Those cheap plastic stocks...improving

J

Jurome

New member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Northern
So I lamented on what to do with my new Tikka T3 stainless that came with the standard low quality stock. Replacing with aftermarket not in the cards with my current budget, so I have experimented with very good results.

I cut small triangles out of rigid foam to fill the voids in the forend and Devcon'd them into the bottom of the recesses. I then Devcon'd some hard rubber on top of the foam to finish filling the void and to potentially act as vibration damping. The stock is super stiff now and minimal weight added.

As for the Lumley pillars I ordered I decided that the bonding surface would not suffice (plastic) so I press fit them into the pockets after reaming them out to a smaller diameter instead. The rifle is sub-zero moa and have had great accuracy out to 450 yards now consistent. As good as a Macmillan? Definitely not, but super happy with the results for now. When I eventually have the $$ for an aftermarket stock I can re-use my pillars by simply pressing them out.

https://imgur.com/DxBJoJ9
https://imgur.com/dY11W4L
 
Last edited:
.270

It shot well, but I started reaching out and wanted a bit tighter if possible.

When I looked at the aluminum recoil lug it was showing signs of compression. But you’re right it was still a decent rifle right out of the box...I just have a problem trying to keep tweaking things, lol.
 
I've owned close to a dozen T3s, blued and stainless. All had the "socalled cheap plastic stock" All shot into sub moa at 100 yards with selected handloads. I have no idea how well they would shoot with factory ammo. I seldom use factory ammo, other than surplus in my milsurps.

I don't mind the basic T3 stock at all and I'm fussy about the ergonomics designed into them.

I've heard all sorts of arguments against them, but I've yet to see any of those negatives proven.

I'm old school when it comes to stocks and will admit I prefer wood stocks. Mostly for their aesthetic appeal but I also like the way they distribute the weight between my hands.

That doesn't mean I'm going to try and fix something that isn't broken and works extremely well.

IMHO, Tikka and a few other producers put a lo of time and money into such stock designs. Yes, cost reduction has a lot to do with it. If wood was cheaper, they would use wood.

Tikka, makes their firearms to stand up to some incredibly harsh conditions. The composite stocks on their T3 reflects their endeavors to find a composition of design and materials that will stand up under every condition thrown at it IMHO.
 
bearhunter said:
I've owned close to a dozen T3s, blued and stainless. All had the "socalled cheap plastic stock" All shot into sub moa at 100 yards with selected handloads. I have no idea how well they would shoot with factory ammo. I seldom use factory ammo, other than surplus in my milsurps.

I don't mind the basic T3 stock at all and I'm fussy about the ergonomics designed into them.

I've heard all sorts of arguments against them, but I've yet to see any of those negatives proven.

I'm old school when it comes to stocks and will admit I prefer wood stocks. Mostly for their aesthetic appeal but I also like the way they distribute the weight between my hands.

That doesn't mean I'm going to try and fix something that isn't broken and works extremely well.

IMHO, Tikka and a few other producers put a lo of time and money into such stock designs. Yes, cost reduction has a lot to do with it. If wood was cheaper, they would use wood.

Tikka, makes their firearms to stand up to some incredibly harsh conditions. The composite stocks on their T3 reflects their endeavors to find a composition of design and materials that will stand up under every condition thrown at it IMHO.
Click to expand...

Just for full disclosure, I have several rifles that I hunt with. Several different cartridge combinations as well. Most are rifles I've built myself, to suit my particular tastes. I have no qualms about grabbing the T3, chambered for the ubiquitous 6.5x55 for a lot of my hunting. If it's fouled properly, it will shoot within a half minute of point of aim from a cold barrel. It wears its original composite stock, without any modification.
 
Tikka synthetic stocks seem a bit cheap. But they fit me well and all I’ve tried have been under 1MOA at 100 meters. Can’t ask for much better from a lightweight hunting rifle. Haven’t tried any improvements thus far as they shoot a lot better than I do.
 
The tikka stock is pretty good I would not modify it and when it prints the aluminum lug like it’s supposed to your action is stableized better.Now they’ve been browbeat to go with steel for the lug
 
I got a tikka tactical 300WM about 10 years ago, when they first came out. Aluminum lug has 4 sides , turn it around. I have no need to modify mine after hundreds of rounds it still shoots fantastic.
 
Jurome said:
So I lamented on what to do with my new Tikka T3 stainless that came with the standard low quality stock. Replacing with aftermarket not in the cards with my current budget, so I have experimented with very good results.

I cut small triangles out of rigid foam to fill the voids in the forend and Devcon'd them into the bottom of the recesses. I then Devcon'd some hard rubber on top of the foam to finish filling the void and to potentially act as vibration damping. The stock is super stiff now and minimal weight added.

As for the Lumley pillars I ordered I decided that the bonding surface would not suffice (plastic) so I press fit them into the pockets after reaming them out to a smaller diameter instead. The rifle is sub-zero moa and have had great accuracy out to 450 yards now consistent. As good as a Macmillan? Definitely not, but super happy with the results for now. When I eventually have the $$ for an aftermarket stock I can re-use my pillars by simply pressing them out.

https://imgur.com/DxBJoJ9
https://imgur.com/dY11W4L
Click to expand...

When I stiffened up my Finnlight stock years ago I found those two oval holes behind the lug served no purpose except weight reduction. Your stock may be different as I don't know the Tikka action. When I put a large flat head in the recoil lug slot I found major flex with little effort and I could feel this slight flex when the butt of the rifle was resting on the floor with the action in place and the screws out. I filled those two holes with 2 piece Marine Tex and everything tightened right up. Accuracy improved greatly, especially from a cold barrel vs hot. I account most of the improvement to removing this lug flexing problem but I did stiffen up the fore stock with some aluminum inserts at the same time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom