Dear fellow members and guests,
Although there are really no special requirements to being a moderator here at GBO, I really try to do my best by not only reviewing all of your posts but, just as importantly, actually going out and testing as many rifles as possible so that I can (hopefully) give you good, unbiased comments based on true hands-on experience. Obviously this doesn't mean that I am compelled to go out and buy every bolt-action rifle out there (nor does any manufacturer give me any guns to test - although I certainly wish they did
), but seeing that I do enjoy the topic of bolt action rifles, I try to get different makes and models, especially those that are really hot at the time. I say this in part because many of you have posts on Tikkas, especially the new T3s, and also Kimbers.
To this extent, I have the following makes of bolt action rifles: Browning, Remington, Winchester, Tikka, Sako, and Kimber (and maybe another make that I probably can't think of right now.)
As for Kimber, I have an 8400 Montana (stainless synthetic) in .300WSM on order. It has been on order for almost a year, and I am still waiting. Hopefully it will be here soon. As for the .300WSM cartridge, yea, it's a hot one, so since most of our guests were talking about it, and since I too had an interest in it, I decided to buy one. This way, I would kill two birds with one stone.
Another hot topic of discussion lately has been the Tikka T3. Now, as many of you know, I am a true Tikka fan, at least a Tikka Whitetail Hunter fan. While I have held a T3 in my hands, I haven't shot one yet, at least not that I remember right now. (Several people at the local gun range let me shoot their guns and test their scopes, so right now I really can't remember if I shot a T3 - plus I have a really bad headache right now too which also interfers with my memory a bit.
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In any event, I wanted you guys to know that I just ordered a Tikka T3 Stainless in .300WSM. The reason I did this is as follows:
First, I really want to be able to give everyone a first hand report on the differences between the T3 and the Kimber 8400. Both are lightweight rifles, and both are chambered in the .300WSM. The difference in price, however, is double - the Kimber 8400 Montana costs about $1,000, while the Tikka T3 is about $535. (In fact, I bought the stainless T3 for $535.00 from Ozarkguns. - which leads me to the second reason.)
Second, many people have asked me about doing business with Ozark guns. I have never done business with them before, and this is my first time - so then I can give a first hand report on this as well.
Third, it is very difficult (or at least it appears to be very difficult) to get a T3 Stainless in .300WSM. Why? Well, I'm not quite sure, but there are very few quantities available. In fact, I understand that several dealers are putting customers on waiting lists, which, in turn, leads me to the fourth reason -
Fourth, I found ONE that was available, so I decided to get it now or else wait for God knows how long.
So, the Tikka should be here within a few weeks at the latest. I'm VERY busy with work right now, especially given that I have been, and will continue to, travel all over the place, especially Brazil, so it may take me longer to actually shoot the T3. Again, I have held this gun in my hands, but actually buying one will allow me more time to inspect it and thus give a better report.
Of course I also need to get scopes and scope mounts for these rifles. I recently bought an Elite 4200 2.5x-10x-40mm from Jon at the opticzone (one of our sponsors), with thoughts of mounting it to my Kimber when it came in. However, if the Tikka T3 comes in first, and it looks like it will, then I'll mount it to the T3 so that I can give you guys a report on it sooner rather than later.
So, what do you guys think about a comparision between the Kimber 8400 and the Tikka T3? Would you guys be interested in comparing the two?Zachary
