Tikka Varmint improvements

[Texas Republic]

Hey Guys.

I am needing some direction here. I am fixing to purchase a Tikka Varmint 308. The several reviews and comparisons I have read give it high marks on accuracy and function. The only complaints I found were the stock and recoil lug set up.

The mods I know I want are an after market stock and threaded barrel for a muzzle brake. As far as the stock is concerned, I would like to get something along the lines of the RCS stock that has the thumbhole feature. However, the price is ridiculout in my opinon for a stock. Anything out there that is comparable to that for less cost? If not, which stock would you guys reccomend? I want something not too heavy with addjustable cheek piece.

What other modifications would you guys reccomend for the rifle? Can anything be done about the recoil lug?

 

[J E Custom]

Hey Guys.

I am needing some direction here. I am fixing to purchase a Tikka Varmint 308. The several reviews and comparisons I have read give it high marks on accuracy and function. The only complaints I found were the stock and recoil lug set up.

The mods I know I want are an after market stock and threaded barrel for a muzzle brake. As far as the stock is concerned, I would like to get something along the lines of the RCS stock that has the thumbhole feature. However, the price is ridiculous in my opinion for a stock. Anything out there that is comparable to that for less cost? If not, which stock would you guys recommend? I want something not too heavy with adjustable cheek piece.

What other modifications would you guys recommend for the rifle? Can anything be done about the recoil lug?

It doesen,t look like any experts are going to chime in so I will tell you what little I know about
the Tikka/Sako.

As you said they are very well made but the recoil set up is a poor design. I built myself a 223 AI
on a S 491 action and this is what I ran into.

First the stocks are almost impossible to find for any Sako and I ended up re inletting a
Remington short action ADL stock, Had to build an eccentric front pillar to get the action screw
spacing correct. Then I had to build a recoil lug that fit between the barrel and the receiver and
Inlet the stock for it. (It was the only stock that came close to fitting the Sako action but still
required lots of work)

After that I did a full bedding job and it shoots great.

The recoil lug is simply not anchord solid and allows the action to move.

I don't know how much a smith would charge for all of this work or would even attempt it. Finding
a stock is the real problem because Sako wont sell you one of theirs.

If you want to build a long range rifle a Remington, Savage ,or a Winchester would be a better choice to build on. The Remington rifles are like the small block Chevy's there is every part in the world available for them.

Don't let me talk you out of what you want, I was just telling you what problems you will have
trying to customize it.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Texas Republic]

It doesen,t look like any experts are going to chime in so I will tell you what little I know about
the Tikka/Sako.

As you said they are very well made but the recoil set up is a poor design. I built myself a 223 AI
on a S 491 action and this is what I ran into.

First the stocks are almost impossible to find for any Sako and I ended up re inletting a
Remington short action ADL stock, Had to build an eccentric front pillar to get the action screw
spacing correct. Then I had to build a recoil lug that fit between the barrel and the receiver and
Inlet the stock for it. (It was the only stock that came close to fitting the Sako action but still
required lots of work)

After that I did a full bedding job and it shoots great.

The recoil lug is simply not anchord solid and allows the action to move.

I don't know how much a smith would charge for all of this work or would even attempt it. Finding
a stock is the real problem because Sako wont sell you one of theirs.

If you want to build a long range rifle a Remington, Savage ,or a Winchester would be a better choice to build on. The Remington rifles are like the small block Chevy's there is every part in the world available for them.

Don't let me talk you out of what you want, I was just telling you what problems you will have
trying to customize it.

J E CUSTOM

Thanks Custom for the reply.

Yeah I was pretty surprised I didnt get any replies to my question. It is a long range hunting forum..but go figure.

I have actually found several after market stocks they now make for the Tikka. This will be my first rifle that I replace the stock on though, and I was wondering if any other Tikka owners had done the same. I found many threads on sniperhide that discuss this, but most of them went with stocks that cost more than the rifle does, which is a little over the top IMO. Especially if you arent talking about optics. I realize vibration nodes, etc are important but it would seem like many can do the job as well as another.

The gunsmith I use has a couple different Tikkas, but I kinda wanted some third party advice instead of just relying on one person.

Overall, I dont think the availability of aftermarket stocks is really a problem anymore for Tikka, its just which one. I know McMillan is a good brand, but I didn't see anything similar to the style of stock that RCS makes. I think that stock would be a great shooter, but I hoped to find something comparable to that at a lower price.

 

[Texas Republic]

It doesen,t look like any experts are going to chime in so I will tell you what little I know about
the Tikka/Sako.

As you said they are very well made but the recoil set up is a poor design. I built myself a 223 AI
on a S 491 action and this is what I ran into.

First the stocks are almost impossible to find for any Sako and I ended up re inletting a
Remington short action ADL stock, Had to build an eccentric front pillar to get the action screw
spacing correct. Then I had to build a recoil lug that fit between the barrel and the receiver and
Inlet the stock for it. (It was the only stock that came close to fitting the Sako action but still
required lots of work)

After that I did a full bedding job and it shoots great.

The recoil lug is simply not anchord solid and allows the action to move.

I don't know how much a smith would charge for all of this work or would even attempt it. Finding
a stock is the real problem because Sako wont sell you one of theirs.

If you want to build a long range rifle a Remington, Savage ,or a Winchester would be a better choice to build on. The Remington rifles are like the small block Chevy's there is every part in the world available for them.

Don't let me talk you out of what you want, I was just telling you what problems you will have
trying to customize it.

J E CUSTOM

This is the Tikka stock I was hoping to find something similar to.

Tikka T3 tactical with RCS Stock

 

[Hntelk]

Texas...How about this....

Started life as a 243 tikka t3....had my smith in Plano Texas do my smith work...

I order a barrel from Greg at bugholes....picked up some OEM parts and then called manners and got my stock...which took about 6 months

then sent it off to paul (boltfluting.com) for the vortex bolt and barrel fluting with some FDE cerakote..

barrel is also threaded for brake/can when I want to put on later..5/8-24

topped it off with a Steiner and seekins rings...thing shoots bugholes and in current develpoement to shoot 115 bergers.

here are some pics for you to gander at...if ya wanna know more jus shoot me an email [email protected]