Kimber Montana vs Tikka T3 Lite

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sdtrapper618

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I am new to this addiction of coyote hunting and I am looking at purchasing a light weight predator gun. I am looking at either a Kimber Montana in 223 or a Tikka T3 Lite in 223. Any real life comparisons/criticisms/accolades of the two? Thanks!
 
I have had a Kimber longmaster and considered it a step up from Rem but still sold it. The Montana is a decent little rifle.
The Tikkas have proved out for me. Quite nice operating great trigger and accuracy. The first time I chambered a .223 round it skipped in so easily and quiet that I actually opened it to check. I was used to the Weatherby sounding and feeling like a safari round loading up.
Both the Tikka and Kimber have good resale which is my main measure.
 
Has anybody that owns a Tikka had issues with the magazine. I have a buddy that has a Savage 25 that has had many issues with the composite magazine that the rifle uses and I question the composite magazine on the Tikka?
 
I have the tikka t3 lite in 22-250. Love the rifle. Zero problems. It is my dedicated coyote rifle. Ever think about 22-250 or are you set on the 223?
 
Trust me man, the tikka ain't no savage. They function flawlessly and flat out shoot. Savage, in my opinion, you never know what your gonna get when it comes to functionality. They do shoot good though. Now for the Number, I owned a 7-08 Montana that was utterly dissapointing. It gave me like 2-4 inch groups at 100 yards, and for a rifle at that price point, that was totally unacceptable. They may be better now, I really can't say. I haven't gotten up the nerve to try another one. Reality is though, you can get a dud with any manufacturer out there. I just always had great rifles when I bought a tikka. I'm actually contemplating a tikka CTR in 260 as we speak..
 
My boy has a Tikka and its a great rifle.

Very accurate and smooth action.

Great trigger, easy to tune.

But when putting the mag in, make sure it snaps

in good. They aren't cheap to replace
 
Originally Posted By: ICU22-250Trust me man, the tikka ain't no savage. They function flawlessly and flat out shoot. Savage, in my opinion, you never know what your gonna get when it comes to functionality. They do shoot good though. Now for the Number, I owned a 7-08 Montana that was utterly dissapointing. It gave me like 2-4 inch groups at 100 yards, and for a rifle at that price point, that was totally unacceptable. They may be better now, I really can't say. I haven't gotten up the nerve to try another one. Reality is though, you can get a dud with any manufacturer out there. I just always had great rifles when I bought a tikka. I'm actually contemplating a tikka CTR in 260 as we speak..

Hit & miss quality has been a problem for Kimber at times. They've had more issues with wood stocked rifles. Customer service has had its days too.
 
Tikka's are nice rifles, I just don't care for the one size action fits all. I do have 4 Kimbers, 2 Montana's, 1 Classic (early model), and 1 Classic Select. Zero problems so far. Accuracy in the Montana's is outstanding and the Classics is very acceptable for me. Both Montana's are sub calibers and I'm picky on sub caliber accuracy. The Classics are big game rifles, so .5 to .75" @ 100yds works for me.
As a word of caution, light weight rifles like the Kimbers are not as easy to shoot small groups from a benchrest.
 
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I have 3 Tikkas and just got my first Kimber Montana. Both are great rifles but I like the Kimber much better. It is a lot lighter gun and just feels nicer to me. Only thing is the Tikka uses a magazine and the Kimber a blind box. The mag is a nice feature but not required.
 
Just bought a T3 Lite in .243 yesterday. I haven't shot it yet though.

I also looked at both, but really they're on 2 separate levels. I really liked the feel and build quality of the Kimber. The Tikka also impressed me for it's build quality. It also has a lot of good reviews to back it up. The big deciding factor was that I couldn't touch a Kimber for under $1300 locally. The T3 was $580 at Cabellas. IMO the Kimber is better, but not 2x the price better.
 
This not an apples to apples comparison.

The Kimber is easily the better hunting rifle IMO. As it should be, given the price. And is the easy choice here IMO.

Just about everyone here knows I am NO Tikka fan, and feel that other than their nice triggers, they offer nothing rifles costing less don't offer, and in some ways less than what cheaper rifles offer. They are an entry level, budget rifle. Except they forgot the budget rifle price tag.

Truth is, I'd not pick either rifle. But that wasn't the question.....

 
I don't consider them budget entry level rifles. Considering how consistently accurate out off the box they are, having the smoothest action, and having probably the best trigger out of any factory rifle in the price range, makes them worthy of a little higher price in my opinion. Not to mention the factory stock, while not everyone's favorite, is much better than what you get on an entry level rifle elsewhere.
 
Originally Posted By: Redleg84I don't consider them budget entry level rifles. Considering how consistently accurate out off the box they are, having the smoothest action, and having probably the best trigger out of any factory rifle in the price range, makes them worthy of a little higher price in my opinion. Not to mention the factory stock, while not everyone's favorite, is much better than what you get on an entry level rifle elsewhere.





yes to all of above.
 


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