I see… In fairness, the Tikka does have a plastic feel compared to some other guns. I'll admit that they are built more about function than form. Weatherby has certainly been around for a long time, and has a good reputation (as does Browning, Remington, et al). So, when someone says that something else is "much better", it really depends on their definition of "better". I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing you in a direction you don't want to go on this, but I still find it strange that more people haven't adopted these rifles at this point.
Where Tikka shines is in the realm of a very accurate rifle for a very reasonable price. I believe they are VERY hard to beat on accuracy, save for guns that start at $3K and go up from there. In terms of styling and sex appeal, some other rifles definitely hold an edge over Tikka. I tend to be a "form follows function" kind of person, and sometimes take that philosophy a bit too far (or so my significant other tells me). The metal parts and metal finishing on Tikka rifles seem quite fine to me, and mine has more of a matte colored bluing (as opposed to a high gloss bluing). That's really a user preference thing, and I've never been a high gloss kind of guy — your milage may vary.
The stocks do seem a wee bit flimsy on the Tikkas, but I'm not planning to drive over mine with a tank, so it's mostly an aesthetic thing as far as I see it (it's totally adequate for hard hunting use… maybe not for hard combat use). But, the stock look/feel is probably the number one complaint people have with Tikka. On the other hand, it allows them to make a very lightweight rifle that does what it needs to do… it's easy to get hung up on things like stock bedding, and overall design, but I've also always figured that if it shoots right, it shoots right. In that area I feel that Tikka has done everything they are supposed to do, and more.
I personally hadn't heard about Tikka until 2008, and bought mine shortly after I first saw one. A guy that I know and respect at a local gun store introduced me to them, and told me that his light-barreled Tikka was routinely printing 3/8" groups @ 100 yards. I took a gamble on getting one, and haven't been disappointed in the least. A few friends have been trying to talk me into selling them the gun, but it isn't for sale.
The reason I comment on threads like these is because I get tired of seeing some of the "old dogs" in the shooting world bemoaning the newcomers to the bolt action rifle scene… Chuckhawks website is an example of this, where he had a scathing article about the Tikka, and has implied elsewhere that they probably don't shoot 1-inch groups. Personally, I think Chuckhawks can't shoot straight if that's his claim, because I've seen at least 10 local examples of Tikkas that shoot around .5" groups at 100 yards. However, their review of the rifle was probably fair in saying that the design isn't as pretty as more classic rifles… it's a totally utilitarian offering! He's also correct in saying that Tikka has shaved costs wherever possible. As an example, all Tikkas are long-action rifles. So, my .308 Win is built in a long action rather than short action. That makes little difference to me, but would probably bother some users. On the other hand, if you are shooting a long-action caliber, it's an irrelevant issue anyway.
I will say that I disagree with Chuckhawks in saying that the accuracy claim doesn't matter. Sure, a 2" gun can anchor an elk shot at a reasonable distance, and he isn't wrong in saying so. But, I also use my Tikka for prairie dog hunting, on a colony that I need to shoot from around 450-700 yards. Accuracy definitely matters in that endeavor!
Here's the Chuckhawks perspective, just so you can see someone's negative review:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/critical_look.htm
Anyway, I really don't want to seem like I'm pushing you in a direction you don't want to go, but I also don't want you to be soured to a rifle just because some traditionalists in the shooting world don't like change. If the design of the Tikka works for you, I think you'll enjoy it. If not, there are plenty of other fine rifles out there