need opinions: thought about a Sako TRG, leaning towards a Tikka T3

[sernv99]

I was all set on a Sako TRG in 300WM about a month ago, for some long range plinking but after thinking about it long and hard, I don't think I'll ever use the 300WM range to it's full effect (I live in VA, only one long shooting range around and it's at Quantico which is restricted to certain civlians, other than that I shoot for fun on about 70acres of farmland). I think the 300WM range would be a waste given 70acres, half of it covered in tall grass, so I'm looking at about 35 acres of cut farm field to mess around for some long range plinking fun and shooting the occasional groundhog and other rodents.

I'm leaning towards a Tikka T3 tactical in .308...probably a better choice. They make the TRG in 308 but from my research, the barrel on the T3 and TRG are of the same stock and the Tikka T3 action seems to be highly rated, even on the snipercentral board. The only gripe folks had was the T3's stock, too " toy plasticy" but I assume this can be switched out to a better aftermarket stock at a later date....also the magazine box is plastic but I don't know if aftermarket steel mags are avaiable.

anyone who bought the TRG in 308 and then handled the T3 Tactical and felt the T3 was just as a good as the TRG?

 

[switch777]

Get the T3 Tac, you can't go wrong! I absolutely love mine. I think it has the best combination of (usable) features for the money. Shoots like a dream, the trigger is fantastic out of the box. It shoots everything that I put through it as well. Good groups even with Wolf Gold. Fed GMM 165 is magic. The bolt is so, so nice.

If the rifle has a draw back, it's the stock, like you said. One would think problems with a stock would in fact be a HUGE drawback, but hear me out.

When I first got it, I tore through the packaging, dying to get my hands on it. Having previously fired a TRG-21, I was really, really excited. Once I placed my hands on it though, I was disappointed. All my previous/existing rifles were either wood or very similar to an H&S. I love my friends R700 in its McMillan A5. The T3 somehow seemed inferior. It was also on the light side, which concerned me. I put it in the gun cabinet, figuring I'd mess with it and tool it up later when I had the time.

Fast forward about a week...

I had some time to gear it up, so I pulled it out of the cabinet and shouldered it. Hmmm, this thing is really well balanced. I really like the feel of the foregrip. The shoulder pad is comfortable. The adjustable cheek comb is money. Then there's the mag...oh no, plastic. Wait a minute, it seems to be better made than my polymer AR Lancer mags that I love.

By the time I got the thing all set up, I was dying to shoot it. It also had some great weight to it now with the scope and bipod, feels very solid. Now I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world (except maybe for something in .338 lapua

Long story short; if you can get over the fact that the stock and mag are fancy (and hella durable) plastic, it's is a fantastic piece of kit.

:Tikka T3 Tactical:

Warne Medium 30mm rings
Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40 Mil. Dot (426242M)
Butler Creeks (13 eye, 45 obj; this took some trial and error for the sizing)
Harris LMS with Pod-Loc
Tactical Intervention Specialists M24 sling
Roedale Precison Tactical M18 muzzle brake (AMAZING!!!)

 

[Afy]

T3 Varmint in .260 would be the ideal option... IMHO

 

[Horsemany]

It's harder for me to be satisfied with upper end guns. I always feel a little let down. Every time I look at my Sako I think it was not worth the money and I don't enjoy it as much as my cheaper stuff. Now my T3...that's a bargain. Sako barrel and trigger. And a smoother action than a Sako. And the single stack mag feeds better.

 

[sernv99]

thanks for the feedback, I just bought a T3 Tactical last night for just under $1460. That was the best price I could find. CDNN was blowing them out for $900 in their latest catalog but they are all out. They seem to get them in from time to time, last time being in the spring of 2007. 24" barrel version was hard to find. I preferred the phosphate finish vs the blued finish of the varmint in addition to the pic. rail and threaded ended (going to add a supressor), otherwise I would had went with the Varmint model.

 

[GBMaryland]

As an FYI: I've handled both the TRG-42 and the Tikka T3. There TRG is by far a better overall firearm. Especially with respect to the stock.

I own a TRG-42 in 300WM and it's a 1/4MOA rifle out of the box. Of course, the down size is that it's hugely expensive. The plus side is that you basically get the custom rifle experience out of the box, but you don't end up waiting for it.

My opinion of the T3 is that it's got a great action, and crappy stock.

The real question is what are you going to do with it? Truthfully, if you are not planning on 1000 yards, then you should just get a decent Remington 700.

If you are planning 1000 yards, and you want a platform to get you there WITHOUT anything else... then a TRG is a fine option.

A T3 will not work well for that... unless you restock it with a McMillan stock or something. ...and if you do that, then you should just by a TRG-42 and get it over.

The TRG is a purpose built 1000 yard rifle, with a very good muzzle break, bipod, rail system, and anything else you could possible need / want.

The T3 does not have most of these options.

The reason I mentioned a Remington 700 is that you can easily get a 700 that's everything the T3 is. Moreover, you can get parts for it or have a rifle built around the action that's as nice as the TRG. While the T3 has an awesome action, it's tough to customize.

Remington: Parts all over the place

TRG: No need to customize

GB

 

[GBMaryland]

BTW: you can read a ton of stuff on the T3 vs TRG on snipershide.