Tikka or Sako for dedicated target rifle?

[AZZA'S HJ47]

As above i have recently. Put in for my Cat A b weapons licence. I am saving up for my first rifle. Ideally it will be used for occasional hunting trips however due to the extremely busy work comitments I'm subject to it will more than likely be used solely as a target gun. Thanks in advance guys for your advice.

Take it easy im new here

[North East]

I've got 2 Tikka's used for hunting. Tikka and Sako both do the job. Sako cost more....it's up to you mate.

[tom604]

Why not both??? Que Mexican music

[brett1868]

Both are more then capable so choice will come down to personal taste and budget. Look at both and see which one feels more comfortable and go with that one.

[Chronos]

Buy the tikka and spend the extra $1200 on top end glass

Chronos

[AZZA'S HJ47]

My budget for glass is about the same for the rifle I'm having on big splurge before nuckling down for a sizeable house deposit. Was thinking tikka t3 stainless or sako 85 hunter stainless with a timber stock. Both have a few diffrent things going for them

[Apollo]

Really the choice is yours but most people put it down to cost and both have gone up of late.

I own 2 Sako 85's, a Sako S491 and a Tikka T3 and really the Sako wins hands down on quality, features, magazine, feel and much much more. Go check both out.

The downfall of the Tikka T3 is it's really long action not being calibre specific. It's not as strong an action. In my view the Sako is worth every cent.

As far as the Tikka T3 goes, I have one which is the basics of a Custom Target Rifle and it performs extremely well, even as a Factory Rifle it has won a competition and will shoot with the best.

Personal choice is what I would say so it's up to you and your pocket.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Thanks Apollo for your words of wisdom kind sir

[brett1868]

I have a pair of Sako 85 Varmint Laminated S/S in .204 & 22-250 with the set trigger option. Both shoot < .5 MOA when I'm doing my part, I use Leupold VX2 4-12x50 in matte silver on Sako S/S OptiLock rings so they look pretty. The VX 2 scopes are good value for money and I find perfect for hunting without breaking the bank. Both are great hunting rifles and I highly recommend them, I don't own a Tikka but I've put a lot of shots through a relatives >30 yr old Tikka which still shoots like new and I have the greatest respect for the brand. Why limit yourself to just Sako or Tikka? Weatherby make an excellent rifle at reasonable prices, check out the Mark V Accumark at http://www.weatherby.com/products/rifles/mark-v/mark-v-accumark.html Plenty of calibre choices available.

What calibre you looking to buy?

[North East]

Whatever caliber and rifle you get have fun shooting....don't take it to seriously.

[brett1868]

Whatever caliber and rifle you get have fun shooting....don't take it to seriously.

That's probably the best advice yet

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Indeed fun and stress release is all in the name of fun i have looked at quiet alot of diffrent brands i just keep comming back to tikka and sako.

Looking at geeting a 243

[Pitty]

When you get down to the function of both rifles, the Sako won't out shoot the Tikka.
The cosmetics are of personal choice. I would put the extra money on the scope !

[AZZA'S HJ47]

When my PTA and licence come through I will make the decision. Such a pain though the wait that is 2 months havent heard anything, I work security so they already have my fingerprints. Where's my tardis lol

[pomemax]

I have 3 Tikka 223 300 wsm 30-06 and one Sako 75 in 308 the quality of the tikka is just not as close to a sako but the quality is better than some others in the safe .
All my firearms are blue in the wood( don,t like tupperware just a personal THING ) .
take you time buying and get what you think is best value for the money get your hands on them in your local gun shop just remember what you buy you have to feed amo to so think of the amo cost .

[AZZA'S HJ47]

In the same boat with regards to timber over a synthetic stock on paper there's probably more going for them but i am also sucker for a timber stock. Also cautious in regards to unique ammo or away from the norm calibers.

[Chronos]

I look at it this way, take a similar rifle from each maker, Sako 85 hunter stainless V Tikka hunter stainless.

