Tikka's Really that good?

[KevDawg]

I've been researching the hell out of new rifles.
My budget is under $2000
I've come down to a Tikka t3x, Browning Hells Canyon or Weatherby Vangurard.

Pretty much every article or forum post I read has complaint in some way about the Browning and Weatherby but no one seems to have a bad thing to say about the Tikka.


Are Tikka's really that good?
Is it worth the extra $$ to go up to a Sako?

Thanks in advance for your opinions & input.

[GloatingKitten]

Go with the Tikka you won't be let down

[Redneck Tommy]

They only have one action length long and the magazine sticks out my biggest dislikes about them.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by GloatingKitten

Go with the Tikka you won't be let down

Son has one...7-08...10 plus years....got it when he was 15...teenagers are hard on things...-30 to +30....moose to yotes....no issues at all.

[Groundhogger]

Originally Posted by KevDawg

I've been researching the hell out of new rifles.
My budget is under $2000
I've come down to a Tikka t3x, Browning Hells Canyon or Weatherby Vangurard.

Pretty much every article or forum post I read has complaint in some way about the Browning and Weatherby but no one seems to have a bad thing to say about the Tikka.


Are Tikka's really that good?
Is it worth the extra $$ to go up to a Sako?

Thanks in advance for your opinions & input.

^Yes, and probably. I recently sold a very accurate heavy barrel Savage and a Ruger semi auto so that I could get a Tikka T3x Varmint in .204. Zero regrets so far. Sub MOA using factory ammo, I'm now working up loads. The trigger on mine was a little heavy even after dialing it all the way down...so I replaced the trigger spring with a Yo Dave. Easy job/big improvement, about $15 expense. lol The Tikka trigger breaks so cleanly from the factory that an aftermarket/drop-in was no temptation.

I've shot a Sako Varmint in .223, I don't think there is a nicer, factory rifle than that...and I once owned a Cooper. For my needs, I don't believe the extra $ for a SAKO would improve the accuracy OR shooting experience at all. I don't see how it could. No denying the SAKO is superb, but the Tikka is a remarkable gun for the money. I should have made the switch some time ago, but really digging this rifle.

[270person]

Tikka are good guns. So are Wby. I've owned one Browning but didnt care for it
Junk trigger and more plasticky feel than the other 2.

Look at CZ.

[Red Bullets]

I bought a new Tikka T3 hunter (30-06) and right out of the box it was such a treat to shoot. Mine had a wooden stock. Barely any recoil. Could shoot it all day.

[honker_clonker]

Only gripes about mine are the mag is seemingly a few thou over max length of my 300 win mag bullets so when I shoot, the recoil deforms the tips on my Accubonds and there is no messing around with bullets loaded closer to the lands unless you single load them. I also had crazy poi wandering in the factory stock, all changed with the bell and carlson medalist however. Great shooter now.

[270person]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I bought a new Tikka T3 hunter (30-06) and right out of the box it was such a treat to shoot. Mine had a wooden stock. Barely any recoil. Could shoot it all day.

Dont hear that about T3's much. Oversll they were pretty brutal on the recoil side. Total junk pad. T3x is much better.

I'd actually say that comparing equivalent cartridges above 270 the T3 was the worst by far for recoil. Short of the old Husky's etc. Browning, Weatherby, Remington and Winchester are much better at mitigating recoil.

Plus you move away from all the plastics. Bolt shroud, trigger guard, etc etc. T3x is much better value for the buck and at 850-925 a very decent buy.

[lone wolf]

I have had a lot of Tikkas over the years. All great shooters, and all had the stock swapped out to a Bell & Carlson ~ trust me it is night and day. If you are even remotely considering a Sako have a close look at the Christensen Mesa. They are very, very well made and cheaper than the Sakos. Cannot speak to the accuracy of my Mesa yet as I am still breaking in the barrel, however the fit and finish are excellent for a bog standard factory gun.

[Groundhogger]

Originally Posted by 270person

Dont hear that about T3's much. Oversll they were pretty brutal on the recoil side. Total junk pad. T3x is much better.

