Author Topic: Which Tikka (Read 5303 times)

SHW · « **on:** July 02, 2003, 09:48:36 AM »

I have decided to buy my first Tikka. It will be in 7mm Rem mag. I have found a local dealer who need to move some Tikkas at great prices.
Here are my choices:
Whitetail Hunter SYN/BLUE for $359.00
Whitetail Hunter Deluxe for $419.00
Can order a stainless T3 for $519.00

I really want a stainless, but theses prices in the Whitetail series will be hard to pass up. I hate to buy a T3, & then discover that the quality is not as good. As I undersatnd it, doesn't the T3 come with rings? I am going to look at the Deluxe model tomorrow. Any comments or suggestions.

THANKS

eroyd · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:49:02 AM »

It appears a lot of the Tikka dealers have just got the T3s in and are dropping the prices on their in stock Whitetail series rifles. That's why I posed the stainless/non-stainless question. I'm trying to decide as well. There are some good deals to be had.

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:00:52 AM »

I would go with the heaviest rifle they have in the 7mm which would be the stainless. I have seen plenty of the s.s and think they are very nice. For a lighter caliber the Delux would win hands down. Have fun shopping!!

Lagavulin · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2003, 06:22:30 PM »

Definately pass on the T3. I held one the other day and it felt like a squirt gun next to the whitetail series. I currently have the white tail stainless syn. in 7mm and love it. As was brought out, the prices for the whitetail series have dropped so I too am considering another stainless in 338wm, although my shoulder hurts just thinking about it :shock:

Zachary · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2003, 04:31:38 AM »

I have never held a T3 in my hands, but I can't imagine it being any better than the Whitetail Series.

It seems that many people are not that happy with the T3s. I think that Tikka may have to rethink what they are doing - especially with all this hogwash of a long action for all actions. :?

Zachary

Lagavulin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2003, 01:26:50 PM »

I cant believe they made the changes they did. The stock is now the typical hollow synthetic, the magazince almost all plastic, and way to light for my liking. One of the reasons I purchased the whitetail is the way it shoots straight back as opposed to muzzle up where you easily loose your target. I wonder how the new cheapo pricing will affect the m595 and m695's for resale? :roll:

TreeFarmer · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:35:06 PM »

I have 2 of the Whitetail deluxe rifles; that would be my top choice. I just saw one NIB in 7mm Rem Mag at a gun show about 2 weeks ago for $400, so the price you have listed is in line. I also saw and handled a T3 and was not impressed.

TreeFarmer

SHW · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2003, 04:23:12 PM »

I bought the Whitetail Deluxe today! Can't wait to take it to the range tomorrow & celebrate freedom. I all ready impressed with the rifle. I bought a Burris Fullfield II (3X9) For $160.00 & mounted it to the rifle. My first Burris for a rifle, the price seemed cheap enough. Glad to see that so many people are happy with the whitetail series, this is my first. :-D

longwinters · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2003, 09:57:53 AM »

What is the difference between the m595 and the m695? I have a Tikka 243 in the m595 and was curious.

Lagavulin · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2003, 11:49:38 AM »

Longwinters,

I believe the m595 is short action and the m695 long, the m695 magnum well....magnum.
I'm hoping the T3 pricing and quality will make the whitetail series more of a sought after item in the days ahead.
One thing good though about the T3 is I think the bolt throw is a little shorter....not as good as the Browning A bolt but improved. Anyone else notice this?

Lagavulin · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2003, 11:51:53 AM »

Longwinters,

I believe the m595 is short action and the m695 long, the m695 magnum well....magnum.
I'm hoping the T3 pricing and quality will make the whitetail series more of a sought after item in the days ahead.
One thing good though about the T3 is I think the bolt throw is a little shorter....not as good as the Browning A bolt but improved. Anyone else notice this?

SHW · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2003, 09:07:24 AM »

The deluxe I bought shoots 1 inch groups with Power point ammo & a make shift bench, can't wait to reload for it. I was so impressed with the deluxe, that today I ordered the plain wood model in 7MM Mag as well. Decided that I hate to beat up the deluxe model, and after reading the post about the T3's, decided to stick with the proven model.

