Tikka for me. Have a left hand tikka 6.5x55. When I went to the magnum calibre I recommend a heavier gun. The tikka t3 lite in 7mm or 300 win would be tough to shoot. Tikka t3 lite is too lite for me. My 300 win mag is a zastava m70. Found it for 599 plus tax at gagnons.
Tikka T3 or Savage
- Thread starter grady450
- Start date
I have both. The Tikka T3 is a far better walking /hunting rig and I find the action far smoother. That being said I do like my Savage 116 with Accutrigger. It's a magnum and a bit heavier. Because it is heavier I can shoot it better off hand. I have found more often than not I end up leaning on a tree or shooting prone OR im shooting at something 75 yards away that is not that hard to hit so its a bit of a non issue.
Tikka pros
-smoother action
-smooth magazine-easy to load-easy to insert
-lower bolt lift-very quick cycling
-nice trigger-better than the Accutrigger
Savage pros
-cheaper
-lots of aftermarket if you want
Shoulder them both and take your pick. Can't go wrong in my mind.
G
Tikka pros
-smoother action
-smooth magazine-easy to load-easy to insert
-lower bolt lift-very quick cycling
-nice trigger-better than the Accutrigger
Savage pros
-cheaper
-lots of aftermarket if you want
Shoulder them both and take your pick. Can't go wrong in my mind.
G
Tikka. definately.
and people will tell you theres no aftermarket parts..
Horsesh*t ..
the trigger doesnt even need replacing, barrels are generally custom fit anyway..
most major stock makers make stocks for the T3.. you can get 20 MOA or 0 MOA rails, bottom metal if you need AI mags, chassis systems.. etc etc..
and people will tell you theres no aftermarket parts..
Horsesh*t ..
the trigger doesnt even need replacing, barrels are generally custom fit anyway..
most major stock makers make stocks for the T3.. you can get 20 MOA or 0 MOA rails, bottom metal if you need AI mags, chassis systems.. etc etc..
John Wesley Hardin
CGN Regular
- Location
- 45.457 x - 77.239
I own and use a Tikka T3 SS in 308. IMHO the best bolt for the buck. I prefer short actions and I find the 308 inherently accurate and powerful enough - no dinosaurs here
J.W
J.W
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
The savage is good and will serve your purpose. however when you buy one, don't ask anyone to try their tikka. I guarantee you will be scratching your head, counting pennies and coming up with reasons to justify buying a tikka to your wife.
The actions are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They are just not in the same league. Like comparing a economy car to a corvette.
The actions are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They are just not in the same league. Like comparing a economy car to a corvette.
All the Tikka T3s are long action, just with different bolt stops and magazine blocks.
or did you mean short action cartridges ( 308, 708, 243 etc ) ?
I am personally in love with the stainless/grey laminate Tikkas. That being said, I bought an el cheapo Savage Stevens in 223 back when I had absolutely no cash and the thing will shoot any garbage ammo into a 3/4" group at 100 yards. It still accounts for a few coyotes every winter and its light and easy to lug around. The only thing I've done now is add a Rifle Basix trigger and tossed the gritty piece of s#%^ it came with in the woods. Bottom line, both are good guns, Savage is a little more bang for your buck, Tikka is prettier, maybe a touch smoother. Go by personal preference and available funds on this one.
On the varmint rifle note, I've also got a heavy barrel 308 on a K98 action, the Savage with a standard weight barrel is nearly as accurate and is a heck of a lot easier to walk three or four miles through knee deep snow with. (Also uphill both ways)
On the varmint rifle note, I've also got a heavy barrel 308 on a K98 action, the Savage with a standard weight barrel is nearly as accurate and is a heck of a lot easier to walk three or four miles through knee deep snow with. (Also uphill both ways)
Where would a browning X-Bolt weigh in against this competition? What about the Thompson Center Dimension?
CheeseBurger mentioned the Ruger M77 Hawkeye, but a little google has a good debate on accuracy. I'd like to hear from a shooter of one.
Right now I'm leaning towards the tikka, not sold on any particular caliber yet (260-300 is what I'm considering).
A savage 110 predator max, but with all the +Tikka comments that's likely ruled out.
Thanks for all the input, I've still got time for the search.
I'm most likely headed to comox in the summer, and the fish and game club there is a 100yd range, and there's a 600yd range close enough too, so IDEALLY I'd like to get something for the 600yd targets.
