Tikka or Vanguard???

[knoxx45]

I'm buying my nephew his first rifle for his 18th birthday. I don't want to break the bank, but I want to get him something good. Add in the price of a scope, and I'm all ready spending too much, but I feel that every man should gut a rifle on his 18th B-Day, and since his father (my brother in law) passed away about 2 years ago, I feel that it is up to me. He likes my 308, and shoots it very well, actually its kinda frightening how well. So, 308 is the caliber.

His father taught him to shoot along time ago, so please no "he needs a 22 for his first gun". I know that every one needs a 22, but right now he needs a deer/everything rifle. The Tikka and the vanguard are the ones that he fired at the range and liked. He fired a savage and said that it, "just didn't feel right". He does not want a lever action. I tried talking sense to him, after all I think that everyone I know started out with a Win '94, but he is a bolt guy. Unlike other kids his age, he has no interest in AR15's or AK's.

So, what are the good, the bad, and the ugly about these rifles. He likes them both the same, but before I lay out the cash, I want the 411. I would like to hear any sugestions that anyone has about other options in that price range if anyone has any.

Thanks for the help

Knoxx

 

[vmfrantz]

get the tikka. it has a detachable magazine. i always like that when i'm loading or unloading with frozen fingers

 

[ACP]

Vanguard. Made by Howa, similar to the Mark V, equisite fit and finish, great reviews, wide variety of calibers. Very handsome and classic.

 

[rbernie]

I do not trust the Tikka plastic magazine and trigger guard to withstand field knocks, and I've personally watched one get smashed by a simple fall.

Which fits better? The Vanguard has a very different stock fit than the Tikka, presuming that you're looking at a relatively new Vanguard with the Monte Carlo stock.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I would vote for the Vanguard because it's a howa action (a clone of the remington 700) which allows for TONS more options in terms of scope mounting as well as stocks etc. The Tikka is a fine rifle however they only make long actions. The .308 being a short action would have a magazine block in it. Not a deal killer but why move the bolt another 1/2" if you don't need to. The other concerns regarding the Tikka is that there is precisely NO aftermarket for these rifles whatsoever. If the stock doesn't fit right, you'll need to hire a smith to carve a new one for you. For me and some others price is a significant factor and here again the Vanguard with it's accuracy guarantee represents a significant value. The Tikka although a fine rifle makes no such guarantee and being significantly more expensive doesn't endear me to spend my precious few dollars when greater values abound. I'm sorry to hear that the Savage didn't feel right because mine has given splendid service. That said, the price difference between a Vanguard and a Savage is not so much.

 

[30-06 lover]

Although I have not shot either rifle, it has been my experience you get what you pay for. The Tikka is more expensive than a comparable Vanguard.

 

[knoxx45]

thanks guys

Thanks for all the help everyone. I just want to make suure that I get him something good. I want to give my nephew a rifle that he will remember and keep. I still have the rifle that my father gave me. My Win '94 in 30-30 is not my best rifle, nor my most accurate, or the prettiest... but it is my favorite... awe crap... I just talked my self into buying him what ever he wants.... damn! anyone have a Band-aid for my wallet?

 

[bigcim]

but to get a vanguard to shoot the tikka guaranty you'll pay a couple of extra hundred dollars for the moa

 

[Black Snowman]

Just be glad you're not buying for me, when I was 18 I wanted the Berrett Mod 82 I had just spied at the gun show for the 1st time. They were only asking $3000 WITH the scope. Man, I wish I had had the money or the credit to have picked it up. I still want one, but I add so much to the collection for the price of one of those.

 

[hoghunting]

knoxx,

That is an extremely nice gesture for your nephew. I'm sure he will be very appreciative of the gift.

I have both rifles and would buy another Tikka in a heartbeat. I have never had any problems with the detachable mag nor the polymer trigger guard. Granted the T3 only comes in the long action, Tikka uses different bolt stops for the different cartridges sizes. You only move the bolt just a tad more than the cartridge length, not the full length of the action for shorter cases. The T3 also has a 1" @ 100 yds grouping guarantee. It also has a better trigger than the Vanguard.

