trick my rifle...

[nastynate]

Here's a question for you gun nerds. I have a Tikka T3x stainless 30-06 with a VX2 3x9 Leupold on it. Besides a sling and a $40 limbsaver recoil pad, it's as it came. It has worked just fine for every rifle hunt I've been on which includes an annual deer stand sit and a western hunt every 2 or 3 years. But I was looking at the gunwerks thread by @noharleyyet and I think it highlighted how much customization some of you are doing. So for the gun nerds out there... here's the question: If you wanted to upgrade a gun like my Tikka to your liking, how would you allocate funds under different budgets?

What would you do with $100 budget? $500 Budget? $1000? $2000? And why?

FWIW, I'm probably not going to do anything. But I was just thinking what upgrades have been game changers for you and why. And, @BrentD, if I had $2000 for rifle upgrades I would probably buy a cool lever gun and leave my Tikka as is. But that's not the question!

 

[MThuntr]

I think the Tikka guys are putting in some new trigger springs...that's a cheap mod. Possibly cut the barrel back a bit for enough meat to be threaded for a suppressor. Both mods can be done for less than $300.

$1000 budget would be a scope change.
$2000 budget would be a scope and stock change.

 

[Ought Six]

With a $2000 budget, I would buy a new gun

 

[noharleyyet]

Trigger job, good CF stock, alpha clickable glass....more than 2K. But efficacy for killing is attainable your stated $$ parameters.

 

[BrentD]

Here's a question for you gun nerds. I have a Tikka T3x stainless 30-06 with a VX2 3x9 Leupold on it. Besides a sling and a $40 limbsaver recoil pad, it's as it came. It has worked just fine for every rifle hunt I've been on which includes an annual deer stand sit and a western hunt every 2 or 3 years. But I was looking at the gunwerks thread by @noharleyyet and I think it highlighted how much customization some of you are doing. So for the gun nerds out there... here's the question: If you wanted to upgrade a gun like my Tikka to your liking, how would you allocate funds under different budgets?

What would you do with $100 budget? $500 Budget? $1000? $2000? And why?

FWIW, I'm probably not going to do anything. But I was just thinking what upgrades have been game changers for you and why. And, @BrentD, if I had $2000 for rifle upgrades I would probably buy a cool lever gun and leave my Tikka as is. But that's not the question!

Hey, for half of that 2k, we could have you toting a mighty fine vintage lever gun.

And this lovely lass by Joseph Simger is only $1500. (Not mine and caliber unknown).

There is NO excuse for an ugly gun.




But back to your Tikka. For $38, we could put a leather covered recoil pad on it and get rid of that nasty slip on thing.

 

[peterk1234]

I have a Tikka t3x lite in 308. I've been tempted to "upgrade" things but decided if it doesn't really make a big difference, why waste the money? Use the extra cash you have to buy ammo and go have fun with it and become a more proficient shooter.

Now with that said, I've made some changes. Like you, I have the limbsaver on there. Great upgrade. I feel no recoil. I upgraded my vx3 to a vx5 cds firedot. Another great upgrade. I really like the cds. Finally, I added a salmon river arca/pic rail. I used my tripod with the rifle last year and it was a game changer. This setup is way sturdier and I can use the bipod from my AR as well with it.

I love the trigger on my gun. Light, but not too light. And it breaks like glass.

 

[Sheltowee]

I've had two rifles built off of Tikkas (a 6.5 Creed CTR and a .338-06) and have a third on the way (25-7 PRC). They're so easy to trick out that it is a shame not to do it.

$100 pricepoint: I'd grab a Mountain Tactical bolt handle kit ($79.99). I prefer the knurled model but the Outdoorsman is a little more sleek. Mountain Tactical also makes a reduced weight trigger spring but the Tikka trigger is adjustable enough that a competent gunsmith could dial it down

$500 pricepoint: Have the barrel cut, threaded and Cerakoted. For $335, you can replace the OEM plastic trigger guard/mag well and magazines with the Mountain Tactical Billet Bottom Metal, a 3-round billet magazine (sits flush with the bottom of the stock) and a 5-round billet magazine (protrudes about 1.5 inches). Alternatively, RedSnake Tactical's AICS compatible bottom metal plus a 3-round AICS mag and a 5-round AICS mag) will run you $380. The Mountain Tactical is a little more sleek for a hunting rifle and the RedSnake looks more PRS-y/tactical. Have your bottom metal Cerakoted, too.

The Tikka's only real weakpoint for me is the OEM stock. It isn't terrible but feels a little flimsy and slick. Slightly higher than $500 pricepoint, but I can't recommend the Pure Precision Altitude stock enough (on sale for $575 right now).

$1000 pricepoint: All of the above, plus maybe a Lilja barrel in a funky caliber. Or, you could get an entry level suppressor. Really enjoying my new DeadAir Nomad.

$2000 pricepoint: The Pure Precision Stock + a medium-high end scope. Swaro Z5, Nightforce, Trijicon TenMile, etc.

.338-06 with Redsnake Bottom Metal and MDT AICS mag, which I've now swapped out for the Mountain Tactical. Also now wears a Mountain Tactical bolt knob.


6.5 Creed CTR with bonus Glock 20, both cerakoted Glock FDE. Swapped out the ball bolt knob for a Mountain Tactical Knurled since this photo was taken:

 

[noharleyyet]

Hey, for half of that 2k, we could have you toting a mighty fine vintage lever gun.

