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

[280shooter]

tikka all the way

I love my tikka in stainless,great trigger,silky smooth action,less then 1/2 moa at 100 yards,

 

[dak0ta]

And since Ruger doesn't free float their barrels this makes their accuracy bad? They fixed the trigger with the new LC6, but it's non-adjustable.

And howcome Ruger bolties aren't more popular if they're good quality and inexpensive?

 

[skinewmexico]

They're not really inexpensive, and they don't, as a rule, shoot as well as their peers that cost less.

 

[NCsmitty]

I'll admit that I scanned this thread a little fast, and I would think as a rule, due to the higher price that the Tikka may be more accurate out of the box than the Savage. The big plus for the Savage is the ability to change calibers by purchasing a new barrel and a headspace gauge, as long as you use the same case head size cartridge. That is a definite advantage.

NCsmitty

 

[R.W.Dale]

as long as you use the same case head size cartridge. That is a definite advantage.

You don't even have to do that, you can change bolt heads as well. You could literally change a .223 to a 35 whelen and then swap to a 264 win mag and back all in one day

 

[Georgia Gunner]

I say go with savage.

 

[Ash]

Hey, oldgringo, I wasn't flaming. He says he can do .2 MOA with a stock rifle, I'm impressed. Not convinced, but impressed.

Perhaps you should avoid threatening other members here.

Ash

 

[theoldgringo]

Ash,

No threat intended.

Simply saying if you place a flame in the wrong place you may set yourself on fire..............

Humblest apologies, indeed, if you weren't questioning Horsemany's integrity...........tog

 

[Horsemany]

Ash

Here's my first attempt at a photo. It was shot #14,15,16 out of the gun just a couple of weeks ago. This 3 shot group measured .012" @100yds. The gun typically will shoot 3 shots around .2" and .3". Yesterday I shot a 5 shot group using the 168 Matchkings @.57" The load was using 168 gr Sierra Matchkings, but the gun slightly prefers 168 Hornady Amax's. They all group about the same but the Gamekings have a flier in every 2nd or 3rd group. The A-max's are quickly becoming my favorite target bullet even up there with Bergers.

I know it sounds unbelievable and I'm apparently guilty until proven innocent but I'm telling no lies. I shoot at 1" target dots and it's unusual to have a bullet outside the circle now that I'm sighted in. And all the groups are good. It's consistent. I'm NOT shooting several 3/4" groups and only mentioning the good ones. It's the best shooting gun I've ever owned(and I've owned some good ones.)

 

[hags]

Tikka is Sako's budget line of rifles. I don't know where the talk of "Mercedes" comes from.

For my money, the Savage is a better built and more accurate rifle. The stocks however can be horrendous.

You can buy one of three Savage actions and get an aftermarket "custom" stainless barrel and a semi custom stock still be right around $1000 and have a world class shooter.

I do like my Glocks, but plastic on a rifle, magazine, bolt shroud, etc....doesn't seem right to me.

 

[jerkface11]

So your .2" groups are 3 shots. I can shoot a .0" 1 shot group.

 

[hags]

So your .2" groups are 3 shots. I can shoot a .0" 1 shot group.

Gotta agree with that.

No offense, but unless it's 5 shots it's not a "group".

 

[Horsemany]

I don't normally shoot 5 shot groups because of heat. I wait at least 2 minutes between shots for my groups. If you want a 5 shot group I take 2, 3shot groups and transpose them. This way you get to see 6 shots instead of 5. I believe heat is the killer of all groups and that's why I do it this way. I'm too impatient to wait for 5 in a row.

I just knew somehow it wouldn't be good enough to show a group just over
1/10th of an inch. First I'm a liar about the group size, now there aren't enough holes in the target.

Here's the last 5 168 gr Matchkings I shot yesterday afternoon. The gun actually shoots a little better with A max's and I'm trying to use up the Matchkings.

I'd like to see targets of the recommended Tikka's and Savages. I'm sure there are some good ones because I know these guns can shoot. I just never see the targets posted. Maybe because no matter what you post someone will find a flaw in it.

I really didn't want this to be all about me or my gun. I was simply making the point that the Remington could possibly be more accurate than the Savage or Tikka as hard as that may be to believe.

 

[jerkface11]

You said your Rem shoots .2" at 100 yards. When pressed you revealed it was 3 shot groups. The 5 shot groups you showed were .5" If you transpose 2 of your 3 shot groups that isn't really a 6 shot group since you can move the 2 groups around any way you want to. To be fair you'd have to put the 2 groups side by side and measure them.

 

[mpmarty]

Sorry guys, three shot groups are STANDARD PRACTICE for judging varmint or benchrest rifles. See the latest American Rifleman where the Savage was rated one of the most accurate of all the many rifles tested. All the rifles were tested with three shot groups for the very reasons horsemany listed, cooling off between rounds.

 

[Horsemany]

Hey Jerkface. When I transpose the groups I put the 2 targets dots one on top of the other. You don't move the groups around, you just put 2 groups one on top of the other keeping the bullseyes on top of each other. I rarely do this since 3 shot groups are good enough for me. I'm sorry it's not good enough for you. Perhaps I could see some of your groups and how many you shoot to learn from you. I'm surprised at all the negative feedback about the groups. I don't usually criticize unless I can do better. And even then I'm usually smart enough not to.

