Tikka T3x Mods & Caliber Changer - What Stock and Barrel

[Blueknight99]

I have a Tikka T3x Hunter in .270 and would like to modify it to make it a good hunting rifle in some other caliber. Primarily considering 6.5 Creedmoor (considered the 6.5 PRC as well but the barrel life is too short I guess).

I know there is a another thread asking for barrel recommendations for Tikka T3 270 action but mine is a bit different and also I did not want to hi-jack his thread with my specific questions for advise. I would like to do a complete rehaul of my Tikka T3x.

- So coming back - What barrel and calibers are best suitable to fit a Tikka T3x .270 action? How easy it is to fit a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel? And what barrels are recommended.

- Stocks: What stocks to put on the Tikka T3x .270 action. What are the recommended ones. Show me the pics of yours if you had pimped out your Tikka.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[346ci]

.270 would kill hell out of any game in my area. Is it not accurate or are you itching for a change?

As for stocks; Manners, McMillan, KRG, etc, most everyone makes a stock for those now. Check out the T3 thread up top for ideas.

 

[MarinePMI]

Were it I, I’d seriously consider a 6.5x55, or a 6.5 “Swedemoor”...

 

[stello1001]

Nobody can tell you which stock is best, you have to try and fit many different stocks onto you so you get to feel what works best on you particularly.

Barrels, go with any of the well known barrel makers such as:

Brux
Pac nor
Benchmark
Bartlein
Proof

Chambering, this will also be more of a personal preference thing. I would like to one day build a 6.5x55 for hunting but a 30-06 works well too and so does a 280AI. See where I'm going with this, I could keep on listing different cartridges, pick what you think will work best for you and stick to it.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

When I put my Tikka 6 creed together I went through a few stocks before I figured out what I liked when comparing cost. The W3 chassis was really nice but I determined I didn’t like the chassis feel. Next was a Manners T4A, loved everything about the stock other than the price tag. It was worth every penny but just pricey. Next was a Bravo and it is what I’m currently using. No complaints from me and I’ve had it about a year. It will likely be what I stick with considering the adjustability and the price tag.

 

[Blueknight99]

.270 would kill hell out of any game in my area. Is it not accurate or are you itching for a change?

As for stocks; Manners, McMillan, KRG, etc, most everyone makes a stock for those now. Check out the T3 thread up top for ideas.

Its an awesome round. And the barrel is accurate to 1 MOA. But it is pencil thin and heats up fast. Takes some time to cool down. I was just itching for a change to be honest. But now that I have another 6.5 Creedmoor (PR Elevation) I am thinking of keeping the Tikka in the .270 form and just change the barrel and stock.

 

[Blueknight99]

Stocks I considered when I built from a Tikka:

KRG Bravo/ W3. I ended up getting a Bravo and a W3 back end after seeing all of @viking78's work. They look like little Sako TRG's. I've been very happy with my W3 folder. The Bravo backbone and fore end is simpler than the W3 and the Gen 6 W3 folder is great. I also added a spigot and arca rail. This combo is a lb lighter than an MPA and a lb heavier than a bare Bravo. A bare Bravo weighs 3.5lbs.

This sounds interesting. I would like to see some pics of your Tikka with the above if you can please?


I would encourage you to look at McGowen and Carbon Six barrels tho. The McGowen barrels shoot great. Every one I've had has shot 1/4 moa. They are button rifled. Maybe that's why I have no issues with 147's blowing up, IDK. Both of those companies do shouldered prefits for Tikkas.

- Thanks. I will explore the McGowen barrel option

 

[Stooxie]

Get a GRS stock. Leave the barrel alone.

-Stooxie

 

[Stooxie]

McGowan does make an excellent Tikka barrel if you must swap it out.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I have been a Manners fan for the longest time; not a chassis fan ( just personal preference). I do however love the KRG Bravo. I have a custom action currently sitting in it. Yes, it is a chassis, but it feels more like a traditional stock to me. There are so many ways to customize the KRG Bravo and they continue to come out with new ideas.

As for barrels, you really cannot go wrong with any of the brands already recommended. I have a Proof stainless on my Tikka now (in a Manners T4A), a Proof stainless on my custom action, and a Bartlein on my other Tikka. I can’t shoot the name difference, they are all stupid accurate.

I will say this... my Tikka actions give up nothing to my $1400 custom action. Build with confidence, with Tikka.

 

[coldboremiracle]

My T3 in 25Creedmoor. Even with a 22" barrel it spanks most 6.5 CM's. The KRG Bravo is a great option.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

I have been a Manners fan for the longest time; not a chassis fan ( just personal preference). I do however love the KRG Bravo. I have a custom action currently sitting in it. Yes, it is a chassis, but it feels more like a traditional stock to me. There are so many ways to customize the KRG Bravo and they continue to come out with new ideas.

As for barrels, you really cannot go wrong with any of the brands already recommended. I have a Proof stainless on my Tikka now (in a Manners T4A), a Proof stainless on my custom action, and a Bartlein on my other Tikka. I can’t shoot the name difference, they are all stupid accurate.

