What's the deal on Tikkas?

[MTMilitiaman]

I was at a local sporting goods store yesterday, mostly just "window shopping," when I noticed what I immediately recognized as a left-handed Tikka, in stainless synthetic configuration. I didn't know Tikka even offered a left-handed model so I asked to handle it, along with a left-handed Stainless Stalker Browning ABolt.

The Tikka was chambered in .300 WSM. It was light and handy, but overall, I came out thoroughly unimpressed with it. Despite the reports I've heard about it regarding accuracy, I just couldn't get over how flimsy it seemed to be. It was less than $600, so the relative quality compared to the Browning may have been reflected in the price. The Browning was chambered in .300 Win Mag and was just under a grand, but it seemed a lot better built to me.

I was initially very excited at the prospect of a left-handed Tikka, but after handling one, I don't see what all the hype is about. The rifle struck me much the same way as a Savage, which, no insult intended may be a fine rifle, and indisputably accurate by reputation. But they both come across as "cheap," to me.

 

[Horsemany]

You're skating on thin ice there(kidding). THis forum is loaded with Tikka and Savage lovers. I'm not one of them. I found the same thing you did, they feel cheap compared to most other rifles. They get a free pass on this because Tikkas and Savages are very accurate IMO.

 

[browningguy]

Yes they both feel cheap with the flimsy plastic stock.

Thing is, they shoot better than most of the really pretty ones.

 

[Smithiac]

I don't have alot of Tikka experience simply just handled one like you did. The thing I noticed is that the action was very very smooth and seemed to be fairly well built action wise. I have heard that they are very good shooters.

Also it is hard to compare a thousand dollar gun with a six hundred dollar gun. If I pay 1000 for a gun it better be built better than a tikka. Its apples and oranges. Bottom line shoot what you like and what shoots good in your hands. The tikka may not be cream of the crop but its still a good gun.

Smithiac

 

[jmr40]

Tikka's are a lot like Glocks. You either like em or not. Not a lot of middle ground. I'm in the camp that likes them. Tikka certainly did not follow the old rules when they desigined the T-3 and a lot of people cannot get past the non traditional looks and the use of plastics. There is no doubt they shoot and compared to the Savages I have owned they are considerably more accurate.

The synthetic stock may look flimsey but is the stiffest factory synthetic I have came across. A lot of people are concerned about the plastic but In several years of following them on the net I have yet to come across anyone that had one to fail.

All of the doubters are those who do not own one. Once people buy them and start shooting little bitty groups they forget about the little perceived problems and soon all of their other guns start gathering dust or are sold.

I used to be a Remington only kind of guy. I have owned dozens of different rifles in my life and have tried them all. I have never cared for the looks of the Savage but hear so much about the accuracy I decided I could live with ugly if it would shoot. The 4 Savages I owned were no more of less accurate than any of the Remingtons I have owned and were sold. The Tikka is not nearly as good looking as the Remingtons, Winchesters, or Rugers in my safe but they are a full pound lighter and will out shoot most by a considerable margin. Only one of my Remingtons will equal it. I still take the others out to shoot occasionally but have hunted with nothing but the Tikka for the last 4 years.

 

[younganddumb]

I belive you are not alone on this as many of the people that prase them change the stocks

 

[skinewmexico]

I've just reached a point where I'll take cheap feeling but accurate over pretty that only shoots minute-of-deer. But everyone is different.

 

[ArmedBear]

What new stocks do they use?

 

[psyopspec]

My Tikka has a lot of rounds through it, and a lot of deer have fallen to it. I've had it for over 10 years, it's one of the guns I learned to shoot on, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. That said, I'm not a connaisseur of all things bolt action, and I'm sure there's better stuff out there. For now, though, my T-3 is still outshooting me.