Tikka for hunting? Thoughts in general

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There was a big sale last year and you could get the Tikka T3x with composite stock for around $480. This was for standard length and non magnum cartridges only. I picked up my son's 270 from a guy who bought it for a pronghorn hunt and then decided he needed a magnum. It was unfired and still had the stickers on it and I paid him $400. I am sure it is far superior to the other rifles sold at that price point.

John camp
Wish we had sales like that people would be queued up for miles

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’d bet I can still better than this but still not bad:

View attachment 325432

A great buy but I hate that useless and horrible caliber I shudder typing it the 243. God's abomination on us poor shooters it's neither fish or foul. It ain't a real caliber. Real calibers are .25 cal or 35 cal. Ha ha I do like my 25's

 

[Dr Ray]

Sako is sorting the deluxe version. Tikka made by Sako is excellent too but not as nicely finished.
I have owned both Tikka and Sako and cannot fault them.
Tikka -I have used it in competition shoots - just great.
The Sakos are just beautiful to look at and are very nice to shoot.
You cannot go wrong with either Tikka or Sako.

 

[John Camp]

John camp
Wish we had sales like that people would be queued up for miles

Same thing happens the other way around. I would love to get an o/u double rifle but there is no way. I see some rifles that would be $4000 here going for $1,500 in Europe. Sometimes they are imported into Canada and sell for something similar but not here.

 

[John Camp]

Sako is sorting the deluxe version. Tikka made by Sako is excellent too but not as nicely finished.
I have owned both Tikka and Sako and cannot fault them.
Tikka -I have used it in competition shoots - just great.
The Sakos are just beautiful to look at and are very nice to shoot.
You cannot go wrong with either Tikka or Sako.

I agree. I can only give strong reviews for the Tikka but the truth is that I do not even like the gun. The Sako is the beautiful rifle and I would really like to get one. I hate the plastic on the Tikka. I have looked into upgrading with aftermarket steel and aluminum but the components would cost as much as I paid for the rifle. No thanks. The Tikka however is the best (maybe only) quality budget line rifle. It seems all manufactures are redesigning to cut costs and using plastic instead of steel. The Tikka is reliable and accurate and the action is like chrome plated butter. One day I will have a Sako sporting some impressive furniture. Until then the Tikka will have to do.

 

[Dr Ray]

I agree. I can only give strong reviews for the Tikka but the truth is that I do not even like the gun. The Sako is the beautiful rifle and I would really like to get one. I hate the plastic on the Tikka. I have looked into upgrading with aftermarket steel and aluminum but the components would cost as much as I paid for the rifle. No thanks. The Tikka however is the best (maybe only) quality budget line rifle. It seems all manufactures are redesigning to cut costs and using plastic instead of steel. The Tikka is reliable and accurate and the action is like chrome plated butter. One day I will have a Sako sporting some impressive furniture. Until then the Tikka will have to do.

I suggest you save up to buy the Sako

Three of my Sakos
L to r
270 23/250 338

 

[CBH Australia]

I can certainly appreciate the difference in quality and finish but Tikka and others shoot acceptably,

Just refined a search in used guns for Sako,
I know I’m not a trophy hunter or collector as they said in South Africa but I do like my rifles, so much to choose from and so little discretionary budget

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I can certainly appreciate the difference in quality and finish but Tikka and others shoot acceptably,

Just refined a search in used guns for Sako,
I know I’m not a trophy hunter or collector as they said in South Africa but I do like my rifles, so much to choose from and so little discretionary budget

CBH
Just sell what you don't want and buy a Sako in the cal you like the most mate. You could always ask the missus for a pay rise. Ha ha ha
Cheers mate Bob

 

[John Camp]

I suggest you save up to buy the Sako View attachment 325571
Three of my Sakos
L to r
270 23/250 338

Got me thinking Ray. I have been studying past and current Sakos and have decided to move the purchase to the top of the list. Now which one?

 

[Newby]

Which one ? One that ejects with a scope mounted would be nice.

If you are buying an 85, don't let go of your money until you have checked to make the empties clear a mounted scope.

