Stock Upgrade Questions on a Tikka CTR

[SteveJ]

I am looking to upgrade the stock on a Tikka CTR.

I know that Grayboe is coming out with a new stock inlet for the Tikka CTR soon, and Bell and Carlson just came out with a new one (https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1129) that is inlet for the Tikka CTR bottom metal with an adjustable cheekpiece.

Assuming that the Grayboe is priced similar to the current Renegade, prices are likely to be $350 to 400. I have never actually handled a Grayboe stock, but have heard excellent reviews. I have a B&C Medalist stock on a current rifle, and like it very much. The new B&C is $400. However, there are several rather bad reviews out there about B&C stocks and their quality.

So my questions are:
>Is there much of a difference between the aluminum pillars on the Grayboe vs. the aluminum bedding system B&C uses?
>How much different is the composite material used by each?
>Any personal experiences with one vs. the other?

Also, its not much of a jump to look at a chassis system, like a XLR Element for $600 or a MPA Lite for $700. Are they worth the couple of hundred dollars premium over a mid-quality composite stock?

Thanks, Steve

 

[MarinePMI]

KRG X-ray is definitely worth it IMHO...

 

[RedRooster]

I dropped mine in a McMillan A3 with edge fill. Balances very well.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

I don't understand the bad reviews of BC stocks. There are plenty of good reviews about their stocks and I personally own a 308 with a BC tactical stock on it. I've found their stocks to be strong, durable, and accurate with the aluminum bedding block, especially for the price. I'm not saying they are more or equally as durable as Manners or McMillan because they are generally lighter weight than those brands, but they're also much less expensive and I've not had any issues with mine. Plus, just because you may not be able to run over them with a truck w/o breaking doesn't mean they aren't durable enough for hard use like barricade shooting.

You'll have to decide how much you want to spend. If you absolutely do not want to spend over $500 for a stock then the BC is probably the way to go. If you prefer the ergonomics and modularity of a chassis then save up for a good chassis, of which there are many.

 

[Rerun7]

I have mine in an xray chassis and it's been excellent. You can get a used one for under $500. Unless upgrading to an adjustable Manners/McMillan I don't think it can be beat in that price range.

 

[Servo93]

I've got the X-Ray on my Tikka as well but I've tossed around the idea of replacing. The main reason I haven't replaced it yet is because nothing in its price range is well build enough or doesn't come with AICS bottom metal; making it a little too expensive. The X-Ray is also one of the lightest chassis out there especially for its price. You get a lot for your money with this particular KRG product, I'll say that.

 

[Simia Dei]

I don't understand the bad reviews of BC stocks. There are plenty of good reviews about their stocks and I personally own a 308 with a BC tactical stock on it. I've found their stocks to be strong, durable, and accurate with the aluminum bedding block, especially for the price. I'm not saying they are more or equally as durable as Manners or McMillan because they are generally lighter weight than those brands, but they're also much less expensive and I've not had any issues with mine. Plus, just because you may not be able to run over them with a truck w/o breaking doesn't mean they aren't durable enough for hard use like barricade shooting.

You'll have to decide how much you want to spend. If you absolutely do not want to spend over $500 for a stock then the BC is probably the way to go. If you prefer the ergonomics and modularity of a chassis then save up for a good chassis, of which there are many.

Regarding the durability, I slipped down a cliff face while out hunting and my BC sporter (and parts of myself) must have hit 3 trees on the way down. No damage to the stock and no changes to accuracy/zero.

 

[TC308]

I've owned a B&C stock and didn't personally like it. Although it was decent enough, inlet was good, finish was good, price on them are budget minded, I didn't personally care for it. It flexed much more than I cared to tolerate. I moved into an HD precision fiberglass stock for not much more money and it was a huge step up in my opinion. Not sure if they make one for a tikka. After that, I stepped into a krg X-ray and love it. As light as any fiberglass stock more or less but all the adjustments without the extra cost it would be I'm a fiberglass stock. I now own 3 of them, one on a 22-250, a 28 nosler and currently building a 7 rem mag. I think they are a great value and being lightweight is a bonus.

 

[TC308]

I also just built my friend a 28 nosler on a grayboe stock and it was decent. It took more fitting than I prefer, but finish was nice and overall was good for the money.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I have that same B&C stock on my Rem700 223. Its a great stock and I was excited at first to see it finally offered for Tikka... Then I read it might need to be cut for the T3X CTR ejection and it will need to be cut to allow the bolt to come all the way back.

Im waiting for the Greyboe. Hopefully it will be available before end of year. Per the email I got back from them they will have an update in the next month or Two.

 

[SteveJ]

I have always been nervous when I see something with "polymer" in the description. How strong, stiff, durable would you describe the polymer buttstock and grip on the XRay chassis? I do think a Tikka CTR would look awesome in Sako Green.

 

[Servo93]

On the X-Ray; it feels rock solid. Unless your plan is to us it as a pry bar I wouldn't worry.

 

[MarinePMI]

I've had my X-ray for a few years now and have no complaints about durability...

 

[wareagle700]

I've had mostly good experiences with B&C stocks, all hunting stocks though. I know some will say they are junk but they are definitely an upgrade over most factory stocks. You may not be able to park a truck on them but they are plenty stiff with the full length bedding block and tend to hold together just fine.

 

[blbennett1288]

For those of yall with the XRay, how do you handle the PRS barricade staged? Do you use the KRG barricade stop? gamechanger? tactical supply barricade stop?

Right now I am really trying to decide between a XRay and MPA BA Competition

 

[smithjd]

I just received my German Gun Stock Predator for my CTR. It installed perfectly and my initial impression is money well spent. I went with the GGS for several reasons:

I live in a northern climate and did not want an all aluminium chassis.
Uses CTR bottom metal (I already had spare magazines).
Lightweight - about 3.3 pounds as compared to KRG Xray at 3.1 pounds.
Aluminium bedding block, so I don't have to skim bed it. Zero play.
Custom paint...cool AF.

It does not have provisions for a night vision bridge or barricade stops.

So far, very glad I bought it. About 9 weeks from order to delivery (including two weeks shipping). Hope to get out this weekend and shoot it a bunch.

 

[SteveJ]

I have had a really good experience with my B&C stock. I know that for every complaint you see on an internet review, there are usually thousands of happy customers, especially when the complaints are the vast minority of the responses. I am hoping to get some feedback from someone who has used both a Grayboe and B&C and could comment on their relative quality. Being cheap and loving a bargain, I would be delighted if one of these two stocks could provide a bargain better than the chassis, but am certainly willing to spend the extra if the value is there.

I appreciate the positive responses on the KRG X-Ray. I had dismissed it out of hand because of my prejudice toward polymer stocks, but in looking at it more closely, it looks like a really good option compared to other chassis options.

 

[MarinePMI]

For those of yall with the XRay, how do you handle the PRS barricade staged? Do you use the KRG barricade stop? gamechanger? tactical supply barricade stop?

Right now I am really trying to decide between a XRay and MPA BA Competition

I have the RRS acra swiss plate (generic pic rail plate) mounted to the pic rail on my X-ray for my tripod. It has an integral barricade stop built into the plate (killing two birds with one stone, so-to-speak).

The new X-Ray plate that RRS sells is thinner, and would be good if I was just mounting it to the tripod. But, by using the NATO pic rail plate (and the supplied pic rail that comes with the X-ray) I find it more versatile.