Narrowed first coyote rig to CZ 527 Varmint or Tikka T3 HB Varmint

Ardent,

I think your description of Tikkas are B.S, if you don't like something keep your opinion with no hands on knowledge, to yourself. I have had 7 or 8 Tikka Varmints with NO troubles.
They Are:
Accurate
Reliable
Easy to take apart and clean
Do not shift impact in any weather.
Best factory trigger on the market
Same barrel as $2000 Sako
Smoothest bolt in the business
Not fussy to load for
ETC.

Also to the guy who made the comparison to junk tools..I think you should rethink your evaluation

My comments are dead accurate, the T3 is designed to be cheap, and it shoots well. It is no CZ and the points I've made are very fair, unfortunately it seems they hit a nerve. You're comparing a real-steel gun of far more complicated construction to a manufacturing-simplified budget hunting rifle. Both shoot fantastically, only one has top quality metal mags, a better stock (in either the walnut or Kevlar variants), metal trigger guard, properly scaled to cartridge action, and the list goes on... I reviewed my comments to be diplomatic but unfortunately they're dead on. Even the trigger on the 527 is superior with the single set, adjustable trigger- there's nothing pointing in the T3's favour unless you plain like T3's. All the components you see people replacing, or asking about replacing on a T3 (bottom plastic, bolt shrouds, stocks, bolt handles, mag [though not possible to replace it seems]) are all top quality components right out of the box on the CZ. This is one of those posts I almost hate to make, as it's just uncomfortable reality.
 
The less parts on a rifle to rust, the more I like it. Although I may buy a Win Safari. I need a 375 HH to see how much better it kills than my 7mm rem mag.
 
I bought a CZ 527, a Tikka HB a Savage FV and a Rem VLSS all in 204. The CZ gave me 1.5 MOA, the Rem about 1.25 MOA, and the Tikka and Savage 1/2 or better MOA with factory ammo. I found the CZ crude in operation of the bolt and clip. I like the Savage and of course the Tikka because of the clip. I returned the CZ to the dealer and sold thr Remy.
 
Would the Sako 85 in Varmint be more of a comparison to the CZ 527? I know Sako and Tikka are similar with Sako being the Cadillac, but is it actually double the rifle or just double the price?
Both Sako and Tikka have a much smoother bolt than the CZ. Finding a SAKO laminated stainless varmint is very difficult. Ive been waiting for a .204 for 6-8 months.
 
I had a T3, and now have it's slightly upscale cousin, the Sako A7, and think they are both great guns. I wish they had all the metal parts of the CZ (other than the magazine, which I think is a great idea in plastic, esp on the A7 with metal feed lips). However, aside from personal preference for higher quality materials, the plastic parts of the Tikka and Sako have caused me no problems whatsoever. Given the choice of a wood stock vs a plastic, I'm fine with the plastic. Its finish is more practical and durable in my opinion. I think you have two great options on the table.
 
Yes, congrats on your new purchase, I am looking forword to seeing a review after you have some trigger. Then at least you can give your own unbiased opinion between tikka and CZ which is half the fun (I think) of buying different brands of firearms.

JD
 
I've got several Tikka's. They're clearly designed with the main goal being economy of production. They are excellently executed - smooth, accurate and well fit - but clearly and obviously engineered with ease-of-manufacture as the highest priority. Look at the bolt, for example. The bolt handle is a separate piece to the bolt body: the only real benefit to that is that it makes the production of bolt bodies faster. They've done it well, though, and it doesn't hinder the functionality of the gun much (or at all), it's just lacking in the old-world hand-fit craftsmanship aesthetic.

The CZ design is nowhere near as mass-manufacture friendly; you couldn't just push a button on a CNC lathe and turn out a zillion of them requiring very little additional machining, as with a Tikka

Same sort of dynamic between Ruger and Savage in the states. Ruger is highly machined and forged; Savage is a simpler design, with a multi-piece bolt, floating head and barrel nut. Both work well, both have excellent reputations, and Savage does have a reputation for accuracy. Uglier, perhaps, but functionally suberb. Then again, their base model is substantially cheaper than a Ruger, passing the manufacturing savings off to the consumer.

The problem is, the Tikka is built like a Savage, but priced like a CZ. It's a $450 gun, with a $800 sticker.

Very well said. Despite peeving some folks with my first post in this thread, it's just reality. Reality is uncomfortable at times, and as stated from post 1, Tikkas shoot well, and they're designed to be cheap to manufacture as their principle design factor. You almost have to watch which realities you mention as not everyone like hearing them. Look forward to hearing what you think of her Whitetail77, have fun.
 
I own both the CZ 527 Varmint and several Tikka T3's including the varmint in .22-250. I would take the Tikka over the CZ any day. I don't like the safety on the CZ. They have the safety the opposite of what most rifles have. Just can't get used to it.

How often do you use the safety? FS
 
The problem is, the Tikka is built like a Savage, but priced like a CZ. It's a $450 gun, with a $800 sticker.

The Tikka might be built in a similar fashion (economy build) but its no where near as rough and sloppy as a Savage. The Tikka stock is alot stiffer, doesnt have the real cheap plastic feel and there is no rough edge where the to halves of the stock has be mated. No comparison when cycling the action on a Tikka vs a Savage either, Tikka is 10x more smooth.
I don't currently own either but have owned many in the past and from my experience the Tikkas fit and finish was waay better then Savage. Savage always outshot every gun I owned though.
 
Hands down, the CZ is the one for me:

DSC00172.JPG


Tikkas do nothing for me; they're a modern economy rifle with expensive but cheaply made plastic magazines, a narrow ejection port that makes single loading difficult, and they're just plain ugly. As far as bolt smoothness goes, the same can be said for a Lee Enfield action, but I don't see many people building varmint rifles out of them.
 
I've got several Tikka's. They're clearly designed with the main goal being economy of production. They are excellently executed - smooth, accurate and well fit - but clearly and obviously engineered with ease-of-manufacture as the highest priority. Look at the bolt, for example. The bolt handle is a separate piece to the bolt body: the only real benefit to that is that it makes the production of bolt bodies faster. They've done it well, though, and it doesn't hinder the functionality of the gun much (or at all), it's just lacking in the old-world hand-fit craftsmanship aesthetic.

The CZ design is nowhere near as mass-manufacture friendly; you couldn't just push a button on a CNC lathe and turn out a zillion of them requiring very little additional machining, as with a Tikka

Same sort of dynamic between Ruger and Savage in the states. Ruger is highly machined and forged; Savage is a simpler design, with a multi-piece bolt, floating head and barrel nut. Both work well, both have excellent reputations, and Savage does have a reputation for accuracy. Uglier, perhaps, but functionally suberb. Then again, their base model is substantially cheaper than a Ruger, passing the manufacturing savings off to the consumer.

The problem is, the Tikka is built like a Savage, but priced like a CZ. It's a $450 gun, with a $800 sticker.

I don't know too many $450.00 guns that have Sako barrels on them.
 
Very well said. Despite peeving some folks with my first post in this thread, it's just reality. Reality is uncomfortable at times, and as stated from post 1, Tikkas shoot well, and they're designed to be cheap to manufacture as their principle design factor. You almost have to watch which realities you mention as not everyone like hearing them. Look forward to hearing what you think of her Whitetail77, have fun.

Your still out to lunch, it is reality to you, not to me and many others. Reality or Fact is that wood shrinks, warps and twists. Steel rusts, now that is reality.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom