Can't Decide Which Manners TA or T4A

[lawofsavage]

This is my first time buying an after-market fiber glass stock (I have bought chassis before) so I want to make sure I'm not over-looking anything.

The purpose for this rifle is to be my only rifle for a couple of years until I finish school. Mostly target shooting, classes, possible comps, and hunting. I really want to keep the weight down and have fairly low profile appearance.

If I get the TA or T4A I think I'll go with the elite tactical fill, mini-chassis, atlas rail, and 4 flush cups. Are there any options I'm forgetting that's typical to go with?

The main issue is that I can't decide between the TA and T4A.

I really like the appearance of the TA and slightly lower weight but don't know if having the butt hook and more vertical grip is worth going with the T4A?
I know the grip comes down to personal preference so I can figure that out but is the butt hook a huge advantage as far as helping to to ride in the bags well and easier to use with support hand? There has to be a reason why the T4A is the most popular comp stock.

 

[SporterII]

I have a TA. I chose it because I like my HS stocks with a traditional wrist. Just wide enough. A giant stock wide with vert. grip does not work for me in all position action.
TA stands for tits / ass.
I believe T4 is most popular and my opinion is just that.

 

[strike33]

The T3 or the T6 are kind of in between the two.
The T4 is a lot of forend. I do like the TA as well. The T3 would give you the traditional grip with a wider forearm. The T6 has the nice longer vertical grip but a forend that is better positional shooting. I had a TF2A and it was just about perfect, especially with the elite carbon

 

[guncrazy72]

I just went through this process figuring out which to go with and I ended up picking the T4A with the mini chassis. Im very glad I did! This way, I do not have to run padding ect to get a comfortable cheek position. I am able to adjust the comb at anytime. Also, I prefer the hook for times that I do not have access to a rear bag. It gives me a place to really get my hand dug in on and hold the rifle steady.

 

[jashmore1234]

Have you considered the adjustable butt spacer system option. It will help make a generic stock fit you the shooter.

 

[drglock]

I had my custom 308 built with a manners T4A and a MTU barrel. If I was to do it all over again I'd go with a T6A and Remington varmint barrel contour .

 

[texas_vet00]

T4 w/ mini-chassis here...all good.

 

[lawofsavage]

I prefer a more traditional grip like the TA but I do think the hook would be helpful as well as maybe a wider and flat forend for positional shooting. I'm thinking I'll go with the TA since it's the lightest, has the grip I prefer, and more traditional appearance because I won't be doing any serious competing until I finish school and at that point I will probably want another rifle anyway.

 

[wburke2010]

I had a t4a and did not care for the butt hook so I switched to a t2a and like the sloped end much better. Also went with the adjustable lop.

Walter

 

[S12A]

T4A , better to have it and not use it or to be getting a sore neck or shitty eye relief

 

[lawofsavage]

T4A , better to have it and not use it or to be getting a sore neck or shitty eye relief

So the TA will cause a sore neck and poor eye relief?

 

[S12A]

no , what i meant was the T4A will allow you to customize you cheek position to get good eye relief , a fixed cheek piece does not allow that meaning you have to improvise which is hardly the best option from the beginning.

 

[lawofsavage]

no , what i meant was the T4A will allow you to customize you cheek position to get good eye relief , a fixed cheek piece does not allow that meaning you have to improvise which is hardly the best option from the beginning.

The TA does have an adjustable cheekpiece but it has a more traditional less vertical grip, smaller forend, and sloped rear section.

 

[S12A]

my bad, sorry for some reason i read T4 VS T4A .... in my opinion i like the the T4A more than the TA for target shooting but i think it depends on what you are hunting and at what range. if you are trying to stalk deer than the TA may be wiser.

 

[lawofsavage]

I normally don't stalk hunt for deer. I do occasionally hog hunt and would have to use this rifle for hogs which would be stalk hunting.

 

[lawofsavage]

Any other thoughts before I place the order?

I think I'd be really happy with either one.

This is my first stock to order so I'm looking for critique before I order.

TA Pros: lighter weight, traditional look and grip
TA Cons: not sure if a night optic rail can be installed because the for end is slim,

T4A Pros: butt hook, flat bottom on the for end
T4A Cons: Heavier

Either way the options I'm going with are:
Carbon shell
Black Forrest Camo
Mini-Chassis
Non-rotating flush cups
Atlas Rail
Adjustable Spacer System

Anything I'm leaving out?