With those in mind, I'll have to look at scopes. Bass Pro shops has an Oculus 6-24x 50", would that be overkill?
CheeseBurger mentioned the Ruger M77 Hawkeye, but a little google has a good debate on accuracy. I'd like to hear from a shooter of one.
Right now I'm leaning towards the tikka, not sold on any particular caliber yet (260-300 is what I'm considering).
A savage 110 predator max, but with all the +Tikka comments that's likely ruled out.
Thanks for all the input, I've still got time for the search.
I'm most likely headed to comox in the summer, and the fish and game club there is a 100yd range, and there's a 600yd range close enough too, so IDEALLY I'd like to get something for the 600yd targets.
With those in mind, I'll have to look at scopes. Bass Pro shops has an Oculus 6-24x 50", would that be overkill?
Tikkas are good rifles but.......far to overrated. Owned lots of tikkas always shot well but more plastic than just about anything(clip, trigger guard, guide at the back of bolt ect). I think people open the bolt and its so smooth they forget everything else that matters in a rifle. Tikkas are not budget rifles they are quite expensive. For 800-900 bucks I would be looking at CZ's, rugers, model 70's, Savage 14, Browning a-bolt, X-bolt ect. I have not had one of those that didnt shoot as well as a tikka and had metal clips and much nicer wood ect. Dont get me wrong I like tikkas and they do shoot well but so does everything else. Sorry about the rant but I get sick of hearing about the "quality" of tikkas and I dont see it. Dont limit yourself if you have the money for a tikka you can get alot of others that in my opinion are every bit as good and in most cases better.
Well today I went into Toronto to checkout the selection, prices, from Sail and Bass Pro, had some very helpful people at Sail, and unfortunately Bass Pro wasn't very well stocked for lefties.
The most help I had was at Al Flaherty's, spending close to an hour there getting the feel of different models, and I've decided it's either a Tikka T3 Hunter, or possibly a TC Dimension (but seeing the supply of the dimension is nearly nil, that seems unlikely.)
I want to thank everyone for their comments and advice.
The most help I had was at Al Flaherty's, spending close to an hour there getting the feel of different models, and I've decided it's either a Tikka T3 Hunter, or possibly a TC Dimension (but seeing the supply of the dimension is nearly nil, that seems unlikely.)
I want to thank everyone for their comments and advice.
waterhen19
Member
- Location
- Dauphin MB
I am sure you have decided but, I would have to vote for Tikka as well.
I have a 7mm and 243 left hand and love them. The 7mm was a little tough too shoot after about 10 or 15 rounds but put a limbsaver on and made a world of a difference. Buddies 300 Model 70 kicked harder than my 7mm....
I originally bought the 7mm SS. After having a left hand rifle I dumped my right hand 22-250 to fund another left handed gun.
I was looking at a model 16 Savage, Remington 700 and Tikka in 243. After alot of comparing I went with the Tikka. I was originally looking for a beater rifle but, wasn't alot of options in left hand. So after alot of debating I decided to go with the tikka for the extra $$$. It fit better, detacheable mag (rem didn't have), closed action (Sav had open receiver which could allow $hit to get into action and clip) and alot smoother action compared to the other 2 rifles.
I couldn't be happier with my decision the rifle is awesome. I actually like the 243 more than the 7mm. Only thing is my beater rifle isn't much of a beater haha so I went out and bought a 223 Axis in left hand. If savage had the left hand axis when I bought my 243 I would have ended up going with it because of cost.....
Shane
I have a 7mm and 243 left hand and love them. The 7mm was a little tough too shoot after about 10 or 15 rounds but put a limbsaver on and made a world of a difference. Buddies 300 Model 70 kicked harder than my 7mm....
I originally bought the 7mm SS. After having a left hand rifle I dumped my right hand 22-250 to fund another left handed gun.
I was looking at a model 16 Savage, Remington 700 and Tikka in 243. After alot of comparing I went with the Tikka. I was originally looking for a beater rifle but, wasn't alot of options in left hand. So after alot of debating I decided to go with the tikka for the extra $$$. It fit better, detacheable mag (rem didn't have), closed action (Sav had open receiver which could allow $hit to get into action and clip) and alot smoother action compared to the other 2 rifles.