The Sako is $2535 at one gunshop, the Tikka is $1309

The tikka comes with rings that are quite adequate for the .243 cartridge you're looking at so that means the Sako is $1126 dearer plus the cost of rings. Both will be sufficiently accurate and reliable for what 99% of people want to do and both have fantastic warrantees and after sales service through Beretta

That's roughly $1200 difference and to a new shooter that could mean a gun case, a cleaning kit, a bipod and 20 or so boxes of ammo. Or it could be a press, dies, powder scales, a couple of hundred cases and billets plus 4kg of powder. Maybe it's a good pair of Binos and 10 cases of beer or a European scope instead of an American one. I don't know but it's a fair whack of money to most people ant to you that might mean a months mortgage payments in a years time.

End of the day the rifle has to fit you and you have to be happy with your purchase.

Chronos

[brett1868]

Why .243 when you think it'll be mainly used as a target gun? There's better calibres for range duties. If considering target shooting as a pastime maybe check out what others are using.

[Apollo]

Ideally it will be used for occasional hunting trips however due to the extremely busy work comitments I'm subject to it will more than likely be used solely as a target gun.

Lets throw another spanner in the works of thoughts.

"Solely as a Target Gun" then I would not be thinking of a light weight sporter / hunter weight / profile barrel as they will heat up very quickly in target use. "Occasional Hunting Trips" then I would be thinking of a Varmint Weight / Profile Barrel and put up with the extra weight for that occasional use. Then again your target thoughts may not be benchrest shooting but one of the other formats that requires a light weight rifle.

The next thought is which ever Tikka or Sako is to add the "Single Set Trigger" option, a few hundred dollars on top of the rifle purchase but gives you the choice of the standard trigger pull weight for hunting but in set mode gives you a light target weight trigger pull. If you want even better for target I know that with a little Gunsmith work changing the main trigger spring that both weights can be reduced much further.

The Tikka T3 .243W / 6.5x47 Lapua Switch Barrel I use for competition benchrest target has it's trigger at about 2ozs in set mode and about 1lb or less in normal mode. It takes a bit of learning but the very light trigger is what you want for target use. Four of my rifles have trigger pull weights at or under 2ozs and they are a dream to use. This is Benchrest Target Shooting I refer to, other modes you will probably need heavier and some forms of target shooting has minimum trigger pull weights of from a guess 1 1/2lbs maybe more.There are so many forms of target shooting.

[Apollo]

Why .243 when you think it'll be mainly used as a target gun? There's better calibres for range duties. If considering target shooting as a pastime maybe check out what others are using.

Accuracy, at an average range distance of 300m it takes some beating a .243W (6mm) even with the heavier calibres. Mild recoil you can shoot all day. I suppose it depends on the range distance required and what ranges are available at what distance. A 6mm 90gr BT Bullet in a standard 1:10 twist .243W takes some beating. Even the bigger frame guys I've seen with their factory weight 30-06 or 7mm08 and the like have a fair bit to say about how they feel at the end of a full day competition and what the bruise on their shoulder looks like... ...then return the next day for a return bout and they start thinking about calibre choice.

Lighter than .243W then you really hope the wind doesn't come up.

Only my thoughts from a light framed old bloke who doesn't want his shoulder buggered any more than it is.....

[XP22]

As above i have recently. Put in for my Cat A b weapons licence. I am saving up for my first rifle. Ideally it will be used for occasional hunting trips however due to the extremely busy work comitments I'm subject to it will more than likely be used solely as a target gun. Thanks in advance guys for your advice.

Take it easy im new here

Honestly despite what many blokes say there is very little out there that really does both jobs well, you are better off with two rifles.

A carry around hunting rifle should be light, people will say you get used to varmint barrelled rifles- unless you are lugging them around every day you don't and you end up hating them.

Pure bench rest is a bit like watching paint dry and it usually takes until mid forties before a person is anally retentive enough to enjoy- but some people never reach the special state of mind numbing nirvana required. For longer distance then FT/R, F class open or standard rifles are a better choice, there is plenty on the subject about the place, these are not suitable as hunting rifles. I honestly think converting a Tikka or Sako into a range rifle is a waste of time and money.

If you want an occaisonal use hunting rifle go out and buy a lightweight howa, Ruger, mossberg etc for under $600.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Thanks for the feedback certainly giving me a lot to look into. I enjoy the target shooting side of things and its not as if I go to the range and put 40 rounds through a rifle in a hour I'm a little more clinical than that.
Apollo I've never been a small framed person im 6f5 and 115kg depending on what I've had for breakfast I have thought about say a 308 but as you say the appeal of being able to shoot all day is also something that is a consideration.

