Thoughts on a Tikka?

[GW11]

My brother in law has a couple of Tikka rifles. One is a .308 in an older model (595 or 695 maybe?) and one in .300 win mag in a T3.

They are very accurate and the bolt is slick as butter, but I have to agree somewhat with skypilot, they are a little expensive considering some of the cheaper parts.

If I was in the market for one, I would keep an eye out for a good used older model. You don't see many for sale though...must be a reason for that.

[SongDog]

I own 5 Tikkas. Two .22-250, .243, .308. 300winmag


two in blued synthetic, Two in stainless synthetic and one in Stainless laminate.


All these guns I have the trigger tuned down to 2lbs (one trigger screw adjusted with wrench supplied with gun) All guns shoot 1" or less MOA and they are my main go to guns. Only reason I have two .22-250's is because I bought the blued one and I use it for coyotes all the time, But found a deal on stainless I just couldn't pass up. They are my favorite guns for the money. Before I shot a Tikka Remington 700's were my favorite.

[pbonura]

Very good amazingly good but hefty.$$$$$$

Have a 6.5x55 blue version and I think I paid 680 plus tax which is not expensive.

[Lum 24]

i have a T3 SS in 270.Bought it used for around 600. Great gun would buy another in a heartbeat.

[Roe+]

They are popular rifles with many fans and shoot well. My beef with Tikka is that they are overpriced for the craftsmanship you get.
They production run all long actions and then pin to create the short action rather than produce a short action.
I have no big issue with that except it seems underhanded and the savings should be reflected in a reduced price. But it's not.

The bottom metal is plastic as is the mag, again not a big deal except again Tikka should pass the savings to the consumer rather than price their cheaper production and craftmanship above other quality made products. But they don't. Remember if they really wanted to save weight, they would use alum. not plastic. Again a cost cutting measure, but not one reflected in a reduced price reflecting the reduced quality.

Last but not least is the plastic bolt shroud. This is a deal breaker for me as I reload and shoot reloads. If any case(reload or not) turns loose in the chamber the debris is supposed to be stopped by the bolt shroud and possibly thru the magazine well.
Replacement bolt shrouds in metal(like everyone else's bolt)are available as an aftermarket. Again, Tikka should reduce the retail price they are selling these rifles for based on the shortcuts taken.

Aluminium is a very bad idea as when in contact with steel in a damp environment it can set up a galvanic action creating bimetallic corrosion.

One of the guys I hunt with bought a T3 light in 30-06 and he loves it. He just retired from border services and bought his in the States and saved large. I think he said he got the rifle and scope for just under $600.00 new. When I questioned him further, he said the paperwork to import it wasn't that hard to get.

I was looking at the T3's at the Sportsmen's Show last year, They are a nice gun, but when I pulled up the Sako beside them I fell in love. The Sako felt more comfortable, but it was also substantially more money. Now I have to find an excuse to buy one! LOL The wife says I already have too many.

Roe+

[jaycee]

Aluminium is a very bad idea as when in contact with steel in a damp environment it can set up a galvanic action creating bimetallic corrosion.

Well , how do the manufactures of shot guns get away with it , [ using aluminum receivers and steel barrels ] ?
My daughters pump action win. 12 gauge has an aluminum receiver , the rest is steel.

Yes I know that galvanic corrosion does take place , but here is the explanation;

Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical process in which one metal corrodes preferentially to another when both metals are in electrical contact and immersed in an electrolyte. This same galvanic reaction is exploited in primary batteries to generate an electrical voltage.

[sdcfan18]

Well, the tikka came home with me after a trip to Toronto. Went to the Sportmen Show (wasn't impressed), then went to Sail and couldn't leave without it. Shot a few off this afternoon, but the search for rings and a scope started today. Looking into Vortex, Nikon, Redfield, and some low end Leupold. I'm thinking 3-9 or a 4-12x50. Suggestions around $300?

[Species8472]

I'd add Bushnell Elite to the list you already have. Nothing really wrong with any of the brands you have already listed.

[terrym]

None of your scope choices are bad. I feel a 3x9 is plenty of magnification unless the game is long range varmint hunting.

[sdcfan18]

Bushnell should have been on that list too. Lots of research and shopping around to be done. The rifle will be used mainly for deer and moose, but the odd coyot may get a look. 300 yards would be my absolute max range.