Is the Tikka Battue a better choice than the Ruger GSR with a receiver mounted scope

rhino62

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I was wondering what the consensus is in choosing between a Tikka Battue and a Ruger GSR, when the scope is mounted on the receiver. When a Ruger GSR is used with a receiver mounted scope it no longer has the option of using iron sights unless an XS-Sight rail is used, also the scope objective size is limited to 35mm, unless higher rings are used or an XS Sight rail. The GSR however is lighter and more compact and comes with a muzzle break with the synthetic stocked versions and a ten round magazine. The Tikka is heavier and has a longer barrel and as such is not as compact a rifle as the GSR, but is still a carbine with a 20" barrel. I do not like scout scopes since I had Ruger frontier a few years back and I found that the lower power scope with a smaller objective was not the greatest when hunting, since it was more difficult to make out animals standing just back from the edge of clear cuts. The marketing for Ruger sells it as the rifle to have if you only had one rifle, however while it is marketing hype it is interesting to consider what qualities would be useful if you had only a single rifle i.e like iron sights as a backup. In regards to the ten round magazine it can be either an advantage or a disadvantage since the rifle does not carry as well, however you can get three an five round magazines for the GSR. The Tikka comes with a single stack three round magazine and you can get five round magazines. In both cases the extra magazines are not cheap.
 
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I have the GSR (18.5" version). If I only had one rifle, this would be it...... And I have tried 100's of rifles.

But that's just my opinion.

I run my scope (VX-3 2.5-8x36mm) in the conventional way, and carry my rear sight with the Allen key in a small container on my pack. I don't see not having the rear sight on the barrel as a handicap, a peep sight works better for me anyways.
If I'm in a situation where I somehow have realized that my scope has failed and I need to rely on sights, it only takes a min or two to be back in action.

The 10 round mag on the scout is not practical..... It's huge and a conventional sling carry just doesn't work. The 5 round is fine, but I usually run the 3 round mag.

It has proven to be an extremely accurate and reliable rifle for me, I love the way it carries and the way it's built. I'm sure before long someone will come up with a sight that can bolt onto the barrel with the front rail removed, a factory Hawkeye sight may already?.




I'm not a fan of the Tikka T3's based on my experience with them.
 
My Battue in 30-06 shoots cloverleafs and is 100% reliable . Nothing but praise for T3's. Light, compact, and durable.

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Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20 (30mm) scope
MaSi QD mount
Atlasworxs stainless bolt handle and aluminum bolt knob
Atlasworxs aluminum shroud
Lumley Arms titanium recoil lug
Tikka 5-round magazine
factory oiled walnut stock (nicer than my Sako's)
 
It is interesting to see confirmed that the ten round magazine with the Ruger GSR is not very useful when slinging or carrying it, so both rifles are most easily carried when a three round magazine is used. Also with both rifles there are restrictions on scope objective size since when a receiver mounted scopes is used, since the GSR restricts the objective size because of the rail and the Tikka because of the rear site ramp
 
Granted the ten rounder in the GSR is not all that useful, but I installed QR sockets in the side of the butt and forearm and the rifle carries comfortably slung on its side,bolt handle out.(I use the 3 rounder most though)
Sorry no pics.
 
My guess is the tikka would outshoot the Ruger, has a better trigger and is a finer made rifle - the Ruger is built tougher, is stainless and has cheaper mags. The battues rear sight setup is one of the ugliest offered. For me between these two it would be the Ruger.
 
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Got a walnut stocked gsr at Christmas and havent had a chance to hunting with it yet, but it did print sub moa group at 100 with my 1.75-6x scope.

150gr Abs, want to try some 180s in there next.
 
The Scout is an extremely handy rifle, handles beautifully, but the three round mag is a must.... I have one in .308 and one in .223..... I am really hoping the three round polymer mag becomes available in .223 soon....

If, like me, you aren't into the scout scope thing, I highly recommend the XS sight rail option as it enables you to put the scope exactly where you want it and balance the rifle beautifully.... I have a scope with a 32mm objective mounted the traditional way on the .223 and it barely clears the stock rail...

As for accuracy, I haven't dialed in the .223, but can tell you that the .308 I have is easily MOA or better if I do my part..... My two deer from last year, both taken with the GSR....

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My Battue in 30-06 shoots cloverleafs and is 100% reliable . Nothing but praise for T3's. Light, compact, and durable.

27588118185_4cf2575792_b.jpg

26978289354_4430ed063c_b.jpg

27515351691_34af06a79b_b.jpg


Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20 (30mm) scope
MaSi QD mount
Atlasworxs stainless bolt handle and aluminum bolt knob
Atlasworxs aluminum shroud
Lumley Arms titanium recoil lug
Tikka 5-round magazine
factory oiled walnut stock (nicer than my Sako's)

I like this rifle.

The mag protruding this far doesn't bother me but the 10 round on the GSR doesn't make sense on a hunting rig.

The oversized bolt handle doesn't appeal to me on a hunting rifle but it doesn't offend me either because I'm used to it on my long range precision rigs. Doesn't seem necessary though.

So what is the theory on this rear sight ramp design ? I don't like the "look" of it but if I can get my head around it offering a real optical advantage I can live with the idea.

After briefly handling both I'd be considering the Tikka. I also prefer 30mm scope tubes.

Very nice setup Kurgan.
 
It provides for rapid target acquisition... and don't listen to others, pick one up and see for yourself. It works well, there's beauty in form and function, and the rifle looks great. Handle a Ruger to. I did and was neutral on feelings on it. The Tikka is a better rifle for me.
 
It provides for rapid target acquisition... and don't listen to others, pick one up and see for yourself. It works well, there's beauty in form and function, and the rifle looks great. Handle a Ruger to. I did and was neutral on feelings on it. The Tikka is a better rifle for me.

I figured that had to be the theory on the rear sight. Handled one but didn't shoulder it because I was in a rush at the time.

Have handled and shouldered the Ruger ..... pass. It's decent, but doesn't seem refined to me.

Agree, the Tikka is a better rifle imo from my brief encounters with both.

Thanks for posting the pictures. I really like your setup & the rifle does look great, no question there.
 
The open sights on the battue are the best sights ive ever used. They are ugly as sin but boy oh boy are they effective. They are very fast. I would not scope that rifle. It has to be used to be believed how effective they are
 
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