Chassis vs OEM Tikka T3x Stock

[mwiggi]

Is there a significant advantage in accuracy by switching to an aftermarket stock/chassis from the factory Tikka T3x stock? I ask because I can’t see this gun getting any more accurate than it is already. How does the hive mind feel? Is it just easier for more customization with an aftermarket stock? I’m looking at the KRG bravo chassis in particular. Asides from the check rest, I don’t quite understand why you’d change stocks strictly from an accuracy standpoint.

I apologize if this has been posted before, but I looked to no avail.

 

[b6graham]

free floated barrel
more comfortable
better cheek and face position
accessory and bipod attachment
positional shooting
hand position
trigger finger position
weight
LOP

will be be more 'accurate' as in from a fixed mount no influence from a person? maybe maybe not. but that's not how we shoot

 

[308pirate]

Is there a significant advantage in accuracy by switching to an aftermarket stock/chassis from the factory Tikka T3x stock? I ask because I can’t see this gun getting any more accurate than it is already. How does the hive mind feel? Is it just easier for more customization with an aftermarket stock? I’m looking at the KRG bravo chassis in particular. Asides from the check rest, I don’t quite understand why you’d change stocks strictly from an accuracy standpoint.

I apologize if this has been posted before, but I looked to no avail.

The bedding is usually superior in a chassis compared to the typical OEM stock.

Will a chassis always improve accuracy? No. Will a chassis most often improve accuracy? Yes.

The great majority of chassis offer significant increases in ergonomics, adjustability, and accessory flexibility over almost all OEM stocks.

 

[McMillan]

Will the rifle become more accurate?maybe maybe not. Probably not. Will you shoot more accurately with it. Yes

 

[Dobermann]

@mwiggi - maybe we need to clarify: are you referring to the T3X A1, UPR, or ... ?

 

[Secant]

Aftermarket stock/chassis has always been an upgrade for me. Can’t say it added mechanical accuracy to the rifle. But a stock/chassis that fits YOU will definitely make YOU shoot better.

 

[OyVey]

Is there a significant advantage in accuracy by switching to an aftermarket stock/chassis from the factory Tikka T3x stock? I ask because I can’t see this gun getting any more accurate than it is already. How does the hive mind feel? Is it just easier for more customization with an aftermarket stock? I’m looking at the KRG bravo chassis in particular. Asides from the check rest, I don’t quite understand why you’d change stocks strictly from an accuracy standpoint.

I apologize if this has been posted before, but I looked to no avail.

I was on the same boat contemplating whether getting a chassis would improve my accuracy. I dropped my CTR in a MDT ESS chassis and there was no noticeable improvement in accuracy. The Tikka CTR stock still outshoots me to this day and I'm still the weakest link. I can shoot 3/4" 5 shot groups with the CTR stock off a bench and I can't do any better with it in the MDT chassis. MDT chassis helped me out a lot in PRS shooting though because it allowed me to adjust the cheek height, the LOP, and cant the butt into my shoulders.

In hindsight, I would have just gone with the KRG Bravo and go for the Tikka magazine option. They are almost like an AW magazine and I prefer them over AICS mags.

 

[Lawnboi]

Both of my tikkas, a 223 lite, and a 6.5cm ctr, improved with a new stock. Ctr is in a tikka mini chassis, 223 is in a mcmillan game scout with pillars. Both stocks fully free floated from the action.

Both guns became more consistent not only off the bench, but more so from shooting other position with mixed forearm pressure.

 

[Wading]

I have a Manners EH-T on my LH 7 Mag. Well worth the 6 or 8 months I waited and the dough I coughed up. It has a nice palm swell and vertical-ish grip that's really nice for shooting prone.

 

[Hickswr]

From my experience the accuracy won’t improve but the ergonomics will improve if shooting from positions other than the bench.

 

[Dilsey817]

I did not notice an improvement in accuracy. I went from the standard stock to a KRG Bravo. However, the egros of the bravo are much nicer and the ability to add attachments made me switch. For the cost the KRG Bravo is a pretty sweet chassis.

 

[stradibarrius]

If you are asking this question then I would say if you are comfortable with the gun as it is, for your intended use, then why spend the money until you feel the need. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mwiggi]

Thanks for all the replies y’all. I did not think about the ergonomics of a chassis resulting in an increase in accuracy.

As you can tell, I’m just getting into long range shooting. Is there any reading materials y’all can recommend?

If I do end up getting another stock or chassis, I plan on going with the KRG Bravo or the Oynx. I’m perfectly happy with the OEM metal, but is there any advantage to swapping to the AICS mag? Any of y’all have experience with the Onyx?

