Talk to me about a Tikka....

Cameronswmp9

Cameronswmp9

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Weighing out options on a hunting/PR rig. Going 308 for the hunting side, a larger selection of bullets, at least for now.

Budget overall of $2-2500, including gun, glass, incidentals needed like bipod, and suppressor.

I have looked at R700s and have liked them, but felt like a Glock guy shooting a Sig. And with reports of the QC being hit or miss (more miss from reports) I wouldn't mind steering clear.

Savage has been good to me, but I handled a Tikka at the big box steal, er, store, and it felt great and the action felt better. Compared to the 10FCP-SR I handled at the same time, it felt better, other than the tactical bolt knob on the Savage.

Anyone have any field experience with the Tikka?
 
I watched my buddy’s son (12 y.o.) put a round in the boiler maker of a big mule deer at about 350 yards. The deer bolted for a second, that kid worked the action twice and put another two rounds in target, one in the chest cavity and the other in the brisket, both while on a dead sprint across a Timothy field. I cleared the gun and thought, that is the most beautiful action I’ve ever worked. All of us on that hunt bought Tikkas the next year.
 
I shot a T3 Lite and it was a very fine rifle. I have my time and money invested in 700s but if I ever step out of the realm I think I will be looking for a Tikka. Oh and by the way Tikka is made by Sako just so you know...
 
I’m certainly not a real credible source as I’m just learning the rifle game. However, I do have two Tikkas that I have bought in the last two months. One is a T3X CTR 24” in 6.5 Creedmoor and the other is a T3X Varmit in .223. They have both been awesome for me so far. The smoothness of the action was the selling point for me. I don’t know much about rifles, but I know I really like my Tikkas.
 
Zbizzle911 said:
What model Tikka did you fondle?
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It was a tactical model, this guy but factory threaded.

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-tactical-rifle

I did mess with a Stiller action at Cabela's, nowhere near the budget but the Tikka was closer to that than the Savage.

Muddy said:
I shot a T3 Lite and it was a very fine rifle. Oh and by the way Tikka is made by Sako just so you know...
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I had assumed that was the case. I have seen a few Sakos, in fact there is/was a 30.06 here in the classified that was very interesting except the distance.
 
Tikka is a price conscious Sako, with a spring loaded ejector. It's the same cold hammer forged barrel, without the excessive rifling lead. I've an M75 SS Sako in 7-08 that's a tack driver with handloads. The way quality is these days I'd say handle a Ruger & Tikka to see what fits you best. Run from Remington.
 
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Thanks @NKD

I've had a Tikka T3 Varmint Stainless in 308 for several years now. It's a fantastic shooter, sub-minute shooting with lots of loads, locks up like a bank vault, super smooth action. I love it. That said, I did have to pay to have the barrel threaded for a can, and the recoil lug in the factory plastic stock is probably fine with 308 recoil, but I've personally witnesses a buddy's in .338 WM where the recoil lug cracked the plastic stock on both rear corners behind the lug.

I'd like my next hunting rifle to be a Tikka. I agree with Pink_Vapor about Tikka being a bargain Sako. Fantastic rifles.
 
nature boy said:
If your looking to do more long range look at rpr if both go with the tikka. But look at 6.5 way more accurate just my two cents.
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I put my hands on an RPR, and it felt like a damn beaver widdled the action from a piece of cold roll
 
Pink_Vapor said:
Tikka is a price conscious Sako, with a spring loaded ejector. It's the same cold hammer forged barrel, without the excessive rifling lead. I've an M75 SS Sako in 7-08 that's a tack driver with handloads. The way quality is these days I'd say handle a Ruger & Tikka to see what fits you best. Run from Remington.
Click to expand...

You would expect a lapped barrel to be cleaner than an unmolested factory barrel.
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
Weighing out options on a hunting/PR rig. Going 308 for the hunting side, a larger selection of bullets, at least for now.

Budget overall of $2-2500, including gun, glass, incidentals needed like bipod, and suppressor.

