Thread: What tikka to purchase

Good question, I've often wondered that too. Obviously I haven't yet had a chance to experiment with my own rifle, or I would already know the answer.

308, 708, 270 are good choices.
6.5 not so much imo

Only thing I would say, having owned three Tikkas, is they seem to produce more felt recoil than other rifles of the same calibre/weight in my opinion. My X-bolt 16" which weighs about the same as my old Tikka 16" 308 has a lot less felt recoil. Surprised me when I shot it.

That being said the Tikka action is very well made and they are very accurate out of the box, though I much prefer the Browning safety and you can open the bolt with the rifle on safe.

Originally Posted by 308mate

Only thing I would say, having owned three Tikkas, is they seem to produce more felt recoil than other rifles of the same calibre/weight in my opinion. My X-bolt 16" which weighs about the same as my old Tikka 16" 308 has a lot less felt recoil. Surprised me when I shot it.

That being said the Tikka action is very well made and they are very accurate out of the box, though I much prefer the Browning safety and you can open the bolt with the rifle on safe.

I'm guessing that the browning has a better stock? Which wouldn't be hard to beat a Tikka factory stock

Originally Posted by slk12

It may seem like a silly question, but I've read a lot on this thread about keeping a box of lighter or heavier ammo up your sleeve when hunting e.g 140 gr for wallabies... Do you need to sight in your rifle when you switch to different ammunition?

my old .270...my new .270..my old .308 x2 and my .223 will all print just about any load into a conbination group small enough that out to hundy it matters not at all...

Originally Posted by Gkp

I'm guessing that the browning has a better stock? Which wouldn't be hard to beat a Tikka factory stock

Yes it does and probably the reason. The Tikka stock seems like an ice cream container in comparison. I suppose they are built to a price point (though a Tikka is hardly cheap) and that's the compromise.

a brand new Howa is pretty hard to beat for all around value.... PERSONALLY would go that route rather than a tikka...actually I DID ....and found walnut stock for it so its now got class and style..something I feel lacking in a plastic spastic jobbie.

Originally Posted by Cartman

Depends on the price. There are bargains to be had but they get snatched up quick if theyre good value. Both calibers mentioned are capable of shooting big numbers before barrel wear is a concern.

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This is actually quite good advice, if you want to get a "deal" on a 2nd hand tikka it will be most likely in a caliber that is not flavor of the month like a .243 or a .270. They will get the job done perfectly for what you want to do. I can't tell the difference in recoil between a 270 or 308 apart from a bit louder?

If you are after a particular caliber in a Tikka maybe just save hard and cry/buy once then really get your use out of it buying from new, knowing take it to the range when you first get it and if doesn't shoot under an inch at 100 you can take it back. I've never actually heard of this happening where it was the rifle that couldn't group under 1" with right factory ammo.

I have in the past pointed out to young fellas, if you regularly spend a significant amount of time searching for your wallet or car keys because you put them down somewhere unusual, don't buy a rifle with a removable magazine. Thats why I moved on my Tikka. Its a hinged floor plate all the way for me, but thats because I'm an idiot and I'm now old enough to know it.

Any common chambering between 243 and 3006 will be fine. If you dont enjoy recoil, go the lower end, if thats not a problem, get a 308.

Iv had 3 tikas in 308,chopped 1st one to short,run over second one.Still got the third one.Put a scope on them,they have all shot moa at a hundy with the 1st 3 shots.My big mitts hold on to the plastic stock ok.I don't change the stock design,tika spend millions designing stocks.Design gota be close for me.

Originally Posted by Trout

Iv had 3 tikas in 308,chopped 1st one to short,run over second one.Still got the third one.Put a scope on them,they have all shot moa at a hundy with the 1st 3 shots.My big mitts hold on to the plastic stock ok.I don't change the stock design,tika spend millions designing stocks.Design gota be close for me.

I agree, the tikka factory stock is way more rigid than most synthetic stocks and for my money it's a pretty conventional straight design that sends recoil directly backwards to avoid muzzle jump. No doubt the fact that the Tikka is relatively light weight doesn't help the recoil thing.

Originally Posted by MB

Honestly, you guys have no idea what it's like up here.

Perhaps watching all the 'Star Wars' movies again and learning the 'Ways of the Force' would help ? and I dont mean use a light Sabre, I mean 'Let the Force Guide You' We all end up pushing through thick shit sometimes, but when we do we have made a mistake and are in the wrong place. Move where the animals move.
I dont believe that Far North scrub is any worse than anywhere else

Originally Posted by 308mate

Only thing I would say, having owned three Tikkas, is they seem to produce more felt recoil than other rifles of the same calibre/weight in my opinion. My X-bolt 16" which weighs about the same as my old Tikka 16" 308 has a lot less felt recoil. Surprised me when I shot it.

That being said the Tikka action is very well made and they are very accurate out of the box, though I much prefer the Browning safety and you can open the bolt with the rifle on safe.

I think the nasty recoil with Tikkas is because the stock is totally rigid. The actual true recoil cannot be different between two rifles of same weight and cal but a good stock will slow the recoil and absorb some.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Perhaps watching all the 'Star Wars' movies again and learning the 'Ways of the Force' would help ? and I dont mean use a light Sabre, I mean 'Let the Force Guide You' We all end up pushing through thick shit sometimes, but when we do we have made a mistake and are in the wrong place. Move where the animals move.
I dont believe that Far North scrub is any worse than anywhere else

As I thought, no idea! Big difference to everywhere else I've hunted in the country is that there are no clearings, or at least clearings that aren't very steep. Certainly, some areas are less dense than others, but there's not many spots to work towards and sit and wait for animal to appear. Yes, animals aren't stupid, they're on private farm land which is dandy if you have access. Literally, no one bar the odd misguided Aucklanders comes to the north for hunting, there's a reason.

Let's not turn this into a passing contest. I've hunted all over NZ and there is shitty lawyer infested regrowth choked windfall n poll thickets everywhere.monkeyscrub and monkey puzzle not to mention Leatherwood. But if it's that thick the animals have to move through it too.find where n how n follow the trail