Tikka M55 What's it worth?

Slooshark1

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I have a friend who has the opportunity to buy one of these but he's not sure what it's worth. He said it's in very good condition. I'm guessing $550 to $600. What do you think the value would be?
 
There are model 55 rifles in at least 3 variations.
In ascending levels of value they likely go like this:
55 LSA import by Ithaca
55 Tikka basic model
55 Tikka deluxe model
Same for the model 65 long actions
Bear in mind these were all made prior to the purchase of Tikka by Sako........Back when they pretty much competed head to head in Finland.
Most who know the 55/65 deluxe rifles well would say they are every bit as good as Sako rifles from same period.So value accordingly.
 
x2 with Pete G. I think the Ithaca imported Tikka's are the highest quality and if in excellent shape should fetch $700 minimum. A very nice, light short action sporter.
 
$600 is a good price for a VG condition Tikka M55/65. $600 is a great price if it's a deluxe model. The M55/65 Tikka is one of the best bargains out there as far as I'm concerned.
 
Paid $650 for what looked to be an unfired M55 with 3 or 4 small storage marks on the stock - iron sights, extra mag, delivered, in the early spring. They are nice rifles but parts are unobtainable - dont break the stock or lose the magazine!. Incidentally -- as mentioned they are .. "A very nice, (light) short action sporter" ... BUT I would delete "light"
 
There are the standard, deluxe and sporter models that could be had in either Tikka M55 or Ithaca LSA-55. The sporter has no sights and a target type stock.
 
I bought two deluxe models in the last 3 years, a 17 Rem in excellent condition, paid $425.00 for it and a 22-250 in new condition with 10 rounds fired thru it with half a box and rings thrown in for $450.00.

Anyone that's blown a primer in an old Tikka aren't really fans of them after that. I've seen it happen once and there is zero protection for the shooter.
 
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I bought two deluxe models in the last 3 years, a 17 Rem in excellent condition, paid $425.00 for it and a 22-250 in new condition with 10 rounds fired thru it with half a box and rings thrown in for $450.00.

Anyone that's blown a primer in an old Tikka aren't really fans of them after that. I've seen it happen once and there is zero protection for the shooter.

JJ, sorry, but I do not understand the last two sentences........Could you provide more info for me.
 
I'll have to look at my M55 later; however, My M65's in 338 have vent holes in well designed places, like out the side of the receiver where barrel and bolt lock.
 
I'll have to look at my M55 later; however, My M65's in 338 have vent holes in well designed places, like out the side of the receiver where barrel and bolt lock.

The LSA/M 65 actions also have a second pair of "safety" locking lugs at the rear of the bolt body. The M55 does not. I think that is one of the reasons that they also made the long action M65 in 308W as well - target shooters will generally get a lot of rounds down the pipe compared to a hunter and might find the extra safety margin comforting. If you buy any of them make sure you disassemble the stock/action to ensure the recoil plate is still in the stock.
 
Noting that the recoil plate is dovetailed into the receiver ordinarily.

and falls off easily ... (quickest reference is photo page 392 deHaas Bolt Action Rifles - Revised Edition)

just for further clarification .. the recoil lug is integral with the action ... the recoil (lug) plate is a piece of channel steel and is not dovetailed into anything ... just sits in the stock...
 
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JJ, sorry, but I do not understand the last two sentences........Could you provide more info for me.

The rifle was a Tikka .17 Rem on its 3rd barrell. The day before it blew a primer it blanked several primers. The owner of the rifle pulled the bullets on the remaining ammo and dropped the powder charge 2 grains, seated new bullets and out coyote hunting we went. First shot blanked another primer, the second blew the primer sending gas and particles back into the shooters face. The bolt has NO shroud to deflect gas and only one small vent hole in the bolt.

If you look at older Tikka with the bolt closed, you will see what i'am saying. The problem turned out to be carbon build up in the throat. He had been cleaning the bore with butches bore shine, it works about as well Skoal laced spit on carbon fouling.
 
Mighty quite around here all of a sudden, It would seem that some around here don't know nearly as much as they thought... So to get back to the original question :what is an old Tikka worth?. I would have to say its worth more to someone that wears wrap around glasses than someone that dosent.

I can almost hear the bottles of Butches and Tikkas hitting the dumpster. LOL.
 
The rifle was a Tikka .17 Rem on its 3rd barrell. The day before it blew a primer it blanked several primers. The owner of the rifle pulled the bullets on the remaining ammo and dropped the powder charge 2 grains, seated new bullets and out coyote hunting we went. First shot blanked another primer, the second blew the primer sending gas and particles back into the shooters face. The bolt has NO shroud to deflect gas and only one small vent hole in the bolt.

If you look at older Tikka with the bolt closed, you will see what i'am saying. The problem turned out to be carbon build up in the throat. He had been cleaning the bore with butches bore shine, it works about as well Skoal laced spit on carbon fouling.

JJ........Thank you for the good explanation.
 
The LSA/M 65 actions also have a second pair of "safety" locking lugs at the rear of the bolt body. The M55 does not. I think that is one of the reasons that they also made the long action M65 in 308W as well - target shooters will generally get a lot of rounds down the pipe compared to a hunter and might find the extra safety margin comforting. If you buy any of them make sure you disassemble the stock/action to ensure the recoil plate is still in the stock.

I honestly didn't know the M65 Tikka was made in 308, I've owned an M55 heavy barreled Varmint version in 308 for over 20 years and it is far and away the most accurate 308 I have ever owned including my F-class 308.
 
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