 

[mwiggi]

In hindsight, I would have just gone with the KRG Bravo and go for the Tikka magazine option. They are almost like an AW magazine and I prefer them over AICS mags.

A few guys have recommended going with the AICS. I’ve never had a single issue with my previous CTR magazine feeding or anything in general. I did not know if there was something I was unaware about with swapping to the AICS mag.

I don’t plan on shooting in any matches, I’m quite sure all the guys with the $5k set ups would embarrass me. I’ll just be shooting with buddies and at my backyard range.

 

[b6graham]

CTR mags are fine but they dont transfer to basically any chassis

 

[OyVey]

A few guys have recommended going with the AICS. I’ve never had a single issue with my previous CTR magazine feeding or anything in general. I did not know if there was something I was unaware about with swapping to the AICS mag.

I don’t plan on shooting in any matches, I’m quite sure all the guys with the $5k set ups would embarrass me. I’ll just be shooting with buddies and at my backyard range.

Pros for CTR mag
- shorter true double stack design
- easier to load
- feeds smoother(especially noticeable on the 1st round out of a full mag)

Cons for CTR mag
- more expensive
- not as universal as AICS mags

Both MDT binderless AICS mags and CTR mags have about the same COAL so mag length is a wash if you reload. MDT AICS mags are very reliable too but I don't see why you wouldn't want to run a shorter mag when possible.

Only thing that would stop me from buying the KRG Bravo with CTR mag option is that you cannot use the enclosed foreend. The enclosed foreend only works with AICS mags, not CTR mags. If you could care less about the enclosed foreend, I think the KRG Bravo with CTR mag option would serve you very well. You could easily outshoot guys with more expensive setups if you put the time into it. However it would not be fun for the guy with $5k setup to get outshot by a guy with Tikka/Bravo setup.

 

[b6graham]

didn't realize the bravo finally had the CTR option

that's an easy choice now. CTR mags are everything the ARC mags should have been and more

 

[308pirate]

I don’t plan on shooting in any matches, I’m quite sure all the guys with the $5k set ups would embarrass me.

Embarrass you in what way?

• Actually make fun of you/your rifle/your scopes OR
• Your ego taking a hit because someone else can shoot better than you?

The former is something I've never seen happen, and the latter is entirely your fault.

 

[Steel head]

Embarrass you in what way?

• Actually make fun of you/your rifle/your scopes OR
• Your ego taking a hit because someone else can shoot better than you?

The former is something I've never seen happen, and the latter is entirely your fault.

Many people hamper their learning with the fear of looking bad.
Gear doesn’t equal skill.

 

[308pirate]

Many people hamper their learning with the fear of looking bad.
Gear doesn’t equal skill.

I don't understand that at all. Back in the fall of 2018 I found my handgun skills had deteriorated to almost nothing, yet I carried (and still do) a concealed pistol every day.

Instead of hiding in my backyard shooting range I bought training resources from champions, doubled down on them in dry and live fire, renewed my USPSA membership, and went to town competing as soon as the 2019 season opened.

I'm far from world class, but I tell you this: I am more competent with a handgun today than I have ever been in my life and am pretty confident about coming out on top if push came to shove. But it took a lot of work and almost 18500 rounds of 9mm in training and competition to get there.

What @mwiggi apparently doesn't understand is that participants in the shooting sports are almost universally the most helpful people you'll find at the range.

 

[Steel head]

I don't understand that at all. Back in the fall of 2018 I found my handgun skills had deteriorated to almost nothing, yet I carried (and still do) a concealed pistol every day.

Instead of hiding in my backyard shooting range I bought training resources from champions, doubled down on them in dry and live fire, renewed my USPSA membership, and went to town competing as soon as the 2019 season opened.

I'm far from world class, but I tell you this: I am more competent with a handgun today than I have ever been in my life and am pretty confident about coming out on top if push came to shove.

I teach fly casting quite often and see it a lot.
That’s why women are often faster learners, no ego road block.
I’ve always been a decent rifle shot but hunting critters is a long ways from shooting long range or competitively and I had a ton to learn from the start.
I see a lot of people stunt their progress in competitive fly casting.
Your always striving to improve and often you have to break away from your comfort zone to change your cast and that can be ugly for a while as your fighting muscle memory and brain timing.
I can think of a few people who are scared to look bad for a while and refuse to change and adapt to improved techniques.
I always remind my students I’ve made Tens of thousands of bad casts and a little rough patch occasionally is the road to success.

 

[308pirate]

@Steel head I absolutely enjoy teaching or coaching ladies on shooting. I will not give shooting advice to any man, even if they ask for it. 99% of men are askholes who will talk back with a reason why your suggestion "won't work for me".

