Anyone had experience with the above rifle?? I saw one and worked the bolt and pulled the trigger on one today in a gun shop and I was very impressed. The bolt was by far the smoothest on any bolt action rifle I have ever tried and the trigger was exceptionally smooth and light. I would like to possibly get one for my grandson, it could be a rifle he could keep for a lifetime. Thanks Ray
Posts: 106 | Location: Aurora, CO | Registered: 06 December 2002
i just got one in a trade and i love it. the only problem i have is learning a new cartridge(338 win mag). every trigger pull is a surprise (for lack of abetter word). i just don't have time to flinch. every other rifle i have has a long trigger pull and this is taking some getting used to.the bolt is like "butta".it seems to group very well too( maybe because i'm not flinching).the only drawback on mine is that i can't load it from the top as it has a detachable magazine. overall, i like it .
Posts: 52 | Location: omaha | Registered: 01 January 2003
newtoot, The current Whitetail hunter is will soon be replaced by a new model called the T3. It will have a relocated mag release and a couple of other small modifications. It will also carry a $100 price increase.
Topping up the magazine does involve removing it from the rifle but you can load a single cartrige by dropping it on top of the magazine and closing the bolt.
Tikka is built by Sako and both are owned by Beretta Holding Corp. If you do a search on the word Tikka on this sight, you will find some good recommendations.
Mort Canard
[ 02-24-2003, 06:22: Message edited by: Mort Canard ]
Posts: 567 | Location: Kansas | Registered: 02 February 2002
I have two Tikka sythetics -- one .223 and one .30-06. I'd buy another in a heart-beat.
The .30-06 is brand new and has not been to the snowed-in range yet. Both have very nice, out of the box, triggers that break cleanly at 3.5lbs and also have free floated-barrels. The .223 shoots tiny clover leafs at 100 yards. Both cost @ $410.
I've spent hundreds more on other rifles and then extra yet to make them shoot nearly as well. Why?
1b
Posts: 51 | Location: Reston VA | Registered: 02 January 2003
My Tikka Whitetail 7mm-08 is the most accurate out-of-the-box gun I have ever bought. It will shoot.5moa @ 200yds with its favorite load. Trigger is (easily) shooter adjustable and I set mine to 2.25lbs. The Whitetail series has been replaced this year with a newer model (forget the model). It has been restyled to appeal more to the American market. Rifle is noticably lighter as well. SS with synthetic stock is available. Should make a very nice rifle that you have to do no work on. Just unbox and shoot away. VH
I have one in 30-06, it's not the most expensive rifle I own but it is the most accurate!! This thread is the first I heard of a new model. I'm going to make some calls and try to find one in .223 before there gone.
quote:Originally posted by nicshorse: the only drawback on mine is that i can't load it from the top as it has a detachable magazine.
The reson you can't load it from the top is not because it's a detachable magazine, it's because it's a SINGLE COLUMN magazine. There are plenty of rifles with detachable, double column magazines that can easily be loaded from the top. The Remington 700 and Sako 75 come to mind.
Otherwise, I agree. It's a hell of a rifle even if it were $300 or $400 more. For the price, it's an incredible value.
Posts: 2206 | Location: USA | Registered: 31 August 2002
Sure appreciate the replies to my post. My grandson likes the synthetic version better altho the gun shop only had a wood stock version. I noticed in the 2003 Gun Digest that there are two synthetic versions, one has a chromemoly barrel and the other one has a stainless barrel. What is the going price for these two versions? I know what the gun shop asking price was and I know the Gun Digest price but what do they actually go for?? Thanks Again Ray
Posts: 106 | Location: Aurora, CO | Registered: 06 December 2002
Toot I just bought the hunter model Tikka from the Parker Gun Store this morning in .338 caliber. I am going to mount a Kahles 3.5X10 with SK rings on it.I should have it in a week. One thing to consider is the cost of extra magazines, they sell for $90 for the magnums, not sure about the smaller calibers. If anybody knows of an after market magazine for Tikka I should would appreciate hearing about it.
