New Deer/Moose Rifle- Tikka vs Savage

-Doug- said:
Hello all,
I am looking to buy a .308 or 30.06 rifle for deer/moose and have a couple questions for the experts here.
I have so far been considering the following rifles:

1. Tikka T3 lite synthetic (blue or stainless)
2. Tikka T3X lite synthetic (blue or stainless)
3. Savage 11/111 FCNS
4. Savage 16/116 FCNS

Here is some background prior to my questions:

Regarding Tikka
-held the T3X and thought it was rather light and the stock was cheap feeling (just wasn't anything substantial with no "wow" this feels nice factor) not saying it's bad or anything
-willing to find a T3 to save money and put it towards a better scope but T3s are hard to find
-felt very top/barrel heavy and not balanced (no scope on)

Regarding Savage:
-haven't held one yet
-hoping it feel a little more substantial
-not set on the 11/111 or 16/116 but don't want a budget axis

Regarding Hunting
-range 0-200 yards
-lots of hiking
-all weather conditions (which why I want synthetic)
-Budget for rifle/scope $1600ish (less is preferred)

Questions:
Q1. Is stainless worth the money
Q2. How's the recoil/balance with the tikka after the scope is on?
Q3. Do you need special scope mount and for the T3X and if so how much are they roughly
Q4. Tikka or Savage does it really matter or will I be set with both
Q5. Other rifle suggestions

Any info appreciated,
Thanks

Doug
Click to expand...

1.----No.
2)----The same.
3)----Use standard mount.
4)----Either will do.
5)----No.
 
Suther said:
How cold does it get where you hunt? I've heard about issues with the tikka in extreme cold. Like, won't fire at -30 sorta issues...
Click to expand...

Absolutely no cartridge rifle will likely fire in minus 30 weather, unless ALL the oil is cleaned from the action, in particular the trigger and firing pin area. After a thorough cleaning with a good solvent, like kerosene, any rifle will fire in the cold.
 
If you don't shoot many shots per season and if you don't practice much in the off season, consider the .338 Federal chambering. Both Savage and Tikka make fine accurate rifles, but I feel Tikka offers more refinement.
 
H4831 said:
Absolutely no cartridge rifle will likely fire in minus 30 weather, unless ALL the oil is cleaned from the action, in particular the trigger and firing pin area. After a thorough cleaning with a good solvent, like kerosene, any rifle will fire in the cold.
Click to expand...

Did you read c-fbmi's response? I don't have a tikka or hunt in -30 (-15 or 20 is cold enough) so i don't really have a stake in this fight (so to speak) I'm just relaying info from others who are far more knowledgeable than me.
 
I own a t3 lite stainless in 30-06. Best rifle i ever owned. Very light. Get the stainless. No more rush to clean it after hunting in the rain/snow. Savage feels cheaper
 
Tough choice, I have a few Savages and one Tikka.
Would be hard to leave the T3 in the safe on a hunting trip...although the Savage Lightweight Hunter I have in 243 is nicer to carry in the bush! And having a wood stock it has that nicer feel...both shoot fantastic...

I would buy one in the calibre you want for the best price and you will be happy with either.
 
i do not know below -30c but the tikkas were not working even completely degreased with some drops of diesel we even used the lubricant recommended by stoeger graphite if i remember (i tried some with, some other without)... not only one but a lot of them not my money on them. but your choice.

so when you have the same repeated issues in 30-06, 308,270, 9.3x62, 7x64, 338, 6.5x55se with the same kind of rifle i do see a pattern ... not working in the cold ....

we had the same issue in france with the sauer 90 and 200-202 when it was below -10c ...

what i know is that unprepared the winchester model 70, ruger 77 or hawkeye and marlin 1895 are shooting at -26c without preparation at all ... the zastavas too ...

and by the way even the remington 700 were working too ... that tells you a lot from me lol ...
 
medvedqc said:
i do not know below -30c but the tikkas were not working even completely degreased with some drops of diesel we even used the lubricant recommended by stoeger graphite if i remember (i tried some with, some other without)... not only one but a lot of them not my money on them. but your choice.

so when you have the same repeated issues in 30-06, 308,270, 9.3x62, 7x64, 338, 6.5x55se with the same kind of rifle i do see a pattern ... not working in the cold ....

we had the same issue in france with the sauer 90 and 200-202 when it was below -10c ...

what i know is that unprepared the winchester model 70, ruger 77 or hawkeye and marlin 1895 are shooting at -26c without preparation at all ... the zastavas too ...

and by the way even the remington 700 were working too ... that tells you a lot from me lol ...
Click to expand...

I shoot lots in extreme cold. My tikkas give me the most confidence. My 783 was kind of iffy in fact it was pretty bad much as i like the 783. My 700s have to be perfectly clean i think its not a very good thing to have the firing pin spring ride the inside of the bolt like on the 700 certainly not in the cold. Anyway i dont believe this about tikkas being relatively unreliable in the cold i say the opposite
 
you do not have to believe. i witnessed it. i do not know what is extreme cold but if one is not working at -30c i do not see by which miracle it s working.

could you tell us about what you do specially to prepare your rifle.

i do have even one of the plastic retainer on the safety of a t3 that broke, Stoeger thenician didnt want to believe, but it did happen ... and it was not even by -30c but sled can be hard on tools ....
 
Sounds like I need to take my new T3 apart and get the bolt in pieces.
Rub the snot out of the firing pin with the pot scrubber pad to take the
skin down a bit.
Yikes.
 
So the tikkas won't fire in extreme cold or what's the actual issue? I haven't taken my tikka out in the cold yet. Was thinking of polishing the bolt assembly mirror bright cuz it looks kinda dull
 
Mike112288 said:
So the tikkas won't fire in extreme cold or what's the actual issue? I haven't taken my tikka out in the cold yet. Was thinking of polishing the bolt assembly mirror bright cuz it looks kinda dull
Click to expand...

contact stoeger and asked what needed to be done to use in cold winter use and try it. you are the one that can say if it works when it s really cold or not.
 
Savage 114 classic, wood stock nice fit and finish, too bad they don't make them in stainless anymore

I have a nice one in 270 stainless, took a nice 5x5 for me

 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom