I was at a local dealer checking out a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in 300 Win Mag. I dropped the magazine, and I wasn't too impressed with the box. Very narrow and seemed somewhat fragile. The safety seemed positive, but I'm not a big fan of the two possition safety. I like to empty my chamber with the safety on. I cannot complain about the wood stock, the fit, or the metal finnish (pun intended). The balance of the rifle did not feel quite right to me, but then again this was a magnum caliber and if I bought one of these it would not be a magnum, so the balance would be different.

I'm curious as to the thoughts of others on this rifle. Impressed or disappointed? Reliable and accurate, or not? Do the strengths outweigh the weaknesses? And as far as scope mounting is concerned, how are the Millett rings for the Tikka? Or any other medium height mounting options?

Joe, I have a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in 7mmRM and am impressed, believe it is reliable and it definitely is accurate. The proper rings in my opinion would be the original Sako Optilock, a bit expensive but totally worth it.

Regards

I have a blued synthetic Tikka in .338 mag. It shoots very well. I did replace the factory "foam" recoil pad with a Pachmayr Decelerator, though. I get groups at 1/2 inch or less regularly at 100 yards, even with Barnes 225 gr X bullets. It prefers max loads.

[ 06-03-2003, 01:30: Message edited by: Calif Hunter ]

Not to start a fight as I myself am very interested in the Tikka's. But I have heard stories of them rusting easily. I have only ever seen 2 of them one is my Dads the other a friends and my friends rifle had a light rust starting over the entire barrel and action. Maybe it was because of not looking after it properly but they sure do shoot good.

I thought they would have the same blueing as the Sako's and I have never heard of one of those rusting. Anyone know whats up with that?

I just chose a Whitetail Huner instead of the new T3. I'm sure you are aware the WT Hunter is now discontinued. I had to hunt around a bit but found one in 30 '06. The gun was "transferred" to a local dealer but I do not have it yet. I bought it particularly for my grandson to use. Although he is only 14 yrs old he is about 5 '6" and weighs about 175. Although I am certain I've had limited experience compared to some here, I have handled lots of rifles and none of them, in factory trim, have had as smooth an action or trigger as the Tikka WT Hunter, including the T3,
I'm sure the T3 isn't really a "bad" gun and is prob worth the money but just isn't up to WT Hunter standards, in my opinion. Ray

I have a couple of Tikka rifles. Both the newer whitetail hunter and the older M65. My preferred rifle is a WT hunter allweather 300 win mag. The clip is narrow cause its and inline, not staggered. Both clips I have for the 300 are all metal with a synthetic face plate. I too replaced the factory butt pad with a pachmayr pad, the original one was USELESS. As for rings do not waste your time or money with the Millet rings. I tried to save a couple bucks by using millets on a 22-250, after one season I replaced them with the opti-locks.

I have one Tikka now, Continental Varmint .308,
Love the gun. The magazine is durable and as said before, single stack for smooth feeding. If it's made of stamped steel it would weight more, cost more, scratch stock, and more likely to be dented/bent out of shape. Plastic feels warmer when you reach it with your bare hand in winter.

Joe, I just went to take a closer look at the Tikka magazine and I found the body to be of one piece construction : It's seamless. The mag disassembles so easy, just press the rear most end of follower and the front end sticks up, and the follower can be taken out.

Dont be concerned by the magazine they work like a dream,its a single colum magazine like a 22 & its very easy to use.

I have a continental(heavy barrel)in 7mm-08 & it has exceeded all of my expectations by a huge margin,its made in the same factory as sako & mine has the same trigger as a friends sako 75,the barrel on mine is extremely good quality,easy to clean & even after firing a 100 rounds or so there is virtually no copper fowling in evidence,usually just burnt powder.

Mine was rained on ,soaked wet then spent a further 4 days in wet humid conditions without oil With not one spot of rust anywhere.

The action is super smooth,the rounds just seem to leap from the magazine,its an absolute dream to use.

I cant reccomend tikkas enough,do yourself a favor & go for it.

Tikka300, Calif Hunter(also Emailed) and Others
I recently purchased a Tikka WT Hunter as I stated in an above post. I wish to replace the recoil pad, one of the few things I don't like about the gun. So far, I can't find a Pachmyr Decelerator pad of the exact size, I did find a pachmyr White Line pad (actually designed for shotguns) that has screw holes that match and is long enough but I think I would still prefer the Decelerator pad. Does anybody have the part # or know which other gun pad would also fit?? I'm buying this rifle for my grandson to use, he's 14, weighs 175 and is 5' 6" tall and growing, the rifle is a 30 '06, synthetic stock with blued barrel. Thanks Ray

Joe,

I am predominately a Winchester and Ruger owner.
However if It says TIKKA on the barrel, you can not go wrong.

For the money, it is a solid rifle.

I think for the best value, Tikka and CZ are the best going. I really think many of us are going to be writing someday:
"remember when you could get a Tikka or CZ for only....."

Get it before that happens is my philosophy.

I too have been thinking about a whitetail hunter in .308 with some 5 shot magazines it makes a good farm rifle with all of the surplus ammo we have. I was planning on using EAW rings with a 4X Kaps rifle scope

Aleko

[ 06-04-2003, 20:41: Message edited by: Heritage Arms ]

Newtoot - My brother is a gunsmith, and I just paid him to put on the pad. I wanted a bit more length on the stock, so I had him put on a 1-inch pad (they come in different thicknesses.) From what I understand, they put the pad on, tape around the stock with several thicknesses of tape, and then "grind" the pad to fit. The tape protects the stock from the grinder. Of course, it takes a steady hand and a close eye to get a good match. They may or may not use the same screw holes.

Adirondack Joe,

My Tikka WH shoots MOA or better, best 3 shot group @ 100 yards is .25". Came from the factory with a 3.5 pound trigger pull. I have never expereinced a problem with the magazine or with rust. I opted for the TIKKA OPTI-LOCK rings which are expensive but worth it. I love the gun, the way it feels, the bolt is smooth, and i already mentioned it shoots. The barrels are the same barrels put on sako 75's. I canth tink of a reason to not get one/ I like the WH better than the T3.
heres some other info:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/tack_driving_tikkas/index.html

http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/gear/article/0,13285,250340,00.html

newtoot,

Pachmayr does not make fitted pad for Tikka rifles. I purchased a 1" decelator pad, medium I think, and had a local gunsmith grind and install the pad for me. Most 'smiths have a jig they use to grind pads. They can make it look like pretty slick.

Now - do any of you know where to get the 5-round magazines for the Whitetail Hunters?

Working on it already for the store.

Aleko

M 38 you have a private message

Warne also makes good rings and bases and leupold told me a few months ago that they were going to make a ring and base set for tikka. I am sure they are good as well. Talley might even make one.