Just 100 yards. Didn't have a longer range without driving 26 miles. This was off of a bench with bags.At what range?
Budget compared to Sako and Mark V but not to a M70 or Model 700 IMO.Yeah, I somewhat agree, but the Tikka is a budget rifle compared to the Sako, and the Vanguard is a budget rifle compared to the Mark V. They are those manufacturer's "budget" model. The Tikka is also ~ $600-700 new which is low-priced, and for that budget range, it is probably the best value to be had. I don't think the Vanguard is low-priced or a particularly good value compared to other rifles in its price range. It's not bad, but for the price there are a lot of options -- including the Tikka which for all practical purposes is just as good at close to half the price. I'd save the money for the optic.
I was in a big store and they had a stainless Tikka in 6.5 Creedmor set up with a one piece Leupold rail, and Leupold 4.5-14 CDS scope. It looked amazing.I run across this particular brand every now and then when browsing online. Other than they're made in Finland and seem to have a good reputation, I'm not really familiar. Anyone have any pro/con experience with Tikka rifles?
I checked with some of my distributors and Davidson's has some lefty Tikkas in stock. You might get your dealer to order one from them. They usually run a few dollars more than my other distributors but they have a great warranty.Tikka has been at, or near, the top of my to-do list, for a while, to the point that I ordered a couple of magazines and an optic base, when I ordered several other items, and was about to buy a left-hand .223 T3. Well, that particular lefty .223 sold, before I bought it, and the dealer has yet to put another on display, but I may well place an order, sooner or later.
Later, I very nearly bought a left-hand .30-06 T3x, at the same dealer, but it, too, sold, before I could decide whether to buy. I was unsure whether I wanted to add .30-06 to the herd, when .308 Winchester is my long-established .30 cartridge.
At one point, I was about ready to “pull the trigger” on a left-hand TAC version of the T3x, or even the 16” TAC, which is only available as RH, but none were available, from the better sources. I turned my attention to other projects, but may revisit this, in the future. (I prefer lefty turn-bolt rifles, for general utility, but for a long-range, heavy rifle, used mostly from a rest, or on a bipod, LH or RH is not a big deal, either way.)
I just bought a pre-owned CTR stock, and bottom metal, and am awaiting delivery. So, I reckon that it is becoming increasingly inevitable that I will be adding a Tikka T3 or T3x rifle, sooner or later.
I checked with some of my distributors and Davidson's has some lefty Tikkas in stock. You might get your dealer to order one from them. They usually run a few dollars more than my other distributors but they have a great warranty.
I think a Tikka stainless hunter in 270 with a Leupold rail and scope would be about a perfect hunting rifle.
I know of only one Tikka with accuracy issues. That’s speaks incredibly well of them IMO.I know several people that have Tikka rifles and I have yet to see one that will not shoot very well.
I have a couple of Vanguards. Their weight is a reason I have them because I have a really bad shoulder. Even without the bad shoulder I don’t think I’d want a T3x in something like a .300 WM. As I’ve stated many times I don’t care for DBM’s and small ejection ports, the port was enlarged in the T3x over the T3 but it’s still too small for my taste. So for a number of reasons I’ll probably never own a Tikka. If a Tikka was the only rifle available to me I’d own one gladly. So even though I’ll almost certainly never own a Tikka my reason is about features I don’t care for, features that are a plus to most people. I believe they are outstanding rifles period, not just an great rifle for what they cost.The biggest drawback to the Vanguard is that it is one heavy unit!
Tikka’s are great rifles and this is coming from a person who doesn’t own one and probably never will unless some features change. Triggers are fantastic. I saw a little documentary a while back where an American writer took a tour of the Sako/Tikka factory. Barrels are the same and they are outstanding barrels. Factor together great triggers with great barrels and you have a recipe for great accuracy. Tikka hunting rifles are also pretty darn light. In fact too light for me the in magnum cartridges such as .300 WM and 7mm Remington Mag.
I have a very bad shoulder that’s endured three operations. As a result I buy rifles that are on the heavy side. I also have a revulsion for muzzle brakes. The T3x addressed it some but Tikka’s still have a smaller ejection port than I care for. I also don’t care for DBM’s.
So I don’t own a Tikka for three reasons. But getting down to brass tacks those reasons have everything to do with features and nothing to do with quality. In addition some or all of the Tikka features that are a minus to me are a positive to most people.
I say buy Tikka if Tikka has features you like or features you don’t care one way or the other about.
The biggest drawback to the Vanguard is that it is one heavy unit!
I know of only one Tikka with accuracy issues. That’s speaks incredibly well of them IMO.
Please don't misunderstand me, I really like the Vanguard / Howa rifles. Very well made. Very good fit and finish for a price-point rifle. The action is smooth, the safety in the right place (similar to all but my Winchester M70), and easy to shoot well. I generally do walk a lot when hunting. I like to walk. I'm 65 years old now and lugging a heavy rifle all day has been something I have been trying to avoid for a few years. The Tikka T3 Lite in .270 is just about perfect for me in the field, though I prefer the 6.5x55 T3 Hunter just for the wood stock! For some odd reason I just have a devil of a time warming up to plastic stocks.I have a couple of Vanguards. Their weight is a reason I have them because I have a really bad shoulder. Even without the bad shoulder I don’t think I’d want a T3x in something like a .300 WM. As I’ve stated many times I don’t care for DBM’s and small ejection ports, the port was enlarged in the T3x over the T3 but it’s still too small for my taste. So for a number of reasons I’ll probably never own a Tikka. If a Tikka was the only rifle available to me I’d own one gladly. So even though I’ll almost certainly never own a Tikka my reason is about features I don’t care for, features that are a plus to most people. I believe they are outstanding rifles period, not just an great rifle for what they cost.
Tikka is made by Sako. It is their budget line.