I don't think the folding option is worth it if I'll be carrying in an eberlestock GS2 or slung mostly. Any opinions on that?

 

[MWDG3]

I had a t4a and did not care for the butt hook so I switched to a t2a and like the sloped end much better.

Same here, sold the T4A in favor of the sloped T2A butt. Have a TA too with a light rifle. The verticle grip is much nicer to shoot.

 

[Disturbed]

I went back and forth on a t4a and a t2a. In the end I settled on the T4a because of the longer, fatter grip. I like the slanted buttstock of the T2 but the hook does not bother me.

 

[tylerw02]

The most comfortable stock I've used was the T4A. I liked the vertical grip, the length and size of the grip and the butt hook. I first got the T4A to replace a T2. I was happy with the switch. While I did like the T2's slanted butt, the hook was better for me in the end as well as the slightly longer grip. Only complaint is the weight.

 

[lawofsavage]

Really appreciate the help guys. I was almost settled on the TA but have switched and think I'll order the T4A on Thursday or Friday. If I go with the carbon shell it will get the weight down a little and I do think the butt hook will be a big help for using with my off-hand.

Now the weighting game will begin.

 

[hamstur]

I prefer a more traditional grip like the TA but I do think the hook would be helpful as well as maybe a wider and flat forend for positional shooting. I'm thinking I'll go with the TA since it's the lightest, has the grip I prefer, and more traditional appearance because I won't be doing any serious competing until I finish school and at that point I will probably want another rifle anyway.

Based on this comment, I would say the TA. I own rifles with both T4 and T. While I do prefer the T overall, I like them both. If I could only have one, it would be the T because the slimmer, lighter & more traditional contour makes it a better all-purpose stock. I like the T4 more than T2 (own) and T3 (still own). I thought the T3 would be like the T but I don't like it for some reason.

 

[lawofsavage]

Originally I thought the more traditional grip would be more of an advantage in different shooting positions than I think it would be now. I thought I would like the slimmer forend of the TA better. I really like the appearance of the TA. But, how many times will I really be taking offhand shots with a 12-14 lb. rifle. I'm starting to think that the butt hook will be a big advantage and the flat forend will be an advantage and I want to have the option of a rail for night optics in the future.

EDIT:

I also keep looking at this and it makes my think my OD green 23" 6.5 CM R700 barreled action from LRI would be a pretty versatile set up like this if I keep the weight reasonable with the carbon shell:
http://accurateordnance.com/cgi-bin/imcart/read.cgi?article_id=31&sub=10

 

[Maelstrom]

Contact Manners and see if they have either in stock. If they do they will mail them to you so you can handle them and see what fits you best and is the most comfortable. You just havebtompay for shipping. That is a lot cheaper than buying the wrong stock and not being happy with it. I was fortunate enough to be in Kansas City and went to their shop before I ordered my first stock. I was able to handle everything they had in stock so it was easier to make an informed decision.

 

[BullyDog]

A couple of weeks ago Manners had 170 or so stocks in. So see what they have at the moment you can use. But, I would get a 100% carbon fiber shell, the Elite series, in the thumb hole model, with Logger Head adjustable cheek rest and spacer adjustable butt stock. Flush cups also. Think about if you want the mini chassis bedding block or are you going to have a bedding job done. You could also skim bed the mini chassis. I have the Gap Camo 90% Carbon Shell with no bedding block. Best looking stock I've ever seen or felt. Top notch, no lie on the bible. Dropping a Stiller Tac 30 short action in it with a Bartlein 6.5mm 1:8 twist, cut at 25in, in front of recoil lug, with a Hollands Radial muzzle brake installed for a total of 27in. Jewell trigger, PTG bottom medal, Gruning solid steel mount and rings. Getting it Ceracoted Federal Brown or Federal Standard Field Drab on the medal only. The color will make the Gap Camo pop. It will be finished in a 6.5x47 Lapua. My first PRS Comp rig. I'm excited as a child at Chrismas!!! Installing a Silencer Tech suppressor made by Barry, a outside the box thinking, stand up guy, everyone needs to look at his supressors if you want a Precision long range, repeatable can and don't want to pay the price of Thunder Beast or Templar. Same light weight on up coming model and 6-6.5in long. Check him out on You Tube and Facebook.