I've been kicking around the idea of having a custom rifle built....and am now re-thinking my strategy.

This is meant to be my new "go to" rifle, and will get LOTS of use. I just am not sure if I'm willing to spend $3,500-$5,000 on a FULL custom rifle. I think I might rather go with a more basic rifle and put more money into my optics (debating on a Swarovski Z6).

A few of the criteria I wanted in a custom rifle were a stainless, medium-heavy barrel, high-quality synthetic stock, and obviously great accuracy.

The caliber I have settled on is .300 Win Mag.....and I recently discovered that Tikka makes a very interesting gun which caught by eye.

It is the Tikka Super Varmint chambered in .300 Win Mag: http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?supervarmint

It features a 23 3/4" medium-heavy barrel (1:11" twist) and weighs in at 8 5/32 lbs (which is ideal to me, I do not want this to be a super light-weight gun)

As far as I can tell, there are only two real "cons" about this gun from my point of view:

1. The stock is just plain nasty, and if I were to buy one of these rifles, the stock would immediately be replaced by some type of Monte-Carlo style stock (probably a McMillan)

2. The safety mechanism is a standard two-stage safety, which locks the bolt handle when "on" (therefore, meaning you must take the safety "off" before cycling the bolt)


To all the AR gurus, whose opinions I've learned to trust over the years.....

What are your thoughts on this gun and my approach to the whole idea?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks fellas.

I have two Tikkas and my friends have them as well. Great rifles, extremely accurate. AWESOME triggers.

Mine are in .308 Winchester. For a 300 Win Mag, I would want a 26" barrel.

I also replaced the bolt shroud with a metal one from Hinterland in Australia.

Here is a target from my .308. Some folks were complaining on AR that this isn't a good enough group. With factory ammo. Whatever!




Please don't over-scope it! Too many big scopes running around out there. I have a Weaver 2-10x38mm. And yes, some folks feel this is over-scoped also.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
I have two Tikkas and my friends have them as well. Great rifles, extremely accurate. AWESOME triggers.

Mine are in .308 Winchester. For a 300 Win Mag, I would want a 26" barrel.

I also replaced the bolt shroud with a metal one from Hinterland in Australia.

Here is a target from my .308. Some folks were complaining on AR that this isn't a good enough group. With factory ammo. Whatever!




Please don't over-scope it! Too many big scopes running around out there. I have a Weaver 2-10x38mm. And yes, some folks feel this is over-scoped also.

Why do you feel a 26" is needed for a .300 Win Mag?

....and as far as "over-scoping"....well I guess that's all a matter of opinion

The scope will have no less than a 50mm objective (and preferably a 30mm tube as well). I do a lot of low-light hunting....and off the top of my head, I'm thinking about a Swarovski Z6 in 2.5-15x50mm. However, I have never owned a Swarovski. I currently own half a dozen or so Leupolds....and used to own a Zeiss Conquest 3-12x56mm (nice scope, but sold it due to short eye-relief).

Thanks for the reply.

I believe you need a 26" barrel to get all the performance out of a 300 win mag. Yes, lots of guys have ~24" barrels; but a lot of guys swear by 26" barrels on the fast mags. Regardless, the Super Varmint is a really nice rifle!

Those are all good scopes, I just like light fast handling rifles. If your rifle is already over 8 pounds (like you state), then the larger scope won't be an issue.

About low light conditions.... here in Texas where we both live the legal shooting times are 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset and I have ALWAYS been able to use my 38mm (and 32 mm) scopes to see the animals fine, as well as my binos. I find when I can't see in the evening, it's usually 5-10 minutes past legal shooting time anyway. I guess you could argue you could start judging animals better before legal shooting light and being ready at legal time, but a good pair of binos could do this. Just my opinion. And of course, you can shoot exotics and hogs ANYTIME, but use a light in that case

A friend has a couple of Tikkas. They are awesome out of the box rifles. Triggers are exceptional. Accuracy is amazing. His .22-250 varmint out of the box is an honest 1/4" gun with factory ammo. I've never heard of one not shooting. But you are right the stocks are, well, awful. Manners makes some stocks for Tikkas now I think.

