Tikka Laminate VS Tikka T3 lite in a Boyds stock

jessekf

jessekf

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Gentlemen,
The time has come I get myself a new Tikka. Currently I shoot a T3 Lite .308, but I want to get a 7mm Magnum or .33WSM for the extra range. I am not sure which route to go. Due to the fact it will kick harder and I likely wont be hiking this gun around the woods, I am going to get a slightly heavier wood stock. Either option will be stainless, not blued, and I will likely keep this gun for the rest of my life.

Option 1. Purchase a Tikka T3 Laminate and keep it stock. This will cost me around $1150+tax.

Option 2. Purchase a Tikka T3 lite, and put it in a wood stock such as a Boyds Prarie Hunter. This will cost me around $900+tax for the rifle, and $200 for the stock.

ht tps://www.boydsgunstocks.com/ProductDetail?ItemNumber=7GA744R18112

Since the prices are pretty much even money, and I believe the Boyds stocks are pretty much plug and play, which will be a better rifle in the long run?
 
Hey jessekf,

Either caliber will serve you really well for hunting big game, with the short mag having a few hundred more ft/lbs of energy. A lot of people like short mags for the advantage of a short action gun in hunting scenarios, but Tikkas are all made with a long action, so you don't get that advantage. If you are looking to get into shooting a bit further out, the 7mm is more popular due to its ballistics out to longer range. 7mm rem mag will also be a little easier to find and less expensive than the short mag. I personally shoot a Tikka in a 7mm rem mag and I have been really happy with it. If you're interested, I left a review you can check out here.

Regarding the stock, I have shot a T3 Laminate and though it is definitely a nice stock, the Boyd stock will probably have a better feel for you, especially if you like the Monte Carlo style comb. I have spoken with guys who have used Boyds stocks and I haven't gotten any bad feedback on them, which tells me that they're most likely really well made stocks. At the end of the day though, it comes down to what you feel will be most comfortable to shoot. If you have any questions, give me a call at 1-877-547-6873 and I'd be happy to have a chat.

Best regards,
Anthony Haines
Inside Sales Specialist
 
I would go tika laminate over a boyds. for $200 your not getting any checkering just a plain jane stock. I have two in factory laminate, one in a b&c and one in boyds laminate. prefer the factory laminate to all the others.
 
Go with the laminate!

The Boyd's is $129 plus $54 shipping, for $265-ish Canadian.

The Boyd's is also a piece of sh it, unfortunately. The inlet for the action is so loose as to be dangerous, so you have to bed it, or get it bedded. The inlet for the trigger guard is *so* wrong that without dremelling, magazines can't be inserted. The nature of the dremelling done removes the support the cheapo plastic trigger guard needs, so you have to buy an alloy trigger guard for another couple hundred bucks from Coretac... but THOSE are sh itty, too, so you need to do a bunch of work with snadpapaer and a file to get THEM to work, then you get to bed THAT into the crappy boyd's stock.

For God's sake, get the laminate. I did the above TWICE. Slow learner! :)
 
Bartledan said:
Disclaimer: Boyd's stocks are great

It's their Tikka inlet that is *laughably* bad.
Click to expand...

Yes, Boyd's stocks require varying amounts of inletting. My custom small-ring 98 is getting professionally fitted to a Boyd's Classic walnut stock as I type. I just don't have the patience or skill to properly fit them. I wouldn't call the stock a POS though, it's actually very nice. But, yes, it needs glass bedding.

On another note, I keep waiting for my lug/stock to loosen with use on my Battue. Still tight as it was new. I really don't mind my synthetic stock on my Battue. The best part is that it's the only stock I don't mind dinging up :)
 
The comb on the tikka is perfect for iron sights or a low mounted scope. It is a thing of beauty, I would go with the laminate stocked T3 from the factory myself.

FYI at approx 7lbs (and Tikkas often weigh less than listed) before scope, the T3 is a light rifle regardless of its stock material.
 
I bought a SS T3 lite in 9.3 with the intention of putting a B&C stock on it, before I bought the stock I shot a few rounds was very impressed with the accuracy. I installed the B&C stock it felt bulky compared to the T3 lite stock and it didn't seem shoot as well. Thought about bedding it then decided to try the black stock again, I filled the stock with foam and 6 200 grain 44 cast bullets, installed a Limbsaver recoil pad. The extra weight improved the balance, once again the rifle shot excellent. I have Leupold ext low mounts with a VX3 2.5-8 X 36 scope. Its a comfortable lightweight rifle, the black is actually quite a good stock. I'm putting the B&C stock up for sale (brown web) next week. I swapped out the bolt shroud and bolt handle with aluminum ones.
Good luck with what ever you decide
 
I own both. I have a 300 winmag laminate and a .22250 Boyds Prairie hunter nutmeg.

I love both guns they are my favorite. My Boyds required some light sanding in magazine well but other than that I have no issues.
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Anyone know where to get a factory T3 laminate stock other than the EE? I've got a T3 Lite with the composite stock. I love the wtock design / feel but I find it is too loud when sticks, or anything else, rubs up against the plastic when sneaking through the woods.
 
chappy said:
remove the recoil pad and fill with expanding foam. makes it much quieter. one can will do a few stocks.
Click to expand...


I'd be awfully tempted to do non expanding foam if I did it again, I found the expanding pushed the grip cap out, and wanted to come out a couple other places. I also didn't find it made it too much quieter, but it did help. Haven't touched my current lites.

I have the exact same prairie hunter stock as pictured on the earlier 22-250/coyote shot. It is on my 300 Win, and I'd say it has less felt recoil then the factory laminate due to allowing a more upright shooting position. I also favour the feel over the factory laminate, slimmer wrist on the boyds, and the finger groove on the forearm. You definitely should have checkering or laser panel as the plain boyds would be like hanging onto a Jackfish in wet conditions. As to fit, I don't know as I bought mine all done up second hand, I did bed it though, shoots awesome.

Lots to think about.
 
bat119 said:
I bought a SS T3 lite in 9.3 with the intention of putting a B&C stock on it, before I bought the stock I shot a few rounds was very impressed with the accuracy. I installed the B&C stock it felt bulky compared to the T3 lite stock and it didn't seem shoot as well. Thought about bedding it then decided to try the black stock again, I filled the stock with foam and 6 200 grain 44 cast bullets, installed a Limbsaver recoil pad. The extra weight improved the balance, once again the rifle shot excellent. I have Leupold ext low mounts with a VX3 2.5-8 X 36 scope. Its a comfortable lightweight rifle, the black is actually quite a good stock. I'm putting the B&C stock up for sale (brown web) next week. I swapped out the bolt shroud and bolt handle with aluminum ones.
Good luck with what ever you decide
Click to expand...

Curiously, any idea why yours didn't shoot well with the B & C? Typically they get great reviews and mine is moa using my snowmobile for a rest... They are bulkier...something my x large hands prefer... Happy shooting.
 
My t3 laminate is much nicer than the boyds i put on my sps. It also doesnt have the open style grip which i find places my hand wrong. The tikka is a higher quality stock.
 
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