T3x Compact Tactical vs Savage 10T-SR vs. Others?

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seabast

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Hi Guys,

I'm thinking about getting one of these two model in .308 in the next couple of month. Is anyone as any experience (good or bad), any opinion or maybe another option to share?

FYI:
- I'm going to use it to shoot paper at 98% and maybe for moose, deer and coyotes once in while.
- I will reload for it.
- We have a range up to 550 yards in the property so I shoot pretty much once a week.
- It has to be a 308, this is a done deal.
- I already have a Savage 111 in 243 and it shoots pretty well a cheaper rifle.
- Accuracy matter but I also like a well made rifle.
- I don't want a war looking rifle to go out in the wood.

Thanks in advance
Seabast
 
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Well, pretty substantially different prices for starters.....that doesn't matter to you?


  • Savage is around $799++ average
  • Tikka is around $1350++ average

Do you have an optic already? You could get potentially Savage plus scope for same price as Tikka naked.

What's most important to you?
 
CHIA said:
Well, pretty substantially different prices for starters.....that doesn't matter to you?


  • Savage is around $799++ average
  • Tikka is around $1350++ average

Do you have an optic already? You could get potentially Savage plus scope for same price as Tikka naked.

What's most important to you?
Click to expand...

The price difference is okay with me.

Right now I have a new VX1 that has no rifle so I could use that but I think the better half is getting a much better scope for xmass. If not, I will buy a scope later on.

I'll looking for an "Accurate" rifle so I could compete with the Rugger 6.5 CM of my step son :)
 
In my opinion tikka and savage dont really compare. One has a super smooth action and a hammer forged barrel. The other has an action I cant get used to feeling wise. Savage barrels are supposed to shoot well though but for me it would be a tikka anytime over a savage.
 
I don't have experience with either rifle but I have had a few of each savage and tikka rifles. There really is no comparison. The tikka is just a much nicer rifle and will be more dependable. All my tikkas seem to shoot various different loads to very similar poi and my savages are very finicky. Up to a 6" poi shift from a 5gr different bullet weight. That's just one of the reasons I prefer tikka but there are many more. Mags are better, actions smoother, safeties have more of a positive "click" and in a better location.
 
I have a T3x CTR, paired with a Bushnell Elite 6500. I use Hornady Steel Match 155 grain. It shoots sub MOA pretty easily with cheap ammo. What's not to like, right? Well, for that money, I'd rather have rifle that can hold the magazine in place consistently. It went back after one outing to the range for a magazine spring replacement because the mag would drop out after a couple of shots. It didn't make a difference. I bought another 10 round magazine (nearly $200). It didn't make a difference. Apparently it is a thing so you have to McGuyver the mag release cut out with a flat head screwdriver to put a bit more of a lip on it. OK. The pistol grip stock is replaceable (vertical or traditional). Mine now wobbles. It's a little bit frustrating for a rifle that costs as much as it did. Smooth action, check. Accurate, check. But the rest, not so much. I've just dropped a chunk of cash on an MDT HS3 chassis in their sale because I don't like the stock on the CTR.
 
Make sure you personally handle both before buying.

My vote is the T3. The stock on the T3x line is very usable for bench / prone shooting. The mags, while expensive, are fantastic. I have owned 6 Tikkas in various calibers and they are all accurate. A.308 barrel will last you quite a while and my CTR in .308 has been sub MOA with both 168gr SMKs and 168 AMAX. I haven't tried anything else. I should also mention, in case you aren't aware, the trigger, bolt and action are far nicer on the Tikka.

Savage has some advantages. Personally I find the safety is in the best location. Next, the barrel nut means you can take advantage of all the pre-fit barrels out there. Although, with .308 you won't need to switch barrels, and prefits for Tikka are starting to appear on the market. I personally don't like the feel of acu-triggers and I don't like how sloppy the bolts are on Savage actions.

Remington 700 wins hands down for aftermqrket support. I would say that Tikka and Savage are pretty much tied.
 
I am looking at the same model in 6.5 creed. I have decided to pull the trigger on one.

The tikka is a nicer rifle no doubt. However, I am a fan of savage for the accuracy/value they offer. If I had endless funds my safe would be full of high end rifles, but as a regular guy I can get the job done with a savage or Remington 700. I have a savage model 10 fcp-sr in 308 and I have no complaints/regrets. Its extremely accurate and 100% reliable.

As another poster mentioned, the savage and decent glass will get you to the price point of a bare tikka. Hard to beat the feel of a tikka action though. Good luck!
 
you might want to check out the bergara b-14 hmr as well, very nice and smooth and uses remington 700 accessories.

Im in the same boat as you but pondering bergara VS tikka ctr in 6.5. I already own a tikka 308 and love the smooth action and the accuracy. Im not sure I like the proprietary mag on the tikka and the barrel profile is a medium contour too. The stock is average as well.

For arround the same price of the tikka you can get a rem 700 barreled action and a mdt chassis, or the bergara. Decisions decisions...
 
VinceMarksman said:
you might want to check out the bergara b-14 hmr as well, very nice and smooth and uses remington 700 accessories.

