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STOCK PINCH POINTS – Setting the record straight, why are they there…?
Posting this so guys have the right information, and not some unsupported theory or guess…
There have been numerous discussions on this topic and some people actually think the factory synthetic stocks have a “planned” forward pinch point to help with harmonics and accuracy…You are wrong if you think this way..
“Sako / Tikka actually promote the accuracy of their “free floated barrels”…The same Lite barrel on a wood stock is no different from the same Lite barrel on a synthetic stock…but there is an inherent problem with the synthetic stock due to the close tolerances produced in the stock and flex…
Here's the truth about the forward pinch point, why its a problem, and why we remove them…
Not to long ago Sako/Tikka realized there was a flaw in the synthetic stock design being made by the company contracted to produce them…Swivel studs where being broken off in various conditions, especially cold temps. A lot of documented cases and warranty issues…To cure this problem walls were added in 2 areas in the barrel channel to help reduce synthetic stock flex. The biggest issue they addressed was the sling swivel area…walls where added on each side of the stud to stabilize the stud and prevent it from torquing and breaking the stock. When adding these walls they cut the barrel contour as close as possible in a very close tolerance so the barrel would seat in a radius'd side wall.
***See pictures attached of a broken stock swivel, compared to the swivel area in the new stock designs***This fix created another problem, which for the short to medium range hunter is really not too important, but for the serious LR hunter / range shooter it is a big problem…the factory synthetic stock flexes more than the wood or laminated stocks, so the added walls for stability can and will come in contact with the barrel under flex to varying degrees as a sideways / upward pressure combo…adversely effecting accuracy. Gunsmith's and guys working on their own rifles who know about stocks, barrel harmonics and tight tolerances will address this issue. The cure – cut or relieve this area to completely free float the barrel till it passes a paper test. Clearance is required by just opening up the already radius'd side walls in the barrel channel, more tolerance / space is required if you plan on bench shooting off bags or using a bi-pod. Its does not effect any of the stability of the stock, it just free floats the barrel as it was intended to be from the factory. Some stocks are worst then others, only experience working on various / multiple guns will make the issue evident to varying degrees.
Call Sako / Tikka or do some research if you disagree…
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4 Replies
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That's what i always thought . Been fighting about that subject in several Forums. 🙂
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Dog,
You nailed it. It should be noted that this is an issue that is specifically related to the factory synthetic stocks.
Walnut and laminate stocks do not have the pinch points because the material, by its nature, absorbs harmonic variations from the whippy barrels.
That said, I still like to bed these through the tenon if for no other reason that it relieves stress on the action.
Thank you for the thorough explanation!
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Thanks for the good info.
I'm new to the tikka rifles and purchased a laminated just because of this issue.
Jason, if I understand are you recommending bedding the laminated stocks also? -
If you transition from cold to warm or humid to dry climates while hunting, any wood stock can benefit from bedding.
Laminate is significantly more stable than standard wood, but it still compresses between the action and bottom metal over time.
It took my first laminate stock 5 years to compress to the point that I finally bed it. So you don't have to be in a hurry.
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