***Updated with chassis review***
This post has been long over due, but I wanted to wait until the build's were complete.
I got into long range/precision shooting about 2 years ago. It's been a fun and enjoyable experience from the first day to now. I started off with an "entry level" bolt action rifle... the Tikka T3 Varmint in .223. With Black Hills Match Ammo, it can shoot 0.5~0.75 MOA on a calm day.
Like many of you, it wasn't long before the modifications began. Fortunately, the aftermarket for Tikka's was exponentially expanding from nil to substantial. I think the general public started to realize how good of an off the shelf rifle Tikka/Sako really make for under $1,000.
Eventually, I wanted to reach out to further distances. I found a new Tikka T3 CTR which is basically the T3 Tactical without the muzzle brake and adjustable cheek rest on their plastic stock. Again, this rifle was sub MOA all day every day. What you see below is way too much money spent, but well worth it. Enjoy.
![url]](http://[url="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nutzkicker/Tikkas/DSC_3622.jpg"]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nutzkicker/Tikkas/DSC_3622.jpg[/url])
![url]](http://[url="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nutzkicker/Tikkas/DSC_3623.jpg"]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nutzkicker/Tikkas/DSC_3623.jpg[/url])
Equipment List:
Tikka T3 Varmint .223
XLR Chassis painted in Magpul FDE
Ace Folder
HSS Hinterland Bolt Knob
Harris Bipod
Magpul PRS Stock
Ergo Palm Shelf Grip in FDE
Badger Medium High Rings
Nightforce 5.5-22x50
Tikka T3 CTR
KRG Whiskey 3 Chassis painted in Magpul FDE
Atlas Bipod
Atlas Monopod
Seekins Medium High Rings
Schmidt & Bender 5-25x50 MTC LT
HSS Hinterland Bolt Knob
HSS Hinterland Muzzle Brake
I must say that the vendors on the Hide have all exhibited great customer service.
Thanks to:
Kyle @ XLR
Justin @ KRG
Alex @ EuroOptic
HSS Hinterland from down unda
MileHigh Shooting
First picture shows the two rifles in a custom cut Pelican 1750 using my homemade hot wire cutter:
http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2961775#Post2961775
***Updated to include review of chassis systems***
KRG W3C
I love the KRG W3C. It looks and feels fantastic. Every piece is nicely machined and finish from the "new" injection molded polymer side grips to the fore grip. The fitment is spot on @ all interating points including the bolt handle notch. The AICS magazine fits and drops just as expected.
After a year of using this chassis system, I've upgraded from the fixed version to the folding version with no performance degradation. The folding retrofit is not cheap by any means, but the folding/latch/hinge mechanisms are built like a tank, lock in to position with absolutely no play and have positive feedback for all buttons. It is idiot proof. All adjustments capabilities are there from LOP to cheekrest to butt pad elevation.
The only complaints I have with this chassis, is it's weight. It is quite heavy, but that is expected if u want it to survive what it can. KRG has already done its best to remove as much material from parts as much as it can without comprimising structural integrity. All important parts are made out of anodized aluminum...and to be honest, I'd rather sacrifice weight than ridigity. The over all balance is so much better with the W3C compared to the factory plastic, hollow stock from Tikka. Not to mention the improved recoil lug design.
Installation is straight forward and very easy as is expected with most non-bedded stock designs now-a-days.
I received one of the first generation chassis systems and Justin has made sure that I got all of the newer generation 2 parts as soon as they were released. His pride in his product really shows and is warranted.
XLR Chassis
Much improved over the stock Tikka Stocks. (anything is really) The construction of this system is also very good when it comes to the receiver block itself. The forarm section mates very securely to the main part and provide a solide feeling piece. As you can see, the XLR can be customized to piece together different pieces of kit. I opted to purchase an A2 Buffer tube separately so that I can utilize a Magpul PRS Stock. The modular design allowed me to do that very easily. Kyle has made further customization very easy with his design. I also opted to use a ERGO palm shelf grip as opposed to a standard ERGO grip without a palm shelf. It's a personal preference for my shooting positions.
The Ace Folder opens and closes with ease once you figure out exactly how to operate it. It took my a few days to figure it out. Before, I would be prying on the darn thing with a flat head to "lift" up the hinge out of locked position. But with a bit of practice and some lube, it works great now. I have not had any of the "loose" wiggle that other people have had. Mine locks into place very well with no play once it is wedged in.
Installation was also straight forward but required taking the front top cap piece off which is an extra 6 screws. I do like the forarm and the ability to attach rails to all four quadrants. Currently, there are not, but NV, lights and lasers can be easily attached.
I purchased the additional $100 rail kit which comes with 4 pieces. Price is a bit steep, but I wanted that option. However, due to size constraints, the little screws that clam the rail to the forearm are EXTREMELY short. I'm guessing this is to minimize the amount of screw inside the forearm diameter, not to affect the barrel. But there is only maybe half to .75 rotation of threa contact. It was a pain to install the rails even without barrel inside the forearm and once it is on, the rails would sometimes pop off because of the minimal thread in contact. This design really needs to be improved. I'm currently using a harris bipod connected using the provided swivel stud which is pretty solid, but if I wanted to upgrade to an atlas via pic rail, I'm afraid any loading of the bipod would rip the rail right off.
Fitment is good too for the T3 action and bolt notch.
Lead time was 13 weeks for me. Which was 3 weeks longer than originally quoted due to some delays and order confusion.
Comparison between KRG and XLR:
KRG is a complete system built from the ground up to be all inclusive.
XLR still uses other parts and it does feel that way too.
KRG is much easier to install.
KRG looks better IMO.
XLR is lighter.
