stainless at the time we were ordering. The 243 would have been a 6 Creedmoor but obviously not available in Tikka factory.

Triggers are factory and acceptable at this point. No changes to stocks have been made either.

Currently running DNZ Game Reaper rings/bases with SWFA gen 2 3-15's FFP mil. Will be replaced with EGW picatinny rails and NF ultralight rings and the S2H scopes when they arrive. Got in on the first order so there is a chance that they with be here for a late September/early October hunt.

Got a couple magazines from Rugged for each gun. Have 69 and 77 grain tmk for the 223 and 95 and 107 for the 243. Will be loading for hunting and have the components.

There are a couple OG6-S suppressors currently in jail to be hopefully picked up soon. Suppressor covers from LS Wild should be here in a few days.

Not looking for aftermarket stocks or shorter barrels at this point. Considering bipods with mounting system and anything else that is deemed invaluable. These will be hunting rifles.

Inputs based on experience appreciated.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Curious why you’re not interested in aftermarket stocks? A properly configured stock is going to be by far the next largest lever you can press in terms of field shooting performance


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[coast range]

If not getting stocks grab vertical grips with oem or an aftermarket one

 

[eric1115]

This would be a good way to dip your toe in the aftermarket stock world.

Tikka T3X Accessories: Vertical Grip, Cheek Riser, & Bag Rider

Get aftermarket stock ergonomics on your Tikka T3X for $85. Vertical grip, cheek riser & bag rider. Made in the USA. Ships fast.

fullframeoutdoors.com

 

[Ajsomp]

After gleaning as much information as possible, I took the plunge in the Tikka rabbit hole. Bought a pair of T3X Lites with 20 inch threaded barrels. The only difference is that the 223 is blued as dealer wasn't able to track down a stainless at the time we were ordering. The 243 would have been a 6 Creedmoor but obviously not available in Tikka factory.

Triggers are factory and acceptable at this point. No changes to stocks have been made either.

Currently running DNZ Game Reaper rings/bases with SWFA gen 2 3-15's FFP mil. Will be replaced with EGW picatinny rails and NF ultralight rings and the S2H scopes when they arrive. Got in on the first order so there is a chance that they with be here for a late September/early October hunt.

Got a couple magazines from Rugged for each gun. Have 69 and 77 grain tmk for the 223 and 95 and 107 for the 243. Will be loading for hunting and have the components.

There are a couple OG6-S suppressors currently in jail to be hopefully picked up soon. Suppressor covers from LS Wild should be here in a few days.

Not looking for aftermarket stocks or shorter barrels at this point. Considering bipods with mounting system and anything else that is deemed invaluable. These will be hunting rifles.

Inputs based on experience appreciated.

I don’t do bipods anymore. They are nice to have but most of my shot opportunities I’ve not used them - either on the east coast or out west.

sounds like you’ve got what you need. Some magazines from @pods8 (Rugged Stitching) will allow you to load heavier on the 223. And flush fit.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I didn’t see any reason to change out the factory stock, either.
I tried the vertical grip cause everyone was fawning over it here. I hated it. The regular grip feels more natural to me. I might could deal with it if all I did was shot on a bench.

 

[tstowater]

Not saying that I won't go to an aftermarket stock at some point but want to see how I get along with the factory one first. At some point, Tikka rifles should be more than an action and everything else is aftermarket. Just my opinion.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Try out the vertical grip. Should be able to sell it if you don’t like it. I was going to suggest limbsavers butt pads, but those are such light kicking rifles it shouldn’t matter.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Not saying that I won't go to an aftermarket stock at some point but want to see how I get along with the factory one first. At some point, Tikka rifles should be more than an action and everything else is aftermarket. Just my opinion.

Agreed. People can do whatever they want for customization, but all the changes are personal preference.

 

[hereinaz]

I didn’t see any reason to change out the factory stock, either.
I tried the vertical grip cause everyone was fawning over it here. I hated it. The regular grip feels more natural to me. I might could deal with it if all I did was shot on a bench.

It only feels natural because you are used to it, which is OK. Change always feels weird, but the vertical grip typically helps get the trigger finger into a better position for maximum precision/accuracy. Most people I work with find it weird, but by the time we go through fundamentals, they find it beneficial.

If the standard grip works for you, don't change.
-
I like to change to aluminum bottom metal to increase action screw torque.

For the trigger, you can back out the small allen until it hits the big bolt that holds it to the action to reduce pull weight a little bit.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Curious why you’re not interested in aftermarket stocks? A properly configured stock is going to be by far the next largest lever you can press in terms of field shooting performance


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Which ones? I’ve tried a dozen different ones and none of them made me shoot any better than the factory stocks.

I was so unimpressed by aftermarket stocks (and the price of them) that I just went with the vertical tikka grips.

 

[N2TRKYS]

It only feels natural because you are used to it, which is OK. Change always feels weird, but the vertical grip typically helps get the trigger finger into a better position for maximum precision/accuracy. Most people I work with find it weird, but by the time we go through fundamentals, they find it beneficial.

If the standard grip works for you, don't change.
-
I like to change to aluminum bottom metal to increase action screw torque.

For the trigger, you can back out the small allen until it hits the big bolt that holds it to the action to reduce pull weight a little bit.

The regular grip puts my finger in a better position for the trigger than the vertical grip for me. Again, if I were only shooting off a bench, I could see a slight benefit from the vertical grip.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Try out the vertical grip. Should be able to sell it if you don’t like it. I was going to suggest limbsavers butt pads, but those are such light kicking rifles it shouldn’t matter.

I put limbsaver pads, vertical grips and aftermarket bottom metals on all my tikkas. All of those to me were worthwhile upgrades.

 

[hereinaz]

Yeah, I like the Limbsaver too.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Yeah, I like the Limbsaver too.

I even put one on my 6.5 creedmoor, it seems to help spot shots slightly better. At 30 bucs it’s an easy choice for me.