Bergara vs Tikka
- Thread starter Jlcossette
- Start date
Interesting. When I bought my first Tikka I was convinced I was going to replace most of it. The more I talked to people that owned and shot them the more I kept hearing: “why do you want to do that?” and “just shoot the damn thing.” In the end I swapped out the bolt knob, added a rail and scope - that’s it. 1/2” right out of the gate. Now, I’ve can’t speak for a Savage Axis because I’ve never owned one but I have nothing but good things to say about my Tikka T3/T3X’s. They excel where it counts.
Just a final point - I keep hearing about the loose fitting recoil lug. Where does this come from? Mine are all a tight fit. I would have to maul them to get them out. I always thought of them as an obvious upgrade but when I got the stocks off I changed my mind and left the originals in. Mind you, I have light recoiling rifles generally speaking. If I had a 300 WM I might change my mind.
It's true. Tikkas shoot, but so does pretty much any factory rifle nowadays.
The tikka stocks just make me cringe every time I handle one.
A while back I contacted a number of gunsmiths in BC and Alberta about a custom build I was considering.
I asked them which action they preferred to build on. There was a bit of variety in their answers, but not one recommended Tikka. The most common answer was the Remington 700.
^^^because they know that the 700 action needs lots of work to make them true and shoot well - that means more money for them smiths
Actually they were saying the opposite. The only recommendation was to true them, which isn't a big deal. Then the usual as with any action, ie, bedding, pillar, lightening if desired, etc.
You know what other gun has only one action length? The beloved pre-64 Model 70. Two piece bolt? The modern Model 70. Cheap plastic stock....some Model 70's. Cheap plastic mags that cost too much but work extremely well.....forget that, the Model 70 doesn't even offer detachable magazines, floor-plate only. Its great if you enjoy less functionality with similar complexity and weight. Speaking of weight, that CZ550 is a bit hefty for a .308, no?
For the record I think both the Winchester and CZ are fine guns, as is the Tikka. However, if all three were lined up and I was asked to place a bet on which was the most accurate or had the best trigger, I'd pick the Tikka. If I were to bet on which would be the least ammo sensitive, I'd pick the Tikka. If I had to choose which to spend several days hiking with, Tikka by a landslide. A lifetime rifle to admire and pass to my children, M70 featherweight high-grade, or perhaps a supergrade if in a larger chambering.
Given the OP asked about Bergara and Tikka, lets keep it to that. I have no experience with Bergara so won't comment but to say I haven't heard of many unhappy owners. I think the OP would be happy with either, but I'll put in another plug for the Tikka because it's a known quantity.
I don't see "light weight" as one of the TS requirements...
Personally, I detest mags in a hunting rifle, the only thing I detest more is a hunting rifle with a mag/hinged floor plate like Browning does on a bunch of their guns.
At the end of the day, I'm sure lots of people like Tikkas, i just don't see them as being a good bang for the buck, they are manufactured as cheaply as possible, and the $100 plastic mags are grossly overpriced.
I'm actually not sure why so many people think new rifles are the greatest thing, there are tons of excellent quality, well made old school built rifles out there that cost 1/2 or 1/3 of a new Tikka.
Tikka spends their money where it counts, thats why you get a great rifle not an expensive one. I have 3 of them. I had 2 of the howas and I'm not going to get into their faults because people buy them and they seem a good value but they are not up to tikka quality and are priced accordingly
Never owned a Bergara but they do interest me...That being said Tikka have been hands down better then any rifle Ive owned in the sub $1200 mark. They invest in what matters for a good rifle....a superior barrel, the smoothest bolt and best factory triggers. If you feel the need to add metal parts,,,they are easy to find and cheap. Same can be said with aftermarket stocks, oversized bolts, pic rails ect...
Tikka, get the stainless steel with synthetic stock, since it's going to be a hunting rifle, it will be used in all kinds of conditions.
Some people likes after market support, I never understand why. the only reason aftermarket support exist is b/c the original product is lacking. spending money on aftermarket parts is like throwing money into the ocean. you want something nice and personal, build one from scratch, and prepare to pay for it. or just get an AI, Blaser, etc...
Tikka action is smooth, most Tikka barrels shoots well, trigger adjust down to 2lb (all you need for hunting/PRS), stocks are adequate for hunting. HMR is good but too heavy/bulky for hunting, try it in store.
spend your money on optics, Nightforce if you are going to dial a lot, Leupold for general hunting. or you can be like rest of us, waste money on cheap stuff and upgrade later.
ammo are expensive these days, to get proficient with your tool, you need to practice. don't shoot on bench, practice field shooting positions.