I have owned guns from the Remington Custom Shop that didn't have as good of trigger or shoot any better that this first Tikka. :eek:

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2003, 12:29:45 PM »

Like I said, you will have VERY HAPPY with your new Tikka! :-D

$419 for the Tikka Deluxe is the lowest price I have ever seen. I called the same place where you bought yours and they said that they had 1 Deluxe left, and it too was in 7Mag. I already own a 7Mag (Browning Stainless Stalker) but $419 for a deluxe was just too good to pass up so I bought one as well.

I know what you mean about also buying the regular wood Tikka for hunting. For me, it's the opposite - I'll use the Browning Stainless Stalker for hard core hunting, and I'll use the Tikka Deluxe for those "Rolls Royce" hunting trips where the hunting is in nice box blinds that resemble luxury condos.

I own 17 rifles now - and ALL of them are ALL stainless synthetic - except for this Tikka Deluxe. It will probably get more use being looked at and admired by me and friends than being used in the field I'm sure. :grin:

Again, congrats on your new Tikka and congrats and your great groups. Realize that with premium factory ammo, or especially handloads, your groups will probably shrink to less than half and inch!!

Zachary

SHW · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2003, 10:35:57 AM »

Well my dealer called, & said he is out of the Tikka model I ordered. (Plain Wood) I may eat my words & buy a T3. There is a gun show here this weekend, hoping to put my hands on one. :?

eroyd · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2003, 11:22:55 AM »

Just ordered one of these:

http://www.wholesalesports.com/images/tikka/103636.gif

It's probably the least expensive model and cost is an issue. I really struggled with the stainless/blued issue and probably against my better judgement went for blued. I just can't get used to the look of stainless barrels ( I do own some ). Especially since the plastic (polymer) parts on this rifle (which is one of the few negs.) are in a contrasting black.

Going for Leupold bases, I've never had a problem with them, besides Milletts aren't readily available this side of the line.

I see that Sako owns Tikka and now Berreta owns Sako.

Zachary · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2003, 02:33:13 PM »

eroyd,

Truth be told, regardless if you get the stainless or blue, walnut or synthetic, all Tikkas shoot the same way - GREAT!

What caliber did you get?

Zachary

eroyd · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2003, 03:05:56 PM »

I'm getting a 308, the 6.5x55 I was looking at was the longer action and I really wanted a short action. Besides I'm all tooled up for 308 and have lots of components.

SHW · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2003, 12:15:47 PM »

Looked at T3's today. Not impressed at all. All plastic clip, & over all workmanship didn't seem to be there. Looked at stainless & wood models. Stainless model stock is very American- hence like Remingtons & Winchesters as earlier stated in forum. Think I will just get another Whitetail Hunter until the T3's are proven. I really wanted a T3, or so I thought. Any other opions on the T3? :shock:

eroyd · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2003, 08:33:18 AM »

Received my Whitetail synthetic. Has a nice feel to it and that trigger and action are really slick. I was expecting the bolt shroud, bolt realease and trigger guard to be 'plastic', however I am surpised that the entire magazine well area, release button and magazine are made of plastic. (except for the springs). IS THIS RIGHT? I could have sworn the one I looked at previously had some metal magazine parts. I wonder how these composite parts (especially the mag. button) will fare with ware and will the clip survive the inevitablel dropping accident.

As it turns out, the Leupold bases only fit the longer action so I won't be testing her out for a while. The joys of mail orders. :roll:

Zachary · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2003, 09:36:35 AM »

Actually, the bolt shroud, trigger guard, and detachable magazine ARE "plastic," but I think my problem with them is more cosmetic than anything else. Still, I too would rather it be metal as well.

Zachary

Lagavulin · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2003, 05:29:09 PM »

eroyd,

Dont worry about the plastic parts, they hold up extremely well (including the clip).
The only thing I noticed is that the trigger itself is a little prone to rusting, even though i have the SS synthetic. In our wet BC climate, its the only thing aside form the bolt and bore that I "oil" down.

eroyd · « **Reply #21 on:** August 11, 2003, 07:51:22 AM »

Range report: Finally got my B&L 6x24 on my Tikka (WT) syn. blued. With practically know time left before heading off to the Canadian Silhouette Nationals I headed to the range with my El-cheep-o plinker 308 loads. (rem bulk bullets, surplus ball powder). I couldn't get a group under 2.5" at 200 yards. Not good enough so decided to buy some factory ammo but found nobody had sufficient quantities of one type. As a last resort, I purchased a pound of Varget and two boxes of Nosler 155gr J4s and loaded them in all the misc. brass I had using two grains less than max. loads.

