Tikka Arctic

Considering there has only been like 5 lethal polar bear attacks (not in zoos) in North America in the last 5 decades, I'd say these rifles won't get too much use.

I think the point of this rifle is more of a "showcase" or for PR. Even on these forums, everyone always talks about the rangers and how they use 10mm Glocks and .303 brits. Basically, the only reason people are aware of the rangers is due to their equipment that they use (biased, I know, as this is a gun site).

Plus, the price is because the gov't is paying for it...

But I like it, just not for that price. I agree with everyone that we need that Battue, because I will buy one in .30-06 if it comes over here

So, is there a legitimate reason the Battue isn't imported to the US?

JeffDilla said:

So, is there a legitimate reason the Battue isn't imported to the US?

Click to expand...

Market demand, probably not worth the effort for Tikka.

If you look at manufacturers' American and European/International websites, you will often notice the European product lines have a lot more iron sights!


For example, take the BAR.

Browning's American website shows 5 models. None of them come with irons.

Browning's European website shows 10 models. All but one of them (BAR Match) have irons!


Different hunting, different tastes.

Goosey said:

Market demand, probably not worth the effort for Tikka.

If you look at manufacturers' American and European/International websites, you will often notice the European product lines have a lot more iron sights

Click to expand...

I didn't believe that a manufacturer would make the same model with irons but not offer it in the U.S., so I looked. Behold, several Browning bolt actions with irons. There's even a Winchester Model 70 with irons. I never knew. Wish FN offered those over here.

Ranger Rifles

These firearms will see a lot of use.The caliber is the best choice,as it is still in Canadian Army service, in sniper rifles, and GPMG's. My father was an original Ranger, issued with a Winchester Model 94, using Remington 160gr. fmj.I was in a Ranger company in the 1980's, issue rifle was a Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.1. Will not be buying a new "Arctic", as I consider the price outrageous. My Tikka Battue in 30-06 works for me, at 1/3 the price.

Cooldill. Yes, I live in British Columbia. Wolverine have them priced at $1199 CDN. It is called CZ 557 Ranger Rifle.

c1a1 said:

Cooldill. Yes, I live in British Columbia. Marstar have them priced at $1199 CDN. It is called CZ 557 Ranger Rifle.

Click to expand...

Whoa. That is a nice CZ. If that got brought to the USA . . . well, my wallet might be empty.

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=83043.0

Ranger Rifles for sale to the public will be $2600CDN.

c1a1 said:

Ranger Rifles for sale to the public will be $2600CDN.

Click to expand...

That seems a bit steep, but then it is a limited production item--and sure to remain so, at the price.

Shot the TIKKA Arctic yesterday.
There are apertures in the sight "crown". You use those, not the notches.

Nice rifle.
I used the largest aperture, the 100-meter setting, and couldn't pull off the expected accuracy, but if I'd used a different sight setting combo I have no doubts that I could have.
Denis

Only possible explanation for the price I can speculate with is some super high grade steels used for barrel and receiver. Way up north where temps can fall down around -60 metal becomes brittle. IIRC there were a few stainless Tikkas years ago that had barrels exploding into banana peels in much warmer climes.

US suggested retail is $2199, I found it listed at one place for $1800.

Barrel is 416 stainless.
Denis

So...the Canadian Rangers can claim to have the costliest standard service rifle in the world?

Tikkas are really good rifles, but it has to be the small production run and the exclusivity factor that is driving the price of that one.

RPZ said:

Only possible explanation for the price I can speculate with is some super high grade steels used for barrel and receiver. Way up north where temps can fall down around -60 metal becomes brittle. IIRC there were a few stainless Tikkas years ago that had barrels exploding into banana peels in much warmer climes.

Click to expand...

I remember that too, but my impression at the time, based on reports, was that Sako and Tikka got some faulty barrel blanks. There was a product recall, IIRC.

Don't confuse the two rifles.
The Canadian version is made in Canada, largely by Colt, under license.
The TIKKA rifle is made entirely in Finland.

The two guns are almost identical, but they're not entirely the same.

One could reasonably expect the Canadian government will be spending less per unit for in-country production than we are here for an import.
Denis

Would be cheaper to outfit 'em with Finn M-39's, Tikka barreled and Valmet made ones, if they did'nt like SAKO's.....Arctic rifle already.

Too bad the ammo's not NATO

Beretta/Sako/TIKKA doesn't consider it a mass-market product, more of a "great small volume rifle for the US market".

The quality's there, it's got a VERY smooth action, and the rear sight "crown" is extremely easy to instantly change elevations with no tools required.
Free-floated barrel, 3-position safety, and I quite like that oversized bolt knob.
Pic rail for an optic, if you choose.

People will have to decide individually if they want to spend the money.
If I had that much spare cash on hand, I'd be keeping it.
Denis

I'm seeing more like $150 per, which is admittedly high, but you really don't need more than one spare.
Not intended to be a battle rifle.
Denis

I have followed this from the beginning. The proposed price on that gun is BS. It is designed to scare you off so they can build rifles exclusively for the Rangers . Colt will not be the source for Tikka Rifles in a similar configuration available in the US,,, Tikka will be the source.

I put Ruger on to this contract many years ago when I first heard about it. They went after it hard as the Ruger Scout was the "Perfect" off the shelf Rifle for this contract ready made and a hell of a lot cheaper. Ruger already made a Canadian Version of teh Scout with a 18" SS barrel. They would have been around $561ea. from Ruger in quantities of 5000. IE; Distributor Price,,, and they would have included the Red Lami Stock for free.

The deal breaker was that Canada insisted that the gun be made in Canada. Ruger does not have a plant in Canada and was not willing to build one. I suggested setting up a few Shipping Containers in Windsor and assembling them there but it fell on deaf ears.

The Ranger Rifles are not made in Canada, they are assembled there by Colt of Canada,,, from parts made in Finland.

You can buy the Sights from Tikka and Boyd's makes a Drop in Laminate Stock for the CTR for $129 in any color combo you can think of.

It's a shame that Political BS had to effect this contract but I guess Political BS is not peculiar to the USA. The end result is the Canadians paid 4 times more for these guns than they should have. The gun they got is a good gun but so is the Ruger Scout and mine shoots sub MOA consistently!

Randy

yes , but will they shoot any better than a sps rem 700? the only thing they have over the sps is a removabl magizine and that could be rectified. my 700 rem 7mmo8 sps out of the box will shoot as cold clean shot and a cold dirty shot that a dime will cover at 200 yards from a rest.and cost one forth the cost of the new ranger rifle. eastbank

My info from Beretta yesterday is that the Canadian barrels are made by Colt.

Still, look at it this way: If the parts come from Finland but Colt Canada builds the guns, the Canadian government should theoretically be getting both a bulk discount pricing and no firearms import duties charged, besides a probable lower employee pay rate.

Here in the US, we're getting a rifle already built, with no volume discounting, and I'd imagine at least some difference in shipping and import fees involved.
Denis