When you want to buy a tikka but know savage shoots the same for less ! Lol

[curseyou]

The cost thing is a dumb argument, as there are many more factors at play that result in a positive ownership experience than just accuracy.

Don't get me wrong, if a $2,500 Sako shot like sh!t then of course it would be a waste of money even if it were well made, but build quality, feel, and "presence" goes a long way.

They say the same thing about motorcycles, why would anyone buy an Italian Ducati when Japanese sportbikes are faster, more reliable, and less money? If your brain only thinks about practical things then sure you'll buy the Honda, but if you care about soul, emotion, and personality, you're willing to overlook a lot of things to get something that just feels better.

And such it is with the Tikka vs Savage, or a Norinco vs Daniel Defense, or a Ruger SR9 vs Walther PPQ. Sure you can spend less money and end up with a similar grouping, but if you can afford more, generally you will be happier with spending more. Not just for the sake of lighting money on fire, but the build quality really is better. Your hand will feel better on the grip, the action will be smoother, the construction will be better and you'll see that when you're taking it apart to clean it.

If you only care about accuracy then sure buy the cheapest thing you can to make a grouping, but that should only be one factor in your purchase. If you only have one factor in your purchase, then I almost feel bad for you that you're missing out on so much more of what shooting and pride of gun ownership can offer you.

Good luck explaining to your buddies why 4th place in comp isn't so bad because you soul and emotional needs were being satisfied.

Yeah but but its got personality...

 

[randyhub]

I took my time choosing a bolt action gun. I wanted .223 as it shares the ammo I already have and works great for pests.

After looking at the T3, Mossberg Patrol, Rem 700, AXIS Savage, I bought a Savage Hog Hunter in .223.

The T3 was very nice but was pricey, the Mossberg had a sloppy fragile bolt and the mag was sloppy, the 700 was nice but the new ones seemed lower quality than older ones, the Savage seemed tough but ugly.



After a couple of years the Savage exceeded my expectations. It likes 75 grain slugs but also shoots 55 grain ball. I added a cheek riser, sprayed foam into the stock, and epoxied metal rods into forend, stock is much more rigid.

The money I saved buying the Savage will allow me to save for a MDT tactical stock, as the matte finish, metal iron back up sights, threaded heavier 20" barrel, suits it.



All in all this rifle shoots incredible, as I cranked the Accutrigger down and it is just nice, and at the the time it only cost 469.00 for the rifle, nothing else had a heavier threaded barrel with metal back up sights. There will always be Savage haters out there but not me, as I bought it as a tool not a pretty safe queen.

The paper target was shredded from the splatter, my buddy shot this this group (he used to compete in the Forces) using ammo he had loose in a bag:

 

[aheppner]

this Savage shoot pretty well. looks good too I think

 

[chrismc]

Well, FWIW, i have had a pile-o-Tikka's, and now two higher end Savages - Tikkas much better built (except for the recoil lug thing), but the two Savages I have are lasers - unlike the T3's i owned. My T3's were at best MOA (except the 223varm which was 3/4moa)... the two savages i have are 1/2 moa or less consistently.
Sold all my T3's after dumping huge amounts of $$$ into some of them trying to get them to shoot. I would however, like to get a T3 sporter in 260 rem....

 

[stubblejumper]

Well, FWIW, i have had a pile-o-Tikka's, and now two higher end Savages - Tikkas much better built (except for the recoil lug thing), but the two Savages I have are lasers - unlike the T3's i owned. My T3's were at best MOA (except the 223varm which was 3/4moa)... the two savages i have are 1/2 moa or less consistently.
Sold all my T3's after dumping huge amounts of $$$ into some of them trying to get them to shoot. I would however, like to get a T3 sporter in 260 rem....

I have owned three T-3 rifles, Varmint Stainless rifles in 6.5x55, and .223rem, and a tactical in .223rem, and all were sub 1/2moa shooters for five shots.