Author Topic: Remington 700 sps vs Tikka T-3 (Read 1730 times)

TomC1426 · « **on:** January 24, 2006, 06:31:39 PM »

I tried a search, but could not get anything to come up on this topic, so if its out there I'll say I'm sorry in advance.

I know both are great guns, and I'm not trying to start a flaming war. I just want honest opinions of people who have actually used both. I am looking at 243 cal and wonder how will they shoot the lighter 55 gr bullets.

Any input will be appreicated. I'm in the market now, and am leaning towards the Tikka based on the ease of the trigger adjustment and factory floated barrell.

Thanks
Tom

bladerunner · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2006, 08:09:39 PM »

I know nothing about the Remington,but I LOVE my Tikka

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:35:57 AM »

That is an easy one, the Tikka. Just an awesome gun.

Warthog · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2006, 03:39:37 AM »

The Tikka has a higher quality barrel, trigger, safety, stock and action. Other than that...

Zachary · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:20:25 AM »

As most members know, I own several Remingtons and Tikkas.

The Tikka is a better rifle.

Zachary

deerman12 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:42:27 AM »

I just can't believe Zachary would say that! :-D

smk · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:54:54 AM »

Instead of getting into a long description as to why, let me just say all my bolt guns used to be Remingtons. Then I bought my first Tikka. Now I own zero M700 and 5 Tikkas.

Squeeze · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:26:30 AM »

My son thought he wanted to be a military sniper, and he was 17,
so he wanted a "sniper" rifle. We found a new Remington 700 ADL,
which looks a lot like today's SPS, at a gun shop that was closing
the doors, for $300. It was chambered in .270 Win, so he could use it for
the big game hunting he might do in Wisconsin. Just weeks
earlier, I had purchased a Tikka Whitetail Hunter(M695), in
stainless/laminate, chambered in .25-06 Rem. This was the
end of the last production run of M695s :cry:

The difference in these two guns was VERY easy to see, and
feel. The trigger on the Remington needed a crowbar to
get it to break, and the Tikka broke like glass out of the box.
The fit and finish on the Remington was shoddy, and the
Tikka, was incredible. The Tikka came out of the box, shooting
Winchester silver box ammo into .75 MOA groups, and the
Remington held about 1.5 MOA groups. Granted, the Tikka
cost me about $200 more than the Remington, but it was
Stainless/Laminate versus the Remington which was Blued/
Synthetic. Well it really wasn't blued, but rather almost that
parkerized finish Remington puts on there SP model firearms.

We did do the usual stuff to the Remington, like bed the
action, relieve the barrel channel, and get the local trigger
wizard to fix the lawyer trigger on the Remington, and
we got my son shooting .75 MOA groups, with my hand loads.
But the Tikka is turning .4 MOA groups, with my handloads,
on average, with a few in the . 3 MOA range when the planets
align. And the Remington bolt still feels rough, compared
to the silky smooth Tikka bolt.

Since then, I have purchased two new bolt action rifles.
The first one was a Savage, since I have heard all of the
claims about out of box accuracy, and yes it is VERY accurate.
But a man can only own so many "utility" rifles, and the
next purchase was a Tikka T-3...There will be more Tikka rifles
following me home. I sincerely doubt if Remington will even
get a look from me.

Squeeze

anweis · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:42:39 AM »

Quote from: smk

Instead of getting into a long description as to why, let me just say

...that i decided only one rifle, regardless of price, make, caliber, and anything else. I looked at all of them, Tikka went home.

blittle2003 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2006, 02:38:04 PM »

I have a remington 700 in .270 win and a Tikka T3 in .243. I do not have any results on the lighter weight bullets for you, but the T3 shoots the 95 gr. Federal Fusion bullets into 1/2" at 100 yards.

The Tikka is a much better rifle. The trigger comes from the factory without needing to be tuned, it is lighter and is more accurate. Since you are looking at a .243, which had really mild recoil, the T3 is a great idea because it will be easier to pack and won't beat the snot out of you every time you pull the trigger.

I would hate to see remington go the way of winchester, but if I was to buy another rifle today, it would be a Tikka hands down.

Brandon

Zachary · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2006, 03:07:41 PM »

It's funny - I discovered Tikkas about 4 or 5 years ago, when very few people knew about them. After I bought my first Tikka, I remember how very much impressed I was about it. I posted my thoughts here at GBO. Back then, few of our members would recommend Tikkas. Today, after reading all of these particular posts, it's funny how virtually everyone recommends the Tikka.

I may be a strong advocate for Tikkas, but Tikkas really do sell themselves. :grin:

I know that, since my discovery of Tikkas, I purchased more and more Tikkas, and less and less Remingtons (or any other make for that matter.)

Zachary

mjbgalt · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2006, 03:09:47 PM »

I went to the gun shop today to look and to get some reloading supplies and since i had sold my .243 for cash, and now have the time and inclination, i went looking for what a new one would set me back.

i wanted to look at tikka but they didnt have any in stock, even though the guy said he had nothing but praise for them.

i ended up getting my reloading stuff....and a browning a-bolt in .243.

