How to the actions compare? Stock dimension? Checkering? Magazines? Ease to mount scopes?
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.