I'd actually say that comparing equivalent cartridges above 270 the T3 was the worst by far for recoil. Short of the old Husky's etc. Browning, Weatherby, Remington and Winchester are much better at mitigating recoil.

Plus you move away from all the plastics. Bolt shroud, trigger guard, etc etc. T3x is much better value for the buck and at 850-925 a very decent buy.

Some of the lights are less than that, the varmints a fair bit more. Places like Cabela's list the varmints around $1350, but I got mine from a dealer for $100 less, and shipping included. If I have 1 criticism of the varmint, it has to be the protruding mag. I'd prefer one of the (almost) flush ones, but they sell for almost $90 plus tax. Good mags are expensive, I get that...but if these mags cost half as much, I'd still think they were too expensive. lol Mine functions perfectly, but I'm not crazy about it. Small gripe about an otherwise great rifle.

[averagejoe]

Originally Posted by 270person

Dont hear that about T3's much. Oversll they were pretty brutal on the recoil side. Total junk pad. T3x is much better.

The hunter is a wood stock so the weight soaks up a bit of the recoil vs the plastic stock which is what most people have. IIRC it is a tad over a 1/2 lb heavier.

Replacing the stock recoil pad with a softer one helped even more.

[SakoShooter]

Originally Posted by KevDawg

Are Tikka's really that good? YES
Is it worth the extra $$ to go up to a Sako? YES

Thanks in advance for your opinions & input. YOU'RE WELCOME

Downsides of the Tikka that matter to me:
- 1 action length....all are long actions
- single stack 3 round magazine that protrudes below the action
- stocks could be better.

[BlackHeart]

Originally Posted by SakoShooter

Downsides of the Tikka that matter to me:
- 1 action length....all are long actions
- single stack 3 round magazine that protrudes below the action
- stocks could be better.

The above are the most common complaint against them.
You could spend another 1200-1400 for a Sako 85 and solve them....

There are also 5 round mags.
I like the mag shape.....easy to fit to fit in your front breast pocket, inside jacket chest pocket , or back hip pocket. Try that with a double stack.

I dislike hinge plates. Seen nice guns with rust in the front of receiver where bolt locks in. Reason.....hunting in snowy conditions. Guy unloads by unhinging, bullets spill in the snow, fishes them out, puts them in a front jacket hip pocket with wet snow covered hands. Buddy suggests they try a different cut line. Reloads the wet bullets with wet hands. Chambering a bullet wipes the moisture off and leaves it right where it can’t be seen but will rust if not cleaned soon.

Most of my hunting guns are Tikkas or CZs
Last gun I bought was a heavy barrel Tikka in 204ruger.
Factory loads 32gr ....put all 5 with no paper left between them...can only see 3 part circles.

Same effect for my Tikka 260rem.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by SakoShooter

Downsides of the Tikka that matter to me:
- 1 action length....all are long actions
- single stack 3 round magazine that protrudes below the action
- stocks could be better.

Same but different order.
1) stocks could be better. For sure
2) action length....all are long actions but in 7mag or 30-06 not a big deal
3) single stack 3 round magazine that protrudes below the action not bad but not desirable

[huntingfamily]

Best advice I can give is to visit your nearest gun store that carries these 3. Handle them all and buy the one that fits you best as that is the most important thing.
They will all shoot well.
I was in the same boat as you and opted for the Hell's Canyon after handling the ones I had narrowed it down to.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by KevDawg

I've been researching the hell out of new rifles.
My budget is under $2000
I've come down to a Tikka t3x, Browning Hells Canyon or Weatherby Vangurard.

Pretty much every article or forum post I read has complaint in some way about the Browning and Weatherby but no one seems to have a bad thing to say about the Tikka.


Are Tikka's really that good?
Is it worth the extra $$ to go up to a Sako?

Thanks in advance for your opinions & input.

[wmd]

yes there that good

[honz]

I feel that the only downside of the T3x is the substantial number of aftermarket parts and upgrades available.