New to the Hobby. Tikka or Savage?

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WiseCanuck

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I know it's not very specific. But I have heard a first hunting rifle to start with price wise and performance wise is Savage or Tikka. I am hoping for everyone's opinion.
 
Of the two, Tikka. But Tikkas aren't as cheap as they used to be, so I would have a look at other rifles in the same price range and see what floats your boat. Weatherby Vanguards and Howa 1500s are great. So are Browning X-bolts. So are used Ruger M77s, Winchester Model 70s, and Remington Model 700s in that price range. Then there's a ton of other options like Sauer 100, CZ557, Bergara B-14, etc which are also excellent.

I just can't love a Savage or Mossberg. Hard pass on those. For "cheap", I would look for either a used Remington 783 or a new Ruger American/American Predator.
 
Nothing yet lol. Going to start by practicing and doing some target shooting. I know that's a big question I should be able to answer. But that's also the hard part. I don't know what route I really want to take yet. So looking for help and direction.
 
mikeyb said:
Of the two, Tikka. But Tikkas aren't as cheap as they used to be, so I would have a look at other rifles in the same price range and see what floats your boat. Weatherby Vanguards and Howa 1500s are great. So are Browning X-bolts. So are used Ruger M77s, Winchester Model 70s, and Remington Model 700s in that price range. Then there's a ton of other options like Sauer 100, CZ557, Bergara B-14, etc which are also excellent.

I just can't love a Savage or Mossberg. Hard pass on those. For "cheap", I would look for either a used Remington 783 or a new Ruger American/American Predator.
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Thanks for the info. I will continue my research with some of the other brands you suggested.
 
Buy the best rifle and optic you can afford. I really don’t think there is anything real terrible out there these days. I would stay away from the short and belted magnums until you get used to shooting. Don’t want to develop a flinch. Have a tikka t3lite ss synthetic in 300 wsm, can pack that rifle all day and not know it’s there, but it’s not that much of a pleasure to shoot. Cannot comment on savage, no experience.

Cheers,
 
Gofast240 said:
Buy the best rifle and optic you can afford. I really don’t think there is anything real terrible out there these days. I would stay away from the short and belted magnums until you get used to shooting. Don’t want to develop a flinch. Have a tikka t3lite ss synthetic in 300 wsm, can pack that rifle all day and not know it’s there, but it’s not that much of a pleasure to shoot. Cannot comment on savage, no experience.

Cheers,
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Appreciate your feedback!
 
Savage axis in 243 for practice, spend the $500 you save on ammunition for practice then once you think you know what you are doing behind the trigger go to a gun store and try some on till you find what you like

you will never own just 1 gun so buy cheap one to start with

243 is big enough to hunt deer and coyotes, if you're a good shot and know where you are aiming maybe even bigger game

Savage are as accurate as Tikkas, for half or less the money
 
aprilfoolsme said:
Savage axis in 243 for practice, spend the $500 you save on ammunition for practice then once you think you know what you are doing behind the trigger go to a gun store and try some on till you find what you like

you will never own just 1 gun so buy cheap one to start with

243 is big enough to hunt deer and coyotes, if you're a good shot and know where you are aiming maybe even bigger game

Savage are as accurate as Tikkas, for half or less the money
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aprilfoolsme is correct but I believe in a buy once cry once moto. Honestly I believe that Savage rifles are just as accurate as a Tikka however how many times you will find you need to fight a sticking bolt compared to a smooth Tikka is not worth the price savings for me.

Cheers
Moe
 
mikeyb said:
Of the two, Tikka. But Tikkas aren't as cheap as they used to be, so I would have a look at other rifles in the same price range and see what floats your boat. Weatherby Vanguards and Howa 1500s are great. So are Browning X-bolts. So are used Ruger M77s, Winchester Model 70s, and Remington Model 700s in that price range. Then there's a ton of other options like Sauer 100, CZ557, Bergara B-14, etc which are also excellent.

I just can't love a Savage or Mossberg. Hard pass on those. For "cheap", I would look for either a used Remington 783 or a new Ruger American/American Predator.
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I bought a nice Weatherby Vanguard in .308 a number of years ago from the old Laurentian Trading Post in Ottawa. They had the exact same gun selling under the Mossberg name.
I also had a Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06 with a synthetic stock. I hunted moose with it in bush camps, in dirty weather and found it could pick up rust freckles pretty easily.
I switched to a TIKKA M-695 in bead blasted stainless steel and never looked back.
 
Moe said:
aprilfoolsme is correct but I believe in a buy once cry once moto. Honestly I believe that Savage rifles are just as accurate as a Tikka however how many times you will find you need to fight a sticking bolt compared to a smooth Tikka is not worth the price savings for me.

Cheers
Moe
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I wouldn't argue with you once he has some experience but first rifle for practice he should save the money for ammo and once he knows what is what he can buy once cry once. Personally I have a wide variety of brands and models and I wouldnt have it any other way
 
"...Tikka or Savage?"

Yes. Both make good rifles. Try to get to a shop or shops that have both and will let you handle them. If one feels like it fits you better, it's probably going to be easier for you to shoot that one well. If it doesn't fit you, you won't get its best out of it. E.g. I've handled (but not shot) Tikka's T3Lite and T3Hunter. The former has a synthetic stock, the latter has wood. (I have both sorts on other guns that work well for me.) I wouldn't own a T3Lite, the stock doesn't feel right to me, but Hunter does so I would go for that.
 
Savage is probably a better value. Accuracy is probably a wash depending on the specific rifle you end up with. Tikka might have better fit and finish. Aftermarket is probably about the same. Go to the store and shoulder a few. Might find your answer.
 
The axis are ok, but the axis 2 are just better. I think there is more to it than the trigger. My axis 2 .243 that I won in a raffle is way better and more accurate than my axis .223 that I bought for about 300 bucks. My axis 2 keeps up with my 6.5x55 tikka t3 on the bench, the tikka is my main deer hunting rifle, but I am fine with the .243.
 
Gofast240 said:
Buy the best rifle and optic you can afford. I really don’t think there is anything real terrible out there these days. I would stay away from the short and belted magnums until you get used to shooting. Don’t want to develop a flinch. Have a tikka t3lite ss synthetic in 300 wsm, can pack that rifle all day and not know it’s there, but it’s not that much of a pleasure to shoot.
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Very good advice here. A T3 in a fast twist 223 would be a very good start for a shooter and a keeper.
 
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