Tikka vs Sako

phinton81 said:
Agree completely with this, and I do regard both Tikka/Sako as utilitarian mass production rifles. There is a place for "nice" as a buying criteria and that's a whole other discussion with a completely different price point and different makes/models altogether.
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It's a particularly North American disease to view anything beyond a budget entry level rifle as a "luxury" in my experience. Hunters in Australia, Africa and Europe don't seem to think twice about using a Sako / Blaser / Steyr etc as a working rifle.

If price alone makes a luxury product, then by that definition a C7A2 more than meets the criteria LOL...

No, to me a Sako isn't a luxury item, it's rather a very nice, very well made working rifle.

You could certainly spend a lot more on a vintage Winchester or Mannlicher and end up with something much "nicer" but also less practical, effective and functional. I guess it's also highly dependent on what makes something nice for the individual. Form? Function? Materials? Craftsmanship? I sure think an M1 Garand is "nicer" than an AR15, but the AR is much nicer to take into combat.

Balance. It's all about balance LOL.
 
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Well that certainly clears up the question as to what the difference is between the two. Seeing that I already have a hand built/finished/fitted AIA B2 enfield the extra bells and whistles on a Sako would be lost on me. I'm planing on a synthetic, blued modle that can be bumped around getting in and out of a vehicle or walking through the bush. And the future upgrading with better trim and stock would be fun to do to refresh that new gun feeling. So all said and done I'm definitely leaning toward the Tikka. Just seems like the better deal being that the barrels are made in the same factory and an extra lug for a .270 is kind of pointless. Is Colt Canada planing to make any Ranger modles for the civilian market?
 
Well too early to say. They're only in the prototype stage. The question isn't so much what CC is planning, but what the terms of their license allows. I would be very surprised if it allowed them to retail to the civilian market in direct competition with Stoeger. If they can though, that would be awesome.

You can buy basically the same rifle in the Tikka T3 CTR.

If you're getting a .270, I would definitely replace the aluminum lug in the T3 with a steel one. Both the 85 and T3 have one recoil lug, steel on the 85 and aluminum of the T3. The aluminum lug can get battered over time. Steel replacements are cheap and drop in. Other that that, it's all optional. People dislike the plastic bolt shroud, but in my experience it's perfectly serviceable and robust enough. If it does break, it's a cosmetic piece anyway and it's absence won't affect function, you can replace at your leisure. Or PM me for a spare LOL.
 
I'm not trying to side-track this fine thread, but would any of you gentlemen know where I might find a Tikka T3 Superlite Stainless in 243.
I haven't been able to find anything in 243 with that comparable weight and I don't want the compact rifle.
Feel free to send me a PM, much appreciated.
 
Kevan said:
I'm not trying to side-track this fine thread, but would any of you gentlemen know where I might find a Tikka T3 Superlite Stainless in 243.
I haven't been able to find anything in 243 with that comparable weight and I don't want the compact rifle.
Feel free to send me a PM, much appreciated.
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In keeping with the spirit of this Sako/Tikka thread, I believe the Sako Finnlight weighs the same, no?
 
As said above, with a T3, you get an excellent barreled-action and trigger with a bunch of cheap parts to complete the package and keep costs down. Add a nice stock and metal bolt shroud and you are already in Sako price territory. It's really down to what you like better. Sakos are better finished, but I have all my working rifles bead blasted, parkerized and Arma-coated anyway, so that's not a selling point to me. What I don't understand is the price rationale for a Finnlight! I actually owned one and I prefer the newer T3 synthetic stocks! Personally, if you're not buying a Sako with a nice cut of oiled walnut and don't mind push feed and DMs, T3 all the way and spend what you saved on good glass.
 
Kevan said:
I have now checked it out.... and got stopped in my tracks when I saw the absurd price tag. !
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My suggestion would be to go to a gun store and handle both and you'll see why there's a price difference.

FYI, you can get a Savage Lighweight Hunter in 243 for less than either the Tikka or Sako and it's lighter, but weight better be your only criteria or you'll be disappointed.

I also have a Remington M7 SS in 243 that weighs less than either and didn't cost more than the Tikka, yet it's a much nicer rifle. But it's not for sale. :) Have a look on the EE, they come up occasionally.
 
bearkilr said:
My suggestion would be to go to a gun store and handle both and you'll see why there's a price difference.

Maybe so, I agree they are nice but still thats a ridiculous price difference.

FYI, you can get a Savage Lighweight Hunter in 243 for less than either the Tikka or Sako and it's lighter, but weight better be your only criteria or you'll be disappointed.

A friend has one, nice rifle and very accurate.

I also have a Remington M7 SS in 243 that weighs less than either and didn't cost more than the Tikka, yet it's a much nicer rifle. But it's not for sale. :) Have a look on the EE, they come up occasionally.
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Had one of those also, very nice rifle as well just didn't fit me comfortably.
 
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