Custom tikka T3 .300wsm or stock savage 110ba .338?

[blunt0trauma]

Let me declare my lack of knowlage on the subject so it is well established I have no clue what I am talking about.


I have a tikka .300wsm that I use for hunting that I was thinking of customizing. Ive also been eyeing up the Savage 110ba .338 lapua.

The customization on the tikka would include a match grade barrel, cerakoting, muzzle break and possibly some trigger work. The tikka would end up costing with out the trigger work very close to the savage .338 or more.

The savage 110ba comes with a heavy barrel and muzzle break and adjustable stock. Right off the bat this piece is visually stimulating and from what I can tell close to the same build to the tikka minus the stock.

Of course there is also the sako trg for way more money but it's just a bit too steep for me.

I understand the price difference in ammo but my understanding of the performance differences it limited.

Ultimately is the tikka worth customizing or should I just go with the savage 110ba .338lapua?

 

[redshooter]

You could also get a used Savage 111 or Stevens 200 and do this.

If I was doing it again I'd get the Choate Tactical stock insted of the Varmint. New Stevens 200 $350, Choate Tactical stock $300, McGowen prefit 26" match barrel $350, Timney trigger $110. A little more gets you the tools to do it yourself, but you better have a good vice. If you did that I'd suggest spending even a little more and getting an action wrench. Having a smith do it for you shouldn't cost more then the tools. If you know what your doing it's a pretty straight forward job.

You can do the same thing with a Remington but it will cost a little more. Pay about $200 for a better stock (or alot more for an even better stock). The better stock isn't a bad idea, nothing wrong with the Choate Varmint/Sniper if your on a budget. It's strong as hell and comes with everything you'll need. Also $30 more gets you a 28" tube or $50 for a 30".

The prices are from the sponsers up top. Rifle from Epps, the rest from Jerry aka Mystic Precision.

 

[BigMofoFrog]

There is also the Savage 110 FCP HS Precision in .338LM which would save you a few dollars. Same barreled-action as the 110 BA, but a HS Precision stock instead.

 

[redshooter]

There is also the Savage 110 FCP HS Precision in .338LM which would save you a few dollars. Same barreled-action as the 110 BA, but a HS Precision stock instead.

That rifle seems to be a good deal. I've looked at one at the local pusher. I really liked it.

A few more thoughts. Your aware of the cost difference but have you really thought how that will effect your time at the range? Also availability, if your out of something and your off to the range the next day most things you need for your Win Mag/WSM you can scoop on the way home. If you need new brass for example. Good luck with that at most shops if you have a Lapua. They are much more likley to be out of things Lapua than Win Mag, hell, Crappy Tire stocks ammo for the Win Mag so in a pinch...

Final thought, you do have something else to shoot like a .308 or .223 right? Hone my skills with the smaller rifle and get my jollies with the cannon is the way I've been spending my range time lately.

 

[blunt0trauma]

*
Red shooter Why would you prefer the one stock over the other? The stock on the 110ba looks very functional. Eventually elk and moose would become the the target of choice.

Currently crappy tire is the only place I can get ammo and the selection is limited.
Most of the time for any of my handguns or even some of the rifle rounds I would have to travel 4 hours there and 4 back to get ammo.

The savage 110ba is what is at the local pusher so I hadn't really considered much else.
Ultimately if I had the cash I would go for the Sako TRG M10.
I have a AR in the .223 which is useful for shooting all day.

 

[redshooter]

Just so we're clear I was refering to Choate stocks. What I'm refering to inparticular is the grip. The bottom of your palm interfers with the bottom of the stock. It's not a big deal but I would have spent the extra $45 if I could have picked them both up before hand.

I've never held a 110 BA but I really like the stock on 110 FCP HS. I like it so much I'm going to try to buy one when I've run out of other things to spend my money on.

If you plan on hunting with it the 110 FCP HS in 338 may not be too bad for you. At just under 11 lbs it wouldn't be too bad to carry. The brake is supposed to be very effective so it should be comfortable to shoot. It's safe to say the 110 BA would be a little heavy for hunting unless your an ex-grunt and the 300 WM 110 FCP HS is 9 lbs, not much fun for extended shooting.

 

[blunt0trauma]

Good point about the weight I didn't even look. Whoops! I agree a little heavy for hunting should be a nice bit of exercise. What do you think the performance is like on the fluted barrel in comparison to match grade? The tikka isn't worth up grading then ?

 

[redshooter]

The tikka isn't worth up grading then ?

I have no idea to be honest. The cost of having someone put a new tube on it shouldn't be much more then a Rem 700. I really like the way Savage puts on their barrels. It's a modular rifle in a way. The 300 WM for the range and an hour in the shop and a 7mm RM for hunting. I have one action and two rifles. I'm going to get another put away tomorrow. I have to give one up to get one though so my Rem 700 is on the block. If I had the coin I wouldn't part with any of them.