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Tikkas are better than....

I’m probably the least tactical shooter on this thread, really just a hobby and hunting shooter.

That said, I think the CTR mags are considerably better in OAL and feeding vs. AICS, at least for me. Every Tikka I’ve shot (30+? between me and friends) is at least a good shooter out of the box. Minor tweaks and they’re even better.

There’s a lot of good for not a lot of money.
 
I’m probably the least tactical shooter on this thread, really just a hobby and hunting shooter.

That said, I think the CTR mags are considerably better in OAL and feeding vs. AICS, at least for me. Every Tikka I’ve shot (30+? between me and friends) is at least a good shooter out of the box. Minor tweaks and they’re even better.

There’s a lot of good for not a lot of money.
You ARE an Insightful Commentator.
 
Their calling them Cure barrels offered on the mg lite xlr chassis and the divide their better than the Christendom barrels
Probably just above the carbon 6/ bsf/ proof barrels and right there with benchmark -Hells canyon -bartlein barrels
Helix 6 still seems to have the claim for the best carbon barrels of going cut rifled
 
I would say tikka is right there with xbolts which are actually a great firing rifle
For the price
I had one when they first came out and it was a 1/2moa factory rifle that was sub 8lbs
I don't have any extensive experience with Xbolt.

But. It's definitely on my "in the future" inventory...

I would like to have a left handed Xbolt medallion in 308win / Leupold VX6 2-12x42 CDS firedot duplex..
Lapua brass, Federal Premium GMM large rifle primer, Hornady superformance powder, Hornady 150gr SST....Of course, I'll probably would have the rifle "accurized"

I mean, for southern whitetail..., From a covered static position .. that is PLENTY of rifle...

I have several rifles that aren't Tikka, and gobs & gobs more, that I will have eventually...that aren't Tikka .. but I do think that Tikka is unbeatable as far as bang for buck goes...
 
Their calling them Cure barrels offered on the mg lite xlr chassis and the divide their better than the Christendom barrels
Probably just above the carbon 6/ bsf/ proof barrels and right there with benchmark -Hells canyon -bartlein barrels
Helix 6 still seems to have the claim for the best carbon barrels of going cut rifled
Yeah, but Helix 6 doesn't have the volume for the notarity they deserve, unfortunately.... all people really know is the BSF or proof research.. I dunno.. maybe more people know about them than I think...but I just don't see a whole lot of expansion.. not that it matters much I guess...
 
Ive had both and both are fine rifles...

I like the tikka more for 2 reasons:

70 degree bolt throw
$10 makes the trigger comparable to a $200 trigger for the bergara.

If the bergara didnt have 90 degree throw, id probably have stuck with it
 
Yeah, both of mine really suck ass! 🙄

2010-11-10_TikkaT3Hunter-group_OnTarget.jpg

Tikka T3 Hunter - .308 Win
Sierra 165 gr Gameking (3 rds.)


2018-06-09_TikkaCTR6-5CR_Tgt1-2.jpg


Tikka T3X CTR 6.5 Creedmoor
Hornady 147 gr. ELD-M


Yep. Waaaaay sub-par. ;)
 
I like everything about my Tikkas more than my Bergara Premier, other than maybe the availability of aftermarket stocks & chassis.

That’s why my Bergara is getting sold to fund another Tikka build.
 
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I thought I could, and based on the offers I’ve received so far it’s going to cost me a lot.

Lesson learned.
Yes, and maybe more than you wanted to spend, but at the end of the day; the cost ultimately was accompanied by the priceless artifact of being able to truly appreciate your rifle...some might say. . .
 
Cool, ive not either but that used to be a thing people on here complained about some
 
Yeah that might have been on the original t3 models... Back before I was clued into the Tikka platform...but I dunno... First I've heard of it personally
Iv heard of it as well. But never seen it. Another positive on the tikka is you can swap a broken bolt stop out without a punch
 
It’s hard to beat bergaras consistent accurate rifles for their price and now offering carbon fiber barrels that are just as accurate
They are awesome thats for sure. When your bolt handle breaks off from after putting 150 rounds through them, It gives you an excuse to have a real smith fix the problem.
 
You punched that with a pencil!

Haha! I'm kidding... Yeah, that looks great. Not bad for out the box...

Have you considered having a discussion about bedding, with someone so qualified? I wonder how well arca-glass would stick to the plastic..

Or have you considered maybe getting a Boyd's stock? I know they may not be people's favorite, but I think they're pretty good...not bad... Then, if I spent that, on that...I would then definitely go ahead and have it pillared & bedded... ALSO, they do sell the kits with the even larger, titanium recoil block/lug, and pillars, or a nitrided 304 stainless set ..with a set of nitrided 304 stainless action screws ....

I like to upgrade all my actions' screws during my "signature" accurizing process(es)...
 
I'd take a factory Bergara HMR for $900 over any Tikka
This isn't in directly response to your comment, but it reminded me:
I was talking to a guy about two years ago about how I had been impressed with the T3X at its $650 price point. He was really signing the praises of his Bergara and explaining why he felt it was worth a bit more than the Tikka. He went on for like 5 minutes. Then, out of nowhere, he volunteers that the trigger failed on his last hunt, is now completely broken, and he hadn't been able to get it replaced for months. Somehow he was proud of that.

