The Howa vs. etc thread below got me thinking...

I'd like to hear objective feedback from shooters who have shot both extensively. I've only handled both...shot neither. The Savage Accutrigger is incredible. Tikka's trigger is excellent...just not as good as the Savage. The Tikka action makes the Savage action feel like it is dragging through a bucket of gravel.. Both have so-so synthetic stocks but the Tikka feels less "cheap"

Final question: barrel quality (blued or SS): one better than the other?

I have had extensive experience with both. As far as barrel go I think it is a toss-up. The Tikka has a cold hammer forged barrel and they do not leave the factory unless they are shooting 1" or below. The savage has a button rifled barrel. Additionally their Barrel lug nut/headspacing technique almost guarrantees accuracy. I have never ever heard/seen a Tikka or a Savage not shoot accurately! Never. Pick the one you like the looks of better and the one that handles better to you. Either way you can NOT go wrong!

I have a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in 25-06 with a blue barrel
and I own two short action Savages with stainless barrels/actions--one a .308 and the other a 7mm-08. All of the rifles are very accurate, with the Savages being more accurate out of the box. So far the 7mm-08 shoots in the 7/16" range(in early load development)and the .308 shoots in the .250 to .375 range with several loads. Both rifles have the Accutrigger. The Tikka is about a .750 shooter most of the time, but my hunting load groups into .250. I like all three a lot. The 7mm-08 is the model 16 and the .308 is the model 12 varmint rig with the fluted barrel.

Pop - would you happen to know if there is any quality difference between Savage's deluxe model 114U (other than the Walnut stock) and the other models?

Sambubba - are your SS models factory stocked or did you restock? If factory, they certainly have not affected your rifles' accuracy! In your opinion, is stainless steel "real world" superior to blued as far as wet/snow conditions are concerned? I've never had a blued rifle show any rust but I do have to wipe down and oil quite a bit.

I really do not think so, you can always call savage arms and ask them. Either way you can not go wrong. I would rather have to make your descision than any other!

I've got both, the Tikka "feels" better, but the Savages shoot better. The finish on the action is much better on the Tikka, though mine looks like the rear of the action was cut with a chop saw and then blued.

I have a (presumedly rare) forged Savage 110 that has more pocks in the finish that a teenage girl at McDonalds, but she feeds, she shoots, and she's tough.

As far as gas handling in case of case rupture, I really like the Savage better. FWIW, Dutch.

I have two Tikka Whitetail hunters in blued/synthetic in 7mm-08 & 223.

I have a 26" heavy barreled stainless/synthetic Long Range 25-06.

This is sort of an apples to oranges comparison between a sporter and a heavy weight pillar bedded rifle, but here are my opinions, based not just upon my own rifles; but also other Savages that I have shot.

The Tikka synthetic stock and action are significantly superior in design and function. The Tikka is very well balanced while the Savage is clunky. I would prefer the Tikka trigger design for hard hunting use over the Sharpshooter (varmints or long range shooting are another matter). They both will shoot accurately enough that the difference in the field will be inconsequential. So for a sporter rifle I would take the Tikka hands down.

Having said that, I love my Savage LR rifle, after having balanced it by putting lead in the buttstock. I use it for long range sniping and not as a carry rifle. Over-all it has better quality than the Savage sporters selling cheap at Walmart.

I would not consider Savage and Tikka sporters in the same quality league. Since both are very accurate, the other factors must be taken into consideration, which weigh heavily in favor of the Tikka (in my opinion).

I have a Tikka Whitetail Hunter in 300 Win. Hunting partners have Savage bolts and Tikka T3's. The Savage has a lot of after market parts including barrels. With the Tikka you are pretty much stuck with what they give you. I can say that the Tikka is my most accurate non varmint/target gun, but I really do hate the magazine. Either way you are not going wrong.

All of the stocks are factory issue stocks. The weather where I live is very dry and consequently we don't see more than one snow per year, if that. Most people on these forums seem to like stainless over chrome moly for the conditions you are asking about. The accuracy question to me is non existent. I have guns in all calibers and flavors and cannot tell any difference in accuracy between SS & CM.