Gentlemen,
I did a search for this topic first and didn't find what I was looking for. I am thinking about a .22-250 for a walking varminter/fun rifle (with Seafire's Blue Dot loads), and am looking for input on which you would pick and why. I have considered the caliber option sufficiently, and am pretty well set on this one. I had a chance to handle both this afternoon, and both felt pretty good. What are your thoughts on triggers, feeding, bbl length diffs (Weatherby is 24", Tikka is 22"), amount of plastic, ease of finding a good load, etc. The Tikka is a stainless with a grey laminate stock for $920. The Weatherby is blued with a tan "spider-web" stock for $700. Thanks for your thoughts,
Regards,
Graham

I do not own a Takka but have several Sako rifles and if the Tikka shoots like the other Sako rifles it is no contest. Buy the Tikka. I think the barrels are the same for both the Sako and Tikka.

Jim

I can't comment on the Tikka since I've never really looked one over good or shot one. I do own a Howa 1500 in 30-06 though (same rifle as the Vanguard just under a different name). I take my Howa hunting everywhere and it has yet to let me down. It has been very reliable and shoots sub-MOA groups with the cheap Remington Express ammo from Wal-Mart. (Right now I've been getting quarter sized groups with the Federal Power Shok ammo). I've been greatly pleased with the Howa and would definitely recommend the Vanguard (or a Howa) if you like the rifle.

I have 3 tikkas, really like them, that seems expensive for the Tikka tho, they are 800 here.

Derek,
That does seem a little high to me too, but that is what they sell 'em for here in Northern BC. That is also a stainless/laminated version. I do have the option of a Savage Stevens 200 in .22-250, for around $280 that I may consider as well. It is VERY ugly , but if it will shoot at least I don't have to worry about scratching it or making it uglier. There is only one way to go! It is just more fun to have nice looking equipment, even if "nice" doesn't kill.
Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated
Regards,
Graham

I would stear you away from the savage due to the fact that the Tikka's action is way more smooth and if you want to make quick shots the T3 is the way to go. I would reccoment that you get the T3 Lite stainless in the 22-250 if you want a light walking rifle. I think that the Tikka will outshoot the wby (they have a better guarantee of 3 shot one inch group v/s wby's 3 shot 1.5" group).

My 300wsm T3 Lite will shoot one inch 5 round groups at 200 all day long privided I keep the barrel very cool.

I can recommend the Tikka without reservation. The barrels are manufactured on the same equipment as the Sako barrels and the rifles will flat out shoot. The actions are so slick as to give one the appearance of one that has been customized. T3 rifles can be bought for less than $700 USD. I'm not sure what the import taxes, fees and tariffs might be but I would recommend one of the online auction sites, such as Gunbroker.com as a good starting point. I''m assuming you can have one shipped in from the US. Good luck.

Considering I have 3 Tikkas a 595, T3 S/S and a T3 S/laminate and a Sako, one could say I was bais but Im not a fan of buying things twice.

Value for money they are hard to go past, the action is like glass and like "Britz" my 300 WSM shoots sub MOA groups all day, best is a 1" group @ 300 yrds and a 4" group at 700 yrds off a bipod with rear bag. Im guessing that some people would spend 1000's on a "custom" rifle to shoot that well, all that has been done to it is a muzzle break, limb saver pad and the trigger is 1 lb other than that its out of the box, before that was done it still shot a .5" group @ 200 m.
Tikka vs Weatherby...no comparision really.
just my 2c But Im bais anyway

Thanks for your experience, everyone! I really appreciate the honest responses and information. That will definitely sway my final decision.
Regards and Good Shooting,
Graham

"I do not own a Tikka but have several Sako rifles and if the Tikka shoots like the other Sako rifles it is no contest. Buy the Tikka. I think the barrels are the same for both the Sako and Tikka. Jim"

Ditto!

Tikka of course.......

Tikka of course...I've got four of them.......

I can't speak to a comparison as I've never been around the Weatherby. Currently however I am developing loads with a new Tikka T3 Lite stainless in .22-250.
Developing loads is a bit of an overstatement actually. For my first range trip after a minute bit of brake-in (that's all it needed) I loaded 15 rounds each of 34.5, 35.5 and 36.5 grains Varget and 55 grain V-Max's in full sized several times fired WW cases. All three shot 5 shot groups that were just under and just over 1/2 inch using a 4X12 scope. Truly impressive. I've settled on one load in particular and it's shooting 1/2 inch groups consistently. That's with the first bullet, powder, primer combo I tried.
This is the first Tikka I've played with but to say I'm impressed is a large understatement.
Oh, and the trigger adjusted to a very crisp 1.9lbs with one twist of a 2.5MM allen key. Like I said, real impressive. I like the rings it comes with as well.
6lbs rifles aren't supposed to shoot this well.

Tikka and savage are my rifles of choice, best bang/buck out there. I dont mind the rings that come with them but I had to upgrade mine to Talley aluminum rings in my 338 WM because they just wouldnt hold the scope. The Talley's are awesome and perform flawlessly.