CZ 550 American vs. Tikka T3 Hunter vs. Kimber 8400 Classic

I

iceclimber

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I know!!!! Yet ANOTHER thread asking for opinions. I have read and followed this forum for a while now. I have read numerous threads regarding all types of rifles, and I must admit that you guys KNOW YOUR STUFF. I have short-listed these three as my first rifle (.270).

1. Tikka T3 Hunter
2. Kimber 8400 Classic
3. CZ 550 American

so let me have it.....the good the bad and the ugly of these 3 possibles. I look forward to hearing it all....and thanks!!

P.S. ANY other recommendations are most welcome!!
 
Why not a post 2008 Winchester New Model 70? It would be my first choice. I have 2 and these are awesome rifles for the price. (270 and 308 Featherweight)

Kimber 2nd

Cz 3rd

Tikka 4th
 
I have two Tikka's [300wsm and 338 win] both are shooters right out of the box, less than 1moa. The Kimber and Cz are excellent rifles but both more expensive. Take the cash you save by buying a Tikka and put it on some better optics
 
I absolutely love the quality manufacturing of the CZ rifle and if it were not for the sloppy bolt cycling, it would be the the only rifle brand in my collection. Because of this, I no longer own one CZ rifle.
I do own Tikkas and I am very happy. From the CZ's/Brno's I have owned, the Tikka in same caliber have always shot noticeably more accurate.

My best advise, however will always be to go to gunshop, look and feel at what fits you best as this will be your rifle, not mine.

Good Luck

CT
 
Of the three, I would choose the CZ. I don't care for the aesthetics and some of the design features of the Tikka and Kimber rifles sometimes have disappointing accuracy for what they cost.

+1 on the Winchester Model 70 as another good choice.
 
CZ is by far the heaviest, but it is an great rifle, the Kimber 8400 is meh, but I really like the 84L (replacement for the 8400) and the Tikka is the least expensive, but I would only get one in a T3 Lite for even less money.

So out of those three, I would choose:

1. CZ
2. T3 Hunter
3. Kimber 8400

But if the 84L was in the hunt it would be number 1. I held one the other day and it is just such a trim package - plus the quality is right up there.
 
Don't forget to ask yourself what you want in a rifle. There will be many opinions but truth is they are all great choices for guns (no lemons like Remonton 710, 770). I personally prefer detachible mags when I hunt so that eliminates some choices, when I bought my last rifle it narrowed it down to Tikka, Sako, Browning x-bolt,.. but make your own list of must haves and as mentioned above if you can hold the ones you narrow it down to for feel, and buy good optics!
 
Get the Tikka. It will perform to your expectations. I don't think I have ever heard of one not shooting tight. You won't regret it. Mine is a T3 Lite Stainless in .338 Federal and I would not trade or sell it for anything. I've had Rem 700's, Win M70's, Brownings(abortions), Rugers, nothing even comes close to my little death ray.
 
I haven't owned a CZ, but have a good opinion of them. Fairly heavy, mauser style action CRF action which some think is an advantage, I am ambivalent in a cartridge like a 270. A CZ would be my first choice if buying a 375 or bigger for dangerous critters.

Kimber, I had a 308 84m which was an excellent rifle, accurate after spending a fair amount of time finding a load. Very light weight, in fact the rifle is first and foremost an ultralightweight rifle for good or bad. i really like light rifles for hunting so i liked my Kimber. That being said, the 270 isn't light, it's a standard weight rifle in the long action so the primary benefit of the kimber is gone.

I currently own a T3 Hunter in 6.5x55, stupidly accurate(ridiculously), rifle weighs 7.5 pounds including scope which for me is perfect, it balances perfectly for me which surprised me actually, I am not huge on the clip system, I had turned my nose up at them for years as I always had Sako's, now I kind of regret that.

Now you get to cost, there is no compelling reason to me to spend $1500 on a kimber that isn't light, lots of guys here report having to mess around with CZ rifles to get them to shoot, tikka(and Sako but see above kimber issue) are easy, shoot right away so fo rme it would be a choice between a light tikka and somewhat heavy CZ for me it would be the lighter rifle.
 
I had almost made my mind on a CZ in 6.5 X 55. But I do a lot of bench shooting, so accuracy matters.

This issue of Tikka's being noticeably more accurate than CZ 550 is new to me. Can folks with experience with both rifles please comment on their accuracy?
 
Individual value equations...what matters to you.My cz is heavy but it is pretty,accurate,and has the ever so lovely set trigger.However, I wouldn't not get a tikka,I just think the reasons for owning either might be different.
 
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