We are in the 21 century, fiber reinforced plastic is used everywhere, look at power tools. seems like a lot of gun people still stuck in the 20 century with Chinese recycled plastic. Tikka stock shoots, that's all I care about.
people complain Tikka magazine is too expensive, it is a hunting rifle, how many magazine do you need? All I need is one.
Some people likes after market support, I never understand why. the only reason aftermarket support exist is b/c the original product is lacking. spending money on aftermarket parts is like throwing money into the ocean. you want something nice and personal, build one from scratch, and prepare to pay for it. or just get an AI, Blaser, etc...
Tikka action is smooth, most Tikka barrels shoots well, trigger adjust down to 2lb (all you need for hunting/PRS), stocks are adequate for hunting. HMR is good but too heavy/bulky for hunting, try it in store.
spend your money on optics, Nightforce if you are going to dial a lot, Leupold for general hunting. or you can be like rest of us, waste money on cheap stuff and upgrade later.
ammo are expensive these days, to get proficient with your tool, you need to practice. don't shoot on bench, practice field shooting positions.
We are in the 21 century, fiber reinforced plastic is used everywhere, look at power tools. seems like a lot of gun people still stuck in the 20 century with Chinese recycled plastic. Tikka stock shoots, that's all I care about.
people complain Tikka magazine is too expensive, it is a hunting rifle, how many magazine do you need? All I need is one.
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100% agree and agree with the truing of a model 700 action as well!!!!
My gunsmith raves about the quality of Tikka's....as for the stock...i agree it feels cheap, but not in the same category as a Savage Axis...more like every other production rifle in that category. Having said that, i will take the lighter Tikka stock over the more expensive Bergara set-up everyday of the week
Tikkas have great resale for a reason, and its because they are boringly consistent and shoot!
Well if a part breaks it certainly helps finding it if aftermarket support is big. Not to mention some people enjoy modifying their rifles just as some like adding on fancy rims and super chargers on their sunday drivers.
we are talking about hunting rifles right? what broke on your hunting rifle in the past 10 years?
If those beautiful bastards want to spend money on silly rims/fat tires and crazy lift kits, good for them for supporting small businesses and ruin their car/truck in the same process. lets not even get started on engine modification, so few people actually get it right. all the aftermarket parts have almost zero resell value. Best way is to get a vintage V8 sports car and maintain it meticulously.
Hunting rifle is like your daily driver; don't fk around with it, and it will be reliable. If people enjoy modify guns, they should do it on a wall hanger.
it's a free country after all, people can do whatever they want without harming the others. Which include modifying their hunting rifle. (Do i need to spell everything out for some of you? Or simply bad at taking advices?)
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Have to agree.
Never seen Rugers with oversized firing pin holes that needed bushings or else they let so much gas back through the bolt the back end of the striker blows the ass end of their cheap MIM bolt shroud. Also never saw Rugers with soft cast threads that strip out and also blows the back end of the striker at you.
Bergaras that is. And the new replacement part also looks cast and when they break looks like sintered metal.
I can only speak for myself but the presence of such junk parts on a $1200 gun offend the schitt out of me. At the end of the day its a cheapened 700 (which is cheap enough already) with a good barrel on it and a bunch of crap parts. Buy a 700 from the EE for $500 and have a smith put a good barrel on it and replace the trigger, you're about in the same place if not much better off.
I have a hard time warming up to a Tikka but the ones I have had were shooters and I had more faith in them than the Bergara. Gotta agree with Hitzy on that one too though. Would buy a much cheaper, plasticky gun and save a lot of money, because it would do all the jobs I need it to.
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You mean loctite on barrel threads and bolt lugs making 50% contact is bad? lol
Thats what it is. And its a piece of pipe thats very easy to put into a lathe and clean up. Not every smith knows Tikkas. Some absolutely love them though.
To be fair the RR serial numbered guns comin from the new CNC machinery are supposed to be very good.
If you want the best of the best then the only way to go is to purchase a custom action and build from there - you will get it the way you like it - may cost a small fortune but in return your not throwing your money at a mass production rifle -
I worked with two rifles in 6.5CM this summer, a T-3x, and a Bergara. Both had good triggers, but the Tikka was far less fussy about which loads it shot well, and the Tikka copper fouled far less. Given the choice, I much prefer the Tikka over Bergara.