Posts: 359 | Location: 40N,104W | Registered: 07 August 2001
I recently bought a whitetail synthetic in a 22-250. Had some real problems at first, had to send it back to factory because it wouldn't feed ammo without jamming. After a month passed, I finally got the gun back and it feeds so smooth now. It shot a 5 shot group measuring .47 inches @ 100 yds the first day out. Second day it shot a .85 inch group @ 200 yds. Not bad for out of box.
I thought most of the whitetail hunter models were going for around $350 or so, at least in the secondary market. In my area, a lot of these were made available through the RMEF and other conservation organizations, effectively satuating the market. I agree, they seem to be a well made firearm. I have one in 300 Win mag / synthetic that I have never even mounted a scope on - it just sits in the back of the safe. Every now and then I handle it and work the bolt, and start thinking maybe I should give it a try. As a true, blue, Winchester man, it is kind of hard to make the switch, however! You guys have almost convinced me! (On the other hand, if it shoots as well as I hear they do, then I would have to hunt with a, uh, uh, .... "non-Winchester". There, I said it.)
Enjoy,
Bill
Posts: 1091 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | Registered: 19 March 2002
There was a time about 2 years ago when the distributors were selling them (synthetic blued) for about $350. Would have been hard to get one from a dealer (I think) for $350. I think the stainless were about $110 more. Wonderful guns for the money!!
Posts: 2002 | Location: central wi | Registered: 13 September 2002
ksduckhunter, what i meant to say but for some reason did not was, "i have to remove the mag to load it". this thought into print thing sometimes doesn't go very well.
Posts: 52 | Location: omaha | Registered: 01 January 2003
Dont know if the synthetic stock models you are talking about are the same as here in the UK but I have found that they are soft and rubbery. A friend had a .223 which had problems because of the stock, they just dont seem to be as high quality as the rest of the rifle. The good news is that McMillan can supply inletted stocks. My stalking partner is currently waiting on one as we speak. Otherwise I would go with the wood stock every time. SR
Posts: 18 | Location: Lancashire, UK | Registered: 24 August 2002
quote:Originally posted by nicshorse: ksduckhunter, what i meant to say but for some reason did not was, "i have to remove the mag to load it". this thought into print thing sometimes doesn't go very well.
Understood. I just thought I'd clarify for all.
Posts: 2206 | Location: USA | Registered: 31 August 2002
quote:Originally posted by SR: Dont know if the synthetic stock models you are talking about are the same as here in the UK but I have found that they are soft and rubbery. A friend had a .223 which had problems because of the stock, they just dont seem to be as high quality as the rest of the rifle. The good news is that McMillan can supply inletted stocks. My stalking partner is currently waiting on one as we speak. Otherwise I would go with the wood stock every time. SR
Agree. ALL the plastic-stocked Tikkas I have seen have VERY flexible forends. If you don't plan on restocking it, I'd recommend the walnut stock. Much stiffer and easier to glass bed if you so desire.
Posts: 2206 | Location: USA | Registered: 31 August 2002
The manual that came with my m695 in .338 caliber specified it is equipped with a single set trigger. Either I am overlooking something obvious but, there is not a single set trigger on this rifle. I have tried to contact Beretta but got lost in voicemail hell.
Posts: 359 | Location: 40N,104W | Registered: 07 August 2001
quote:Originally posted by Leif Wold: The manual that came with my m695 in .338 caliber specified it is equipped with a single set trigger. Either I am overlooking something obvious but, there is not a single set trigger on this rifle. I have tried to contact Beretta but got lost in voicemail hell.
The Tikka and Sako owners manuals are written in one version for the entire world. We get the same manual as Europe does, and it describes some features, like the single set trigger, that are not available in the US.
Posts: 2206 | Location: USA | Registered: 31 August 2002
newtoot... I always knock off 20% from the published suggested retail price of a firearm to determine fair prices on the shelf. This works pretty well and most of the places I trade at are within a few dollars either side of that figure.
Posts: 733 | Location: N. Illinois | Registered: 21 July 2002
