about to buy a new rifle in 308

[crumblyned 0]

Hi chaps. I am about ready to invest in a new rifle in .308 Win. I am looking @ the TIKKA T3 VARMINT, and the SAKO 85 VARMINT

The Sako is at the very top of my budget. But the Tikka would leave me more money for the inevitable bolt-ones (scope, mod, etc). I would value your comments. Thanks Ned.

[Mr_Logic 5]

What are you shooting with it? Do you value nice woodwork etc?

[coldweld 65]

If they are your choice's i would go for the sako ! [ tikka only make long action]

 

Mod can wait [ untill you can buy one, not needed but nice to have ]

 

Scope you can start off cheap or S/H

 

Add ons can come and go as you can get more cash, but start with the best rifle you can buy ! And you will not wish you had bought the other better rifle.

[riflehunter 1]

If money was no option id go for the sako, but seen as it is I think you have answered your own question you will have a few bob more for a nice bit of glass. I have a tikka t 3 lite in a 223 and cant fault it iv heard some great reports about the varmint.

[flytie 1]

Sako, Sako and Sako! Buy the best rifle you can afford, second hand good quality glass is available if you trawl the net, there are several adverts in Gunmart that feature second hand good quality optics too. I bought a really nice S&B 7x50 ex-display that was £250 off the list price, still came with the full warranty.

 

Someone is liable to tell you that Sako and Tikka are the same. They are not, even though they are owned by the same company. Handle them both, check the ridgidity of the stocks then check fit and finish. Then buy the Sako.

 

Atb, ft

Edited May 30, 2009 by flytie

[crumblyned 0]

What are you shooting with it? Do you value nice woodwork etc?

 

I am using it mostly for stalking & fox, BUT I have been reloading my own ammo for almost a year now & THINK I might like to try bench-rest/target shooting as well. Thanks for the replies. Ned

 

Ps I like the nice woodwork BUT I am a rough ba*$+rd & I think synthetic would be more practical Ned

Edited May 30, 2009 by crumblyned

[gossy 3]

went to the gun shop today and looked at both the sako 85 hunter and the tikka t3 series of rifles. i must say the sako is a cracker but iam not sure i saw £400 worth of difference between them. although i do prefer the sako for the magazine as i like the mags that the bullets can just be clicked into.

[Mr Adventure 0]

I have both the guns your looking at The tikka is in 223. Both guns are superb , but the Sako has the edge over the Tikka.

The quality of the Sako is just brill and the mag is a pleasure to use whare the Tikka can be abit of a pain. But both a great to use.

If your looking to do alot of Stalking they are heavy to lug about especialy if you have a mod on.

 

 

Mine are shod with Bushnell 4200's and I have a Aus Utra Northstar for the Sako.

 

All the best.....you wont go wrong with any of them

[Mr_Logic 5]

I wouldn't use either rifle for stalking really as they're both heavy, obviously target scope and mod add a lot to that as well.

 

Sako is a much better rifle, but Tikka and Sako DO use the same barrels. Sako has a proper short action though, Tikka is all bolt stop on a magnum action. This means that the Sako is better balanced as the action/barrel sit back in the stock.

 

Sako's stock is also much better.

 

Glass is really important though, so it is a tough call as both rifles will shoot very straight. I think my money would be with the Tikka, unless I had good glass already and could afford the difference - you wouldn't regret buying the Sako. I had the 75 Varmint for a while in 22-250 and sold it as it was too heavy for in the field and 22-250 too fast for Bisley. It was a fabulous rifle, incredibly accurate and a real treat to shoot.

[Deker 3,478]

Mainly Stalking and fox ...so why a heavy barrel, I'm a tart at the best of times and I keep it as light as I sensibly can with all my hunting tools.

 

I spend a fair bit of time at Bisley but do not have a target rifle to my name, the light barrel hunters are fine for a bit of fun on the range, just don't try rapid fire on a blazing hot day!!

 

So I would suggest Sako, if the pennies are available or a T3 Lite....but do not even think about a T3 Lite if you intend to put a mod on the gun, even with the new shorter barrels it screws up the balance and you have to add about 150g (6oz) of lead to the butt to bring the balance back...sort of defeats the whole point of the Lite!

 

How about a Rem 700, I have 2 Tikkas but my .308 is a 700 SPS Stainless and I have to say it is light, excellent balance (with a Predator 8 Compact on the end of it), managed recoil and shoots well....

[crumblyned 0]

Thanks for all the replies people. I suppose I should have explained better in my first post, but I already have a 308 an old Parker Hale deluxe I will be sad to see it go but onward and upward.

 

Thank you all for the comments/help you have helped me make up my mind to go for the Sako and use my old glass work, mod, bipod. Etc until funds will allow me to upgrade them too.

 

To answer questions, the heavy barrel is only to help as a heat-sink (bench-rest shooting) and it is supposed to help a little with the groupings? (Less barrel vibration??) I know it adds weight but when I have got a bipod, sound mod, scope, ammo pouch on the butt, does it matter?

 

To Mr_logic I don’t understand (22-250 too fast for Bisley)???????. THANKS again Ned

Edited May 31, 2009 by crumblyned

[Deker 3,478]

Thanks for all the replies people. I suppose I should have explained better in my first post, but I already have a 308 an old Parker Hale deluxe I will be sad to see it go but onward and upward.

 

Thank you all for the comments/help you have helped me make up my mind to go for the Sako and use my old glass work, mod, bipod. Etc until funds will allow me to upgrade them too.

 

To answer questions, the heavy barrel is only to help as a heat-sink (bench-rest shooting) and it is supposed to help a little with the groupings? (Less barrel vibration??) I know it adds weight but when I have got a bipod, sound mod, scope, ammo pouch on the butt, does it matter?

 

To Mr_logic I don’t understand (22-250 too fast for Bisley)???????. THANKS again Ned

 

 

22-250 is a sporting calibre not target...Bisley is set up for target work and has rules on maximum calibres, maximum ft lb and maximum speed...you have to be within ALL 3 to shoot at Bisley and the 22-250 is too fast!!

[coldweld 65]

A wise choice ! All that has been said about heavy rifles and stalking/foxing is true if you are walking, but if you are in a high seat or 4x4 the weight is then your friend .