XLR is SLIGHTLY cheaper
KRG has a quicker delivery time.
XLR has more options
KRG feels more balanced (but keep in mind 20" bbl vs 23" and .308 vs. 223)
This post has been long over due, but I wanted to wait until the build's were complete.
I got into long range/precision shooting about 2 years ago. It's been a fun and enjoyable experience from the first day to now. I started off with an "entry level" bolt action rifle... the Tikka T3 Varmint in .223. With Black Hills Match Ammo, it can shoot 0.5~0.75 MOA on a calm day.
Like many of you, it wasn't long before the modifications began. Fortunately, the aftermarket for Tikka's was exponentially expanding from nil to substantial. I think the general public started to realize how good of an off the shelf rifle Tikka/Sako really make for under $1,000.
Eventually, I wanted to reach out to further distances. I found a new Tikka T3 CTR which is basically the T3 Tactical without the muzzle brake and adjustable cheek rest on their plastic stock. Again, this rifle was sub MOA all day every day. What you see below is way too much money spent, but well worth it. Enjoy.
Equipment List:
Tikka T3 Varmint .223
XLR Chassis painted in Magpul FDE
Ace Folder
HSS Hinterland Bolt Knob
Harris Bipod
Magpul PRS Stock
Ergo Palm Shelf Grip in FDE
Badger Medium High Rings
Nightforce 5.5-22x50
Tikka T3 CTR
KRG Whiskey 3 Chassis painted in Magpul FDE
Atlas Bipod
Atlas Monopod
Seekins Medium High Rings
Schmidt & Bender 5-25x50 MTC LT
HSS Hinterland Bolt Knob
HSS Hinterland Muzzle Brake
I must say that the vendors on the Hide have all exhibited great customer service.
Thanks to:
Kyle @ XLR
Justin @ KRG
Alex @ EuroOptic
HSS Hinterland from down unda
MileHigh Shooting
First picture shows the two rifles in a custom cut Pelican 1750 using my homemade hot wire cutter:
http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2961775#Post2961775
***Updated to include review of chassis systems***
KRG W3C
I love the KRG W3C. It looks and feels fantastic. Every piece is nicely machined and finish from the "new" injection molded polymer side grips to the fore grip. The fitment is spot on @ all interating points including the bolt handle notch. The AICS magazine fits and drops just as expected.
After a year of using this chassis system, I've upgraded from the fixed version to the folding version with no performance degradation. The folding retrofit is not cheap by any means, but the folding/latch/hinge mechanisms are built like a tank, lock in to position with absolutely no play and have positive feedback for all buttons. It is idiot proof. All adjustments capabilities are there from LOP to cheekrest to butt pad elevation.
The only complaints I have with this chassis, is it's weight. It is quite heavy, but that is expected if u want it to survive what it can. KRG has already done its best to remove as much material from parts as much as it can without comprimising structural integrity. All important parts are made out of anodized aluminum...and to be honest, I'd rather sacrifice weight than ridigity. The over all balance is so much better with the W3C compared to the factory plastic, hollow stock from Tikka. Not to mention the improved recoil lug design.
Installation is straight forward and very easy as is expected with most non-bedded stock designs now-a-days.
I received one of the first generation chassis systems and Justin has made sure that I got all of the newer generation 2 parts as soon as they were released. His pride in his product really shows and is warranted.
XLR Chassis
Much improved over the stock Tikka Stocks. (anything is really) The construction of this system is also very good when it comes to the receiver block itself. The forarm section mates very securely to the main part and provide a solide feeling piece. As you can see, the XLR can be customized to piece together different pieces of kit. I opted to purchase an A2 Buffer tube separately so that I can utilize a Magpul PRS Stock. The modular design allowed me to do that very easily. Kyle has made further customization very easy with his design. I also opted to use a ERGO palm shelf grip as opposed to a standard ERGO grip without a palm shelf. It's a personal preference for my shooting positions.
The Ace Folder opens and closes with ease once you figure out exactly how to operate it. It took my a few days to figure it out. Before, I would be prying on the darn thing with a flat head to "lift" up the hinge out of locked position. But with a bit of practice and some lube, it works great now. I have not had any of the "loose" wiggle that other people have had. Mine locks into place very well with no play once it is wedged in.
Installation was also straight forward but required taking the front top cap piece off which is an extra 6 screws. I do like the forarm and the ability to attach rails to all four quadrants. Currently, there are not, but NV, lights and lasers can be easily attached.
I purchased the additional $100 rail kit which comes with 4 pieces. Price is a bit steep, but I wanted that option. However, due to size constraints, the little screws that clam the rail to the forearm are EXTREMELY short. I'm guessing this is to minimize the amount of screw inside the forearm diameter, not to affect the barrel. But there is only maybe half to .75 rotation of threa contact. It was a pain to install the rails even without barrel inside the forearm and once it is on, the rails would sometimes pop off because of the minimal thread in contact. This design really needs to be improved. I'm currently using a harris bipod connected using the provided swivel stud which is pretty solid, but if I wanted to upgrade to an atlas via pic rail, I'm afraid any loading of the bipod would rip the rail right off.
Fitment is good too for the T3 action and bolt notch.
Lead time was 13 weeks for me. Which was 3 weeks longer than originally quoted due to some delays and order confusion.
Comparison between KRG and XLR:
KRG is a complete system built from the ground up to be all inclusive.
XLR still uses other parts and it does feel that way too.
KRG is much easier to install.
KRG looks better IMO.
XLR is lighter.
XLR is SLIGHTLY cheaper
KRG has a quicker delivery time.
XLR has more options
KRG feels more balanced (but keep in mind 20" bbl vs 23" and .308 vs. 223)
