CZ 527 Varmint vs Tikka T3 Varmint vs Sako A7

[aaronjo]

Since my Howa 1500 purchase fell through and I've had more time to think and save I'm considering one of the above 3.

Will be used for hunting off a ute and range work (not competition just fun) and looking at .223.

Tikka will do it in a 1/8 twist which gives me ability to go heavier.

CZ is just old skool cool.

Sako is just, well it's a Sako!

I know go to your LGS and try them all, I have and I'm still unsure.

Help please...

Budget around $1500...

[KWhorenet]

I agree on the CZ 527 varmint

Id personally pick that over the other two. I'm kicking myself I didn't get my CZ 22H in the varmint model.

[sandgroperbill]

Wow... Tough choice.
Would you prefer your left kidney, or your right kidney?

Tikka is a great rifle, but i would prefer sako.
Cz is a great rifle, though i must admit its not my favourite (i'm not hating on them, just personal preference).
Sako is normally more expensive, though.
Which one fit your shoulder best and gave you the most natural cheek weld?
Sako will probably go to your great great great grandson...

[KWhorenet]

Wow... Tough choice.
Would you prefer your left kidney, or your right kidney?

Tikka is a great rifle, but i would prefer sako.
Cz is a great rifle, though i must admit its not my favourite (i'm not hating on them, just personal preference).
Sako is normally more expensive, though.
Which one fit your shoulder best and gave you the most natural cheek weld?
Sako will probably go to your great great great grandson...

All true. Although the A7 I thought was a slightly entry level cheapened version of the Sako to compete at the next level up from the Tikka T3?

[aaronjo]

I'm being encouraged to man up and get a 85 Varmint, buy it once, but it right, last forever.

The Oz only Walnut stainless does make a good case for itself...

[Gwion]

I was going to make that suggestion. Save a bit more and get the Sako 85. If i was shelling out 1500, i'd try to scrape together the extra.

Sako 85 Varmint
3 locking lugs
low angle bolt lift
bolt throw to suit cartridge, no excess throw ' one size fits all' action for manufacturing economies
controlled round feed
steel and timber all round
better mag system than the others
top load if needed...........

Apparently they can be tricky to bed if you want to go that way but many people are happy with them as factory production spec.

[Gwion]

Or, what about one of these bad boys, if you save up an extra $$$:

http://www.claytonfirearms.com.au/produ ... ss-clayton

[RDobber]

I'm being encouraged to man up and get a 85 Varmint, buy it once, but it right, last forever.

The Oz only Walnut stainless does make a good case for itself...

A Tikka will shoot just as well as a Sako, so for $700ish less there is that.

The material quality and feel of the Sako can't be beat they. They're great. If you can afford one you will love it.

[aaronjo]

Eeekk!

Handled a Sako Varmint stainless walnut today...

Anybody want any body parts that I can sell them?

Super pricey though, my LGS is selling them at $2600!

[sandgroperbill]

Try the tikka forrest, too

[sandgroperbill]

And if you want a really pricey sako, check out the limited edition 90th anniversary 85

[aaronjo]

I only have that many redundant body parts...

[Sam45]

Eeekk!

Handled a Sako Varmint stainless walnut today...

Anybody want any body parts that I can sell them?

Super pricey though, my LGS is selling them at $2600!

They are a really nice rifle. I was in the same boat as you. I have a Tikka .308 with a Laminate stock and stainless barrel. I was in 2 minds to buy a Sako in .223.Loved it.... but I weighed the pro's and con's and the PRICE. I decided to go with another Tikka in the Hunter walnut stainless. So for the price of the Sako i'm $200 in front and also bought a 3-9 X 40 VX-R Leupold scope.

The Tikka is just as accurate as the Sako, I'm getting 1/2 " @ 100 yards no worries at all. Besides, Deer are a lot bigger than paper

[aaronjo]

I'm gonna give up soon and just keep shooting my 9mm...

[bigfellascott]

If it was me I'd go one of the Howa's or Vanguards that are on special for around $500 and spend the $2100 diff on some nice glass, Laminated Boyds Stock and some reloading gear, you'll get a rifle that shoots well, works well and didn't cost a fortune to shoot.