You might also check www.thegunsource.com for prices. I haven't checked there since Apr, but they had good prices.

 

[waffentomas]

I cannot speak to the Tikka.

However, I bought the Vanguard synthetic stock in .308 Win. last year, and their accuracy guarantee was bogus...

They sent me a target with 3 shots from a Federal 150gr load - 1.25" at 100 yards, and with very little fiddling with handloads, I get .75" with Barnes 180gr flatbase HP at 100 yards. Plopped a Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5x10 50mm scope on her (a reman!!!), and wow!

I do wish the action was a little "glassier", but it's getting better with use.

I'm thrilled with this rifle.

It's also grouped Sierra 165gr Game Kings in under an inch at 100 yards as well.

Tom

 

[trigger45]

hi.

my howa is a .270. my 10th,11th and 12th shots went into 3/4 of an inch. howa has been made for a while. aftermarket stocks made by boyds.

 

[IV Troop]

I do a lot of long range shooting as well as competition. I own two Tikkas at the moment and swear by them. At a state sniper championship I took a stock 308 Tikka and placed third against some very expensive custom guns.

I also showed a local PD some examples of custom guns I had along with the Tikka for their snipers. They chose new Tikkas over everything else and are very pleased with them.

I posted an article I wrote on Tikkas here a while back. Use the search key and get a full report.

Go with the Tikka

 

[hessy]

Tikka

I would go with Tikka over Vanguard any day. My Tikka .223 is extremely tough and magazines never malfunction. Accuracy is sub-MOA without any tweaking. Aftermarket parts-why do I need aftermarket parts? BTW, Limbsaver makes a pad for Tikka, if you need one. Vanguard that I had (in .308, by the way) was nowhere near Tikka in accuracy, had a creepy/heavy trigger, I paid more for it (in our neck of the woods, $475 for bone-stock Vanguard and $400-450 for Tikka Lite), and fit/finish was mediocre. I hated the stock, but this depends on the person.
For trigger adjustment, Weatherby said send to the factory for my own money. Tikka came with extremely nice trigger, but if needed you can easily adjust it yourself.
There is no comparison, really.

 

[knoxx45]

Thanks for all of the help

Since everthing that I have read both in the gun rags, and on THR was about equal, and they are priced about the same around here, I let him choose. He wants the Tikka. He just cant deside between the light stainless and the laminated stainless.

I Just got him a scope. My friend at work traded me a NIB, Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 for 4" Taurus Tracker in 357. The way I see it, I never shoot the thing and this way I dont have to layout the cash. It should be a sweet set up, and I think he should be souped.

 

[hoghunting]

Your nephew has excellent taste! The Lite will be lighter to carry, but have him choose the one that fits him best since there is less than a pound difference between the two models.

Great trade on the scope. Your nephew will have a scoped rifle that will always remind him of his uncle.

 

[Terrierman]

Will you be my uncle too? I promise to be the best possible nephew imaginable.

 

[Charles S]

I really don't think you would go wrong with either rifle. I prefer the Tikka, but that is simply because I like a lightweight rifle. If I did not carry a gun with me so much and do so much walking it would not be as big of a deal. My Tikka is an excellent shooter.

The only disadvantage a rifle with a low overall weight is increased recoil. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Nhsport]

For whats its worth (after the fact) A week or so back a fellow club member who is " THE " go to guy at my club for accurate/hunting rifles was showing me a Tika that he had just bought . This Guy usually is only seen with custom Remingtons and accepts nothing but the best in his competition and hunting rifles and said he was very impressed with the quality and construction .

 

[one eye joe]

I have never shot a Tikka, although I have held them at gun shows. Had a Howa which was very nice with the laminated stock. I hear that the Tikka has a great trigger, and is highly thought of. The Vanguard is a best buy in it's price range. Tough choice. To throw another possibility at you, have you seen the CZ 550. A little heavy, but man do they shoot! That is what I sold my Howa to buy. Thought about the Tikka, but just didn't care for the plastic on it. I am sure he will be thrilled with whatever you get him.