Need Help on New Rifle

[30-06 lover]

I am getting a new rifle soon, but after some research, I have concluded that within my price rage of $500, the Remington SPS or Tikka T3 Lite is going to be the rifle I get. I had a Rem 700 ADl so I pretty much know what I will be getting if I choose the 700. My questions are for the T3. I believe the T3 comes with a detachable magazine...How many rounds will a .308 Win T3 Magazine hold, and does the magazine have any problems? I hear complaints if the T3 having too much plastic...What gives? Does the T3 use plastic where it needs to use metal? Where is all this plastic and what parts are plastic? Which trigger is better from the factory and which one adjusts more easily. I like my hunting rifle's trigger to be about 2.5 to 3 pounds. Would you recommend the T3 over the 700 considering this gun will be used primarily for hunting big game and the fact that I don't want to modify or add anything to the rifle, just get it and hunt with it? Any and all info and opinions will be a great help Thanks!!!

 

[hoghunting]

I have the T3 and highly recommend it. I keep hearing all the plastic parts crap too, but then the Glock has plastic parts and no one complains about that. The Alaska State Police are issued Glocks. If you do a Google search for Alaska shooting or Alaska hunting forums, you will see that most of the Tikka people want the T3 in syn/ss. If the plastic is so brittle in cold weather, why would they choose it? I guess Alaska doesn't get as cold as AL, GA or MI. The plastic is a polymer that will hold up under the same conditions as metal. There is NO plastic used that will prevent the gun from firing.

The magazines hold three rounds although you can buy 5 round mags for the 223 and 308. The trigger is excellent and is screw adjusted for weight. The Tikka is guaranteed to shoot 3 shot groups in 1" or smaller @ 100 yds. They seem to do it very easily. This is the most accurate production rifle I have owned.

 

[Schleprok62]

Although I have only held the Tikka's, I was not impressed with how they felt. The excessive use of plastic in a rifle in that price range idn't sit well with me. And the cost of replacement/extra magazine was also a contributing factor in me passing on one of these. This is not to say the Tikka is not a good rifle, you asked for our opinions...

There are numerous other options in your price range:

Howa Lightning 1500: known tack drivers out of the box. They build the Weatherby Vanguards. 5+1 magazine

Stevens Model 200: Commonly referred to as the best "budget priced" rifle out there. 4+1 magazine. Under $300, add a RifleBasix trigger for $65, and you have the adjustable trigger, and about $200 more toward good glass.

Savage 11/111 series: Great accurate rifles... under $500, not the prettiest rifle on the wall, but by golly, she puts out...

Remington Model 700 SPS: Well, it's a Remmy... Made in USA... like a small block chevy, parts are everywhere, and easily had, and just about every good 'smith knows how to make'm better.

 

[iamkris]

I have a Tikka. It is a great shooter. Awesome trigger, smooth action, very accurate. No complaints.

 

[30-06 lover]

Two more questions...

How does one pronounce the name "Tikka"?

2. On the all black Lite version, is the bluing matte black or gloss black?

Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[hoghunting]

'06,
It is pronounced Tea Ka


On the Lite, the bluing is a matte finish. It is not a complete dull matte, as it has just a hint of sheen, but it is matte.

You might check www.thegunsource.com for prices on the Tikka as they have some of the best prices I've seen. They also carry many other manufacturers also.