I want a new gun im think of a 223 for varmit hunting which i have never done before I own all sakos so i looked first at the tikka t3 but but no if i want to spend that much so i looked at the stevens 200 what are the pros and cons of both

i have never shot a T3, but i do have a Tikka Whitetail Hunter. i have several Savages. my personal experience is that the Savage shoots better. i suppose the Stevens ought to shoot like the Savage. i believe Savage makes the Stevens.

i have held a Stevens and it seems mighty flimsy in the stock. if i bought one, i would fill the stock with foam insulation. that will make the stock seem much more substantial. this is a purely cosmetic fix, but it makes the whole setup more pleasing.

I have had both, and have a T3 now, my vote goes to Tikka.

Tikka

Tikka all the way....

Tikka!

From my (limited) experience of each, I'd say that the Tikka is better finished and thus smoother handling, but the Savage/Stevens is likely to shoot better, out of the box.

I have a Sako 75 and a Stevens 200. Not quite comparing apples to apples but in the same ballpark company wise as what your looking at. You can't go wrong with either one if price isn't an issue. It's really a matter of preference. However, if you ask me, I don't know that the Tikka is worth the extra money (nor is Sako). Ring selection is limited for Sako/Tikka products and make sure you are sitting down when you go to order a spare magazine for your Tikka/Sako. A spare magazine for my Sako 75 stainless runs in the neighborhood of $100. The Tikka magazines run in the neighborhood of $55. Beretta is proud of their products and customer service is better with Savage from what I hear.

Keep in mind, the T3 comes with rings.

Cast another vote for the Tikka.

I do not have much experience with the Savage. One of my best friends shoots a Savage in 243 and it is a very accurate rifle. I do own two Tikka Whitetail Hunters in 7mm Rem Mag and 243, two T3 Hunters (30-06 and 308), and a T2 Lite in 223. I guess you can tell that I'm a real Tikka fan. Other bolt rifles include Remington 700s' and a Browning A-bolt. For the money, the Tikkas' are a great value. Nothing fancy, just exceptionally accurate. They have the same barrel as the more expensive Sako rifles, a glass slick bolt, and the adjustable trigger is absolutely great. Each one of them shoots MOA with factory ammo and are a lot more accurate than the capability of the fat boy pulling the trigger. Based on my observation of the Savage my friend shoots, I'd not hesitate to purchase one. They are shooters too! Try and handle them both and see what fits and handles the best. You really can't go wrong with either.

I own two Tikkas(a M695, and a T-3), and 3
Savages(2 Model 16's and a Striker). All
5 firearms are excellent accuracy wise. Here
is my take on this choice. If this is a buy
it, hunt it/shoot it, rifle with no intention
of wearing out the barrel, and re-sale/pride
of ownership is a concern, then I recommend the
Tikka. Savage rifles are an awesome rifle for
shooting, upgrading, re-barreling and/or
changing cartridges, or calibers, or just plain
being a project rifle. They are fine for just
buying, and shooting to, but arguably they are
a bit homely, and they don't hold high re-sale
values...Although that is slowly changing these
days, as people figure out that they are great
project rifles.

On a lesser point, Savage's Accu-Trigger, IMHO
can't hold a candle to the Tikka factory
trigger. I detest the Accu-Trigger, and have
removed that stupid blade from my Accu-Trigger,
and am happier with them. If I could get the
lighter Varmint/Target trigger springs for my
triggers, I may have a different opinion on
the Accu-Trigger. The Tikka trigger is a
simple adjustment, and it gets nice and light,
and has no travel, to speak of. Also, the
synthetic stock on the Tikkas, is much better
than the synthetic stock on the Savage/Stevens
rifles, although my last Model 16, had an
improved stock over my first Model 16, but
neither are still on my Savage rifles. My
factory T-3 stock is still on my T-3, and my
M695 has a very "purdy" gray laminate stock
that has given me no reason to look for after-
market stocks.

So for a no fuss, keep it as is factory rifle,
that shoots itty bitty groups, and you want
to show it off, buy the Tikka. If you want to
impress your friends with tiny groups, and play
around with trigger upgrades, stock upgrades,
barrel changes, etc. buy the Savage. The
Stevens is an excellent choice for those that
want an accurate factory rifle, and are on a
tight budget.

Squeeze

Sporter or heavy barrel? In a heavy barrel gun you'll do no better than the Savage Long Range Precision Varminter.

Yes...are you looking for a heavy varmint rig or carry rifle ?? The Savage LRPV or even the Low Profile..which are both heavy varminters...will work very well...and probably outshoot the Tikka...even the HB Varminter...I have four Tikkas....two 595s and two T3s...along with a real good selection of Savage HB varminters...the Stevens is another story...Tikka come with a very very nice trigger...super smooth bolt....$60 replacement magazine....base/ring selection is good...the factory rings are OK...but I don't use them...the recent pic of my 308 shows them...but now has Millett two pc turn in bases and Burris Signature rings...my 6.5 SS Swede also the same...Tikka builds a fine rifle....but I'd vote Savage if its a HB Varminter..especially on the s/shot action..easy switch barrel system too...

Buy a Savage. My local economy needs a boost!
Heck of a value also!

Hey squeeze, contact Sharpshooter Supply in Ohio, they have a website and sell the varmint accutrigger springs. Not very much money and quite an improvement.

I would prefer the savage myself cause I like the easy barrel changes and the accuracy. Nothing wrong with Tikkas but any of the savage varmint or long range guns are simply perfect for a varmint gun. The stevens will require a bit of work to get it up to a savage varminter/target level.

Dave

My personal observation is Tikka as I do own both in more than a single caliber .
Out of the Box ( After 25 shots of barrel break on Savage and Tikka , TIKKA HANDS DOWN for accuracy . I'm still developing loads for both so NOTHING is written in stone as of yet . How ever the Tikka has the chisel in my hand .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

quote:

Originally posted by 12FVSS260:
Hey squeeze, contact Sharpshooter Supply in Ohio, they have a website and sell the varmint accutrigger springs. Not very much money and quite an improvement.

Dave

Dave,

Thanks. E-mail sent to SSS.

Squeeze

Tikka is great gun and super smooth action, smoother than some of my custom guns costing 4X as much. I think I now have seven T3's and they are all shooters. Savage's are good guns and I really like the company execs are gun users and hunters. I would buy a Tikka.