I have looked at R700s and have liked them, but felt like a Glock guy shooting a Sig. And with reports of the QC being hit or miss (more miss from reports) I wouldn't mind steering clear.

Savage has been good to me, but I handled a Tikka at the big box steal, er, store, and it felt great and the action felt better. Compared to the 10FCP-SR I handled at the same time, it felt better, other than the tactical bolt knob on the Savage.

Anyone have any field experience with the Tikka?
Click to expand...
I've handled many rifles and own many different makes.... Sako and tikka, have a very smooth action as do the kimber longmasters. I wouldn't slam the door on Remy so fast. The 5r's are really nice shooters and can be bought in .308 and .300 after market parts for Rem 700's are easier to acquire both physically and economically........ QC is hit and miss within any manufacturer. I have a matching set of Sako finnlights that were purchased simultaneously. One shoots 1.25" groups the other shoots .75" groups. Incredibly smooth actions though.. every Remington I've owned and still own, have been shooter "maybe I'm just lucky" just my $.02
 
I'll post pics of what a rpr can do Wednesday at bang steel. It will be a RPR shooting, 6.5 grouping, and the king of long range shooting brother wooooooooooo .
 
nature boy said:
If your looking to do more long range look at rpr if both go with the tikka. But look at 6.5 way more accurate just my two cents.
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6.5 creed isn't more accurate than the 308. It all depends on the groupings the gun can do. Ballistically the creed is better than the 308 for sure. There is more room for error with the creed over the 308 so theoretically your percentage of hits should be higher with the creed. the 6.5 is a great caliber but definitely isn't the king of long range.
 
Well, things have changed. My want to tinker, my knowing this will be a"forever" gun, bad influences here and ARFCOM, and the wife allowing for more budget, on the notion it's spread out more, after the new I will be ordering a 700 trued action and spluging for a semi custom RemAge.
 
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Cameronswmp9 said:
Well, things have changed. My want to tinker, my knowing this will be a"forever" gun, bad influences here and ARFCOM, and the wife allowing for more budget, on the notion it's spread out more, after the new I will be ordering a 700 trued action and spluging for a semi custom RemAge.
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Nice! Lot more stock options with a 700 or 700 clone action. Ive always been a savage guy though. Never had a malfunction with my savage.

Ive built quite a few remage 700s and there isn't anything wrong with them. Take a look at stiller actions if you are thinking of a 700 clone action.
 
I think there is a Remmy LTR for sale on the Canadian site. Those are nice rifles for the coin. Better than the average R700 by a good bit. Nice triggers & stock. Fluted bbl.
Good value IMO.

I like the Tikka also.
 
The Bergara HMR in 6.5 creed is on sale right now at cabbalas for like 850 just sayin
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
Well, things have changed. My want to tinker, my knowing this will be a"forever" gun, bad influences here and ARFCOM, and the wife allowing for more budget, on the notion it's spread out more, after the new I will be ordering a 700 trued action and spluging for a semi custom RemAge.
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Better off just buying a custom action instead of trying to fix a rem 700. Do lots of research before buying a ptg "trued" action..... my surgeon action will resale for nearly what it would cost to buy new. That trued action will sell for alot less than you paid and will still need to work if your gunsmith is worth his salt. These ptg trued actions are not what they are hyped up to be from ptg. Buy once cry once.
 
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DrDover said:
Better off just buying a custom action instead of trying to fix a rem 700. Do lots of research before buying a ptg "trued" action..... my surgeon action will resale for nearly what it would cost to buy new. That trued action will sell for alot less than you paid and will still need to work if your gunsmith is worth his salt. These ptg trued actions are not what they are hyped up to be from ptg. Buy once cry once.
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I had looked at PTG but I had heard in the past their stuff was hit or miss (this was a few years ago, that may have changed) and was debating the action from NSS.

After I decided that, then I started looking at different actions.

I'm looking at a few different ones, and rifles built on different actions. Some look huge and clunky, some don't.
 
