I would have taken a few pics of the reoil pad fit,the barrel channel, and the checkering and sent them to the tikka customer service, and asked them if this is really what they want their guns to look like. When it comes to the rings, I think that I would have a few more things (in a pleasant manner) to say to the gun store owner,and the factory.
Not that impressed with Tikka
- Thread starter Craig
- Start date
steve garrett
Well-known member
so let me get this strait, you have a tikka varmint in 7 mag??? as far as I know you can't get one of those, maybe its a canada thing but I would put a $100 bill on not being able to get one in the US.
the tikka is a system that fills a niche, its not the prettiest gun out there, its a gun that is mass produced to a level of accuracy that honestly a well known extremely competent gun smith would have trouble matching. I have 2 customs built on rem 700's krieger barrels and both have contours not less than a #5. one has a mcmillian stock the other an HS both are glass bedded to the action, both guns were built by a gunsmith that has built world record setting guns, guess what, my little tikka t3 lite 30-06 is less finicky and if a random load was picked, it would walk all over these 2 guns. last time I shot it on paper, I shot 4 different bullets with 3 different powders in to .5 aggregate groups, dude that is getting it done in the accuracy department!!!!!! that is with random book loads that I just picked out of the book no ladder testing on all of them, I have also shot a couple .25 ragged holes with the thing, all this was done on only 2 range trips, far from playing with the gun and lets keep in mind this gun is less than 6.5#'s!!!!!
the tikka is designed to be an out of the box shooter, it does not need glass bedding or a gunsmith to fix it or even do a trigger job, try buying a ruger for instance, it will need a good smith to tune the trigger or replace it, IMO it also needs to have the pressure point on the barrel removed and maybe some glass bedding, this is at least an additional $100 in gunsmithing. same thing with a remington 700, the tikka free floats the barrel about 4-5 inches away from the action, the action fits into the stock very very tightly and consistent, the bolt on mine is as smooth as it can get, as for the loading port, yea its small but that loading port is one of the secrets to the accuracy the gun has, that solid bridge across the top of the action adds a ton of stiffness, this means accuracy, look at some high end bench rest actions, many of those have small ports, because it adds stiffness.
go pick up a CZ it uses no plastic parts however there is a high likely hood that the barrel to stock gap will not be the same on both sides of the barrel, again something that has to be fixed. the tikka needs nothing, except maybe a sims limbsaver added, it also comes with an accuracy guarantee, if you don't like it sell it, its probably better for you that way as if you do go shoot it, it will make you mad at your other rifles. for a guy that has spent boat loads on customs especially don't go buy one.
BTW my t3 varmting 204 also shoot .5 with hornady 32 AND 40 vmax facotry loads.
the tikka is a system that fills a niche, its not the prettiest gun out there, its a gun that is mass produced to a level of accuracy that honestly a well known extremely competent gun smith would have trouble matching. I have 2 customs built on rem 700's krieger barrels and both have contours not less than a #5. one has a mcmillian stock the other an HS both are glass bedded to the action, both guns were built by a gunsmith that has built world record setting guns, guess what, my little tikka t3 lite 30-06 is less finicky and if a random load was picked, it would walk all over these 2 guns. last time I shot it on paper, I shot 4 different bullets with 3 different powders in to .5 aggregate groups, dude that is getting it done in the accuracy department!!!!!! that is with random book loads that I just picked out of the book no ladder testing on all of them, I have also shot a couple .25 ragged holes with the thing, all this was done on only 2 range trips, far from playing with the gun and lets keep in mind this gun is less than 6.5#'s!!!!!
the tikka is designed to be an out of the box shooter, it does not need glass bedding or a gunsmith to fix it or even do a trigger job, try buying a ruger for instance, it will need a good smith to tune the trigger or replace it, IMO it also needs to have the pressure point on the barrel removed and maybe some glass bedding, this is at least an additional $100 in gunsmithing. same thing with a remington 700, the tikka free floats the barrel about 4-5 inches away from the action, the action fits into the stock very very tightly and consistent, the bolt on mine is as smooth as it can get, as for the loading port, yea its small but that loading port is one of the secrets to the accuracy the gun has, that solid bridge across the top of the action adds a ton of stiffness, this means accuracy, look at some high end bench rest actions, many of those have small ports, because it adds stiffness.