Oh yeah they certainly can shoot very well - amazing really for the $$ they cost.

[sandgroperbill]

Aaronjo, will this be your first rifle? Do you have much hunting experience?

If you are and you want something that will be pretty and really last, then spend a little extra and get something really nice.

If not, perhaps get something along the lines of a weatherby, howa, tikka or ruger american. All these are great guns on a budget and really exceed their pricepoints. You can gain more experience with them and beat them up, and if you decide you dont like the caliber or want something else, you haven't dropped a fortune on them.

If you decide you really like the rifle or action, and you want to upgrade or make it prettier, you can just drop it into a nice wood stock like a boyds or something.

Just another point of view and something else to consider.

Edited to undo autocorrect

[Franky]

I have both the T5 and the Cz both in 223 and I have to say neither of them miss that much and everything shot has stayed Dead so far!LOL
That being said I have a real sweet spot for the T5

[bigfellascott]

I love the way my 30+yr old 222 Howa shoots - never an issue with it ever, feeds perfect, just a reliable little shooter (my first CF) and will remain with me forever. I've got 3 Howa's and all shoot fantastic, not unusual to head shoot bunnies at 300m with my 204 shooting off the bonnet.










The 204 is rather handy at removing heads on bunnies











This lot were shot using Rem 32gn Factory ammo off the side of a hill using a bipod (220m out to 257m) first time I'd used the rifle other than a few sighting in shots.


These 2 were taken at 276m shooting off the bipod whilst sitting up against the tree (bipod legs were resting on my feet to give me the extra elevation needed, I shot the big one first then her son about a min or 2 later.

[Herdsman]

How many meals a week are rabbit for you Scotty

[bigfellascott]

How many meals a week are rabbit for you Scotty

Very few these days mate, mainly just eradicate em and use em for target practice

[aaronjo]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I might have possibly, accidentally, not on purpose purchased a firearm by mistake from my LGS....

[Chronos]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I might have possibly, accidentally, not on purpose purchased a firearm by mistake from my LGS....

Drum roll...................

Chronos.

Ps I hope it's not a howso

[KWhorenet]

Since you ordered an Adler, what rifle have you decided on?

[sandgroperbill]

It's building suspense.

When you answer, please elaborate how you vought a firearm by mistake?

This should be interesting...

[Turkle]

How do you rate the maxbox rest BFS?

[bigfellascott]

How do you rate the maxbox rest BFS?

Goes alright mate (not mine its a mates) but seen it there and figured I'd give it a run, was good enough to poke bunnies out to 200m from memory. I usually just use the sandbag in one of the pics of mine, used that and the 204 Howa to shoot bunnies in the head out to 300m now, I just leave it sitting on the windscreen near where the wiper blades are (doesn't move or fall off) so its just a matter of getting out and taking a shot if I need too.

[Franky]

Is that 204 any good mate. Thought about getting one but I like 223 alot

[aaronjo]

Lolz!

Obviously didn't buy it by mistake but I'm trying out the story of I placed it in the basket to be checked out online but left it there to think about it and went to bed. Had a dream where I woke up in the middle of the night and ordered it, how weird?

Woke up to find out I actually did!

You think it'll work in the missus?

[Sam45]

Lolz!

Obviously didn't buy it by mistake but I'm trying out the story of I placed it in the basket to be checked out online but left it there to think about it and went to bed. Had a dream where I woke up in the middle of the night and ordered it, how weird?

Woke up to find out I actually did!

You think it'll work in the missus?

e7uguta6.jpg (231.84 KiB) Viewed 8124 times

[bigfellascott]

Is that 204 any good mate. Thought about getting one but I like 223 alot

Depends on what you want to use it on Franky, for small stuff like rabbits and foxes etc its perfect, but if you're chasing bigger stuff I'd probably go the 223 or bigger (not that it won't take down bigger stuff with headshots etc) seen em used very effectively on deer and pigs (standing still and headshot of course).

It's a fun little cal to shoot alright, but really is a reloaders cal as factory ammo is way over priced IMO, you can get a box of 223 for around $15-$20 depending on brand and the 204's up around $30-$40 for a box of 20 hence my point about reloading for it if you want to shoot it a lot.