Custom actions vs sako / tikka

I rekon I’ll be getting myself a semi custom rifle in the next year or two and as with all purchases I tend to research the shit out of them before finally pulling the trigger.

I keep going in circles from 1. full rem clone custom 2. pimped out tikka or 3. off the shelf sako 90.

When I break down the pros and cons this is how I’m leaning:

1. The only real pro is the availability of great manners stocks, in particular the pro hunter which only comes in rem footprints. Secondly if going all in I could shave some weight with a titanium action.

2.Tikkas just work and the one sized action will be a pro or con depending on the chambering. Top contenders at the moment are 22creed, 284win and 7saum. Tikka only really makes sense for the 284win.

3. Everytime I fondle a carbonlite or sako 90 I want to take it home. Given the base cost and barrel quality it would be a factory offering and likley 7mm08 or a downloaded rem mag..

So for those who have gone down this path before me, what lessons have you learnt in regards to action quality vs cost?

Are titanium actions actually any good? There is commentary online with people saying things like “almost as smooth as a tikka” (talking about an action that’s $3k plus)!

I doubt I’m the only one scheming for a new rifle so post up pics if you have them for inspiration too.

I'm going to pimp up a Tikka. Not fussed about the action length. Doesn't need trueing and has a good trigger. Looking at glacier stocks.
Like 6gt but don't know if it's worth the effort with expensive brass and dies. 6 creed seems more available.

Id go the sako 90 finnlight at 3700 new will last you forever and if in a brain fart you decide to sell it you'll get your money back unlike a custom anything.

Yea the sako has the whole heirloom thing going for it. I’m not sure how the hardy carbon stock compares to the real thing if I was to carbonise it later on.

Hmmm, opinions will vary and yes, any custom or altered factory rifle is usually hard to get your money back on.

Until recently I'd never had a custom action but with the Big Horn Origins being pretty modestly priced 24 months ago I purchased one. It's right at the bottom of the so called custom actions but is streets ahead of any "production" rifle action (Sakos included) in terms of design, fit/finish and performance.

Well worth it. It's my most used rifle, both by me and others (I use it at the range for coaching) and it puts a smile on the face of anyone who runs it. The ability to choose from a wide range of triggers is the second biggest feature in my opinion.

The main benefit i see in custom is cartridge with barrel twist to your liking
Short action and short barrel as I like portable rifles
And the biggest win with custom is going ultra light weight for the big missions where it all adds up.
All this provided you can justify the $

If not then Tikka all the way as more after market options to make it your own.

Sako 90 for the win

Solid action and the new carbon stocks are top tier

Attachment 277116

God dam yea..

Oh and to address you other questions of things learnt. You will never get it right the first time. Kinda like building a house, boat, car or anything custom.
I've always gone tikka or more recently kimber with aftermarket barrel in said cartridge to figure out if I like it first. Once happy with cartridge, barrel length, weight then build a custom. Just my thought process

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Hmmm, opinions will vary and yes, any custom or altered factory rifle is usually hard to get your money back on.

Until recently I'd never had a custom action but with the Big Horn Origins being pretty modestly priced 24 months ago I purchased one. It's right at the bottom of the so called custom actions but is streets ahead of any "production" rifle action (Sakos included) in terms of design, fit/finish and performance.

Well worth it. It's my most used rifle, both by me and others (I use it at the range for coaching) and it puts a smile on the face of anyone who runs it. The ability to choose from a wide range of triggers is the second biggest feature in my opinion.

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Honest question, how is an any custom action ‘streets ahead’ of a tikka or sake in terms of performance? On a tikka, I pull the trigger, it fires, I cycle the action and a new round is in the chamber. What else do I need it to do?

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Sako 90 for the win

Solid action and the new carbon stocks are top tier

Attachment 277116

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But you need the light carbon stock to make up for the optical truck axle bolted to the action........

In my mind you gotta spend the value of a Sako to make a remington 700 as slick and reliable as a Tikka so you may as well scratch that option straight away. Get the Sako if the budget fits, or go the Tikka if you want a special chambering or will be changing the barrel to scratch the itch :thumbsup:

Ive been down this road.. had lots of tikkas, a few kimbers and then a couple of Sakos the best being an 85 Carbonlite. I always thought id never sell the Carbonlite as it was basically one of the best factory rifles you could get in NZ at the time.

Then along came a second hand custom lone peak razor ti that tickled my fancy and I decided to bite the bullet. I'm not sure how but the lone peak razor ti action to me is just one step ahead and nicer then the 85 action.

In the real world the gains are negligible as we all know that sakos and tikkas just work but if you like nice gear and can afford a custom i dont think you will regret it. Have a play with a couple if you can and you will see what I mean.

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Originally Posted by camenzie

Honest question, how is an any custom action ‘streets ahead’ of a tikka or sake in terms of performance? On a tikka, I pull the trigger, it fires, I cycle the action and a new round is in the chamber. What else do I need it to do?

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Top load it bugs me I can’t with the tikka and they are soulless, in saying that they just shoot so well never had a tikka that didn’t shoot


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Originally Posted by camenzie

Honest question, how is an any custom action ‘streets ahead’ of a tikka or sake in terms of performance? On a tikka, I pull the trigger, it fires, I cycle the action and a new round is in the chamber. What else do I need it to do?

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Just lift the bolt handle, it's very smooth, doesn't torque the rifle over against your left hand or bipod, if firing heavy loads the extraction is still smooth and easy (no double click). The bolt runs back with no sear drag and is impossible to bind, ejection is completely controllable. The firing assembly is highly polished with no spring bind resulting in very very consistent ignition.

Generally I run cheap rifles, I have more Savages than anything else, I like Bergara's and Tikkas (none of either just now) and also several Mausers. Plus others. They all work well but there is "sometimes" a benefit from spending a bit more money! Not always!