 

[CBH Australia]

A great buy but I hate that useless and horrible caliber I shudder typing it the 243. God's abomination on us poor shooters it's neither fish or foul. It ain't a real caliber. Real calibers are .25 cal or 35 cal. Ha ha I do like my 25's

Bob, I’m loading some 95gn Nosler BT Hunting for my wife’s .243 I have several ADI powders can you recommend a load?

 

[CBH Australia]

Which one ? One that ejects with a scope mounted would be nice.

If you are buying an 85, don't let go of your money until you have checked to make the empties clear a mounted scope.

My PH has an 85 and it was good but I have heard of this problem. I believe it can be rectified but it’s a shame that some Sako show this fault from new.

 

[perttime]

From some discussions, I've gathered that Sako has been using the same exact extractor for all calibers. Then you run into situations where it isn't quite right, in some cases, unless you do some adjustments..

I recall they are supposed to be changing that. Sorry, I don't remember the source.

 

[Dr Ray]

Hunter 85 stainless steel
I have the 270 in soft synthetic because where I hunt deer.

 

[Dr Ray]

From some discussions, I've gathered that Sako has been using the same exact extractor for all calibers. Then you run into situations where it isn't quite right, in some cases, unless you do some adjustments..

I recall they are supposed to be changing that. Sorry, I don't remember the source.

Sako extraction seems to be a bit of a problem only with the large calibers whereby the empty case tends to hit the low mounted scope and drops back into the magazine well.
When the case hits the scope it usually dents the mouth of the case. Personally I have no problems with my Sako in 338 Winchester.
I’ve never had any issues with Sako rifles (ever). I do not have any Sakos in calibers greater than 338.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, I’m loading some 95gn Nosler BT Hunting for my wife’s .243 I have several ADI powders can you recommend a load?

CBH
Chris piss those useless projectiles off as quickly as possible, you will be very disappointed. Mate I have, seen them blow up on a,30kg pig, also seen them drill a 243 cal hole on both sides of a shoulder shot 60 kg pig. Some times they work properly but rarely. My mate used them one weekend we went hunting that's what I personally observed. If I were you I would try the 95gn sst. They are my go to bullet in my 25 (117gn SST) and the son's 308 (150grain sst) . They knock the snot out of our feral game mate. You won't be disappointed with the Says buddy, you will be with the nosler. Also hornaday is half the price
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

CBH
Chris piss those useless projectiles off as quickly as possible, you will be very disappointed. Mate I have, seen them blow up on a,30kg pig, also seen them drill a 243 cal hole on both sides of a shoulder shot 60 kg pig. Some times they work properly but rarely. My mate used them one weekend we went hunting that's what I personally observed. If I were you I would try the 95gn sst. They are my go to bullet in my 25 (117gn SST) and the son's 308 (150grain sst) . They knock the snot out of our feral game mate. You won't be disappointed with the Says buddy, you will be with the nosler. Also hornaday is half the price
Cheers mate Bob

CBH
Chris I will call you tomorrow with a load mate. What powders have you got?

 

[John Camp]

Which one ? One that ejects with a scope mounted would be nice.

If you are buying an 85, don't let go of your money until you have checked to make the empties clear a mounted scope.

From what I have read the general opinion seems to be that the ejection problem was only with the early production 85s. Do you disagree?

 

[wesheltonj]

I have a SAKO Classic in 375, and the empty does not hit the scope. I have the low mount and not the extra low. I suspect that could be the cause of the problem.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelan
I’ll be hard to catch today a couple of appts before I travel for work.
I went with 34 gn 2208 same as the last load. The rifle hasn’t been out in a while but she went ok last time. Targets and foxes
I hope she gets onto a pig with it to see how it goes.
I know your dislike for the cartridge and projectile. Coming from the 20” Barrel May be a handicap
I’m hoping the projectile is not all bad, I have a few boxes purchased in my travels.
These are the 95gn Hunting projectile not Varmint
I’ve used Nosler 55gn Varmint in my 26” barrelled .223 with great success including head shooting of pigs.
To date no issues with Nosler but always listening, observing and learning.