Author Topic: Tikka T3....Savage....Or ? (Read 3022 times)

IKE · « **on:** June 01, 2007, 11:35:28 PM »

I'm in the market for a new bolt rifle in 7mm-08 and I believe I've pretty much narrowed my search down between the Tikka T3 Hunter or a new Savage 11G Hunter with the Accu-Trigger.....I'm pretty much a "wood & blue" sort of guy.

From what I've read both are pretty darn accurate right out of the box, have adjustable triggers and don't require a expensive trip to the gunsmith, for accurizing, before heading to the range the first time.

Between the two which way would you fellas go ?

Ike

Aardvark · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2007, 04:21:37 AM »

how could you go wrong with either...They are both "Top Guns".

Val · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2007, 08:02:44 AM »

I agree, their both good. Pick the one that feels the best when mounting it to your shoulder.

ratgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2007, 01:15:41 PM »

I agree with the above,however it is also a good idea to buy American nowadays more than ever.

Mauser · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2007, 05:34:47 AM »

Ratgunner: I agree with you, but I think the Savages are made in Canada.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2007, 03:23:07 PM »

I respectfully disagree with all of you. The Savage, while an accurate gun, is nowhere close to the class of a Tikka. The Tikka's quality,fit and finish, is among the best in factory rifles. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Tikka is about a 9, and Savage is about a 5.

Zachary

Ahab · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2007, 05:52:43 AM »

Quote from: Zachary on June 15, 2007, 03:23:07 PM

I respectfully disagree with all of you. The Savage, while an accurate gun, is nowhere close to the class of a Tikka. The Tikka's quality,fit and finish, is among the best in factory rifles. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Tikka is about a 9, and Savage is about a 5.

Zachary

Yes, Zach, you are so right.

mlg · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2007, 09:23:27 AM »

I would buy the Tikka anyday or though I believe the Savages are good.

Handwerk · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2007, 03:10:02 PM »

Zach pegged it, tikka all the way.

IKE · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2007, 11:16:33 PM »

I was leaning towards the T3 and you fellas have convinced me that is the best way to go.

Thank you for the input gentlemen.

Ike

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2007, 09:55:48 AM »

Quote

I respectfully disagree with all of you. The Savage, while an accurate gun, is nowhere close to the class of a Tikka. The Tikka's quality,fit and finish, is among the best in factory rifles. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Tikka is about a 9, and Savage is about a 5.

+1

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2007, 11:05:31 AM »

I took my first "really good close look" at a Tikka last week. In my opinion it's as ugly as the Savage. I also didn't really think it "looked quality" to me. I admit the gray laminated stock looked nice which was why I picked it up in the first place. I thought that it looked real nice and that maybe, just maybe I could talk myself into one because of the stock. But after a close examination I decided that there will be no Tikka's coming home with me.

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2007, 09:40:16 AM »

GB, what was your initial impression with the Tikka's quality and fit & finish? Did you find the bolt to be silky smooth and the trigger to be light and crisp?

Zachary

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2007, 09:57:10 AM »

To be honest Zach I didn't bother to check the bolt or trigger. The action to me was as ugly as a Savage and the barrel channel in the stock was cut grossly wrong. That stock will have to be replaced before it will shoot even half decent groups. One side had a wide gap you could likely have dropped a dime and maybe even a penny into at the widest point and the other side had the barrel pushing hard against it. Clearly it would string shots all over the place. It was the poorest quality I've seen in a rifle in a long time.

Now the factory might make it all right and that rifle might turn out to be a good one for whomever the unlucky buyer is but for sure it ain't gonna be me and because of the above it's unlikely I'll even bother to look at another.

35Rem · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2007, 11:47:25 AM »

Neither are "Lookers" in my opinion. I know Savages can Shoot, and am sure the Tikkas can too.

At least Savage Finally got around to making a short action, though. Don't think Tikka has.

EDIT: Don't think the Savage Centerfires are made in Canada, either. Been made in m-Assachusetts since the 50's I think (the model 110)

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2007, 06:51:55 AM »

Quote from: Zachary on June 26, 2007, 09:40:16 AM

GB, what was your initial impression with the Tikka's quality and fit & finish? Did you find the bolt to be silky smooth and the trigger to be light and crisp?

Zachary

I was back in the shop today so picked up the Tikka again to check the bolt for smoothness. I'd rate it far below ALL of my Remington's for smoothness. It was quite rough and gritty feeling to me, not at all what I'd call smooth. Beside it was a new Sako and the bolt on it too was as rough as on the Tikka. Not a single one of the Remington guns in the shop were as rough as the Sako and Tikka.

You guys can oooh and ah over them all you want but I'll stick with Remington for quality and accuracy. They've never let me down yet.

