Howa v/s Lithgow v/s Tikka?

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Hey guys

As some of youse already know
I'm relatively new to the sport of shooting
I started a thread couple weeks ago asking for advice regarding which rifle should be my 1st rifle
I got advised to start out with a .22LR
I decided to go with the Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle as my first rifle *the Ruger was my first*
I now realise that this was definetely the right decision to start out with a .22LR as I love the lack of recoil
And I thank everybody for it

Now
It's Phase 2
What should my 2nd firearm be? Haha

I've heard amazing things about the Howa's, the Lithgow's and the Tikka's
(Those 3x brands seem to have the most support/the most positive feedback amongst the shooters that I've spoken to)

So I guess I wanna get people's opinions on what brand they prefer amongst the 3x brands that I've just mentioned?
(In general)

I have to admit;
I do have a preference for the Tikka's
- The Tikka's seem to be very accurate
- The Tikka's seem to built of great quality
- The Tikka's have this incredibly silky smooth action
(Which I adore so much, wow)

What do you guys reckon?
What brand do you guys prefer out of the 3x?

(P.s my budget this time is around $1,500)
(What I wanna use it for is; target shooting, small game hunting, nothing too big or fancy, I just wanna enjoy a nice rifle that feels great, that shoots great etc)

[deye243]

HOWA ...... a little bit of research would have made this thread redundant ...... there are heaps of threads on this exact subject......

You will never beat personal experience some times you just have take the plunge and learn because even the major manufacturers make a s**t rifle occasionally yes even TIKKA

[flutch]

HOWA

[poid]

I have one of each. You can get picky about which has the better finish, smoother bolt etc but all three of mine are good shooters.

Howa is a fair bit cheaper and means for your budget you'll be able to get better glass. Easy decision.

[ckraus]

It’s all personal preference..

I did the same as you and picked up the ruger. My second was the LA102 which is a fantastic rifle and caliber (I don’t want to reload).

I’ve since gotten a tikka in 22LR for field use as the ruger is great for target but I find too heavy to shoot standing up for long periods.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the brands you mention. Just go with that feels good and is in your budget.

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Awesome
Thanks for the feedback guys

So so far, we've got:
- Howa = 3x votes
- Lithgow = 0x votes
- Tikka = 0x votes

And I agree ckraus
I thought it would come down to personal preference since those 3x brands are all so good

I was still curious to see what people thought
I was still curious to see what people would vote for the most

[Bill]

Howa, smart enough to make 3 diff sized actions, exceptional accuracy

Tikka's are 1 trick ponies which Uve already identified.....

Lithgow s are heavy n ugly lol

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Mm
Okay
Thank you for your feedback Bill
I appreciate it


So so far:
- Howa = 4x votes
- Tikka = 0x votes
- Lithgow = 0x votes

Interesting so far

[Peter988]

Not interested in Sauer?

[bigfellascott]

I own Howas and a Tikka, my Howas have been the best from an Accuracy view point, the Tikka is a slightly better finished rifle but at 3x the $$ not sure it's worth the extra $$$ compared to how well the Howas shoot and function.

Just pick whatever feels right for you and enjoy it, end of the day if you don't like it you can always sell it and try something diff.

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Peter988:
Nah
I mean from the shooters I've spoken to
From the reviews I've seen online etc
Not many people seem to be talking or supporting the Sauers?
Most people seem to be talking about Lithow' s, Tikka's or Howa's
I'm just going off on what most people talk about


Thanks for the feedback Bigfellascott

So so far:
- Howa's = 5x votes
- Tikka's = 0x votes
- Lithgow's = 0x votes

Extremely interesting turn of events

I didn't expect the Howa to be that popular

[Steve-0]

I own a howa varmint 223.
It was my first rifle and right from the start has been more than accurate enough for what I need (tatget/plinking & some varminting)
Reason I went for the Howa was price point, I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg on something I was only starting out on, and of course I'd heard good things about their out if the box accuracy.
My second rifle was actually a Winchester model 320 22lr that was gifted to me from a family member (loads of fun and super cheap to run).
Currently trying to work out what the 3rd rifle will be haha easier said than done.