It's easy to offer nothing to a discussion other than criticism.

Back to the OP's question. Go for the Tikka T3 of the 2 guns you are considering. I apologize for steering your thread off course.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Why does every rem700 owner think they have the most accurate rifle in the world?

I win! my groups are smaller and have the appropriate number of shots. I now have a book full of these. And I'm pretty sure I have less $$$$ in my Stevens.

What's the point in a heavy bbl if you're only gonna shoot 6/10ths of a group. I allow NO cooling time between my shots.

 

[dak0ta]

Can somebody explain MOA and Sub-MOA and why it's so important for target shooting, but for hunting, it doesn't matter as much?

 

[R.W.Dale]

but for hunting, it doesn't matter as much?

NO not at all. But you're the one who asked " Savage vs. Tikka for Out-of-the-Box Accuracy" of course this made the Remington guys feel left out so they had to hijack your thread

 

[Horsemany]

Why does every rem700 owner think they have the most accurate rifle in the world?

Because your group is the only one I've ever seen better posted on this forum. And I don't think Remingtons are the greatest. Search my old posts. I hack on Remmy's on a regular basis. I just happened to get a really good one.


Perhaps heat would be more of an issue if you were burning 44 grains of powder instead of 28. I'm shooting 308 it gets a little hotter.

I will be a big enough man to say those are great groups. I will not look for something to negate the guns performance or yours. I'm just glad somebody put up. I don't doubt many of you can shoot better than myself or my guns. The reason I posted my groups was because Ash didn't believe me. You can't hack a 1/10" group and not add something in exchange. You sir have gained some respect. Anyone else who thinks .12" 3 shot groups are easy should post theirs so the rest of us can absorb their knowledge(crickets).

The 1/2" 5 shot group I shot yesterday was not the best I can do nor the best load for the gun. It was only the guns' 3rd trip to the range. That target was handy since I shot it yesterday. If I'd known it was a postal match, I'd have brought out the Amax's. I said the gun shoots .2's and .3's. I posted a picture of a .12"group but that was not good enough? Perhaps you could produce a .12" group for us Krochus. It would be half the size of what you have there no?


Cost means little to me and I'll buy what I want.

 

[NvTwist]

The Savage stock's are horrendous to look at out of the box. They don't seem to clean up the stock to remove the access material where the two halves get bonded and where the magazine well or trap door would be. Keeps the cost down I suppose. Some sand paper and just a little elbow grease removes it in no time. My Savage is Smooth.

 

[dak0ta]

How does the new Winchester Model 70 Featherweight compare?

 

[Horsemany]

The model 70 would be of much higher quality than both IMO. It will also cost a lot more too if that is a consideration. I think the new model 70's are gonna start around $850 but that's just an approximation based on their new MSRP's. It will also most likely offer no gains in accuracy compared to your other 2 choices.

 

[Der Verge]

Ok kids, I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but the accuracy of a rifle does not necessarily have anything to do with the manufacture. Now, buying one of better name/make/reputation should lead to better consistancy, you are just increasing your odds. Everyone sells a bad one from time to time.

Currently I have two rifles with recently developed loads, a Stevens 200 .223, and a Weatherby Vanguard 7 Rem Mag. My good friend is working up loads for two new Tikkas, .270, and .300 Win. The Bee is shooting in the low .2s, the Stevens in the mid .2s, and both Tikka are .2/ low .3s. I have another friend that has a 7 Rem Mag Vanguard and 7 Mag 700. His 700 has never dipped under .72", and his Vanguard just will not break under 1". Oh, and none of our 7 Mags can swap loads between rifles, and stay on paper.

See the difference between Both Vanguards? Same gun, but 0.2" vs 1.0" It is possible he just has not found the best load yet, but he has tried many combos, for a few years now.

My personal experience in Savage VS. Tikka is this. My Savages have the slight edge in accuracy. They have also been very unpicky about what they are fed. Example, I have 5 loads for my 200 in .223. All five loads use the same brass, powder, and primers. All five loads are in the mid .2s. Here are the bullets.....
Hornady 50gr spire point
Sierra 52gr HPBT
Sierra 53gr HPFB
Hornady 60gr V-max
Sierra 65gr gameking

As for the Tikka's, they are fine guns. IMO, you will be pressed to find an action as smooth as a Tikka, and they shoot well. I do like them.

I buy more Savage products though, and for many reasons. I have a habit to feed, and the Stevens line helps keep the cost down. Also, they are Union made, here, in the good ol US ofA. That means a lot to me. And the guns perform. If it came to spending $700 on a fine, deep blued, nice wood stocked deer/ elk rifle, I would more than likely pick the Tikka. Target gun, performance, performance, performance, I would get a 12FV in .308

 

[dak0ta]

Hey Verge,

That was a really good point that you brought up. Since I probably won't be reloading for a while, I'll be using factory ammo, and usually it's whatever is at a good price.

So what you're saying is that Savages 'generally' will produce good accuracy with most factory ammo while the Tikka is more picky?

Can somebody put down a definite answer on the Ruger Hawkeye for this as well?