Help me pick a rifle

[the muleskinner]

What's up everybody! First time poster, long time reader. Just joined up actually. I did so just so I could bounce this question off of you guys. I'm fixin' to but a new hunting rifle in .308. These are the three guns I'm most interested in:
Sako A7
T/C Icon
Tikka T3 Varmint

What do you guys think? Is there another rifle in this same price range that I should consider? I'm looking to spend right at 1000$ on the rifle alone.

 

[jerkface11]

$1000 for a hunting rifle is a bit steep. Have you considered buying something less expensive? You'd have a lot of money left over for a scope and ammo.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Of those 3...the T/C.

 

[woof]

What hunting rifle have you been using until now?

 

[John828]

Never held the Sako or the Icon. I would trust the Sako probably, but only due to their reputation. The Icon seems to have a lot of great features that I've read about, but I'd rather others test them out for me. If I had enough money to buy one of those two, I would start reloading.

Heck, if I start reloading, maybe I would be able to save enough money to buy one. Shucks, who am I kidding? If I had the money, I'd still get a Remington CDL.

 

[the muleskinner]

I've been using a Rem. 700 BDL in 3006. Love it. Don't want another one though. Looking to upgrade.... slightly.

 

[John828]

Well, the .308 part is a definite upgrade.

 

[The Swede]

You really can't go wrong with any of those rifles. I guess from those three I would have to choose the Tikka just because of the slightly lower price. They also have a very good reputation for quality accuracy. The Sako might be real nice though, I haven't handled one. I don't see how it can be any better than the Tikka though, both being made by the same company. The Thomson Center sounds nice too, maybe just a bit heavy. Really I would just go shoulder all three of them and see which feels the best. But like I said from the three, I would pick the Tikka.

 

[the muleskinner]

I think I have eliminated the Sako A7 at this point. Too much plastic for that much money. I'm sure it's a great gun though.

 

[interlock]

muleskinner,
The sako is real quality. the Tikka has lots of plastic parts. The browning A bolt is also worth looking at as is a remmy model 7. it really depends on the type of hunting you do.

interlock

 

[Mike2]

Sako, great gun!! Have you thought about maybe a DPMS or armalite and just using a 5 round mag in it to hunt with??? Multitasker I say....

 

[Olympus]

If you're looking for about a $1000 rifle then I'd spend a little more and go to the top and get a Weatherby. For me, if I'm going to spend $1000 on a rifle, I want it to look like a $1000 rifle. I don't really think the Tikka or Sakos do and I've only seen the base model Icon and wasn't impressed. If you're spending that kind of money, then I'd think you'd want a high gloss barrel and a gloss stock. If you're hunting in rough country then I would not recommend anything that costs $1000 or more. But if you've got a nice comfortable stand and aren't worried about dinging your rifle up then I'd say go all out and get the Weatherby.

 

[lipadj46]

I just went out hunting rifle shopping in 30.06 with my father (for him). He ended up choosing a Ruger with American walnut stock and the Remington 700 was a close second. Like others said he was willing to spend $1000 but there was nothing in the $1000 rage that was really that much better than a $600 Ruger or $750 Remington (and the ton of other rifles in this price range). Now he can put that extra $400 towards a really nice scope which in my opinion for deer hunting where we live is more crucial than the rifle. We can and do get deer every year with a $200 Mossberg shotgun but the rifle gives more confidence for the shots out past 75 yards.

 

[researchdoc]

T/C ICON.... very nice.

 

[the muleskinner]

If I'm going to spend a G on a rifle, I ought to be able to take it out in any weather, on any terrain, and under any conditions. I don't do much stand hunting except during bow season so I don't care if it looks like a 2x4 as long as it's ergonomic, dependable, and shoots moa. Well, maybe I care a little, but I don't want a piece of art that I have to baby. I want to take it on drives through the cedar thicket and not have to worry about it. The weatherby is a fine gun, and I have yet to hear a negative word about it, but it doesn't fit me right. The tikka varmint is full of plastic, but it doesn't cost $1000 either. It also has an adjustable length of pull which could be nice since I'm 6'5". The icon maybe to good a gun to pass on for $800. The reviews are great on this gun, but let's face it; the reviewers are bought and paid for. That's why I'm looking for you guy's opinions. That being said I own an omega, and a firehawk, and they're both great guns.

 

[oregonhunter]

For your price range I say pick up a Kimber. Go check one out i'm sure you wont be disapointed with the great quality of their rifles.

 

[Water-Man]

Save a few more dollars and buy a Weatherby!

 

[jbech123]

If I'm going to spend a G on a rifle, I ought to be able to take it out in any weather, on any terrain, and under any conditions.

Then a kimber montana is what you want.

 

[jpwilly]

Tikka Stainless

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Sako.

I don't like the detachable (and cheap plastic) mag on the T/C short action - the T/C CLASSIC (long action) seems well-made, however.

 

[tnhunter93]

Of the three you mentioned, I'd opt for the Icon. I normally do not like 24" barrels on a .308, but at your size, you likely prefer barrels that long. I'd also recommend the nice CZ 550. They are nicely made rifles and have the addition of their single set trigger which is something I'd like to have on any of my bolt rifles, actually.

 

[Almond27]

How about a Savage model 14 in .308 real nice rifle for less.

 

[porter.billy]

Dear Muleskinner,

My advice is to go to your local range and ask someone who owns one of the three rifles you mentioned if you can fire a few rounds. Fire off the bench or standing, as well as all hunting positions you may use the rifle in. Ask their opinion as well as getting actual experience with the rifle(s). Consider how it feels, recoils, and any other factors that come to mind.

 

[hossdaniels]

Read some more reviews before going with the T/C. Great looking rifles, below average shooters from the few I've seen. Sako's are awesome shooters and fine rifles. Tikkas are great shooters also, just more plastic than I care for.

Edit. Oh and I have browning a-bolt, and am happy with it. Good(not great) shooting. Its favorite ammo will do 3/4" at 100 and 4" at 400 yds. I have seen several cheaper rifles shoot better than that(tikka, cz, savage, and a couple remingtons). The browning points like a good shotgun for me, and its alot lighter than most of other rifles I've tried.

 

[the muleskinner]

Thanks for all the great advice so far guys. I really appreciate it.