Zachary · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2007, 03:45:51 PM »

I'm almost speechless. And the reason for that is I know that you are a man of your word, and call a spade a spade, which leaves me scratching my head as to why both a Tikka AND Sako would have rough bolts. Granted, I have not purchased a Tikka or Sako for a at least a year or so, but I am just dumbfounded as to a Tikka and Sako having rough bolts. I'm almost tempted to mail you one of my Tikkas which I bought NIB and let you shoot it because I promise you that, at least my Tikkas and Sakos, are one of the smoothest factory bolt-action rifles around. I wish that we lived closer to each other because I would let you shoot whatever rifle of mine that you wanted.

I guess maybe there must have been a bad batch? I don't know, and I won't make any excuses for them. I'm just very surprised, especially in light of the fact that so many people have praised the quality, fit and finish, and smoothness of theTikka.

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with them. I'm sure that it will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth for quite a while.

Zachary

Minnesota1 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2007, 04:31:00 AM »

GB,

I am shocked as well. I've owned a couple Rem. 700's and I have one now and a couple A-Bolt's. None of the Bolt's throws even close to as smooth as my 2 Tikka's. Accuracy wise Both my tikka's shoot between 1/2" to 3/4" groups with off the shelf ammo. You must have just had some bad luck because I've held and tried many Tikka's and I've never felt a gritty action and never a bad trigger. As far as looks go their plastic type stocks are just as good looking, IMHO, as most out there and the same goes with their laminate. I really enjoy the light weight qualities when hiking around hunting.

Thanks,

Bob

smk · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2007, 10:06:26 AM »

I don't think GB handled a "bad batch" of Tikka and Sako rifles. Each person's definition of smoothness will vary, it's a subjective feel. To me, Remingtons are rough as a cob compared to a Tikka.

Cement Man · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2007, 12:19:16 PM »

The smoothness of a bolt action has always been an issue that puzzles me somewhat. I have dozens of bolt rifles with a wide variety of smoothness on how the bolts function. My "crown jewel" is a customized Argentine Mauser that was beautifully machined and finished to start out with. It is really a beautiful marriage of steel parts. On the other hand, I own some Savages that are considerably rougher, and I have Rugers, Winchesters, Brownings, etc. that fall in the middle. But, so what? The roughest bolt action I have has never missed a lick when shooting as fast as I can at a moving target, and will shoot sub-moa. The Tikka T3 that I looked has synthetic inserts and as expected is very smooth and quiet. It feels "very nice". But so what? I just don't see any performance-related benefit to that. There are so many aspects to the design and function of a bolt rifle that I find more important - to me.
I am not the least bit attracted to the Tikka - although I believe that they are accurate, and everything Tikka fans proclaim them to be. I have nothing against the Tikka, just not for me as I prefer different safety system, bolt design, etc. I just think that the smooth bolt function is a wonderful answer to a non-existent problem. Yes, it does feel better. And feeling better is nice. But it's really way far down on my list of importance. Just my opinion..........

Rev Buck · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2007, 04:36:58 PM »

I'm pretty shocked too

. I know GB is a good fellow and knows what he's talking about, so I wonder what happened to the ones he looked at. When you open the bolt on my Tikka it practically falls out -- couldn't be smoother. The trigger is great too. My barrel is completely free floated -- I can slide a dollar bill all the way to the chamber. Actually I handled 4 or 5 of them off the rack before I chose the one I wanted, and they were all like that. So,,GB's experience has got me curious $:-\$ Rev

Graybeard · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2007, 05:11:56 PM »

Cement Man you'll get no argument from me about bolt smoothness. I've seen darn few bolt guns on which it was even remotely an issue and those were easily enough fixed with a bit of effort.

Why the two (Tikka and Sako) bolts were rough and gritty I dunno but likely cuz the shop just pulled them from the box and put them on the rack with no cleaning and no lubing. Still the Remington rifles I'm sure get the same treatment and are smoother than those two. I have no doubt that if I bought either and brought it home once I cleaned it good and lubed it properly the action would smooth up just fine. I only addressed the issue because Zack asked about them so I went back and checked.

The barrel channel issue on the Tikka laminated stock now was just plain poor QC and that gun is not gonna shoot good at all for whoever buys it. I have no doubt it will be back in the shop very quickly after someone tries it and it won't group.

I once purchased a Remington 700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in .260 that was just like it. The gun was in the owner's office leaning against the wall when I was in there talking to him. I asked him the price and he told me what he'd take. Said the guy bought it for his son and within a week returned it for a different gun. Right away I KNEW something was likely wrong but what the heck it was a REMINGTON and the price was right. I took it home, checked it over and noticed the same off center barrel channel. I knew it wasn't gonna group but took it out to check.

I then contacted Remington via phone and explained it all to them. The nice lady said box the stock up and return it and we'll get a new replacement out to you today. I did and so did they and the replacement was perfect in all regards and the rifle shot nicely afterward.