I will say this... my Tikka actions give up nothing to my $1400 custom action. Build with confidence, with Tikka.

This is exactly what I’ve experienced with the KRG Bravo. I’ll likely be getting one for my T1X when it gets here.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

Gets my vote

 

[Lunchbox27]

The KRG Bravo ought to win some industry award for being the MVP of the year or something. It seems to do what other stocks/ chassis's do at a quarter of the cost while simultaneously endearing both chassis AND stock fans. With Glock-style plug n' play add on's.

Concur!

Had a “ no shit?! “ moment a few weeks ago when I realized they had a bolt on Acra rail. Spigot mount? Got it! Added weights, forend changes, etc... the list goes on. KRG knows what shooters want and their support is fantasic!

Don’t want any of the bells and whistles? Spend the $360 and get the Bravo as is and bolt any factory or custom action into it and you are done, and at 1/3 of the cost of a Manners. Again, this is coming from a Manners fanboy.

 

[346ci]

Its an awesome round. And the barrel is accurate to 1 MOA. But it is pencil thin and heats up fast. Takes some time to cool down. I was just itching for a change to be honest. But now that I have another 6.5 Creedmoor (PR Elevation) I am thinking of keeping the Tikka in the .270 form and just change the barrel and stock.

Good deal, several bbl makers out there. I had my T3 in .308 changed to a 6.5CM for ease of finding factory ammo. Shawn at Hawk Hill used his own barrel at the time. I don't think he does rifle work anymore(from being busy with barrels)but I'd call LRI or SAC to get some installed prices.

 

[DeadeyeD’rick]

My local is about the same rate as well.

 

[Blueknight99]

Nobody can tell you which stock is best, you have to try and fit many different stocks onto you so you get to feel what works best on you particularly.

Barrels, go with any of the well known barrel makers such as:

Brux
Pac nor
Benchmark
Bartlein
Proof

Chambering, this will also be more of a personal preference thing. I would like to one day build a 6.5x55 for hunting but a 30-06 works well too and so does a 280AI. See where I'm going with this, I could keep on listing different cartridges, pick what you think will work best for you and stick to it.

You are right, nobody can tell me which stock to choose, as it is a personal fit and preference. That is a known fact. What I and other here too I presume would be looking for when asking for advise is opinions and experiences of the members to get an idea and feel what worked for them and what they like best. You have to agree that with all the collective experience in the forum, you can easily rule out some 'not so good' and 'bad' ones based on the experiences of multiple people. The good ones can be shortlisted in a similar way. Also, I might not know all the good ones out there to try out. This forum is a medium for that knowledge base as well.


I like your note about chambering, that is a very dark hole to jump into. Like you, I am overwhelmed with all the options out there. But to limit it to this particular gun. Let me put it this way. I have a Tikka T3x Hunter in .270. It is good but nothing special. I would like to make it more likeable (to me) by doing some stuff to it (not investing too much though, otherwise, would just a go a full custom build), like changing the stock and barrels. While I am at it, thought of changing the caliber and exploring other options.

I like the newer calibers like the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC but heard the barrels don't last long. I am not a competition shooter, wouldn't want to be spending money swapping out barrels every 1k rounds or so.

 

[stello1001]

MDT ESS
KRG BRAVO
KRG W3
XLR envy

Are all chassis systems that are generally very good and have so much adjustability that could make them very modular in regards to fit. Perhaps you could try looking at those as many here find them to work good for them. My rifle sits in a chassis by Accurate Mag and is probably most comparable to the MDT ESS from the list above. It works good and fits me great. I can adjust LOP, cheek piece is adjustable as well, and shoulder pad has up and down adjustment as well.

If you really want my opinion on cartridge, I would go with either a 6.5x55 or perhaps a 30-06. The idea of the 6.5x55 having some hunting history to it attracts me to the cartridge but my 6.5 CM kills the whitetails I hunt just as good so for me it's something I don't need, but rather a want. The 30-06 is a very attractive option for me, because one can tailor different loads to shoot small game such as Texas whitetails that rarely ever grow over 180 pounds or one can tailor a load to nearly 300 win mag capabilities. 300 win mag is a lot more powerful but with rather hotter handloads, 30-06 will be knocking on 300WM door.

This is just my opinion and the next guy is going have his completely different and opposing opinion posted here too. Everyone will tell you something different. Hope you decide on something and have fun building it...

 

[viking78]

My custom Tikka T3X with Krieger barrel and KRG Whiskey chassis has more custom on to it.
Im going to send the action/barrel and KRG panel set to custom cerakoting

 

[Steel+Killer]

Unless you just want to do the work yourself (and I get that if you do) sell it and buy a new Tikka CTR in the flavor you want add a KRG bravo stock down the road. Unless you already have the tools to do the work probably be cheaper in the long run JMO.

 

[perttime]

What do you want from the stock? Light/heavy? Simple? All the adjustability in the world? Slim? All the ergonomics of a competition rifle?

 

[Tunnuh]

I went from .260 to 6mm creedmoor using a solid accuracy prefit barrel. Tim did great work. I also recommend you look at stocks in real life if you can. Just be prepared for a pain in the ass experience getting that barrel off.