go pick up a CZ it uses no plastic parts however there is a high likely hood that the barrel to stock gap will not be the same on both sides of the barrel, again something that has to be fixed. the tikka needs nothing, except maybe a sims limbsaver added, it also comes with an accuracy guarantee, if you don't like it sell it, its probably better for you that way as if you do go shoot it, it will make you mad at your other rifles. for a guy that has spent boat loads on customs especially don't go buy one.
BTW my t3 varmting 204 also shoot .5 with hornady 32 AND 40 vmax facotry loads.
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When I was looking for a new 243 I checked out the Tikka at the local gun shop and wasn't very impressed with the rifle. I've got experience with Savage and was leaning in that direction but the shop owner said Tikka all the way. I instead bought a Savage model 12 Low Profile and I'm more than satisfied with my purchase. The feel between the two is no contest as the Savage just feels better and certainly in my opinion looks better and I have no problems shooting sub moa. Both rifles were within a few $$ of each other. That being said, I would probably buy a Tikka if the price was right just to see if it shot as good as the Savage.
My Tikka T-3 Varmint in 22-250 has a way of making my shooting buddies get really upset when their customs get spanked by this ugly rifle. I bought mine because of the quality and accuracy and dependability, not because it was purdy. If purdy was important, I probably would have bought a, a, a, oh never mind.
Orneryolfart357
New member
A Tikka dont have to be Purdy to shoot... A Little Krylon makes em more accurate too..
Chupathingy
New member
He has the right to his opinion guys! This has turned slightly to a flame session because he wasn't impressed with a particular rifle, Hardly fair IMO.
I mean, even Led Zeppelin didn't write songs that everyone liked.....they left that to the Bee Gee's!!!
Chupa
I mean, even Led Zeppelin didn't write songs that everyone liked.....they left that to the Bee Gee's!!!
Chupa
Orneryolfart357
New member
... and we're stayin alive, stayin alive, and we're buying the stairway to Heaven.."
RePete
New member
Originally Posted By: VKTTikkkka's are ok for a out of the box Sako/Beretta concoction, just don't expect the quality of a Suomi rifle of yesterday, not too many things made like they used to be.
Well said!!!
Chuppa's got a good point too..
The OP didn't burn Tikka down,, he simply stated his opinion.
Personally,, I wouldn't buy a Tikka reguardless of the price,, but I'll never say that they aren't accurate.
As far as the bolt being notouriously smooth,,, I'd say it's gotta be when it's a foot long reguardless of the cartrige size.
And the Varmint model's stock is the same plastic POS the T-3 wears with some ugly crap glued to it..
IMO,, the only good thing Tikka has going for it is the fact that they wear a Sako barrel..
But this is JMO of course,, and I'm wearing my flame suit,,, so,,
Carry On
Well said!!!
Chuppa's got a good point too..
The OP didn't burn Tikka down,, he simply stated his opinion.
Personally,, I wouldn't buy a Tikka reguardless of the price,, but I'll never say that they aren't accurate.
As far as the bolt being notouriously smooth,,, I'd say it's gotta be when it's a foot long reguardless of the cartrige size.
And the Varmint model's stock is the same plastic POS the T-3 wears with some ugly crap glued to it..
IMO,, the only good thing Tikka has going for it is the fact that they wear a Sako barrel..
But this is JMO of course,, and I'm wearing my flame suit,,, so,,
Carry On
Pbchucker
New member
I have the Tikka T3 in a 25/06. I bought it for its accuracy out of the box.
I agree with almost everything stated about his observations about the Tikka, the only thing he left out was that if you want to replace a lost mag you have to dishout $65 for a plastic mag!!