[brett1868]

Buy the .243 in a lightweight version for hunting and a good quality 22LR for target shooting. You can shoot 22LR all day, no bruises, bugger all running expenses and good practise for the bigger calibre. Couple boxes of 22 and a night at the range is much cheaper then a night at the pub

[brett1868]

Why .243 when you think it'll be mainly used as a target gun? There's better calibres for range duties. If considering target shooting as a pastime maybe check out what others are using.

Accuracy, at an average range distance of 300m it takes some beating a .243W (6mm) even with the heavier calibres. Mild recoil you can shoot all day. I suppose it depends on the range distance required and what ranges are available at what distance. A 6mm 90gr BT Bullet in a standard 1:10 twist .243W takes some beating. Even the bigger frame guys I've seen with their factory weight 30-06 or 7mm08 and the like have a fair bit to say about how they feel at the end of a full day competition and what the bruise on their shoulder looks like... ...then return the next day for a return bout and they start thinking about calibre choice.

Lighter than .243W then you really hope the wind doesn't come up.

Only my thoughts from a light framed old bloke who doesn't want his shoulder buggered any more than it is.....

I got turned off the .243 many years ago as they had a reputation for being barrel burners and were overly noisy. Not sure if they are still like that with improved barrel metals though.

[Apollo]

I'm not quite your height by a few inches but I'm near half your weight, having a permanent spinal injury doesn't help one bit.

I've had a .243W Tikka T3 Varmint (in a Super Varmint Stock) for many years and my mate purchased a new one last year. We both go out varminting, mainly drive to an area then wander around for a few hours or maybe sit in wait. We also both and his son shoot these in competition shoots and have a great deal of fun. Being on a farm I can go out anytime I want day / night or both and have done for years, It's great practise shooting at fixed distances and does give you a better idea how far that critter is out in the paddock when you are lining it up for a 3-400 metre shot.

When you know you can hit a golf ball at 300 - 500 metres it gives you confidence for those more difficult out in the field shots in my view.

Sometime in the next 6 months I intend to buy a Sako 85 .243W SS Varmint (set trigger) as well and use the unfluted barrel off my Tikka T3. The reasons are that the Laminated Sako Stock is heavier than the Tikka and I'll qualify in class with a heavier outfit, Plus I won't be switching barrels as often as I do now when I want the Tikka in Custom mode.

Not everyone enjoys the same things irrespective how old you are. The mate's 18yo is a pretty dammed good shot and will con someone to go hunting with him from dawn to midnight if he can whilst he's here. On the other side he just can't wait for the next 500 metre competition to come around and collect some more trophies. The last time he was here he had a ball shooting 200 metre rimfire targets and learn't a lot about reading the conditions and the effect on that .22LR bullet.

[Apollo]

Brett, there are many calibres that will burn barrels quicker. Around the 2,500 round mark isn't that bad compared to say another popular calibre on a farm, the 22-250 which burns them quicker. It's going to take me awhile to burn out the two barrels for mine. Then again barrels are just a disposable item. Yes, the .243W has a distinctive loud bark that stands out for many kms, what are ear plugs for....

The 223R and the 308W are renound for their long barrel life but not the same versatility. For me the 308W is out of the question for a number of reasons but mainly there's nothing I shoot that needs that calibre. As far as really long range, well I'm happy to stay within the 1,000 yard mark.

As I said above, everyone enjoys different things.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Don't get me wrong I will at some point more than likely get myself a 22 to play around with. A few calibers come to mind that I wish to buy 223, 308, 22, 303 like all things though trying not to get too carried away and go crazy lol

[brett1868]

Don't get me wrong I will at some point more than likely get myself a 22 to play around with. A few calibers come to mind that I wish to buy 223, 308, 22, 303 like all things though trying not to get too carried away and go crazy lol

I said the same thing.....about 18 firearms ago Still have 4 more coming between Sept & December and drooling over the new STI DVC open pistol which I'll probably buy just to admire. There's always a space in the safe that needs filling and if it's full you have an excuse to buy another safe. Sort of a merry-go-round I don't want to get off

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Soon find out i spose 4 or 5 im hopefull that will be enough for me

[Chronos]

Soon find out i spose 4 or 5 im hopefull that will be enough for me

Yeah 4-5 will be enough......

Chronos