[SCJ429]

I have never owned a Howa but have seen a couple of 223 heavy barrels that shoot well. But I have helped friends with some larger calibers that are very difficult to get decent results from. The machining is rough as you would expect from a $400 rifle.

I have been involved with seven Tikkas and have all been brilliant. I own three myself and would happily sell one to my Mother. All have been Varmints and they have all been able to shoot 1/4 MOA. Best triggers and barrels in budget factory rifles.

[Bill]

Id agree the Tikka triggers are lovely SCJ429 and the varmints have a good accuracy rep but up to 3 x the cost of a Howa HB.

Thats alot of coin that can be put towards some very good glass. For a new shooter starting off with a quality budget rifle like a Howa and learning the ropes is by far the best approach. Then you can skip past a Tikka and get a real rifle like Mauser M series or Sauer

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

So so far;

Howa's = 6x
Tikka's = 1x
Lithgow's = 0x

Very interesting

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

I think I agree with you SCJ429 regarding the Tikka's

The Tikkas do cost more, however
(Regarding the Tikka's)
- The trigger feels great
- The action is so incredibly silky smooth
- The barrels are great

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears to me that Tikka's just appear to be of better/more premium quality. It makes the Tikka's so incredibly pleasant to use I find
(I might be wrong, but that's just my opinion)

[SCJ429]

I'm not arguing with you Bill, $400 for a rifle is not a lot of money but you need to set your expectations accordingly. If it is rubbish, sell it and try again.

If it were me, I would buy a secondhand rifle and get the owner to take me to the range and shoot some groups in front of me.

[scoot]

At the end of the day you need to buy what YOU want. All three are quite different beasts when you get down to it. All with pros and cons. Get whatever your heart says after feeling them all up, otherwise you may wonder what if.....
Personally I like the Tikka, just seems better "finnished". HA, see what i did there. Finnish as in finland and better quali............. anyway.
Its only money, and if not invested in guns you'll only waste it.

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Thanks scoot
I definetely agree
It seems (to me) that if you want quality
You buy a Tikka

The finish joke was pretty funny too
I enjoyed that hahahahaha

Okay cool so so far:

Howa's = 6x
Tikka's = 2x
Lithgow's = 0x

[pomemax]

I have 3 Tikka,s and 3 Howa,s
out of the box wise Tikka,s *** Howa,s **
Feel and quality Tikka,s *** Howa,s
Ruggedness / carefactor when out bush with it Tikka,s * Howa,s ****
Cost Tikka,s*** Howa,s *****
The upshot is they are nearly the same out of the box feel and quality Howa,s can,t compare because of the cost factor but they are a good gun For the price you pay..
Sorry never bought a Lithgow looked at a few and just na
My next would probaly be another Tikka

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Thank you for your feedback pomemax

So far:
- Howa's = 6x
- Tikka's = 3x
- Lithgow's = 0x

[Sergeant Hartman]

I own a Ferrari and a Honda civic, which one is better...i mean both will get me to the pub and back, one cost 3k the other cost 300k. One has never broken down, the other one has broken down twice (Not the cheap one)

Lol

[pomemax]

Its a bit like that eh Ziad I was thinking "how long is a piece of string " when i was typing my answer

[TheFirearmEnthusiast]

I may be wrong

But it seems to me that;

- If you want quality
Go with Tikka

- If you wanna save money
Go with Howa

- If you wanna support Australian Jobs
Go with Lithgow

[Blr243]

Do howas have adjustable triggers ?

[Shootermick]

Lithgow. Just because no else has “voted” for it.

[SCJ429]

You could own six Howas or this Barnard. I would be proud to own the Barnard and it is a pleasure to use one.

https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=161025

[SckSqzBngBlo]

I went with Lithgow for my first rifle, purely because IMHO Australian industry should be supported, especially with something so relatively inexpensive.
Some guys have many guns and not even one made in this country!?

In this world of too much choice, keep it simple on what is most important to you.

[flutch]

Do howas have adjustable triggers ?

yeah, the HACT is adjustable, Mines all the way down around a few ounces, with 0 creep, like a really hairy set trigger lol, safety still works and shoots like a dream.

also TheFirearmEnthusiast, I wouldn't say howa isn't quality. plenty of tikka shooters have wanted my 223.

[Blr243]

Thanks flutch