-Matt

bladerunner · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2006, 04:20:32 PM »

mjbgalt ,CONGRATS on the new rifle......tell us

when ya have a range report,please

mjbgalt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2006, 05:38:50 PM »

I will let you know. I think Sunday i will be able to get out there. I started a new job this week and have been putting in crazy hours, so no more sneaking out after work to shoot.

I have a couple factory loads to try and then it will be handloads as soon as i get my dies.

-Matt

TomC1426 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2006, 09:54:38 PM »

Thanks to everyone for responding. Looks like the Tikka wins hands down. Kind of what I expected from reading other posts on this board. So I went to my local dealer and laid one away. If I can sell another gun I have (think I've got her sold) then the Tikka should be coming home with me next weekend. Once in hand I'll let everyone know how she shoots.

Thanks again,
To,

bladerunner · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2006, 01:43:33 AM »

Tomc,You WON'T be disappointed CONGRATS

Grubbs · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2006, 03:57:27 AM »

Tomc, congrats. Like everyone else I love my 3 tikkas.....1 whitetail (had for 5 years), and 2 T-3's. All shoot factory ammo at .75" or less. Best bang for the buck out there in my opinion.

whitedogone · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2006, 04:14:44 PM »

NO T3's for us lefty's :evil: :evil: :evil:

WDO

Ponydog · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2006, 04:29:03 PM »

I guess they must shoot well...but I have handled a few at Gander Mtn , and other places..blued and walnut......and the "wood" looks and feels like the stuff they used to put on the old Crossman pump pellet guns......not a slam....just an observation.....it looked like a synthetic pressed product stained to look LIKE wood......In comparison, the Kimbers, Remingtons, Brownings, and even the New Savage 114 all had much better looking wood...maybe I looked at a model that really wasn't wood...do they make such an animal ?? Regardless, I hear only great spots about their shooting ability .....hope it does well for you .

TomC1426 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2006, 07:35:59 PM »

Well I went to pick up my Tikka monday and once I got it home and out of the box to my surprize what the dealer got in was the T-3 Hunter. (Don't ask me why I did not look closer while there) Will needless to say I fell in love with the wood stock right away. I called back to let him know the mistake and to make sure he didn't get burned on it. He told me that it was a mistake on the distributer and if I was happy he was ok with it. Well I'm tickled to death, and if she shoots half as good as everyone says they will, oboy! Weather permitting I'm going to the range this weekend, and I'll post the results.

Thanks again for everyones input,
Tom

kudzu · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2006, 03:29:41 AM »

I too looked at the tikka when lookin for a 270wsm. I loved the action but the stocks just didn't fit me. Not a slam, they just didn't fit ME. The action was very smooth.

TomC1426 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2006, 05:11:07 AM »

I finally had a nice morning to go and try her out. Here are pics of gun and target. I don't blame the gun for the spread. I'm not that good of a shot. Target is 10" round and 100 yds away. Win .243 80 gr bullets.

Thanks,
Tom

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1161

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1162[/img]

Cobra7 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2006, 11:06:12 PM »

Do the Tikkas come with rings and bases? Sean

TomC1426 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2006, 11:10:45 PM »

Sure do.

Muddyboots · « **Reply #24 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:55:30 AM »

I guess I will be the lone ranger out there. I've owned both. Reload for past 30+ years and the T-3 in the 300WSM kicked my butt on not getting the level of accuracy I wanted. Yes, it is a nice rifle but Tikka decided to cut the throat differently for the 300 WSM such that you cannot seat bullets off the lands. This is pretty standard for most reloaders and I'm no different. The best accuracy I could get out of the Tikka with or without factory was exactly MOA. Pretty good for factory rifle. Would I buy another Tikka, yes but never in a WSM. The standard calibers throats are cut normal which is what I prefer for reloading. I purchased a Remington SPS in 300 WSM and out of first 20 rounds I had two different loads well under MOA. Same bullets, same powder as used in Tikka. Tried another bullet and powder in SPS and again several loads were well under MOA. Mind you, I tried extensive powders and bullets in Tikka to get one load that got to MOA. The throat on the SPS is standard and I am more comfortable reloading that way. Would I buy another Tikka? yes as long as it is in a standard caliber. Would I buy another Remington? Yes, I have always been satisfied with their performance. Triggers - The SPS adjusted very nicely down to 2.75 pounds so what is big deal? The Tikka trigger was nice but not so nice that it was heads and shoulders above an adjusted Remington trigger. Bottom line is in results. All my Remingtons shoot well inside MOA. I've never had a bad one. The only rifles that I have ever had that didn't get it done were Ruger No. 1, Ruger M-77. Note I didn't say the Tikka since it still shot well enough. The SPS is heavier and comes with R-3 pad which provide better platform for off-hand in my opinion. You have to go with what works for you. So far, 700's work for me. The T-3 in 300 WSM didn't.
Muddy