Im in the same boat as you but pondering bergara VS tikka ctr in 6.5. I already own a tikka 308 and love the smooth action and the accuracy. Im not sure I like the proprietary mag on the tikka and the barrel profile is a medium contour too. The stock is average as well.

For arround the same price of the tikka you can get a rem 700 barreled action and a mdt chassis, or the bergara. Decisions decisions...
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I'll look into it, thanks!
 
I bought the Savage 10 TR about a year ago. It is much cheaper as many have said. It shoots sub MOA to 400yards, but past that I seriously question it as I don't get sub MOA. Perhaps there is some magical 1000 yard .308 sub MOA load for the 10 TR but I have yet to find it, and after many hand load ladder tests I am close to getting a Tikka T3 Tactical or CTR to compare.

All this said doesn't even take into account the Savage Accustock's sensitivity to torque values on the two screws that hold it into the stock. If you get a 10TR, I would suggest never removing the action from the stock as it put me further past square one in getting a great load for the rifle. I spent two days with a torque driver and my rifle getting the perfect values for the best groupings. Beyond annoyingly time consuming. I will never buy another Savage again. Quite frankly, my Weatherby Vanguard II in .223 shoots better (and I bought it used for $450,).

I can't recommend the Savage 10TR, and it pains me to do so, because I will still be punishing myself with more load ladder tests at the 500, as you probably read this.
 
I have a 10TR that gave me fits - accuracy was ok, but not stellar. After hundreds of rounds testing and same meh results, i put a benchmark barrel on, and viola! instant accuracy.
 
Not sure if we have discussed this before... buy neither, BUILD what you currently have.

With similar money, you can put on a quality prefit match barrel on your Savage, and tune up the various action bits. Now you have a rig that will outshoot either factory rifles, feels great and has a stock that actually will do what you want.

Seems that alot of newer shooters don't realise how much stuff is possible with the rifles they currently own. Nothing wrong with getting a factory rifle if there is a look or chamber you prefer, BUT the vast majority of factory barrels underwhelm wrt to accuracy and consistency.

So if the goal is the best possible performance on target, build it... don't buy it. And you may actually spend less in the long run.

Jerry
 
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jetfixer said:
I bought the Savage 10 TR about a year ago. It is much cheaper as many have said. It shoots sub MOA to 400yards, but past that I seriously question it as I don't get sub MOA. Perhaps there is some magical 1000 yard .308 sub MOA load for the 10 TR but I have yet to find it, and after many hand load ladder tests I am close to getting a Tikka T3 Tactical or CTR to compare.

All this said doesn't even take into account the Savage Accustock's sensitivity to torque values on the two screws that hold it into the stock. If you get a 10TR, I would suggest never removing the action from the stock as it put me further past square one in getting a great load for the rifle. I spent two days with a torque driver and my rifle getting the perfect values for the best groupings. Beyond annoyingly time consuming. I will never buy another Savage again. Quite frankly, my Weatherby Vanguard II in .223 shoots better (and I bought it used for $450,).

I can't recommend the Savage 10TR, and it pains me to do so, because I will still be punishing myself with more load ladder tests at the 500, as you probably read this.
Click to expand...

Any time action screw torque is discussed, we know there is a problem with the stock and its bedding. When a stock is properly bedded with an Action, action bolt torque doesn't play a role. Snug enough so it doesn't loosen during firing....that's it.

I have fixed a number of Accustocks over the years. Concept is excellent.. execution is terrible... proper bedding cures the problems

Jerry
 
my Tikka CTR project end up with a GRS CTR stock, with 4.5x 14mkII Leupold in EGW rings, Innsight break, Altas bolt handle and shroud, and Mystic Precision Bipod. sorry no pictures I never have luck with posting them
 
Here's my thread about the T3X CTR I purchased few months ago

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1617536-Tikka-T3X-Compact-Tactical-Rifle

I've owned or at least shot every type of rifle Savage has made over the past 15 years and nothing compared to the Tikka I just bought. I feel as though I found the near perfect rifle. That being said that only downside the T3X has is the stock. It's good all except texture. If feels like chinese plastic. It's sturdy and has very little flex if at all but I just couldn't get over the feel and replaced the stock.

BEFORE:
W3R4t05.jpg


AFTER:
9z5QNop.jpg
 
I Have the Savage 10TR. Super good bang for the buck. Won the 1st place on a PRS competition in Québec this year with it. Shoots sub MOA with the proper load developpment. Just fires average MOA on almost every load that I tried, but had to find a sub MOA one. Good 5R barrel, can shoot 600 rounds between copper fouling removal. Uncomparable with the 700's, so much more included in the 10TR for the price!
I have tried the Tikkas, and yes the action is much more smooth. They are very well made!
If the extra 500$ doesn't bother you, go for the Tikka!

Dark
 
I had ordered a CTR 24" 6.5. I was having trouble waiting the 3 months for it, so I bought a Savage Stealth. Plan was to shoot it until the Tikka showed up. The Savage worked so good, I left the Tikka at the store.
 
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