Author Topic: Steyr vs. Tikka (Read 2344 times)

dougk · « **on:** May 21, 2005, 12:08:43 PM »

I have a Tikka Whitetail in 30-06 which I love. I am looking at a 25-06 for a reach out and touch something gun. I am considering a Steyr or Tikka. Does anyone have any experience with both?

I am familiar with the Steyr handguns which are great.

Thanks,
Doug

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2005, 01:35:34 PM »

I have shot a Steyr Pro Hunter in .270 and it was nice, but I like the Tikka better (of which I own a few). You just can't go wrong with a Tikka.

Zachary

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2005, 01:58:11 PM »

Before you consider Steyr vs. Tikka, consider your caliber choice. Does a couple of inches less drop at 400 yards, with a much lighter bullet really make the .25-06 a reach out and touch something gun? It is darn hard to improve on the old '06 using the '06 case.

dougk · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2005, 01:50:13 AM »

I forgot to provide the application varmits and coyotes. The 30-06 even light grain (135) bullets do too much damage to the fur.
Doug

Zachary · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2005, 06:37:57 AM »

The 25-06 is really the only real deer/varmint combo cartridge in my eyes. Sure, you can use a .243, but that's generally on the light side for deer. Granted, the .25-06 is on the heavy side for varmints, but I prefer a tad heavy on varmints than too light for deer.

That said, what you should consider is getting another gun just for varmints, like a .22-250. That way you have your 30-06 for deer and the .22-250 for coyotes, etc.

Either way, I think that the Tikka is your best bet - especially the new Tikka Varmint Stainless Synthetic - if you can find one. :wink:

Zachary

Squeeze · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2005, 08:43:44 AM »

Doug,

At the risk of being a smart arse, why would you consider a Steyr,
when you already have experienced Tikka :lol:

I have a Tikka Whitetail, in .25-06 Rem, and when it came time
to buy a .223 Rem, bolt gun, I went right to Tikka, and got a T-3
Blued/Synthetic. I have only fondled Steyr, so I can't speak to
owning one, but I doubt I would spend the money to gain that
experience. Today my rifle purchases are limited to two brands.
If I want a rugged, no frills, rifle, that will see rough duty, I buy
a Savage, and if I want one with a better trigger, and fit and finish,
I buy a Tikka. I am not much for owning "purty" rifles. Maybe
someday, I will buy one for the wall, and it will probably be a Sako. To
put me in proper context, I once won a Beretta 686, with gold DU inlay,
with it's own velvet hard case, and after one outing where I feared I
would put a mark on this "purty" shotgun, I traded it for a
Browning Gold 10 gauge Stalker...The best trade I ever made :shock:

So I guess you are going to have to decide what you want in a
rifle. Me, I will be buying more Tikkas.

Squeeze

dougk · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:32:54 AM »

Hey Squeeze,
I am looking at the Steyr because I have a Steyr S-9 which might be the finest pistol I have owned. Also, I am familiar with several of Steyr's other products. Having said that. I have determined the answer to my question is Tikka. Tikka has the name, if I ever try to sell it for what ever reason. I fear if I purchase a Steyr it will not have the resale.

Also, Interestingly I traded a Beretta 686 Silver Perdez double barrel for the Tikka, a Huglu O/U and a Stoeger SxS. My wife could not believe the trade. I was very concerned that the Beretta was just to nice to be used as a field gun in TX.

Zachary · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:45:42 AM »

I should add that many people consider the Steyr stocks to be flimsy. I have shot the Pro-Hunter series, but do not specifically recall. I do know that the Tikkas have one of the best factory synthetic stocks, and one of the finest factory triggers - just like Sako.

Zachary

Grubbs · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2005, 04:43:11 AM »

I have a Steyr MIII Professional (the predecessor to the Pro Hunter), and it is a real tack driver and has a very smooth action and is well built. There are a couple of really neat things about the rifle I like.....the detachable rotary magazine is great, and I love the looks of the twisted barrel. All that being said, it was a $1000+ rifle. I also have 3 Tikkas (1 whitetail and 2 T-3's. They shoot just as good or better than the Steyr and at less than 2/3 of the cost of the Steyr. Would I buy another Steyr? As much as I like it I would buy the Tikka instead. You just can't beat 'em.

dougk · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2005, 04:49:09 PM »

Well I am sold on the Tikka. Hey I have one...

