The precision rifle market has exploded over the last decade. Dealers have huge upgrade opportunities on new sales and previous customer purchases. To meet this demand, aftermarket manufacturers are delivering exceptional upgrades for OEM firearms manufacturers and DIY rifle builds. Thankfully, performance-enhancing ergonomic, accuracy and long-range precision upgrades are often simple two-minute upgrades with plenty of options to fit all budgets. Chassis and trigger upgrades are the easiest and have the highest-performance impact, and they can be upgraded in minutes with simple hex/torque wrench tools. As an example, MDT Tac and Timney support over 30 rifle inlet and trigger options, respectively. With just a chassis and trigger upgrade, group sizes regularly shrink by half.
Most factory and DIY precision rifles are upgrades of standard factory-barreled rifles. Most customers lean toward heavier varmint profile rifles with proven factory accuracy. Models like the Tikka T3x Compact Tactical Rifle (CTR) reliably deliver excellent accuracy, including a 1 MOA guarantee. This writer’s experience with a number of Tikka platforms have delivered consistent sub-½-MOA groups with premium match ammunition after chassis and trigger upgrades. Tactical Retailer had the opportunity to tour the MDT facilities and perform this upgrade test with the Tikka T3x in collaboration with Tikka, MDT Tac precision and Timney triggers.
The Tikka T3x CTR
The T3x series represents the refinement of Tikka’s T-series with features like a cold hammer-forged barrel, match-grade trigger, and a steel recoil lug. The T3x action stands out with extra metal for increased stiffness and accuracy, a glass-smooth broached receiver, and a two-lug bolt designed to minimize friction during cycling. The model’s signature smoothness is enhanced by a meticulous fit that feels hand-tuned, creating a custom-like experience right out of the box. The fit is so high tolerance that headspacing of new aftermarket barrels can just be torqued on to spec without the need of a secondary torque nut. The factory single-stage trigger breaks crisply at 2.4 pounds and is adjustable, but adjustments require disassembly.
The .308 chambering was chosen for this test due to the versatility with lower-cost ammunition compared to the more expensive 6.5 Creedmoor. The 20-inch 5/8x24 threaded 1:10 twist heavy varmint profile barrel pairs well with a suppressor. The factory Tikka stock accepts Tikka proprietary 10-round magazines, includes a customizable grip, and is a comfortable factory stock for hunting and field use. This stock is light, but as a PRS or precision stock, it lacks AICS magazine compatibility and flexibility, and it offers limited ergonomics, heft, and configurability for the needs of competitive PRS (Precision Rifle Series) or precision hunting requirements. As factory configured with a Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 DMR3 G4P reticle scope, the CTR printed .8-1 MOA consistently, just under the 1-MOA guarantee at 100 yards with Federal Gold Match 168-grain rounds. The FFP Bushnell Elite Tactical series has consistently delivered premier-tier clarity across nearly a 7x low/high magnification range and was a perfect fit for the upgrade plans of the rifle.
The Tikka is well regarded for custom level smooth cycling and great accuracy, but it can get even better. Recently, Criterion, Proof and other aftermarket barrel manufacturers are offering pre-fit match options just like shooters would find on Savage and Remington actions. With a dealer retail averaging $1,160, the Tikka fit finish and precision far above its price point and delivers an exceptional starting point for precision builds.
MDT Factory Tour & Upgrade Guidance
Tactical Retailer had the opportunity to visit the three MDT facilities in Chilliwack, British Columbia. The tour included handling the recently released MDT CRBN - Carbon Fiber, LSS 3, JAE G5 chassis plus a wide array of new products yet to be released. MDT is the largest precision OEM chassis company globally for nearly all firearms manufacturers, but it offers an expansive dealer/consumer line that spans a complete line of chassis, stocks, bipods, scope rings and bases, muzzle brakes, AICS spec magazines, shooting bags and many more products coming.
According to MDT’s CEO, Maarten Van Ruitenburg, “For the Tikka action specifically, Tikka sales have grown significantly as the legendary T3x platform has continually been proven as a high-quality precision rifle, with even custom rebarreled Tikkas appearing in competitions. Dropping the T3x into one of our 10 Tikka inlet MDT chassis options delivers dramatic upgrades in ergonomics, accuracy and comfort for all shooters.”
According to the MDT team, customers typically see significant improvements in accuracy from mechanically bedding the action to an MDT chassis plus greatly increased shooter comfort. Ergonomics and shooter comfort are often the most significant enhancements that allow the potential precision to be realized. According to Derrick Guay, VP of Sales and Marketing for MDT, “Potential accuracy of a rifle is only one component. An uncomfortable shooter behind a poor-fitting gun will struggle with accuracy. We assure every shooter is extremely comfortable with design options to make the rifle fit the shooter and have a natural sight picture.”
