Friends,

Does anyone out there have any experience with Tikka rifles?

I just bought the farm so to speak and took the plunge on one. It is a Model 695, synthetic stock, nothing fancy.

The caliber is 30/06 and it wears a Zeiss Conquest 3-9 power scope.

So far the gun seems fantastic, it easily shoots into an inch with several handloads and most factory ammo in the 150grn class.

Thus far the only complaint I have is the wimpy recoil pad. I realize that 30/06 is no monster but the recoil pad is practically worthless.

Anyway, if anyone has some info or experience to share I would appreciate it.

Rev,

I bought a Tikka Battue in .308 Win about 10 years ago. This is a 20" barreled carbine, blue steel with wood stock. The bolt rides in a synthetic guide, which makes it very smooth indeed. It has a detachable box magazine.

A gunsmith friend put a Ruger No. 1 rib on the barrel (it fit nicely), and I mounted a scout style low-power scope using Ruger rings.

It is very accurate. I did shoot it mostly on ranges (took it to a Gunsite rifle course), but I took it pig hunting too.

jim dodd

Reverenddan,

From my experience you have bought well. I have 3 of them, the most recent a 7mm Rem Mag I got a few weeks ago-still finding out how it shoots but so far with little load developement, just over 1" with 139 Grain Hornadys SPs. I also have a .222 and .308 and both of them shoot really well.
As far as the recoil pad goes I think that regardless of what rifle you buy if you want a serious recoil pad then you will have to fit a Pachmyr or the likes yourself.
I also like the effortlessly smooth bolt action and the Tikka scope mounts which I think are the best in the business (along with Sako`s which are the same).

Good luck with it!

I've got a Tikka 595 varmit model in 223 rem and it's a tack driver! Love it!

I wouldn't mind having a battue in 7X64, but I can't tell if they still import them.
Anyone know?

I got this one at the online auction. added millet rings and a Bushnell Scopechief IV 4-14. I haven't been to the range yet it's either work or bad weather. If it even comes close to my 700 bdl in accuracy I'll be very happy
http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=3124671

[ 10-29-2002, 18:44: Message edited by: lofter ]

I agree about the base/ring situation...the low Sako rings are suitable for 40mm objective, but only when you also have an adjustable objective ring. Otherwsie they are too tall. For 40mm or 36mm objectives, go with the Leupold ring mounts. They are also half the weight, which saves 1/4#. Must admit though, the Sako ring system is extremely solid and does its job very well.

My one hunting buddy traded for 1 several years ago. I forget the model, but it is chambered in 338 Win mag. He uses 175 gr Barnes X's for deer. Saw him shoot a 7/16" 3 shot group at 100 yds with his handloads. It is his favorite all around rifle. He feels that they are great guns for the money.

A buddy has the Whitetail Deluxe in .300 Win. Mag. -- I've helped him sight in the last two years and have never seen it shoot more than an inch with two different brands of factory ammo, different bullets, too.

This year he brought two friends of his to the range and both also shot MOA groups from the bench, including one guy who'd never fired a gun before in his life.

John

MY Tikka Whitetail,their cheapest model, in 7mm-08, shoots 1" groups at 200yds . The rifle is box stock, right out of the box. Trigger was easily lightened to 2lb by following the directions.
For some unknown reason, this rifle loves Barnes 140 XBT bullets.
Dollar for dollar, nothing beats this Tikka.

VH

Well, I'm always pleased to hear of others singing in praise of Tikkas.

I've got 3 - an M55 action Supersporter in .22/250 now fitted with a moderator which I use for fox and other varminting, an M590 action Custom Deluxe in .243 which is my stalking weapon and an M65 action Supersporter in .308 which is my range rifle. Love 'em all and wouldn't part with any of them. All shoot better than I can and with homeloads are capable of giving me quarter moa.

The Battue model is still available in Europe so I can't see why they shouldn't be available Stateside