And this lovely lass by Joseph Simger is only $1500. (Not mine and caliber unknown).

There is NO excuse for an ugly gun.
View attachment 356187
View attachment 356188


But back to your Tikka. For $38, we could put a leather covered recoil pad on it and get rid of that nasty slip on thing.

I've never seen mounts that "ring the bell" like that...pretty cool.

 

[TN2shot07]

$100 - trigger spring

$500 - vx3 w/cds or bell & carlson stock upgrade, I don’t like the tikka stocks personally

$1k - probably both of the $500 upgrades, or splurge on a cf stock

$2k - Drop in a bell & carlson, you could go up to a vx3 w/cds, vx5, or a Swaro z3 with the ballistic turret. Should still have enough to upgrade the plastic bottom metal and trigger spring, too. Also, euro optic is having a big sale on several tikkas right now, if you really like it just go buy 2 more in different calibers!

 

[noharleyyet]

...or wait a few months for @brockel to tire of one of his most excellent platforms

 

[Nick87]

If you shoot it well. Stick the money into draws or save it for a future trip.

 

[noharleyyet]

If you shoot it well. Stick the money into draws or save it for a future trip.

Save it for New Mehico

 

[Nick87]

Save it for New Mehico

Yup.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I've had two rifles built off of Tikkas (a 6.5 Creed CTR and a .338-06) and have a third on the way (25-7 PRC). They're so easy to trick out that it is a shame not to do it.

$100 pricepoint: I'd grab a Mountain Tactical bolt handle kit ($79.99). I prefer the knurled model but the Outdoorsman is a little more sleek. Mountain Tactical also makes a reduced weight trigger spring but the Tikka trigger is adjustable enough that a competent gunsmith could dial it down

$500 pricepoint: Have the barrel cut, threaded and Cerakoted. For $335, you can replace the OEM plastic trigger guard/mag well and magazines with the Mountain Tactical Billet Bottom Metal, a 3-round billet magazine (sits flush with the bottom of the stock) and a 5-round billet magazine (protrudes about 1.5 inches). Alternatively, RedSnake Tactical's AICS compatible bottom metal plus a 3-round AICS mag and a 5-round AICS mag) will run you $380. The Mountain Tactical is a little more sleek for a hunting rifle and the RedSnake looks more PRS-y/tactical. Have your bottom metal Cerakoted, too.

The Tikka's only real weakpoint for me is the OEM stock. It isn't terrible but feels a little flimsy and slick. Slightly higher than $500 pricepoint, but I can't recommend the Pure Precision Altitude stock enough (on sale for $575 right now).

$1000 pricepoint: All of the above, plus maybe a Lilja barrel in a funky caliber. Or, you could get an entry level suppressor. Really enjoying my new DeadAir Nomad.

$2000 pricepoint: The Pure Precision Stock + a medium-high end scope. Swaro Z5, Nightforce, Trijicon TenMile, etc.

I don’t care much for the feel of the OEM stock myself. It is too squarish where I carry it. I had a Mesa (now Pure) Precision Altitude stock for a Remington 700 and I loved the forearm because it was contoured, not blocky, and felt good when hand carrying. But, I didn’t like the bulbous grip or the drop at heel. I sold it and bought a first generation Alterra Arms stock. I like the grip and butt on it but dislike the blocky forearm. So, when I am hunting with it, it is mainly on my pack.

I wish I could get a combination of the two - Alterra back half and Pure Precision forearm - with the addition of an integral pic rail. That would be my grail stock. Since that isn’t out there, I am strongly considering the McMillan Game Warden LR for my Tikka. I have handled a couple of them and they feel pretty good to me. The grip is big but it seems to fit my hand better than the one on the Mesa (Pure) Precision stock I had. Where I would place my hand for carrying didn’t feel too bad either.

 

[Wild Bill]

Trigger spring, bolt handle, recoil pad, new bottom metal and mags. Plenty a fella can do to a tikka while on a budget.

 

[BuzzH]

Here's a question for you gun nerds. I have a Tikka T3x stainless 30-06 with a VX2 3x9 Leupold on it. Besides a sling and a $40 limbsaver recoil pad, it's as it came. It has worked just fine for every rifle hunt I've been on which includes an annual deer stand sit and a western hunt every 2 or 3 years. But I was looking at the gunwerks thread by @noharleyyet and I think it highlighted how much customization some of you are doing. So for the gun nerds out there... here's the question: If you wanted to upgrade a gun like my Tikka to your liking, how would you allocate funds under different budgets?

What would you do with $100 budget? $500 Budget? $1000? $2000? And why?

FWIW, I'm probably not going to do anything. But I was just thinking what upgrades have been game changers for you and why. And, @BrentD, if I had $2000 for rifle upgrades I would probably buy a cool lever gun and leave my Tikka as is. But that's not the question!

I think I'd be looking at buying some tags and hunting more.

 

[belshawelk]

if its not wood, hydro dip the stock. I did both mine

 

[Sheltowee]

if its not wood, hydro dip the stock. I did both mine

That turned out really well. How is it holding up to use? Any flaking or fading?

 

[Jbotto]

Following!

 

[belshawelk]

That turned out really well. How is it holding up to use? Any flaking or fading?

Nope no flaking. The .243 one ( badlands dip) gets used all the time as its my truck gun for predators. It look just like the day i got it done. The other one I sold to my buddy for his daughter. It gets used quite a bit an still looks perfect also.