After establishing a factory accuracy baseline and discussing the Timney trigger and potential future barrel upgrades, Derrick recommended pushing the T3x to the limit with either their competition-winning MDT AAC Premier or AAC Elite chassis. I chose the AAC Premier, since it still features many of the elite-tier competition features of the AAC Elite at about $500 less in price. Derrick Guay noted, “Both these chassis offer significant refinements in balance, expanded fitting and adjustment options, wide accessory compatibility support and an expansive accessory line. The AAC Elite is a premier-tier competitive PRS shooter chassis that delivers everything competitors want for Remington and Tikka actions, including instant adjustment options. Customization was a major focus to support the unique accessories of PRS shooters. We talk about 18 key features, but there are also a large number of other little details, like adding weights and minimizing vibration, that our design has thought through. The Premier is just one step down with plenty of adjustment options, but without the expense of the instant adjustments. The AAC Premier is an outstanding class-leading tier chassis, but it saves the more casual shooter a little cost.”
The MDT team wanted to show that dealers can offer customers a complete precision rifle upgrade solution with impressive results. The T3x action was secured to the AAC Premier Chassis in Charcoal Green with the included bolts after the amazing Timney two-stage 8 ounce + 1 ounce trigger was installed. The function testing after adjusting the fit delivered an extremely dramatic upgrade from the stock CTR field style chassis. Focusing in on a competition precision build, MDT included their rugged one-piece 35MM scope rings, ammo quiver, data card holder, rubber chassis vibration dampeners, MDT steel 10- and 12-round magazines, a poly magazine, and competition muzzle brake. For stable shots regardless of any shooting position, MDT suggested their heavy glass filled 11.5-pound Chunky Peanut Shooting Bag.
With the Tikka T3x fully re-dressed with MDT upgrades, the accuracy impressively jumped from .8-1 MOA to an average set of groups measuring .21-.45 MOA with the same match ammunition and optic. The most notable upgrade for me was the ergonomics that allowed for more natural shouldering and perfect fit. With the MDT AAC Premier chassis, I was no longer struggling with fit, comfort or a steady hold and was able to comfortably settle behind the rifle and take a stable shot. Though a very simple support tool, the Chunky Peanut is truly an indispensable and remarkable tool for precision shooting far beyond typical range bags — squish it, mold it, smash it to get the perfect stable shooting hold, even draped over a tripod head. Everything worked as a well-designed solution, from the chassis, rings and accessories to the smooth-feeding MDT magazines. The chassis is fully compatible with MDT and industry-standard attached MLOK upgrades. The upgraded accuracy from the Timney trigger and chassis was impressive and certainly appreciated; however, the human interface of a perfectly fit chassis and crisp trigger likely contributed most to the ability to improve groups.
Upgraded accuracy, comfort and ergonomics are not just features of the T3x or MDT AAC Premier or Elite chassis. We also upgraded a Howa 1500 H7 carbon fiber barrel .308 to the MDT XRS chassis that offers a more budget-friendly $549 MSRP. Though about a third the price of the top-of-the-line AAC Elite chassis and about half the price of the AAC Premier chassis, the XRS delivers AICS magazine compatibility, and a huge amount of fit and customization that included length of pull, cheek rest height, lighter weight, full length internal billet frame, plus included straight or angled grips. Though the Howa Hera H7 stock is an advanced field stock, the comfort of the XRS was far superior from comfort, adjustment, ergonomics and stability when precision shots were required. This Howa build was upgraded with the MDT Oryx bipod, MDT 20-MOA base, MDT Premier Lightweight 34mm rings and Primary Arms GLx 3-18x44 FFP scope. A match Timney trigger was added to improve accuracy and trigger feel a bit further. With the carbon fiber Howa 1500 barreled action and lightweight MDT Chassis and accessories, this build remains light, decreased groups by about 15%, and is extremely accurate, versatile and comfortable.
Inside MDT
One would expect that the largest OEM and chassis manufacturer for precision rifles would be sizable, but the expanse of capabilities across MDT’s four Chilliwack, BC, and Idaho Falls, U.S., operations was massive. With so much manufacturing occurring offshore in Asia from other companies, it was refreshing to see that MDT is making nearly every component in-house in the U.S. or Canada. They are even sourcing raw parts like screws within the U.S. or Canada. MDT is milling all aluminum components, injection molding on site, CNC milling wood stocks, and hand-laying carbon fiber, and even the soft goods like the shooting bags are 100% made in the USA. MDT distributes production, assembly and shipping across Canada and U.S. facilities.
I have been in many machining facilities, but to see wood chips flying inside CNC machines for the Timbr Frontier stock and watch injection molding machines pressing out parts and stocks with several tons of molding tooling organized on racks representing dozens of parts is impressive. There are few companies who have the expertise to work with carbon fiber; however, I watched the MDT laying out, forming and finishing grips, stocks and some accessories with speed and precision. Though now released, I was the first editor to handle their new shockingly light 27-ounce CRBN Carbon fiber stock, which still manages to include an adjustable cheek riser and length of pull adjustment. For dealers looking for precision rifle upgrades, they should definitely look first to MDT to offer customers a complete solution designed to deliver a premier tier precision shooting experience.