 

[acudaowner]

bad additudes are not just limited to males I have seen plenty of women that assume everything they do is so perfect that they could not accept constructive criticism of any kind . I my self love learning and being show different ways to attack a problem even if not all of them really help in the end its just more tools to add to the box . A bad attitude is not specifically related to gender but stupid is for ever .

 

[mwiggi]

What @mwiggi apparently doesn't understand is that participants in the shooting sports are almost universally the most helpful people you'll find at the range.

I honestly did not realize that. Most of my interaction with competitive shooters was via Facebook and I got the vibe that they were very elitist. I should have known that Facebook tends to bring out the assholes.

You guys have always been respectful and made me feel very welcomed.

I will be ordering the bravo chassis for the CTR mags. Just wish it came in other colors besides Sako Green and black.

That just leaves me with picking out a good muzzle brake. I'm leaning towards something from 419 or a Little Bastard. Any other recommendations? I previously had a DPMS Miculek that I loved, but I see that they have been discontinued

 

[308pirate]

I honestly did not realize that. Most of my interaction with competitive shooters was via Facebook and I got the vibe that they were very elitist. I should have known that Facebook tends to bring out the assholes.

There's douchebags and jerks in every recreational pursuit. The shooting sports seem to have far fewer than others, but like all douchebags they like to stand out.

 

[308pirate]

I will be ordering the bravo chassis for the CTR mags. Just wish it came in other colors besides Sako Green and black

I think Sako Green is the most attractive choice for the Bravo. I wish they offered the Howa inlet in that color.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I honestly did not realize that. Most of my interaction with competitive shooters was via Facebook and I got the vibe that they were very elitist. I should have known that Facebook tends to bring out the assholes.

You guys have always been respectful and made me feel very welcomed.

I will be ordering the bravo chassis for the CTR mags. Just wish it came in other colors besides Sako Green and black.

That just leaves me with picking out a good muzzle brake. I'm leaning towards something from 419 or a Little Bastard. Any other recommendations? I previously had a DPMS Miculek that I loved, but I see that they have been discontinued

Some people ARE elitist. And the great majority of them are far from "elite" in terms of world-class skill.

Equipment does NOT make a person a good or bad shooter. As soon as the new ZCO scope arrives for my new build, I will be showing up at the next match with a $7000 rig. I will not perform one dot better with it than I did with my first "serious" rifle, a Tikka T3X TAC A1 - which, as a certifiably "old" late-60s guy ate up with arthritis and old injuries, ain't "good." If I finish at the 50th percentile in a 100-120 person match, that's a Real Good Day.

So why did I spend all this money on this and the other rifles that have come and gone? Because my wife and I worked, saved, learned, planned, and prayed for all our adult lives and now we can enjoy retirement. I enjoy the science of rifle. I enjoy fine engineering. I enjoy learning and competing. After I retired, I asked the 70-80-something guys what advice they would offer to a new retiree. To a one, they said "Do what you want to do now, because one day you'll wake up and not be able to." So I toddle around at matches pushing my gear in a converted jogging stroller, looking like a derelict on his way back to his bridge. But I'm still there trying.

Attitude is key. In decades of competing in various disciplines, I've always told newbies worried about their performance the same thing: "Next weekend, nobody will remember today's score. But everybody will remember how you act as you post it." Several weeks ago, a buddy of mine committed a simple procedural error on one stage at a match, DQ'ing the stage (not the whole match). He was so annoyed with himself that he put his gear in his truck and left. I get it - been there. Competition is a head game as much as it is a physical skill. In talking about it with him and other folks since, no one except him knows or talks about about his score - they talk about how the adrenaline of competition magnified a momentary mental hiccup into a match-ending frustration. No one holds it against him!!! He was frustrated with himself, kept it to himself, and dealt with it himself. It's the drama- and blame-spewing divas that can ruin the day for anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck with them.

So put your rifle together and get out there and shoot. Many of the best memories of my life are around shooting competitions. Not because of the gear I had or because I won anything - but because of the experiences and the people. Enjoy.

 

[mwiggi]

^ Thanks for all of the advice. I genuinely do appreciate it. After hearing your advice, I believe I will go to some matches once I get this rifle set up and get comfortable reaching out there.

 

[McMillan]

^ Thanks for all of the advice. I genuinely do appreciate it. After hearing your advice, I believe I will go to some matches once I get this rifle set up and get comfortable reaching out there.

I wouldn't even worry about being comfortable reaching out there. I saw a guy who turned up at a 2 day match and shit with a single shot rifle. He was having a ball. I may not recommend that when you could go to some club matches first but he was having a ball