DrDover said:
Better off just buying a custom action instead of trying to fix a rem 700. Do lots of research before buying a ptg "trued" action..... my surgeon action will resale for nearly what it would cost to buy new. That trued action will sell for alot less than you paid and will still need to work if your gunsmith is worth his salt. These ptg trued actions are not what they are hyped up to be from ptg. Buy once cry once.
Click to expand...

Cameronswmp9 said:
I had looked at PTG but I had heard in the past their stuff was hit or miss (this was a few years ago, that may have changed) and was debating the action from NSS.

After I decided that, then I started looking at different actions.

I'm looking at a few different ones, and rifles built on different actions. Some look huge and clunky, some don't.
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I was thinking about this more and more. NSS has some good looking stuff, and it's a cheaper way to have a semi custom rifle. I don't think they are done all the way through, like I don't know if the bolt faces are done, and like you said it's still a Remington after it's all said and done with. But I know they aren't Surgeon, Bighorn, Stiller's, etc. I handled a Stiller at Cabela's and it was like it was on bearings.

So that does bring me back to the Tikka, looking at Bergera, or even a RPR. I know they still aren't Surgeon or the like, but still very nice off the shelf options.

Now I know how my wife feels trying to decide what to eat for dinner on a date night.....
 
I don't think you will be disappointed with anything about a Tikka. But, most certainly not the smoothness of the action. It is incredible out of the box and gets even better with a few hundred cycles in dry fire.
 
I'm at bang steel right now and was banging steel all day at 1000 yards with my rpr. Dan his son Forrest and jerry are great guys and really know there stuff. I'll be coming back in the spring.
 
I'd consider the Bergara as well if you're looking at the Tikka. The T3 is a very respectable platform to build on. Bergara's HMR is second to none IMO for an out of the box go getter. Cry once.
 
I ordered this guy, and an Aero M4E1 lower to complete it. Will be a bit heavier than a bolt gun, but a LaRue build is a Grail gun so it kills 2 birds with one stone.

Now for a can and scope. Was going to go SPECWAR, but looking at a lighter can, but I am still doing my research.

Scope, psssh, too many damn options lol.


LaRue Ultimate AR-15 Upper Kit
Upper Receiver and Hand Guard
  • SKU: larue-5-56-upper-receiver-m4-feed-ramps_larue-upper-receiver-m4-feed-ramps-_13-0-_black
  • $99 Complete Upper Receiver w/Charging Handle: LaRue Upper Receiver (M4 Feed Ramps)
  • $99 Stealth 2.0 Handguard (Choose Length): 13.0"
  • Color: Black
$99 Matching Bolt Carrier Group
  • SKU: larue-5-56-bolt-carrier-group_larue-bolt-carrier
  • $99 Matching Bolt Carrier Group: LaRue Bolt Carrier
LaRue $99 M4 Barrel
  • SKU: larue-99-m4-barrel_6-5-grendel-18-barrel
  • $99 Barrel (M4 Feed Ramps) w/custom barrel wrench: 6.5 Grendel - 18" Barrel
Assembly (optional)
  • SKU: un-assembled
  • Assembly: Un-Assembled
$99 Trigger Installed In TAC
  • SKU: LTMBT-2S-BLK
  • Delivery Time: I got plenty of time
$99 Polymer Combo w/Receiver Extension Assembly
  • SKU: LT-POLYMER-SC-BLK
  • Color: Black
  • Grip Texture: Rough
  • Platform: AR15
$99 Muzzle Device
  • SKU: LT-TQ556
$99 Matching Gas Block/Tube Assembly
  • SKU: larue-gas-block-tube-assembly2
  • $99 Matching Gas Block/Tube Assembly: LaRue Gas Block/Tube Assembly
Click to expand...
 
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Reactions: NKD
Cameronswmp9 said:
I ordered this guy, and an Aero M4E1 lower to complete it. Will be a bit heavier than a bolt gun, but a LaRue build is a Grail gun so it kills 2 birds with one stone.

Now for a can and scope. Was going to go SPECWAR, but looking at a lighter can, but I am still doing my research.

