Thread: Comparing the old with the new.

I have a Tikka M695 in 270 win and a T3 in 7mm rem mag. They are very close to each other with regards to production dates (roughly 10-15 years apart from first introductions). Most fundamental design principles are shared between the two excluding a few action specific features like magazines and action length. Although the M695 is a heavy cannon, the feel, fit, and smoothness of it in all areas is leaps and bounds beyond that of my T3. But then again, the T3 is stainless, is a few pounds lighter, and you don't have to upkeep a plastic stock like you do timber. There are trade offs in every regards but I think the quality of engineering has definitely changed to be geared to economy of scale somewhat. The M695 is far more beautiful and refined despite being manufactured only roughly a decade before the T3.

Originally Posted by Floundering Around

I have a Tikka M695 in 270 win and a T3 in 7mm rem mag. They are very close to each other with regards to production dates (roughly 10-15 years apart from first introductions). Most fundamental design principles are shared between the two excluding a few action specific features like magazines and action length. Although the M695 is a heavy cannon, the feel, fit, and smoothness of it in all areas is leaps and bounds beyond that of my T3. But then again, the T3 is stainless, is a few pounds lighter, and you don't have to upkeep a plastic stock like you do timber. There are trade offs in every regards but I think the quality of engineering has definitely changed to be geared to economy of scale somewhat. The M695 is far more beautiful and refined despite being manufactured only roughly a decade before the T3.

Here is my 695 in 270


My T3 300 mag has no soul.

That is a well loved M695 EmpireSafaris. I got the iron sights removed off of mine and fitted with special filler screws to plug the holes. Also got a can on it courtesy of Dean Maisey. I have also just completed a refinish of the stock to seal off all the wear and tear marks from moisture. I have had an ongoing battle with rust spots due to fading blue so I am going to get the barrelled action cerakoted by Delta Mike just before Xmas. I do wonder if the quality of the bluing on them was a bit lacklustre?

So is there a comparable quality modern $8000 NZ rifle available?
And what will it look like 150 years from now ?

There are definitely rifles of this quality currently being built
But totall bespoke and likely in real terms vastly more expensive compared to yearly earnings



Of course these are really rough numbers and I don't have a copy of the AH ledger to know exactly what this rifle cost the original owner.

But you get the idea