I suspect Tikka might do the same, dunno as I have no experience with them. But I know and trust Remington and have no doubt they will do right by me if and when a rare problem crops up. They always have and I have no doubt they always will.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2007, 01:03:17 PM »

the dark stainless of a tikka t3 lightweight got to me a couple months ago. the bolt was silky smooth......but the C-H-E-A-P plastic magazine totally turned me off. i think that bolt was smoother than a Sako, but i don't pay too much attention to Sako. the stock on the Tikka was tolerable, but the metalwork was actually ugly to me. but that plastic magazine was a joke! it'd be like putting cheap false teeth into a woman running for Miss America

still, i'd agree with GB' and stick with a Remington bolt gun in either Model Seven or Model 700. NO, i don't think Rem' should have fooled with the model 710. it's crap! but i don't see anything, on the average, outshooting a Model 700 right out of the box.

just my two cents,

ss'

Grubbs · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2007, 09:26:42 AM »

GB, I'm calling BS on the smooth issue. Remy never made one as smooth as any Tikka I have ever handled (I own 3). You've got to be kidding......

Graybeard · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2007, 09:54:47 AM »

If you see me post something on these forums unless I make it clear that it's a JOKE then it's the truth as best as I can tell it.

BOTH the Tikka and the Sako in that shop were gritty feeling to my hands far more so than any of the Remington guns in that shop or the over 100 of them I've owned for the MOST PART. I do recall a Model 541T that when I got it was HORRIBLY rough but smoothed easily enough with some cleaning and the application of JB Bore Paste. BUT that's NOT a centerfire which is what we're discussing here.

I mentioned above I felt at least a large part of it was that the action wasn't cleaned and properly lubed and felt that doing that would enhance the smooth feel of it. I honestly can't recall operating the bolt on any other Tikka or Sako rifle in the past. I cannot say therefore how these two compare to others. I've noticed others in the shop in the past but they just really did nothing for me so I didn't bother checking them out. Only the gray laminated stock on the Tikka caused me to pick this one up and only Zach's question to me caused me to work the action.

You have my honest evaluation of them as compared to well over 100 Remington rifles I've owned and the others I've operated in that shop and many others over the years. Believe as you will but it is NOT my way to mislead anyone here thru ommission or commission but to tell you what my 50+ years of shooting andy hunting experience have taught me and what the ownership of what is likely now close to 500 different rifles, handguns and shotguns have taught me.

Grubbs · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:02:53 AM »

Tikkas also have a MOA guarantee. You may not know that since you "guaranteed" the Tikkas you handled wouldn't shoot. Does a factory Remy have the MOA guarantee GB? Don't think so. That's why I still call BS on your Tikka bashing posts.

Graybeard · « **Reply #26 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:08:19 AM »

Bye bye Grubbs. You called me a liar once and got by with it with only a definitive statement from me that if I post something on here it will be truth as I know it. But you insisted on doing it again. So we'll not be needing you around here any longer. You are banned from this site. Go see how many other site owners will allow you to call them a liar before they ban you also.

Aardvark · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2007, 03:37:16 PM »

I'm with GB on the Remintons 700...I own 3 and will no doubt own more before I croak...Never shot a Tikka or a Sako so I can't comment on them but I did notice on this post nobody said anything about the Winny's..I own 2 670's and a 770 and don't have a problem with either of those and they were bottom of the line for their time...Thats OK, I will cruise the auction sites and pick them up for $300...Oh and 2 of my Remmys are olld ADL's which are also "bottom feeders"...Tikka and Sako would have to be darn good to be a whole lot better than these....G'day.

Prophet · « **Reply #28 on:** July 24, 2007, 11:12:17 AM »

Some folk are just blinded by the "green machine" I had many Rem. I prefer something different. The last three I bought were far inferior to the Rems.of old. Personally I prefer Kimber but that is my choice and everyone still has the right to buy what they want , shoot what they want and to be proud of what they own. It could be a Stevens or a Jarret. After all its just a gun so why all the flaming. Personal attack deleted by Graybeard. Unless you want to join Grubbs on the banned list you'd be wise to not try again. GB

Rev Buck · « **Reply #29 on:** July 24, 2007, 04:37:48 PM »

My experience with the composite ("plastic") magazine on the Tikka has been good. It's lightweight, durable, and functional. Even though it is plastic, I have no complaints. After all this is the 21st century and lots of good things are made of plastic. This mag will probably last as long as I have the rifle and it will not rust like the cheap pot metal one on my BLR. Every man is entitled to his opinion but this has been my experience.
When I was shopping for this rifle I was also considering the Remington 798 because I have always liked the Mark X action. After reading the Jon Sundra review I changed my mind. What he found was a stiff tight action, mediocre accuracy, and a horrible trigger. So I bought the Tikka and haven't turned back. If I ever decide I just have to have a CRF rifle it will be a CZ or a Sako. The only Remington I have now is a 700ML muzzleloader which is a very good rifle.
The only thing I didn't like about the Tikka was the rings that came with it. I got me some Talleys and now I'm a happy camper.

Blessings, Rev