Tikka chassis
- Thread starter Legend06
- Start date
The KRG Bravo is not a bad choice, if you like the traditional feel/look.
My first long range rifle was a Tikka T3 Varmint in a KRG Whiskey 3 chassis, which is another great choice.
My first long range rifle was a Tikka T3 Varmint in a KRG Whiskey 3 chassis, which is another great choice.
I recommend against the KRG Bravo for hunting. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. It is an extremely uncomfortable stock to hunt with; great on a bench and it was superbly accurate, but it was really brutal to try to hike with. The geometry is all wrong for field use and I found every sharp edge on it when I tried to carry it. I swapped that action into a Manners and am a lot happier, but in general the Tikka is a heavy package to put in any stock and I replaced that with a Sig Cross for hunting.
The KRG's work, but they're soulless. I'd find something more inspiring if you want to go the Tikka hunting rifle route.
The KRG's work, but they're soulless. I'd find something more inspiring if you want to go the Tikka hunting rifle route.
MDT has treated me very well in the 4+ years I've chased precision rifle, so I'd recommend looking at their hunting chassis. They run in price from $550 for XRS to $1400 for the featherweight (under 2 pounds), made-specifically-for-hunting HNT26. While the latter is no doubt an excellent hunting chassis, $1400 is a lot to spend for a hunting-specific chassis for a Tikka - resale may hurt you. Of course, if you stay with Tikka and don't chase custom bits like I did, you may well have a "forever chassis."
I had one of their listed hunting chassis, an MDT LSS-XL Gen2, on a T3X Varmint .223 and it performed flawlessly. With the LSS chassis, you also have to buy (or already have) an AR-15 buttstock.
Just be aware that you'll need to purchase AICS magazines for many of the aftermarket chassis; your Tikka mags won't fit.
Another plus for MDT is you can try out their chassis for 30 days and send it back for refund if you don't like it (I don't know if other vendors offer this; they may). You might want to call their support line to discuss what you want to do. Great bunch of people.
Good luck.
I had one of their listed hunting chassis, an MDT LSS-XL Gen2, on a T3X Varmint .223 and it performed flawlessly. With the LSS chassis, you also have to buy (or already have) an AR-15 buttstock.
Just be aware that you'll need to purchase AICS magazines for many of the aftermarket chassis; your Tikka mags won't fit.
Another plus for MDT is you can try out their chassis for 30 days and send it back for refund if you don't like it (I don't know if other vendors offer this; they may). You might want to call their support line to discuss what you want to do. Great bunch of people.
Good luck.
Bravo with the Vision fore end FTW.
This is my hunting rifle that I am so tempted to shoot a match with.
This is my hunting rifle that I am so tempted to shoot a match with.
It’s hard to beat that factory Tikka stock for hunting use. It keeps the weight manageable if you are moving about. If it’s stand hunting then weight doesn’t matter. I do like the light chassis that are coming out other than the $$$$$.
I’ve hunted with my bravo and couldn’t disagree more.
Bravo. I’ve had the HNT 26 and didn’t like it. Firstly, I hunt in the cold and having a metal chassis base sucks. If you’re hunting in sub zero temps an aluminum chassis base is not even remotely feasible. (The Bravo is a better choice than the vast majority of chassis, not just HNT if this is a consideration). Secondly, it lacks adjustability in the buttstock which is a big problem because with such a light chassis you need to maximize fit to maximize recoil management. There are other design nitpicks (ie. Pistol grip on hunting/field rifle). Overall, I applaud MDT for the weight/overall build quality, but it simply wasn’t for me. The Bravo with a few attachments is waaayyy cheaper, more adjustable, and has a better design overall for a field/hunting rifle. It turns the Tikka into a mini TRG which is the ultimate hunting rifle IMO. It just makes more sense for most folks I think
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I’ve hunted turkey with a t1x and a KRG bravo.
Weight distribution is good but I dislike the way the arca rail is attached, much prefer the HTN26 (but it’s a way more expensive). Didn’t really had an issue making head shots offhand standing and came home with the bag limit. I’ve also moved on to a MPA ultralite and I like it better for offhand shooting due to the way the arca rail is built in and using a MDT Elite adjustable grip but I like that the Bravo had plastic skins which I feel is a huge bonus in the cold rather than bare aluminum.