LWD

I need to post a pic of my wife's Tikka factory wood stock. It will knock your socks off. One in a million piece of walnut in terms of factory wood I have ever seen.

Wade,

I've shoot two of the older wood stocked Tikka's. They both shot groups that looked like Austin Hunters. Neither of these rifles really cared what you shot through them, they just drilled bug hole groups. But what else would you expect from rifles made by Sako?

I'm with you on our choice of barrel weights, but like AH, I prefer a 26" barrel on magnums. It really helps you realize their potintial. IMO certainly not a deal breaker, but a nice to have.

What would you gents say to having the barrel fluted on this rifle?

How are the barrels attached? I.e. how much work to remove and reinstall.

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
How are the barrels attached? I.e. how much work to remove and reinstall.

LWD

I honestly have no idea....

I don't either. If it's like a Browning, it might be a lot more work than you want to sign up for.

LWD

I have a Tikka T3 lefty in .308 that is a real tack driver.

I painted the stock as I didn't like the black plastic, added e metal shroud and large bolt handle (Both from Hinterland). Then had the barrel shortened to 20" and bedded.

It shoots better than 1/2 MOA when I do my part using the Winchester 168 grain BST.

I have it scoped with a Leupold MK 4 2,5-8 with TMR reticle.

Nice light and accurate magazine fed bolt gun that had no problem making a neck shot on a doe a couple weeks ago when she stepped out at 220 yards into a small clearing.

I think they make a great platform for a gun with the work of the right gunsmith.

Wish they offered more caliber choices for the left handed shooter.

I'd just go with a Super Varmint in 308 winchester.

quote:

Originally posted by ChopperGuy:
I have a Tikka T3 lefty in .308 that is a real tack driver.

I painted the stock as I didn't like the black plastic, added e metal shroud and large bolt handle (Both from Hinterland). Then had the barrel shortened to 20" and bedded.

It shoots better than 1/2 MOA when I do my part using the Winchester 168 grain BST.

I have it scoped with a Leupold MK 4 2,5-8 with TMR reticle.

Nice light and accurate magazine fed bolt gun that had no problem making a neck shot on a doe a couple weeks ago when she stepped out at 220 yards into a small clearing.

I think they make a great platform for a gun with the work of the right gunsmith.

Wish they offered more caliber choices for the left handed shooter.

Nice looking gun ChopperGuy!! I really like the aftermarket bolt handles that Hinterland offers.

How easy is it to order something from them and have it shipped here to the states? (I've never made an international order online)

They take PayPal for US customers

I think you will be very happy with the Tikka.
They are very good shooters out of the box.
And try out the stock before you change it with something else. I know some that have the supervarmint and they all like the stock even if they might think it is ugly
You can always paint it like ChopperGuy has done

You will be very happy with the Swarovski Z6.

ES, I wouldn't mind having one in .308.

Hinterland is very easy to deal with.

Send them an order and they'll help you all along the way.

I got my parts in about 2-3 weeks to my mailbox.

I just looked at the Tikka web site again. Would love to see all the left hand models available here in the USA.

One other thing about Tikka that I don't particularly care for....(but will probably look past).....is the fact that they use a plastic magazine and plastic trigger guard.

Does anyone know if there are aftermarket metal magazines/trigger guards available for Tikka?

I think Roedale Precision has some.

The plastic magazines work totally fine. Only issue I have with them is the price if you want to buy extra magazines.

Eland slayer,
I own a Supervarmint in 7mm Rem mag.
Bought it to shoot paper at longer distances.
While wearing it in, it printed cloverleafs at 100 yards with a plain jane load. I was astounded.
It is not an easy carry weapon. It is on the heavier side.
I changes the bolt handle with a stainless oversized one my friend made for me.
The one thing I did do was cut a recess on the adjustable cheekpiece to allow me the possibility of removing the bolt without bringing the cheekpiece down.
All in all a superb performer. I can't wait to try accuracy loads. IT's too cold now for comfortable range work.

Cheers,

Phil aka tazzman