Tikka t3 identification help

I saw a stainless Tikka T3 .243 on the used rack at Cabela's earlier, with a composite faux wood stock. It was a sporter profile, very light weight rifle.

I can't find any models that would have had a stock like that. I am wondering if anyone knows what model that might have been, how old it likely is, etc. I should have looked a lot closer, but it wasn't until I had left that I started thinking it might should have come home with me. Hoping to get some info before I decide whether to make the trek back there.

Thanks, I agree that it seems like a stainless hunter, but I am 99.5% sure that it was synthetic, with wood grain pattern. The price was pretty decent, and really nice light fast handling little rifle, but I was thrown off by that stock. It is going to bug me, I might have to just make the drive back up there to have a look if no one has heard of/seen such a thing.

Yeah, I will probably try to run up there one evening this week. I'll update with more info once I do that.

Took a side trip back up to Cabela's, and confirmed that it was in fact a Tikka T3 stainless with 22" barrel in .243 with a brown faux-wood stock. The forend felt pretty solid, but the buttstock portion had a synthetic hollowness when you tap it. It is definitely a Tikka stock because it has a T3 medallion made into the bottom of the pistol grip.

Anyway, just thought I would see if anyone knew any more about whether that was some special run made for a specific vendor or something.

I am considering picking it up, but at $600, that stock is holding me off. It isn't uncomfortable, but just seems subpar for such a nice rifle. I was looking around for a CZ in 223, but that Tikka in a custom stock would make a heck of a walking rifle for varmints and shooting steel. A used 243 of unknown origin makes me a little nervous too since they can be hard on barrels.

I know, I am torn. Had my sights on a CZ American in .223 when I saw this. Already set up to reload .223, but for the cost difference between this and the cz, I could add 243 dies and brass. The 243 is about 15 cents more to reload than 223, but at a couple hundred rounds per year, that isn't a huge deal. .243 definitely offers a big step up in performance, but more barrel heat, so less rounds down range during a shooting session, and shorter barrel life (although that seems like a longer term issue), and a bit more recoil.

I dunno, going to go fondle that CZ one more time, then make the decision.

The more I look at 243 bullet options and ballistics, the more impressed I am.

Any concerns with buying a used 243, given potential for shorter barrel life? I would definitely take a look down the bore with a light before taking it, but I'm not sure how visible excessive throat wear would be without a bore scope.