The great thing these days is that there are so many good options. People can buy what they want and what works for them. Who cares if someone else doesn't approve, the opinion that matters is the one of the person shooting it.
 
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This isn't in directly response to your comment, but it reminded me:
I was talking to a guy about two years ago about how I had been impressed with the T3X at its $650 price point. He was really signing the praises of his Bergara and explaining why he felt it was worth a bit more than the Tikka. He went on for like 5 minutes. Then, out of nowhere, he volunteers that the trigger failed on his last hunt, is now completely broken, and he hadn't been able to get it replaced for months. Somehow he was proud of that.

The great thing these days is that there are so many good options. People can buy what they want and what works for them. Who cares if someone else doesn't approve, the opinion that matters is the one of the person shooting it.
Tikka.
 
I love Tikka. Triggers are nasty, bolts smooth as butter, but their stocks are absolute garbage. Put one in a krg chassis and use aics mags. I've done custom builds and Tikka semi customs. Like em both about the same.
 
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I love Tikka. Triggers are nasty, bolts smooth as butter, but their stocks are absolute garbage. Put one in a krg chassis and use aics mags. I've done custom builds and Tikka semi customs. Like em both about the same.
I have a t3x hunter ..300wm... It's in a factory Wood stock... I've been saying that I was going to have the exterior of the stock refinished... But I never have .. if you look real close you can see the orbital sander marks... Mainly on the bottom of the forearm...

Also, I had to have the action resituated in the stock, as it was crooked...

Nevertheless... I absolutely love a Tikka rifle... All Tikka rifles... And I love that two-tone look, the bluing on the barrel, but that funky gray bluing on the receiver... Ya used to see alot of Sauer rifles like that...
 
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There is nothing wrong with the Tikka Stock? Is it an ergo, stiff wonder stock? No , but its solid, freefloats and does not hamper ability to shoot tiny groups. Its fine for anyone hunting or even plinking with something like the varmint or CTR stock.

Throw it in a KRG Bravo for $350 and its one hell of a gun for the money.

$5 trigger spring is all you need, even better if you can get a tikka 2 stage and throw the new trigger spring in there. I run TT diamond 2 stage on my match guns but have no issues with the tikka after adjusted properly, its perfect for a hunting gun.

You can spend $5K on a custom hunting gun, or just grab a Tikka Veil for $1200 and get 98% of the gun for 1/4th the price.

The guy who won NRL hunter a few weeks back, won it with a stock Tikka with a ZCO on top. Beat a field of over 125 people, In horrendous conditions, with most running custom guns of some sort.

A Tikka is not holding anyone back. People who shit on them are just ignorant, shitty shooters themselves. Its easy to learn who to ignore when they start spewing their bullshit.
 
There is nothing wrong with the Tikka Stock? Is it an ergo, stiff wonder stock? No , but its solid, freefloats and does not hamper ability to shoot tiny groups. Its fine for anyone hunting or even plinking with something like the varmint or CTR stock.

Throw it in a KRG Bravo for $350 and its one hell of a gun for the money.

$5 trigger spring is all you need, even better if you can get a tikka 2 stage and throw the new trigger spring in there. I run TT diamond 2 stage on my match guns but have no issues with the tikka after adjusted properly, its perfect for a hunting gun.

You can spend $5K on a custom hunting gun, or just grab a Tikka Veil for $1200 and get 98% of the gun for 1/4th the price.

The guy who won NRL hunter a few weeks back, won it with a stock Tikka with a ZCO on top. Beat a field of over 125 people, In horrendous conditions, with most running custom guns of some sort.

A Tikka is not holding anyone back. People who shit on them are just ignorant, shitty shooters themselves. Its easy to learn who to ignore when they start spewing their bullshit.
Indeed. ...one of life's wonders. . .
 
The guy who won NRL hunter a few weeks back, won it with a stock Tikka with a ZCO on top. Beat a field of over 125 people, In horrendous conditions, with most running custom guns of some sort.
That's good to see . Tikkas took the top 3 positions in IBS 200 yd score in our competitions . We beat a lot of rifles of other makes .
 
I have a Tikka T3 stainless steel, I bought years back, chambered in 300WSM, it shoots sub moa. I'ts my go to hunting rifle for the vast majority of my hunting yet i wouldn't say its the best.
 
I'd like to point out as well....that not only does Tikka guarantee that each factory rifle shoot LESS than 1moa, straight out the box.... It does so without a certain caveat...

You see, a lot of manufacturers nowadays have that guarantee, or a similar one...Such as shooting AT 1moa . . . BUT, if you really look at it, their guarantee is dependent on using Match Grade ammo...and it will only be withheld, for those using Match Grade...

Tikka states that guarantee is good, UNDER 1moa, using ANY grade ammunition...

Small nuance, Big difference...
 
I'd like to point out as well....that not only does Tikka guarantee that each factory rifle shoot LESS than 1moa, straight out the box.... It does so without a certain caveat...

You see, a lot of manufacturers nowadays have that guarantee, or a similar one...Such as shooting AT 1moa . . . BUT, if you really look at it, their guarantee is dependent on using Match Grade ammo...and it will only be withheld, for those using Match Grade...

Tikka states that guarantee is good, UNDER 1moa, using ANY grade ammunition...

Small nuance, Big difference...
Is that true? Does it only apply to Tikka or Sako as well? Saw a review on the new Sako s20 recently and the guy only achieve sub moa with the sako brand ammo.