Need Tikka advice.

I think Tika is the most overrated and overpriced rifle on the market. Not saying they r junk, just a little too high on the pedestal for what u get.

Went moose hunting last fall with with 3 others, 2 of which had new Tikas (300 WM), both had magazine/feeding issues and one had the wood fore stock not centered on the barrel and actually touching it.

Both rifles were one owner new from WSS, and about 2 boxes of ammo through them. I think there mags are garbage.

Of all of the rifles that I have owned, the Weatherby Mark V was definitely the most over rated, and over priced. I purchased two Mark V rifles in 257wby and 300wby when a store closed out, and even at the sale price, I was very disappointed. Any of my Tikka rifles, or my Vanguards would easily out shoot both of those Mar V rifles. My A-Bolt was a bit cheaper, but it would be my second choice as to most over rated, most overpriced rifle.
 
Isn't that like being concerned your advertised 14mpg truck is getting 13mpg?

If it's a 1.2-1.5" all day rifle, and when you cool it down you've shot it @ 1/4"......... then it sounds like you have a finicky but perfectly fine rifle that would benefit from some handload tuning and a little more patience.

The spec for stock/action torque is 25-30 in/lbs.

Thanks for the specs.

It is a little like that I suppose. With all the tikka hype about them, and guys constantly saying that they're overlooking the faults because they are such a good barreled action I guess I was expecting more than just an average or below average rifle. And I cooled between all the groups I've shot, the .25 was just a fluke.
 
I haven't owned a Tikka that didn't shoot MOA or less. I think the OP is either unlucky (just compare to the myriad of positive Tikka threads), or he hasn't set the action properly in the stock. I've owned dozens of factory rifles in factory synthetic stocks, and the Tikka synthetic stock is about average to above average. There's also an accuracy guarantee. So, OP, instead of grovelling about how bad your rifle is, do something about it.
 
Of all of the rifles that I have owned, the Weatherby Mark V was definitely the most over rated, and over priced. I purchased two Mark V rifles in 257wby and 300wby when a store closed out, and even at the sale price, I was very disappointed. Any of my Tikka rifles, or my Vanguards would easily out shoot both of those Mar V rifles. My A-Bolt was a bit cheaper, but it would be my second choice as to most over rated, most overpriced rifle.

Funny you say this.

A little background on this purchase.
I've been working towards getting started on putting together a high quality light varmint rifle that will also do double duty in shooting in the local winter league. The competitions are mostly field positional, movers but also has bench so the rifles got to be a no bullsh!t 1/2moa gun.

I wanted to start with a three lug or short throw action, so I narrowed it to Tikka, mark v, browning (your favourite three lol!) The browning has almost no aftermarket, the weatherby was a very expensive starting point but I went back and forth for a long time before settling on the Tikka because of the countless reviews.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter cause this rifle will eventually get a proof research 22-250 and a new stock (hopefully some stuff sells soon). Leaning towards the naked carbon stock out of New Zealand.
 
How much torque do these things like? I took it off using a torque driver...it read about 18 inlbs when the broke loose, so I put them on with about 25 inlbs.

Good to hear your heavy barrels shoot, they are a lot less finicky for sure. What 300y challenge did your rifles meet?

The challenge is the 10 shot 300 yd in 3" on here in the target and precision forum , check it out as it's fairly new
 
I haven't owned a Tikka that didn't shoot MOA or less. I think the OP is either unlucky (just compare to the myriad of positive Tikka threads), or he hasn't set the action properly in the stock. I've owned dozens of factory rifles in factory synthetic stocks, and the Tikka synthetic stock is about average to above average. There's also an accuracy guarantee. So, OP, instead of grovelling about how bad your rifle is, do something about it.

I'm glad you've found happiness with the brand. But it sounds like a bit of honesty has come out about them in this thread.
I'm guessing it comes down to how honest you get with how your rifle shoots. True sub moa is rarer than most will admit.
 
If you add a bell and Carlson stock, I guarantee you will find the consistency you're looking for. A little spendy though.

To heavy. Also regarding B&C stocks, the aluminum block isn't all its cracked up to be. Aluminum shrinks and contracts with heat and if the action is installed without bedding it will have a different POI day to day.

I discovered this with my ftr rifle, probably because it's accurate enough to show it. I ended up hogging out a bunch of aluminum and rebedded. Is it huge deal...no but its just another thing to keep in mind.
 
To heavy. Also regarding B&C stocks, the aluminum block isn't all its cracked up to be. Aluminum shrinks and contracts with heat and if the action is installed without bedding it will have a different POI day to day.

I discovered this with my ftr rifle, probably because it's accurate enough to show it. I ended up hogging out a bunch of aluminum and rebedded. Is it huge deal...no but its just another thing to keep in mind.

I installed the B&C M40 stock on my T-3 varmint. I skim bedded the barreled action, and the point of impact has been quite consistent. The rifle is chambered in 223rem, and averages under 1/2moa for five shots at 100yards. My very first group with the 69gr TMK and CFE223 measured .355" for five shots. As far as the weight goes, it's a varmint rifle, so I don't mind a bit of extra weight.
 
Last edited:
I installed the B&C M40 stock on my T-3 varmint. I skim bedded the barreled action, and the point of impact has been quite consistent. The rifle is chambered in 223rem, and averages under 1/2moa for five ####s at 100yards. My very first group with the 69gr TMK and CFE223 measured .355" for five shots. As far as the weight goes, it's a varmint rifle, so I don't mind a bit of extra weight.
I'm getting similar results with Hornady 75gr match with right around .5" @100 in my T3varmint 223 .Mine is bone stock and I have yet to remove the action from the stock. My only upgrade has been a limbsaver recoil pad.I like the plastic stock,much nicer than my vanguard s2 stock. I also have an A bolt and x bolt and the Tikka out shoots them all.I think the OP got a dud, send it back and use the moa guarantee.
 
Funny thing, and I should have mentioned this earlier...the groups are always strung horizontally. I bet most don't have 1/2" vertical.
 
I'm getting similar results with Hornady 75gr match with right around .5" @100 in my T3varmint 223 .Mine is bone stock and I have yet to remove the action from the stock. My only upgrade has been a limbsaver recoil pad.I like the plastic stock,much nicer than my vanguard s2 stock. I also have an A bolt and x bolt and the Tikka out shoots them all.I think the OP got a dud, send it back and use the moa guarantee.

Are your brownings target models?
 
I've got 4 or so tikkas. 2 are floated in aftermarket wood, one is floated in factory wood, and one has pressure points in factory tupperware.

One of the ones in aftermarket wood is my 6.5x55. It had been a 3/4"-1" no matter what I did. Started in factory plastic with pressure points, 3/4"-1". Removed pressure points 3/4"-1". Bedded into aftermarket wood 3/4"-1".

Of the others, the 300 magnum is a 1-1/2" (1.5") gun at best. One of the 30-06s is a consisitent 3/4"-1" gun like the 6.5.

The other 30-06, a battue, is a death ray. 3 holes touching to one ragged hole at 100. I won't change a bloody thing with that guy!

My biggest complaint is the tight chambers on the '06s. Both feed factory ammo fine, but the bolt must be forced to turn closed. I nearly always stutter running the bolt to prepare for a second shot.

They all have identical super triggers.
 
Back
Top Bottom