Remington SPS or Tikka T3

[viking499]

I am looking for a stainless synthetic to fill a void I have. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices. A Remington SPS 243 or Tikka 6.5x55. I know that there is a little variance in the calibers, but similar. Both work for coyotes and deer, and really fun with groundhogs. I already have both calibers, but in blued walnut. Wanting something that the weather is a little easier on. I hate to take a walnut gun in and out of the truck and around the farm because I don't want the wood beat up. The SPS I can pick up now. The Tikka will be sometime in the next couple months, whenever they are imported again.

Opinions? Recommendations?

 

[beertracker]

I have a Tikka Whitetail Hunter model. This is the model before the T3 series. I will just say I am quite happy with it. It's accurate, smooth as glass action, free floating barrel and user adjustable trigger pull. Mine is wood and I share the same concern you do about dinging up the wood. So what I did was a get a camo gun sock and cut openings for trigger, scope and muzzle. Just slip it on before going hunting it works great for me.

Beertracker

 

[phydaux]

I'm sure you will find fans of each rifle, but I buy American when things are close to equal.

 

[stovepipe699]

I have a Tikka Whitetail and it's my favorite rifle. My brother has the T3 and it's also great. I would buy the Tikka

 

[Essex County]

Tikka, for sure. I know mine will shoot well, but I'm not so positive about the Remington. The T3 is an outstanding Value.......Essex

 

[ArmedBear]

The Remington needs an aftermarket add-on safety for hunting in the brush. Remington's safeties don't lock the bolt. The Tikka comes with a 3-poition AFAIK (verify).

Otherwise, for a truck gun, I suppose it doesn't matter much.

I like my Weatherby Vanguard for offhand shooting, myself, though I have walnut on it. Functionally similar to the Remington, but has a bolt lock safety and different geometry. I like the Remington stock shape, too, though.

 

[eliphalet]

Remington's safeties don't lock the bolt.

And this is a pain on a hunting rifle.
My primary hunting 700 was made back when Remington's bolt's wouldn't open if the gun was on safety. There was supposedly a problem with these trigger groups firing upon occasion as the bolt was closed so I had mine changed last year during a recall to the new trigger/safety.
The bolt will open on safety now.
It is a ROYAL pain on a hunting gun, on several occasions now in the short time the new trigger has been installed I have found my bolt completely to partly open with the rifle slung over my shoulder while walking in the sage brush. Not only is this at some time going to leave my action open for debris and a lost shell on the ground, but perhaps a lost animal. If the bolt is lifted even the slightest amount the gun will not fire, sooner or later this will probably happen to me, and if and when I miss a trophy elk because of this I am not going to be a happy camper to say the least.
I am strongly considering putting the old trigger back on or buying a aftermarket.
I too am a Remington fan, have been since my first firearm was a Remington 22 about 1960 but Remington needs to fix this to a three position safety immediately.

 

[ArmedBear]

Remington has a lot to fix. Furthermore, they could have gone to a 3-position safety like Howa has with their very similar gun. My Howa-action Weatherby has a 2-position safety, which seems to work fine, and locks the bolt. I wonder why Remington's had a problem.

It bums me out that Remington will be at Marlin's helm. Cost savings and mediocrity aimed at capitalizing on Remington's past reputation seem to be their MO.

I am, however, stoked that Winchester is back in business with the Model 70 CRF gun, and if I buy a new hunting rifle, it won't be a Remington.

For a truck gun, I'd get a Howa Lightning or Weatherby Vanguard in stainless/synthetic.

But a Remington will work, too.

 

[45crittergitter]

The Remington 700 has a 2-position safety that does not lock the bolt. The Tikka T-3 has a 2-position safety that does lock the bolt.

I have experience with several examples of both and prefer the Tikka, but not because of the safety.