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Originally posted by Pyker:
Thanks. I'm thinking of 270 - any comments?

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Originally posted by Pyker:
Thanks. I'm thinking of 270 - any comments?

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Originally posted by ggile:
I had a 270 for many years and I wound up giving it to a nephew. I think you will be happy with the cartridge, it'll handle anything you want to hunt with maybe the exception of a big griz.

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Originally posted by ruger357:
Savage, ruger, browning. I've heard great accuracy on tikka but have no experience. Savage typically out of the box beats semi custom guns in accuracy.

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Originally posted by djpaintles:
I would STRONGLY suggest you at least check into Tikka T3x rifles. Here's some examples:

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikk...eft-hand-rifles.aspx

Tikka's are a no-brainer as far as consistent accuracy goes. They are guaranteed sub-MOA. Tend to be slicker and smoother operating than a lot of the competition.

Winchesters and Rugers can certainly have their appeal for their stock fit and handling. Their quality is not quite up to Tikka's and while their accuracy CAN be excellent it's not as consistently excellent as Tikka's.

So anyway if you want a sure thing buy a Tikka. If a Ruger or Winchester fits you just right they can certainly be great rifles too.

If you have more Scratch you can of course build a custom rifle to your tastes. Just be willing to spend 4-5K plus!

..........dj

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Originally posted by ArtieS:
I'll put on my flame suit and give my impressions of the Tikka. I say this as a guy who owns a T3 Hunter in .243 with a walnut stock and likes it.

It's a nice, quality rifle, not a "fine" rifle. It is very accurate, and consistent with a good trigger and a very smooth bolt. It's easy to shoot, comfortable on the shoulder and light to carry.

Where it falls short is that I admit to being something of a hunting rifle snob, and it has a series of things that irritate me.

The stock wood is average and the checkering is pressed, not cut, into the stock. The checkering is also not attractively designed and has an unusual pattern while not giving much grip.

The finish on the receiver is matte black, not a polished blue. The barrel is, however, polished blue with a proper crown.

The ejection port is oval and tiny, making manipulation of a single cartridge into the chamber inconvenient, particularly with a scope mounted. The plastic magazine is expensive, fussy to load with gloves on, and can be difficult to seat. Once seated, it seems to be reliable and mine has never come loose, which can be a risk with ejectable magazines in hunting rifles. It can not be "topped off" with the bolt open, but must be removed to be reloaded.

The entire bottom assembly (mag well, trigger guard) is plastic like the magazine.

It has a two position safety which does not permit extraction of a chambered cartridge with the safety on, while Ruger 77s and Winchester 70s have the Mauser style 3 position safety that will lock the bolt closed, unlock the bolt but still stay on safe, or fully unlock for firing. This is not a big deal on a range, but it is something to consider when hunting, and the extraction of a loaded round is all too common when crossing fences, climbing to a stand, or ending the day.

When the Tikka T3 was inexpensive, it was a fantastic buy for a reasonably attractive, very functional and highly accurate hunting rifle. Due to it's quality, and understandable good press (and internet) reviews, it has become popular, and is able to command a significantly higher price than it's design and features would otherwise earn. It is now priced right along side of the Browning X-Bolt, Winchester 70, Ruger 77, and Remington 700, while not having the fit, finish and features of those rifles.

Good for Tikka for making an excellent rifle that has captured the attention of the shooting and hunting public, and getting their price for it. I am not criticizing this rifle, but I think it is priced above it's design and features. If it were priced alongside the Ruger Americans, Savage Axis, and other entry level rifles, it would easily be the best, and I would own a boatload of them. At it's current price, it's worth taking a look at the next tier of rifles.

I own a Ruger 77, a couple of Winchester 70s, the Tikka T3, and have shot the Browning A-Bolt and Remington 700. I have also shot higher tier rifles from Cooper, Montana, and some custom manufacturers. My favorites, hands down, are the Winchester 70 and Ruger 77.

In the final analysis, the Tikka doesn't speak to me the way the Ruger and Winchester offerings at similar price points do. It does the job, but it isn't quite as convenient or pleasant to use as the other rifles, and so it's more respected than loved in my collection.

To me, a hunting rifle is more than just a tool; it should embody a sense of art as well function, and should elicit an almost undefinable pleasure or pride in its user. Tactical rifles are utilitarian, guide rifles are killing tools, hunting rifles are mystical.