I am putting together a hunting rig in .308 and bought a Tikka T3 Lite with 20” barrel for the heart of it. In the end I am hoping to keep the weight in the neighborhood of 8lbs or less, have a rifle that fits me perfectly, and is dead on out to 300 yds cold bore rain or shine. As the factory stock is not exactly awe inspiring, I started looking at options and weights and came up with the following.
Tikka T3 synthetic stock, w/plastic bottom ‘metal’ and mag 1.96 lbs
T3 Lite .308 20” barreled receiver with bolt 4.13 lbs
Total weight of stock rifle with empty mag 6.09 lbs
NF 2.5-10x32 in Dednutz low mount 1.26 lbs
Total weight with scope mounted 7.35 lbs
Option 1: Keep it stock
7.35 lbs with scope, not bad. But the stock is not great. It contacts the barrel for a few inches forward of the receiver, and needs ~1/2” cheek riser to get me centered on the scope. I can make a lightweight cheekpiece. The dilemma for me is figuring out how to modify the stock to effectively float the barrel. Sandpaper on a dowel? Small drum sander attachment for the drill?
Option 2: GRS Sporter Laminate
The GRS laminated stock would add 1.25 lbs, comes with adjustable cheekpiece and LOP. I’m not so sure about the laminate. GRS uses Stratabond which is pretty good as far as gun stock laminates go. I do know it is more stable than solid wood, and the manufacturing process uses impermeable resins. GRS finishes it with linseed oil. What I don’t know is if it would move much during a three day wet hunt, if this would have an unacceptable impact on POI, or if I can do something to make it more water resistant. I do know that the T3 Lite barrel would have plenty of room in this stock, and, rain/snow could easily get into the barrel channel.
I did consider the McMillan adjustables but can’t find Tikka ready models in stock or detailed weight info, and am not willing to wait 5 or 6 months.
Any thoughts or feedback on these options, or better ideas, would be much appreciated!
Tikka T3 synthetic stock, w/plastic bottom ‘metal’ and mag 1.96 lbs
T3 Lite .308 20” barreled receiver with bolt 4.13 lbs
Total weight of stock rifle with empty mag 6.09 lbs
NF 2.5-10x32 in Dednutz low mount 1.26 lbs
Total weight with scope mounted 7.35 lbs
Option 1: Keep it stock
7.35 lbs with scope, not bad. But the stock is not great. It contacts the barrel for a few inches forward of the receiver, and needs ~1/2” cheek riser to get me centered on the scope. I can make a lightweight cheekpiece. The dilemma for me is figuring out how to modify the stock to effectively float the barrel. Sandpaper on a dowel? Small drum sander attachment for the drill?
Option 2: GRS Sporter Laminate
The GRS laminated stock would add 1.25 lbs, comes with adjustable cheekpiece and LOP. I’m not so sure about the laminate. GRS uses Stratabond which is pretty good as far as gun stock laminates go. I do know it is more stable than solid wood, and the manufacturing process uses impermeable resins. GRS finishes it with linseed oil. What I don’t know is if it would move much during a three day wet hunt, if this would have an unacceptable impact on POI, or if I can do something to make it more water resistant. I do know that the T3 Lite barrel would have plenty of room in this stock, and, rain/snow could easily get into the barrel channel.
I did consider the McMillan adjustables but can’t find Tikka ready models in stock or detailed weight info, and am not willing to wait 5 or 6 months.
Any thoughts or feedback on these options, or better ideas, would be much appreciated!
