Expected accuracy improvement with aftermarket chassis

[pilediver]

I target shoot with out of the box Tikka T3x rifles in 223 and 308 and was hoping to purchase an aftermarket chassis, MDT, KRG or similar and was asking for results on if this sort of change gave improved accuracy, as well as improved ergonomics.

 

[Retired Grunt]

I have 3 Savages in 3 MDT's, I can't quantify it, I think they help. Added rigidity and stability.

 

[Fuj]

I compete with Savage actions on MDT chassis with my own
home brewed wild cats. I'm doing well.

 

[DGP4]

Improved ergonomics equal improved accuracy. So, you should see if the chassis you can buy is really going to make the ergonomics better for you before you invest. Tikka stocks are very ergonomic as far as I am concerned, so any improvement with a chassis will be somewhat marginal for most folks.

 

[CharlieNC]

What is the shooting discipline and current accuracy?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I have my Tikka T3 in a GRS Bifrost polymer stock. Great improvement over the standard Tupperware, which really didn't do justice to the 28in Tru-flite barrel. I do like the look of the Tikka ULR stock though.
If you are shooting from a bipod or rest, the rigidity of the stock is paramount and the extra adjustability is useful.

 

[Matt_3479]

Well not only do quality stocks provide better bedding for the rifle to help improve accuracy but if you get a stock you personally find more natural and comfortable then automatically it’s going to improve your shooting. In prs style, chassis and stocks provide more customization helping in rigidity, balance, shoot ability improving your capabilities and your rifles capabilities.

 

[INTJ]

If I were wanting to improve the accuracy of a factory rifle, the first thing I would do is get a good quality barrel. The stock would be second to that. The barrel is the majority of a rifle's accuracy.

 

[Retired Grunt]

If I were wanting to improve the accuracy of a factory rifle, the first thing I would do is get a good quality barrel. The stock would be second to that. The barrel is the majority of a rifle's accuracy.

My first Bolt Rifle was a Savage Axis with one of those small barrels. I shot it twice then dropped into a MDT LSS, My groups immediately improved. Not Bench Rest or F Class tightness, but I learned on it. It sits in the back of the safe waiting on a decision on a new barrel, probably a new caliber.

 

[pilediver]

What is the shooting discipline and current accuracy?

Just recreational target shooting off the bench at 100 yards, with occasional field trips varmint hunting out to 300 yards.
Best groups with handloads are 3 shot groups 1/8 CTC 5 shot groups 5/8 inch CTC
Either rifle is somewhat consistent but I was hoping the added weight, adjustability and rigidity would help somewhat as the factory stock is so light and flimsy.

 

[CharlieNC]

Just recreational target shooting off the bench at 100 yards, with occasional field trips varmint hunting out to 300 yards.
Best groups with handloads are 3 shot groups 1/8 CTC 5 shot groups 5/8 inch CTC
Either rifle is somewhat consistent but I was hoping the added weight, adjustability and rigidity would help somewhat as the factory stock is so light and flimsy.

I've had five different stocks of the type you mentioned. So far I like the KRG Bravo best. In addition to the features you are after, it has a little taper on the butt which enables fine tuning vertical adjustment on the rear bag vs needing to reposition it. Many God options available!

 

[bfiles]

Just recreational target shooting off the bench at 100 yards, with occasional field trips varmint hunting out to 300 yards.
Best groups with handloads are 3 shot groups 1/8 CTC 5 shot groups 5/8 inch CTC
Either rifle is somewhat consistent but I was hoping the added weight, adjustability and rigidity would help somewhat as the factory stock is so light and flimsy.

Honestly, I don‘t know that a stock change is going to improve those groups much. It could be an improvement in weight/balance/stiffness/adjustability but even being able to recognize an improvement of 1/8” in the noise is going to be challenging…I guess what I mean is maybe a chassis gets you to a best group of 1/2” over 5 shots instead of 5/8” but it’s not going to suddenly make all your groups 1/2”.…the overall improvement of the average is going to be small when you are talking about 1/8ths of inches. There’s also a chance that what you are getting is as good as your barrel can do, in which case a chassis might not make any difference. Do you have rifles with which you can reliably shoot smaller groups than with your tikkas?

I have used both MDT and KRG (and MPA and XLR) chassis systems and what I like about them is the ability to fine tune LOP, cheek height, weight, balance, grip, finger-trigger relationship, arm-wrist angle, bipod location, tripod interface, etc. All of those things make you more consistent, improve your follow through, contribute to recoil management, prevent pushing the rifle over with your cheek or pulling it with a crooked grip, and can make it more comfortable to shoot (from prone, particularly). Additionally, a chassis implies a v-block or similar structure that (this will be blasphemous to some around here) will eliminate the need for epoxy bedding.

My most accurate/precise (always 1/2” or better at 100 yards) barrel and action combinations would be very accurate and precise no matter what stock they lived in but having them in their various chassis (MPA and XLR) make it easier for me to reliably shoot those 1/2” groups and occasionally surprise myself with something a lot smaller.