I couldn't be happier with my decision the rifle is awesome. I actually like the 243 more than the 7mm. Only thing is my beater rifle isn't much of a beater haha so I went out and bought a 223 Axis in left hand. If savage had the left hand axis when I bought my 243 I would have ended up going with it because of cost.....
Shane
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
My vote goes to the Tikka.
I have two Savages 10s' and two T3s'. Hopefully I can touch on the differences even though you ended up going with a Tikka
Savage Predator 10 - .243Win
Savage Predator Max1- 22-250Rem
Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Laminate - .204Ruger
Tikka T3 Stainless Composite- 300WSM
They are are not quite night and day from each other, but are different.
The Savages are extremely accurate out of the box and are getting better with handloads. While they don't cycle a smoothly as the Tikkas' their accuracy straight out the box makes up for that. Only the Max 1 has both the Accu-Trigger & Accu-Stock feature, while the 10 only has the Accu-Trigger. I don't see that much of a difference between the two to be honest, both are tight groupers. I like the fact that the Savage Mags are metal & relatively cheap to replace (more to follow on this). Both rigs are heavy due to their medium profile barrels however that is not a concern on my end, as they are "stand/calling" rigs. They're probably somewhere in the 10-11lb range with Optics & Bi-pods
The Tikkas' both started life as Composite Stock models, but the .204Ruger now sports Tikkas Grey/Pepper Laminate stock instead (so essentially a T3 Lite Laminate Stainless model that's not offered). I just happened to luck into a friend who wanted a Composite Stock, so we traded plus some $$ and all was said and done. It is an expensive option however, Tikka lists their Laminate Stock at $675 CDN in case anyone is wondering (yes I checked actually).
Cycling is easily accomplished with your thumb only if desired. Buttery smooth is a good way to describe it. I like Tikkas' single stack mag design, it's a shame it's polymer & not metal. The mags are pricey to replace or upgrade to the larger capacity ones offered by Tikka however ($100 @ for the hi-cap). The T3 Lite even with the addition of the Laminate Stock probably is just under 7lbs (sans optics). I haven't set up the 204ruger as of yet, but the caliber is accurate by all accounts on the webz. The 300WSM seems to like the 168-180gr range & im currently running 180 Nos Accubonds out of it with good results.
Feel free to PM me and I could probably email some pictures of at least the Savages for you. The Tikkas have been a lil camera shy
Savage Predator 10 - .243Win
Savage Predator Max1- 22-250Rem
Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Laminate - .204Ruger
Tikka T3 Stainless Composite- 300WSM
They are are not quite night and day from each other, but are different.
The Savages are extremely accurate out of the box and are getting better with handloads. While they don't cycle a smoothly as the Tikkas' their accuracy straight out the box makes up for that. Only the Max 1 has both the Accu-Trigger & Accu-Stock feature, while the 10 only has the Accu-Trigger. I don't see that much of a difference between the two to be honest, both are tight groupers. I like the fact that the Savage Mags are metal & relatively cheap to replace (more to follow on this). Both rigs are heavy due to their medium profile barrels however that is not a concern on my end, as they are "stand/calling" rigs. They're probably somewhere in the 10-11lb range with Optics & Bi-pods
The Tikkas' both started life as Composite Stock models, but the .204Ruger now sports Tikkas Grey/Pepper Laminate stock instead (so essentially a T3 Lite Laminate Stainless model that's not offered). I just happened to luck into a friend who wanted a Composite Stock, so we traded plus some $$ and all was said and done. It is an expensive option however, Tikka lists their Laminate Stock at $675 CDN in case anyone is wondering (yes I checked actually).
Cycling is easily accomplished with your thumb only if desired. Buttery smooth is a good way to describe it. I like Tikkas' single stack mag design, it's a shame it's polymer & not metal. The mags are pricey to replace or upgrade to the larger capacity ones offered by Tikka however ($100 @ for the hi-cap). The T3 Lite even with the addition of the Laminate Stock probably is just under 7lbs (sans optics). I haven't set up the 204ruger as of yet, but the caliber is accurate by all accounts on the webz. The 300WSM seems to like the 168-180gr range & im currently running 180 Nos Accubonds out of it with good results.
Feel free to PM me and I could probably email some pictures of at least the Savages for you. The Tikkas have been a lil camera shy
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blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
I would not recommend a 300WM to a new shooter. Stick to a 308 or 3006. They'll do the trick on deer and moose just fine, and will be more forgiving to a new shooter. They'll also be more forgiving on the wallet.