Scope, psssh, too many damn options lol.
Click to expand...
Very nice!

Can't say enough good things about Vortex Optics and Rugged Suppressors!
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
I ordered this guy, and an Aero M4E1 lower to complete it. Will be a bit heavier than a bolt gun, but a LaRue build is a Grail gun so it kills 2 birds with one stone.
Now for a can and scope. Was going to go SPECWAR, but looking at a lighter can, but I am still doing my research.
Click to expand...
A 5.56 gas gun is a change from a 308 bolt long range accuracy rifle! I picked the middle ground, a 6.5 Grendel.
I like and run 30 cal TBAC Ultras on my 5.56, 6.5, & 300. As long as you don't do mag dumps or run a short barrel (overheat the Ti), it's a great 9.7oz can.
https://thunderbeastarms.com/products/ultra-7
 
hlpressley said:
Like my T3X CTR so much that I ordered another Tikka today. This time a T3X Varmint in .223. Looking forward to loading up some extra long .77gr Noslers to shoot in it!
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@hlpressley
Once you get loading for it please post up the COAL it will accept (mag length) vs the COAL it will chamber without hitting the lands. I want to shoot heavy .224, mag fed, just kissing the lands.
So far, GAP is looking like my best choice.
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
A 5.56 gas gun is a change from a 308 bolt long range accuracy rifle! I picked the middle ground, a 6.5 Grendel.
I like and run 30 cal TBAC Ultras on my 5.56, 6.5, & 300. As long as you don't do mag dumps or run a short barrel (overheat the Ti), it's a great 9.7oz can.
https://thunderbeastarms.com/products/ultra-7
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It is the Grendel, I like the round and decided it will work well for what I want out of it.

18" barrel, and I hate mag dumps lol, so this may be a good look. I've looked at a lot over the last 2 months that some are starting to run together!

I haven't heard any complaints of TBAC, other than the cost.
 
patina said:
Very nice!

Can't say enough good things about Vortex Optics and Rugged Suppressors!
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Vortex is high on my list, including a Nightforce SHV (I like the Vortex reticle better) and the Sig Tango, but very few reviews.

Haven't looked at rugged cans, I will tonight or this weekend so I can check out a few different ones
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
It is the Grendel, I like the round and decided it will work well for what I want out of it.
18" barrel, and I hate mag dumps lol, so this may be a good look. I've looked at a lot over the last 2 months that some are starting to run together!
I haven't heard any complaints of TBAC, other than the cost.
Click to expand...
You should enjoy it, mine's a tack driver. IMG_1866.JPG 18” McGowen modified HBAR, dual fluted, glass beaded, hand lapped, Cryo stress relieved SS barrel; Syrac adj gas block, Mega Arms ambidextrous billet receiver set, WMD NiB BCG with AA hard use bolt, Geissele Speed NM firing group, Magpul PRS stock w/monopod, Ergo grip, Seekins 15” guard, TBAC Ultra-9 brake/can mount & Bushnell Elite glass.
The first 7 rounds down the pipe were handloads, recipe from a manual. 1st on closer paper, the rest at 100 yrds. 2nd is the lower hole, the next 5 were aimed at the lower hole. My son did the last 5, he's got much better vision.
IMG_0024.JPG
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
You should enjoy it, mine's a tack driver. View attachment 34822 18” McGowen modified HBAR, dual fluted, glass beaded, hand lapped, Cryo stress relieved SS barrel; Syrac adj gas block, Mega Arms ambidextrous billet receiver set, WMD NiB BCG with AA hard use bolt, Geissele Speed NM firing group, Magpul PRS stock w/monopod, Ergo grip, Seekins 15” guard, TBAC Ultra-9 brake/can mount & Bushnell Elite glass.
The first 7 rounds down the pipe were handloads, recipe from a manual. 1st on closer paper, the rest at 100 yrds. 2nd is the lower hole, the next 5 were aimed at the lower hole. My son did the last 5, he's got much better vision.
View attachment 34823
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I have Can envy - I think that's my next one.
 
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