Thread: Whats up with T3 sellers on trademe?

Originally Posted by tommygun

I am confident that this is the case with almost all new hunting rifles these days, except perhaps the 'economy' ones e.g. Mossberg ATR, Savage Axis (maybe), Remington 770 etc. I feel like if you have $1000 or thereabouts to spend on a rifle these days you are spoilt for choice, and most are capable of MOA with a factory load they like, and almost all with a handload they like. I still don't see why Tikka's are so popular though, for a cheap rifle they sure cost a lot. Plastic bolt shroud, shit rings, one-size-fits-all action/bolt/mags (albeit the small cartridge mags have an insert) they seem to have cut so many corners with production and yet they cost more than a standard Remington 700 or Savage 10. Not sure if it's still the case you you used to be able to get a Savage 16 or 14 for considerably less than a Tikka T3, and I'd wager that they shoot better, even though they aren't guaranteed to. @Pixie Z had a Savage 116 in .270 that shot under MOA out of the box with Highland (PPU) ammo right out of the box.

The cheap non accustock 10,11,16 stocks suck, they shoot but are IMO a step down in fit and finish to a tikka. Not that the tikkas are uber flash, but its all relative. An accustocked savage, or stainless remmy are around the same price as a tikka anyway, and at least with the tikka you get a guarantee. They are getting up in price but I wonder how much of that is the cost from factory, and how much is it beretta reaming us for a few bolt on improvements.
I like the 10 series savages and will own another one at some point but personally I feel the tikkas are a better rifle overall.
I paid $900 for mine virtually brand new and with an ok scope