Savage vs. Tikka for Out-of-the-Box Accuracy

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I've had a chance to shoot a few of both the Savage and the Tikkas out of the box, and they are both above average in the accuracy department. Well above other factory rifles in their price range. I'd call them about even, I actually like the looks of the Savage better myself but you won't go wrong with either. The Savage does have much more of an aftermarket.

Triggers are comparably easy to adjust.
 
I certainly don't think of a Mercedes when I handle Tikka's. They're very accurate guns with other good qualities. They are NOT high end when it comes to hunting rifles IMO. Not even close. Now a Sako I could see, but not Tikka.
 
I certainly don't think of a Mercedes when I handle Tikka's. They're very accurate guns with other good qualities. They are NOT high end when it comes to hunting rifles IMO. Not even close. Now a Sako I could see, but not Tikka.

The Tikka is excellent. If you are looking fo value for money it is the best. If you are looking for the best it is not but you will spend several times more money.The question is, for your needs, is it worth it?
 
I have a TIKKA T3 Varmint in 223 & am waiting for my Tikka T3 Varmint in 308 to arrive. I opted for the Varmint model over the Tactical version because of the 4" longer barrel.
 
The Tikka is excellent. If you are looking fo value for money it is the best. If you are looking for the best it is not but you will spend several times more money.The question is, for your needs, is it worth it?
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I agree with you. But I don't think of "best bang for your buck" when I think of Mercedes. People don't always see the difference on these forums. Spending several times more money for a better gun is similar to spending several more times the money and getting a Mercedes IMO.

Good is good. But don't lose perspective. The people who buy Sako, Weatherby, Cooper, etc. are not foolish. These guns are not the best value but they ARE better than a Tikka IMO.

Why do we need absolutes on these threads? Why can't we love the guns we do, AND realize there are guns even better? I think some people feel a need to justify their purchase by telling themselves and others what they bought is "the best" or "the best bang for the buck".

Now back to topic. I've been more impressed with Tikka's accuracy on average. The Savage is the winner though if you're talking heavy barrel guns. The Tikka varmint stocks are too flimsy and flexible and you can feel a twang go through it upon firing IMO.
 
Fella's;

For my $0.02, the choice should be Tikka or CZ? The Savage just doesn't cut it with me.

900F
 
to heck with em both and just get a Remington 700. Mine out of the box and with slight trigger adjustment was pumping 168gr bthp's from federal in under a ft. at 1000 yrds. it was a .308 just like you are looking for
 
How to the actions compare? Stock dimension? Checkering? Magazines? Ease to mount scopes?
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I've got a Tikka T3 Hunter. I got it a couple years back for $450; it was either the Tikka or the Savage.

I picked the Tikka for a number of reasons:
* The quality of finish was vastly superior.
* I liked the single-action trigger better than the take-up glock-style trigger on the Savage; it's also trivial to adjust the T3.
* The action felt smoother/quicker/more skillfully machined, and locked up solid on the T3; it locked up solid on the Savage, too, but it felt a bit rough/not smooth.
* The lines were sleek, well refined, and yet still seemingly simple, with no evident machining marks and a clean looking finish on both the barrel and the receiver (all of which looked a bit spotty on the Savage).
* The rifle balanced very well and had a mounting rail for a scope integral to the receiver (weaver compatible).
* The magazine is removable, which to me is a plus, as the option to get several extras (and simply replace a malfunctioning magazine) is an option (for like $25 each).
* Weighs like 7.5lb , loaded, with 4-9x scope. (A wee bit light for .270 win, if you want to shoot all day with it - but not bad for hunting).

I have shot 5-shot groups using "whatever" (Winchester, Remington, etc.) cheap COTS ammo (150 and 130 grain .270 Winchester) from 100 yards (off the bench) which fit inside a quarter many times, and I've had two which would fit inside a nickle (that is, being fully covered by the nickel). Maybe 100-150 or so rounds through the rifle total (should've picked a .308 - .270 is pricey!).


Today, if I were given the choice, I'd probably spring for a CZ instead of the Tikka, because I've fallen in love with their products (and workmanship). The Tikka T3 has a fair amount of plastic on it (magazine, trigger guard area) whereas CZs are all metal and wood. But really, they're both great guns, and for a field gun, I think I prefer the T3 - it's pretty but I don't worry about things like rust/the environment as I would with a CZ.

