Tikka rifles?? Thoughts, opinions and experience.

[joshb]

The best path is to look for older 595 or 695s for sale. There's a 695 on gunbroker right now for $500( the buy it now price). They usually go for $4-700 depending on condition. Sometimes a guy wants the moon but just ignore those.

 

[msinc]

I have a good friend that is into Sako's...like a lot of guys, he will buy one and try it, if it doesn't shoot to suit him the rifle gets sold and he continues the hunt for an excellent shooter. He has owned, shot and hunted with as many Sako rifles as anyone. I have noticed, and he is the one that called my attention to it, that his Tikka's invariably shoot better than the more expensive Sako's. I don't know why and it doesn't make any sense for a company to manufacture their top of the line rifles that are right near $2000.00 {by the time you get it home}...to be out shot by their "B" line gun. Again, I only know what I see and just about every time he gets rifles this happens. He still finds and tries the higher grade Sako rifles, but in many years of trying he has kept only one...but he has 5 or 6 Tikkas. They all shoot very nicely. In fact, you could not ask for better in a custom rifle with a high end barrel!!!
After seriously searching for a new stainless hunter in 223, I was not able to find one for many months. After seeing first hand what he has gone through and then finally finding the rifle I really like {223 stainless hunter} I passed. I cannot imagine spending that kind of money on a factory out of the box rifle then having the guy next to me at the range out shoot it with one a gun costing less than half.
Don't the same people make these things??? Anyone else notice this???

 

[joshb]

I have a couple theories on this. I think they run two separate production lines in the factory. The "second rate" Tikka smiths try harder to make a good gun and snicker behind the backs of the Sako smiths. Could also be the working class trying to stick it to the rich guys.

 

[nakneker]

To follow up on what I said, these are a couple of links for aftermarket parts:
https://tikkaperformance.com/tikka-t3-accessories
and for Canadian Tikka owners:
http://www.coretacsolutions.com/products_TIKKA_performance_center.htm

Of course, there are the standard suppliers as Brownell's etc...

Cheers Phil

Excellent links, thanks for posting.

 

[nakneker]

I own three Tikkas, my wife owns one. I also have 7 kids who grew up shooting two of those Tikkas. They have been on horseback hunts, backpack hunts, bounced around in jeeps and trucks, on four wheelers, razors, and generally used hard. They all still shoot like they did when they were new and fresh. Those plastic parts have not broken or let us down in any way. My wife's 25-06 has accounted for numerous deer and elk, she won't let anybody touch it. We have custom rifles and other factory rifles and the Tikkas hold their own, they do a good job. Anybody debating whether or not to try a Tikka should have no worries.

 

[BigBamBoo]

From my research years ago when I bought my first Tikka (A Tactical model in .308 with the 24" barrel), all the Tikka T3 are hand assembled. They (Sako) use the exact same barrels for the Sako rifles and the Tikka rifles.
If you look at a Tikka or Sako barrel you will notice there is no brand on either barrel. This is why.

So by using plastic parts, they are able to sell the Tikka's at a better price point.

Just an FYI. You can use the Sako TRG-22/42 two stage trigger on the T3 rifles. It is a drop in replacement. No...the TRG trigger aint cheap, but it is my all time favorite two stage trigger.

 

[BigBamBoo]

Here is one of the take off barrels from some of the builds we did. As you can see...no Tikka or Sako markings.

And here is one of my coyote rigs. T3 Lite SS in .223 with a bunch of upgrades.

 

[450AK]

Awesome tread guys!! Thanks for your input!! Keep it coming!

 

[msinc]

I have a couple theories on this. I think they run two separate production lines in the factory. The "second rate" Tikka smiths try harder to make a good gun and snicker behind the backs of the Sako smiths. Could also be the working class trying to stick it to the rich guys.

No!!!!!! You mean......somebody would do that????

Sounds about right though...and exactly why I don't wear my gold submariner much anymore.