Plus I was thinking of replacing the Steyr stock with a wood stock, just more money that could be spent on a scope.. :-D

Thanks,
Doug

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2005, 05:29:46 AM »

Couple of things to consider----the Steyr is a fine rifle and you can't go wrong getting one-----but last I heard is that they lost their importer---part of the reason those M9's were dumped on the market so cheap----but I'm not sure there is a support network in place should something go wrong----or if you would have an easy time finding a rifle or parts.

Problem with the Tikka in .25-06 is that it comes with a 22in barrel---you won't be getting all the ooommmph out that cartridge in that gun as the .25-06 calls for at least a 24in barrel to get everything out of it.

Just a couple things to think about.

As much as I like Steyr's and Tikka's----if I were getting a .25-06---I be looking at the Browning or Ruger.

The .243 has a few things going for it---ammo is available EVERYWHERE at a lower cost and the short action rifle will be lighter and smaller ----the same can't be said for the .25

dougk · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2005, 04:42:24 PM »

OK "That changes everything">>>

I need to rethink this whole 25-06 thing. I did know the 24 inch barrel was the way to go... So now is the .243 the better round for 300-400 yd shots using factory ammo?

Doug

Medbill · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2005, 02:07:51 AM »

Here's one more reason to go with a Tikka T3 Hunter, this one is a .308...

Grubbs · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2005, 06:32:04 AM »

Med, that's good shooting. I have had similar results shooting my t-3's in 7-08 and 7mag shooting with a gun vise at sighting in session. Both easily shoot sub MOA and are actually closer to 1/2" groups. Come to think of it my 5 year old Tikka Whitetail in 7mag shoots just as well. All with factory ammo.

Squeeze · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2005, 10:15:32 AM »

Dougk,

OK let's put this in perspective. The Tikka barrels are 22 7/16" long.
Must be some metric thing. Anyway, that is 1 9/16" shorter than a 24"
barrel. Now depending on burn rates of the powder loaded, my rule of
thumb is 30 to 50fps MV loss per inch of barrel. In my mind 75 fps MV
less is a silly reason to not buy a Tikka. Given that the hand lapped
Sako barrel, on the Tikka, might actually give you back most of that
versus a less conditioned factory barrel. In my load development,
sticking with faster burning powders, I have seen very little difference
in MV, in the Tikka M695, and TIkka T-3, rifles I own, versus the
published max MVs in load data books. Actually one 85 gr. CTBT load
exceeds published maximum MV by 50 fps, with no signs of pressure.
I have backed down on this a bit, for the "pet load", since I would like
to see some barrel life out of this original barrel. It is VERY accurate.

Oh, on the question of long range rifles, for hunting purposes, I
would take my .25-06 Tikka, with it's puny 22 7/16" barrel, over
a .243 Win, with an 8 foot barrel...ANYDAY. :roll:

Squeeze

Medbill · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2005, 05:56:38 PM »

Thanks Grubbs, she still needs to be fully broken in! A pic says a thousand words and that rifle will do it again and again. If you really wanna see something I'll take a pic of it outside in the sun tomorrow. Wait till you see the wood on this thing, from the factory to boot!

B

dougk · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2005, 10:00:36 AM »

Squeeze,
thanks for the info. now I'm back with the Tikka 25-06. I will keep an eye out for a great used Whitetail or a fantastic deal on a T3.

Does anyone have a preferance between the Whitetail and T3. I have a Whitetail.

Doug

Todd1700 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2005, 08:07:57 PM »

Doug I own a Tikka T-3 in 25-06. When a rifle straight out of the box will shoot factory ammo like this trust me you will forget all about 75 fps of lost speed due to the barrel being 1 9/16 shy of 24 inches. These are 117 grain Hornady SP's fired from 100 yards.