I won't ever get rid of this rifle though, trigger is great and shoots like a dream!
I agree with almost everything stated about his observations about the Tikka, the only thing he left out was that if you want to replace a lost mag you have to dishout $65 for a plastic mag!!
I won't ever get rid of this rifle though, trigger is great and shoots like a dream!
DDJ
New member
I was looking for a t3 Lite in a 204 but couldn't find one in the US so I bought a CZ 527 American. The Tikka is light but so is the CZ and as far as I'm concerned the CZ is a better gun. I always thought the bolt of the Tikka was kind of loose and rattly and the stock felt cheap. Check out the blueing on the the CZ and the smooth feel of the walnut stock and the wood to metal fit. Also the CZ's accuracy is excellent. I'll take a CZ over a Tikka any day. Dave
TripleDeuce660
Active member
The main problem with you gun is its not a CZ! Sell it and get the CZ. I won't go on and on about cz's but 1 think I like is the round forearm on most models. It cradles in shooting sticks nicely if that is what you use. Mine is submoa out of the box
The tikka is ugly but its a heck of a shooter. Its a great gun to camo and beat the heck out of it in all weather conditions.
The tikka is ugly but its a heck of a shooter. Its a great gun to camo and beat the heck out of it in all weather conditions.
Orneryolfart357
New member
Make sure that ya learn to use the backwards safety too.
If CZ would cure some of it's shortcomings I would buy them again. Some have said they are addressing the bolt throw. That's a start.
I see .204 Tikka's for sale in the US but the caliber isn't what I need.
Funny how these companies won't build what we want. Beretta being nearly 500 years old with a family tree that is almost a straight line has done something right to survive that long. Rumor is they are making some corrections in the Sako line soon but nothing about Tikka. Just internet Rumors anyway.
Ok let's insult Savage some more or another brand.
I see .204 Tikka's for sale in the US but the caliber isn't what I need.
Funny how these companies won't build what we want. Beretta being nearly 500 years old with a family tree that is almost a straight line has done something right to survive that long. Rumor is they are making some corrections in the Sako line soon but nothing about Tikka. Just internet Rumors anyway.
Ok let's insult Savage some more or another brand.
TripleDeuce660
Active member
The bolt throw is an easy fix for like 50 bucks you mail your bolt to calhoon he mails back a modified bolt or you can do it youself. Mag sticking out the bottom of the 527 also another cheap mod and you can use the smaller flush mag.
Backwards safety is no big deal. If you have more cz's then you do other brands then other rifles are backwards. I have 2 guns with forawd for off and 3 cz's. I never forget what gun i have in my hands and have no problem with either.
Backwards safety is no big deal. If you have more cz's then you do other brands then other rifles are backwards. I have 2 guns with forawd for off and 3 cz's. I never forget what gun i have in my hands and have no problem with either.
TN Rifleman
New member
What some here are describing as "cheap" or "shortcomings" I see as features and advancements in technology. The plastic mag is way lighter than steel and very robust, metal mags dent and rust. The trigger guard, again very light and strong. The stock is light and rigid. The trigger is great. My mindset says if you can design a part to work made of polymer, do it.
And the bottom line, my 7mm-08 exceeds the the 1 moa guarantee with at least 4 of the factory loads I have tried.
I do think the factory included rings are substandard, but they are included in the very low purchase price of the gun.
And the bottom line, my 7mm-08 exceeds the the 1 moa guarantee with at least 4 of the factory loads I have tried.
I do think the factory included rings are substandard, but they are included in the very low purchase price of the gun.
wildcat_arms
New member
DDJ....
Rob at www.shedhornsports.com in Ennis, MT has several tikka T3 .204's left last time I talked to him.. Thats where I got my stainless. He has both stainless and blued
Rob at www.shedhornsports.com in Ennis, MT has several tikka T3 .204's left last time I talked to him.. Thats where I got my stainless. He has both stainless and blued