I was originally planning to build a .300 WSM, but after my experience with Aero Precision, I’ve decided not to go that route. Realistically, this rifle won’t be shot very often, so it probably doesn’t make much sense to invest heavily in a full custom build.
I’ve been considering purchasing a Tikka in .300 WSM and upgrading the stock. At roughly $800 for a base rifle plus an estimated $400–$500 (or more) for a quality aftermarket stock, it seems like a reasonable approach. That said, I’ve gotten a bit overwhelmed sorting through all the aftermarket stock options.
I’ve been drawn to the WSM since I reload and like the idea of slightly reduced recoil, a shorter barrel, and marginally lower powder consumption. However, in practical terms, those advantages may be fairly minimal.
Ultimately, I’m just looking for a larger .30 caliber magnum that I’d only truly need on occasion. Given that, would you recommend buying a Tikka in either WSM or WM and upgrading the stock, or stepping up to a Seekins PH3 in .300 WM? I expect the Seekins would cost more, but I’m not particularly concerned about a $400 difference either way.
I’ve got a roughtech ember in 300WSM. Love it. Still completely factory, haven’t changed anything on it other than adding a backstop pad.
It really loves the Norma All Copper load, I can’t remember the specifics on that right now but I ended up developing my own hand load for it with 150 TTSXs. Kind of doing it to prove or disprove a point. People say with all copper loads you really need a larger frontal diameter since they don’t expand so well, and you need a lot of velocity in order to get what expansion you’re going to get. With my hand load I can get those 150s up to 3200 ft per second. So I’ve got big diameter and fast. And it’s not a particularly Hot Load either, so could most likely go higher if I wanted to but I’m perfectly happy with it because it’s accurate. Unfortunately have not had a chance to shoot an animal with it yet to see if this Theory works or not.
I also own a number of Seekins Rifles. I’ve got one on the way back to the factory because it started giving me light strikes but otherwise they’ve been absolute sewing machines. The one thing that would have me somewhat concerned with a 300 Magnum, is they tend to be lightweight guns and not sure how well it would handle that big of a cartridge. My biggest is a 7 PRC, and I feel like the weight is appropriate for that chambering. The Tikka is quite shootable with the 150s.
Have you handled a Seekins stock? If you like it, I would go that route. If not, go Tikka and put it in a stock you like. I think they’re going to shoot about the same.
My local shop has a seekins PH3 300 PRC that I was close to buying. I liked the stock…just decided against the 300 PRC. Can’t land on a replacement stock for a Tikka either.
Here’s a good cheap base to start with, and move up from there $639.99 I’m bummed as I had a Tikka T3x in 7mm-08 bought with a threaded barrel as my starter base… then got lured by the Devil Aero Precision sale of a barreled action for $1300 which was going to be cheaper then my current plans and sold my 7mm-08…
I also have a roughtech, mine is tan in 300 WSM and love it. Like @cchilds , all I have done is add a Backstop recoil pad and run the radial brake that came with the gun. So far, it shoots amazingly well. I am loading the 180 gr TTSX at 3000 fps with Ramshot Hunter geting 5 shot groups under an inch shooting off of bags. I still have some room before max charge weight accoring to Barnes, but I’m satisfied with that performance. I am also planning on working up a load for the 168 gr TTSX. I have not yet had an opportunity to shoot an animal with mine either.
I’ve never owned a Seekins rifle, so I can’t give a comparison there. From all the talk, they are great rifles, so all I can say is I love my Tikka. With the Backstop recoil pad I find it very managable to shoot in 300 WSM. If you want to change out the Tikka stock there are plenty of options. I thought about it. Maybe at some point I will, but I can’t complain with the “stock” stock.
Does the roughtech have the same barrel as a Tikka T3x Lite? I think it does, but I’m not finding that on Tikka’s website. The finish may very, but is the profile/contour the same?
According to what I found, the Roughtech does not have the same barrel profile as the T3 lite. I didn’t see the respective barrel contours listed on the Tikka website, but according to chatgpt:
No — the **Tikka Roughtech does not use the exact same barrel profile as a standard Tikka T3x Lite. They’re built on the same Tikka action, but the contour/diameter of the barrel is different between the two.
How they differ
Tikka T3x Lite / T3x Lite Roughtech
Uses a lighter sporter-type barrel contour (thinner diameter) to keep overall rifle weight down. Even in Roughtech trim, the Lite/Standard barrels stay relatively slim despite fluting and threading.
Tikka Roughtech (D-18 profile)
The Roughtech model (sometimes called the D18 profile by enthusiasts) has a slightly beefier barrel contour than the standard Lite sporter barrel — the flutes are cut from a larger blank, so the finished barrel section ends up thicker overall compared to the T3x Lite profile.
People measuring barrels report Roughtech barrels ~0.73″ at the muzzle vs ~0.62″ for the Lite profile.
Agreed, the rough Tech is definitely a heavier Barrel.
In order to get the light barrels to have threading for a suppressor, they have to flare out at the muzzle in order to have appropriate threading. That’s not seen on the rough Tech. It’s already thick enough to support threading
Aero Precision sale of a barreled action for $1300 which was going to be cheaper then my current plans and sold my 7mm-08… 
How they differ