I can not give a specific group size but after sighting in on a still morning, was able to plant 3 consecutive shots on the same bullet mark at turkey distance. (375 meters)

- I was easily able to adjust trigger at the range to break crisply at just over two pounds.

- Accuracy did not seem to be effected by consecutive shots. (10 in 6 mins)

- Action worked extemely smoothly with one exception. For some reason when loading a mag with two rounds, the top round does a bit of a 'wheeley' when coming out of the mag. (further observation required)

- The rifle barely made weight class with above scope. (glad I went for a short action)

Overall I'm am very pleased with the package. It did outshoot my SAKO and some other rifles that were no doubt several times more expensive.
First time out on a high power event. My best score was 28 hits out of 40.

Since rebarrelling a rifle is almost as expensive as a new Tikka, I might just go out and pick one up as a spare while they're still available.

longwinters · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2003, 04:48:03 PM »

I would love to get one in 7M-08. My buddy has a stainless syn. And I thought all of it, even the mag, was metal. I will have to look at it again this weekend. I am sure this rifle is a few years old (in 243), and I would grab it in a minute if it were up for sale. WHAT A SHOOTER!!

long

gtrantow · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2003, 02:31:36 PM »

I plan to purchase a 7mm-08 Tikka WH plain or Deluxe. I am looking for a reputable dealer with a good price. Any recommendations?
The feedback I see on this site is Go Tikka GO 7mm-08. I currently own a Savage 7mm Rem Mag and I want a complimentary rifle that is easy to tote and wield in dark timber for elk and deer. By complimentary I mean no duplication. IF you owned only two rifles how does 7mm-08 and 7mmRegMag sound? I already purchased a Bushnell 4200 1.5x6-36 scope to mount on the Tikka. Any recommendations?

Zachary · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2003, 02:39:22 AM »

gtrantow,

First off, WELCOME ABOARD!

As for a reputable dealer, there are quite a few, but it is getting very difficult to find a Stainless Synthetic (or other model) Tikkas in a short action, especially 7mm-08 (my favorite).

Our members have listed some links to reputable dealers on this particular topic. Scroll back and take a look. Other than that, go to gunbroker or auctionarms. Like I said, it will be hard to find a short action Tikka Whitetail Hunter, but if you do, let me know and I'll tell you if I know the seller.

BTW, great choice for the scope. :wink:

Zachary

longwinters · « **Reply #25 on:** August 24, 2003, 05:49:03 AM »

gtrantow, That is exactly what I have chosen. I have a Sako 7mm and an Encore 7M-08. I like Thompson Center Encores but would take the same caliber in a Tikka in a split second if I had the ready cash. I have one in 243 and I love it.

long

gtrantow · « **Reply #26 on:** August 24, 2003, 07:58:15 AM »

Thanks for the advise. I cannot find a Tikka WH in 7mm-8 with wood stock so far. I am set on 7mm-08, what else would you recommend If Tikka WH is too elusive.

Zachary · « **Reply #27 on:** August 25, 2003, 05:04:11 AM »

Sako.

gtrantow · « **Reply #28 on:** August 25, 2003, 09:24:40 AM »

Zachary, thanks for all the help. Finally found a 7mm-08 Deluxe from Able Ammo :grin: . My hunting buddy also purchased a Deluxe 7mmRemMag.
Looking forward to putting on the Bushnell 4200 and getting to the range.
Thanks again,
George

Bill R · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2003, 04:10:36 AM »

It appears to me that the Tikka T3 is getting a bad rap from those who do not own, or who have only "handled" the rifle. Even though I have many different rifles in my safe, including a Sako Finnbear, I recently went to Walmart and ordered a T3 Light in .308 caliber ($408). I didn't need another rifle, but decided to try the T3. I put a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 on top and went out to sight in. To make a long story short, my last three shots were touching. What more can you ask of a rifle?

All I can say is that this Tikka T3, synthetic stock & blued feels good in my hands and comes up nice. It fits me! Granted, the synthetic stock leaves something to be desired, and I should have probably gone with the wood stock, but I wanted a foul weather rifle. This one will join the Sako, Winchesters, Remingtons, Weatherby, Parker-Hale, Browning BLR, etc. in my safe and I intend to give it a good test this season. It feels good! It feels right! I have no doubt it will do what I want it to do, and that is harvest deer in a quick, human manner.

So, until one owns and uses the Tikka T3, skip the hearsays and ennuendos. Happy hunting!