Savage or Tikka Hunting rifle?

MDG3

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Which is better a Savage Model 16 or a Tikka T3/T3 Lite? Looking for a stainless/synthetics stock, detachable mag in a 308.
 
Last edited:
I can't speak on the Savage, but I love my Tikka.
My Tikka will hold under an inch out of the box with factory ammo, and around the 1/2" with reloads.
 
Savage vs Tikka

Each rifle is dynomite, I would say its all a matter of what you are after. The Tikka has some plastic where I dont like to see plastic like the trigger guard and magazine, but from what I read they are butter smooth and accurate. The Savage is all steel and has the accustock and accutrigger, going with a .308 is nice with the savage cause they tend to have LONG actions so the short action .308 will be nice to mount a scope on.

Shoulder each one and decide, you cant go wrong!!! If it was my money I would go with the Savage 16FCSS.
 
Depends on what you are doing with it. If only hunting, then FWIW, I'd buy the Savage and spend the difference on better glass and ammo.
 
I have and love my Tikka T3's.....but I really like the Savages for their 3 position safety's, quality construction, and great accuracy. The Tikka is a SLIGHTLY lighter rifle, that is at least as accurate or better...the stock is not great though, and the pad is crap. It's a tossup, but I am going more towards Savage right now because I really always liked the 3 position safety's and the bolt appears more robust (not not smoother...not by a longshot). Between the two T3's and the one savage I have, the trigger is crisper on the Savage...it's an awesome trigger, and that's from someone who thinks the Tikka trigger is (was) the greatest factory/lower cost trigger out there.

I'm voting savage.
 
+ 1 for Savage.

My first rifle was a Savage model 11 in .308 win, and it was a tack driver. I have since been converted to the Stevens as they are practically the same gun on the cheap. My Stevens 200's have been outstanding in the accuracy department.

.270 at 100 m:
Stevens200-270-100m.jpg


.270 at 200 m:
Stevens200-270-200m.jpg


.223 at 100 m: ( best 3 shot group to date)
bestgroupyet.jpg


.223 at 1oom: (best 5 shot group to date)
IMG00107-20100503-2206.jpg


And I have only been shooting rifles for about 6 months. I am pretty much a noob, and know that the rifles could do better. These are all shot off a bipod. Not a rest.
 
I had the same debate.

I went with tikka and love it !!

On the flip side, my brother and my buddy went with Savage and I have shot both. I like the savage alot and would buy one myself, but in my humble opinion I prefer the tikka.
Most people hate on tikka's stock, but i like the shape and feel more than the savages (I also got a limbsaver on my rifle)

The action is really smooth on the tikka, but the savages is shorter (all 3 rifles are .308 fyi)

I also prefer tikka's mags over savages.

like others have stated you have to shoulder each rifle, and the one that feels best will shoot the best (for you). Who knows it could be a Remington you walk out of the shop with.
 
I vote savage because of the price being lower allowing other elements of the rifle to receive nicer equipment like better scope etc. Plus accuracy is kick ass with both rifles.
 
Well, I sold my Tikka to buy my Savage and haven't regretted it for a second.

That said, the Tikka was a heck of a rifle for the money.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

-M
 
Both great rifles but like one earlier poster I prefer the "less plastic" feeling Savage as well the accu-trigger is fantastic. You're not gonna lose either way but my vote goes to Savage.
 
Either

I know this is redundant but either rifle will work out very well for your needs. I have both and really like each one, however my Savages are heavy barrels and one of my Tikka's is a Lite ss and the other is a varmint ss. I really like the bolt smoothness on the Tikka's and the accuracy of the guns. The Savages have a really nice trigger, are accurate and priced well. I like the fit better on the Tikka's slightly better.
 
Just to reiterate the reiterations and redundancies…which ever fits best. I went with Savage and it’s a tack driver (7mmRM). My buddy has a Tikka in .300wsm and it’s a bit obnoxious, he put a brake and limbsaver on it. That being said, my vote goes to Savage. :)

Good luck, let us know how it works out for you.
 
Both good choices. My T3 lite stainless in 308 is my deer hunting rifle. It's going to come down to personal preferance. The Savage will be cheaper I believe, especially after you factor in stainless bases and rings (if that's what you want). I have Leupold rings and bases on my T3. They were inexpensive and do the job.
 
like others have stated you have to shoulder each rifle, and the one that feels best will shoot the best (for you). Who knows it could be a Remington you walk out of the shop with.

Watch your mouth mister!

Seriously the Tikka mags were better than the old Savage staggered feeds, but he new Savage single stack mags are outstanding as well...though of course tikka offers it on ALL their models, and Savage has a lot of hinge floorplate and IBM
 
One detail that makes the choice for me is the Tikka has a short bolt lift. It allows a fast bolt cycle without your hand hitting the scopes eyepiece. And if you are a lefty you can use Butler Creek flip open lens covers and the bolt clears the little red release lever. On my T3 Lite .223 LH I have an Elite 4200 6-24x40 and I can use the flip opens in the normal position. On my Savage .308 FLCP I have an Elite 6500 2.5-16x50. Because of the 90 degree bolt throw I have the rear flip open turned 90 degrees so the bolt can clear. So when the cap flips open it's now on the right side of the scope where my right eye lines up. I ended up making a silk purse out of a pig's ear though by pasting my trajectory info into the lens cap. Read with right eye, shoot with left.

It's little things like this that right handers never experience.
 
Back
Top Bottom