I guess it depends if your style of hunting. How important weight is, how far you have to go to set up, how cold, tripod vs no tripod, etc.
Weight distribution is good but I dislike the way the arca rail is attached, much prefer the HTN26 (but it’s a way more expensive). Didn’t really had an issue making head shots offhand standing and came home with the bag limit. I’ve also moved on to a MPA ultralite and I like it better for offhand shooting due to the way the arca rail is built in and using a MDT Elite adjustable grip but I like that the Bravo had plastic skins which I feel is a huge bonus in the cold rather than bare aluminum.
I guess it depends if your style of hunting. How important weight is, how far you have to go to set up, how cold, tripod vs no tripod, etc.
Between the factory plastic stock and a chassis... using the same 77gr SMK ammo... they grouped the same. No difference in accuracy (though I did Dremel out some of the plastic chassis where I thought it might touch the barrel, use chalk on the barrel... install it into the stock and wherever you see chalk... Dremel away).
If for hunting, I'd just keep the factory stock as it's very functional and nothing is lighter.
Oh... and I don't hunt. So take the above for what it's worth.
This is all true, especially with the vertical foregrip option offered by Tikka now. The only downside is the lack of arca attachment options, and the Bravo is still a better design overall.
I didn't realise this was an option, how do you order the forend only?
My biggest problem I have with chassis is I don't tend to like all the stabby bits when carrying the rifle and most of these come from the pistol grip and butt, the Vision forend and Bravo assend is a nice solution to this.
I too am a fan of the factory T3x stock with the main issue being lack of ARCA options but stumbled upon this the other day, could be a good solution.
Tikka T3X/T1X Arca Lite - MOUNTAIN TACTICAL®
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvqhGT2lQTs
tikkaperformance.com
Anyone have strong opinions regarding the Tikka T3x in an XLR Element or McRees G10? Thinking about one or the other for a similar purpose...
Not a 'hunting' rig per se but I plan on hunting with mine, it's ~13# so not too heavy, great integral sling mounts, long/enclosed forend, and a folding stock (that folds bolt-side). All things I wanted in general but also will work for hunting. I didn't want to go ultra light or super specialized as I'll still be shooting LR/matches w it.
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McRees are HEAVY, I also didn't care for their claim on a level in the chassis. I preferred my element, for hunting the mag version would be great. People complain about the cold and metal, nothing a thin pair of gloves won't fix.
I ran an MDT XRS for a few years with a Tikka T3 6.5CM in it for pretty much the exact same purpose as you 
If you're looking to lighten the load a little and hike a lot, the the LSS-XL with a Fixed SRS V5 buttstock would be a nicer option, however, the XRS and enclosed forend are one of my all round favourites for "all purpose" chassis!
- Josh
If you're looking to lighten the load a little and hike a lot, the the LSS-XL with a Fixed SRS V5 buttstock would be a nicer option, however, the XRS and enclosed forend are one of my all round favourites for "all purpose" chassis!- Josh
My XLR Element weights 9lbs with a Tikka Superlite 6.5cm. That’s the aluminum chassis, regular adjustable buttstock, Bushnell 6500 and Magpul bipod. I have not hunted with this stock yet, but I purchased due to having had hunted with other types. The biggest thing I like about the stock is how it handles recoil. It come straight back and back on the target. The Mesa Altitude I had previously had much more muzzle flip using same bipod and my mediocre shooting ability. Overall it is fairly light and the adjustability helped my shooting get better dialed in.
SOLD - FS/T: XLR Carbon Chassis - Tikka SA
- XLR Carbon Chassis - Tikka short action inlet - 15” carbon M-LOK handguard - XLR Gen 2 folding adapter (w/ short buffer tube) - Henderson 14” Arca rail - UTG thumb rest (pretty cheap, will include a QD attachment if preferred) - Ergo grip Nice shape overall, some light marks from normal match...
www.snipershide.com
I wish XLR would bring back the Carbon chassis.
I have hunted with aluminum using gloves and they just slowed it down a little, it was still unbearably cold. Especially when you need your fingers to have good dexterity, cold is a problem. I won’t go late season or winter hunting with a gun that has metal handling points.
I ran an MDT XRS for a few years with a Tikka T3 6.5CM in it for pretty much the exact same purpose as you
- Josh
Honestly, I'd end up with an XRS if it had a foldable stock. Need to be able to decrease my overall length.