My next bolt action centerfire rifle will be a CZ.

ETA: Had I known about CZ rifles when I purchased my Tikka, and had CZ offered something in a "normal, non-magnum" American cartridge, I'd not have bought a Tikka. The existence of iron sights on their Lux model would've won me over, hands down.
 
The only way to settle this is the have a savage vs. tikka vs. remington postal match!! Though I say we throw out the "out of the box" stipulation and simply set a price cap. $1000 rifles not counting the optics.
 
After looking at the Tikka, it just doesn't really appeal. The bolt knob doesn't look beefy like that of a Mauser, Rem, Ruger, Win, or Savage. And the fore-end checkering looked different with the 3 patches, rather than wrap around.

I'm considering now the Ruger hawkeye and Savage american classic. I like the idea of control round feed, but what about the rest of the ruger?
 
The only way to settle this is the have a savage vs. tikka vs. remington postal match!! Though I say we throw out the "out of the box" stipulation and simply set a price cap. $1000 rifles not counting the optics.
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Wow. You're a trusting kind of guy. You really think people who's entire self-esteem seems to be validated by their choice of rifle brand will be honest?

And CRF - perfect if you're an old school elitist, or going to Africa.
 
Why is my club's 300yd benchrest match dominated by Remington 700's in the varmint class? They'll do anything for accuracy and some of us compete nationally. Yet they still shoot stock Remmy's. I'm shooting a bone stock Remmy 700P in 308 that typically shoots 100yds in the .2" or .3"s. With a 30 cal bullet that's really just one enlarged bullet hole @ 100yds.
 
You, sir, are not only an excellent shooter, but you have found a diamond among diamonds! Never sell that rifle, because there are men who spend thousands of dollars on custom rigs to get near you and are happy if they can be .4 on their $3,000 investment.

What ever juju you cast upon that rifle, take good care of it.

Also, take care of your self, as you are a special person to take a stock rifle and get .2 MOA out of it. Me, I'd be happy to be half the shooter you are!

Or, perhaps, your rifle isn't quite that magical?

Ash
 
I know how special it is. It is a varmint class 300 yard benchrest competition gun. I have shot enough and own enough other heavy barrel gusn to know what's good and what isn't. I'm sure some will question if I'm a keyboard commando but I've got the targets to prove it. I just don't know how to post pics yet. I've tried several times.

Keep in mind I'm shooting carefully prepared handloads with competition grade bullets etc. And yes the gun just may be magical oh yee of little faith.:neener:
 
It's amazing how many sub MOA Remmingtons there are on the internet and how few there are at the range. Of course Krochus has a Savage in 7.62x39 that he shot a .22 group with at 100 yards the other day. He even posted pictures of the group. I'll point him toward this thread so he can do it again.
 
Hey Jerkface. My range is dominated by heavy barreled Remingtons in the benchrest matches. Except for custom class guns of course.
 
I don't know what dominates our benchrest crowd (what's left of them), never felt welcome there. But I know factory, unsmithed Savages dominate our F-Class.
 
Code: 
You, sir, are not only an excellent shooter, but you have found a diamond among diamonds! Never sell that rifle, because there are men who spend thousands of dollars on custom rigs to get near you and are happy if they can be .4 on their $3,000 investment.

I have been at the range at the same time as Horsemany and have been witness to the truth of this paragraph. He and the rifle are both as described.

Code: 
Me, I'd be happy to be half the shooter you are!

Me, Too.

Ash....You should be careful where you start your flames. You could very easily become................ash. P.I...............tog
 
Some people say that the Ruger Hawkeye is bad since the bolt is made from investment casting? What exactly is this and why is it so bad?
 
Ruger has a long history of investment casting almost anything. Nothing wrong with it, when it's done right. But some purists (elitists?) always think there is one way to build anything, and the technology never advances.
 
From the beginning Ruger has been thinking "outside the box", so to speak. They have always found a way to make their guns a bit less expensive than the competition. Investment casting is one way they do this. While not done the conventional way Ruger 77's and their revolvers in particular have earned a reputation for being the strongest and most durable guns in their class. Stainless Rugers are among the most popular rifles in Alaska where they are subjected to some pretty extreme conditions.
 
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