Looking at buying a new rifle soon as I gave my son my old savage. I think I have it down to a savage 110 or tikka t3x. Any real life experiences or opinions on either or something else I should maybe look in to
You’ll be happier with the Tikka T3x . Trigger and action will be smoother ! Personally I have had really good luck with Bergaras as of lately as well . Mainly the trigger and accuracy . Tikkas are gonna be a smoother action with the same accuracy . With every rifle – make sure you try different types of ammo and weights of bullets ! It can make a huge huge difference .
Have you handled a Tikka? I had full intentions of buying one but the stock felt so cheap to me. Maybe consider an aftermarket stock if you go that route.
I have a Remington ADL and that thing put 5 rounds through the same hole at 100yards with factory 165grn ammo. Guy on the spotting scope thought I missed the 4 times till the first hole got slightly bigger on the 5th shot.
I bought my son a Savage Trophy Hunter XP in 270 and its a wonderful gun. Doesnt break the bank, but the trigger is silky smooth and very nice cycling rounds. The plastic magazine is a little wonky though so in the cold it doesnt like to seat real well. This is a composite model, the wood stock model may not have this issue.
Are you left or right handed. Might sell a left handed Savage I have.
DT
The tikka action is buttery smooth. While the stock leaves something to be desired, I really could care less.
I have had both. I no longer have the 110, but that was due to the round count getting past the point of middle age and so it was traded.
There isn’t a bad choice between them. IMO, the Tikka is a little more refined than the current iteration of the Savage 110. The action is smoother out of the box and IMO between the 2 composite stock versions, I like the Tikka’s better. But overall they are both very good, especially when you consider that the out-of-the-box accuracy of rifles like these used to be difficult to obtain by spending 2-3x as much.
I haven’t seen a Tikka or a 110 (recent model) that was truly a poor shooter. And by “poor shooter” I mean a rifle that couldn’t be made to produce MOA accuracy. Which for a hunting rifle is far more than is really required, so IMO either one would do you just fine.
Tikka. In the price range of these rifles, you won’t find a better factory trigger or a bolt as smooth.
Tikka is (IMO) the best value for an off the shelf rifle that you can buy. LOADS of guys buy them and keep the action and rebarrel/restock into semi-custom rigs. I’m currently looking for a donor/used rifle to build a 284 Winchester and want a 308 as well (on top of my 270).
Tikka or Howa is the only factory rifles I would buy in that price point. Either has very good quality in barrels, action, and trigger. The Tikka synthetic stocks are good, but feel like plastic if you’re not accustomed to it. The Howa houge has a nice stock. Or aftermarket Boyd if you want to really personalize it. Triggers are crisp and very dependable. My opinion is savage isn’t a consideration if comparing to Howa or tikka
I own a few different savage rifles that have never had a hiccup, that’s why I was considering the 110.
The tikka is top of my list but the stock isn’t what I like for that kind of money. I have never swapped a stock. Nor do I want to when I drop a grand on a rifle. Every review I have read on the t3x seems great. I guess I’m going to have to see what I can find a hold to get a feel.
I’m looking to start exploring some mule deer hunts and possibly trying to apply for elk tags. Figured a .270 is a great option for a 500 yard gun at knocking those kind of animals down and deer at home. Any reason to look in to any other caliber over a good old all around .270
I love my Tikka. I would totally buy a new one.
I can’t add anything more than what has already been said…
My son bought his first big boy rifle and after looking over the other guns decided on Tikka T3x in .270. After working the bolts on several different makes, he felt the Tikka ran the smoothest and locked up tight which was the deciding factor. He was fortunate and harvested 2 bucks with it this fall.
For what you described you want to do, a 270 will do everything you ever ask of it.
. Any reason to look in to any other caliber over a good old all around .270
Nope! 270win is a proven all around caliber that has effectively killed many large game animals. The only consideration I would make is using a monolithic copper bullet like the barnes tsx with elk or anything you’ll punch at 400+ yrds. Energy transfer is much more efficient and will produce better penetration holes. Traditional lead bullets fragment and don’t penetrate like monolithic
Btw, if you’re up hiking in the mountains chasing Muleys or elk, you’ll appreciate the lighter weight of a tikka
Any reason to look in to any other caliber over a good old all around .270
Well there is 6.5 PRC that has been around for a few years. There is also the new 7MM PRC cartridge in some of the guns on the market now. Both of those bullets are at the top of the list for accuracy and long range shooting. The tried and true .270 is good but these new calibers are better in most peoples eyes.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
Any reason to look in to any other caliber over a good old all around .270Well there is 6.5 PRC that has been around for a few years. There is also the new 7MM PRC cartridge in some of the guns on the market now. Both of those bullets are at the top of the list for accuracy and long range shooting. The tried and true .270 is good but these new calibers are better in most peoples eyes.
Ballistically, sure. Ammo availability? No way.
I reload now so I don’t worry as much about off the shelf ammo,but if I didn’t load you can bet I’d be focusing on a cartridge with good factory support.
270WIN and 6.5 PRC are ballistic twins. Little higher BC with the longer bullets and less powder in 6.5 PRC but that doesn’t change much until 500 yds.
Ammo availability is obviously better for the 270 but the 6.5 PRC is fine if you’re willing to ship online. It’s also the best selling cartridges for new rifles so ammo supply is only going to get better.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either rifle you mentioned. I’m a tikka fan so would tend to lean that direction. My T3 is an earlier model with the plastic stock. It works, but I’ve thought about going aftermarket with a semi custom build like mentioned above. They did make some improvements to the stock on the T3X. Can’t go wrong with the .270 for what your asking of it.
270WIN and 6.5 PRC are ballistic twins. Little higher BC with the longer bullets and less powder in 6.5 PRC but that doesn’t change much until 500 yds.
With less powder in the PRC I assume you’re able to get by with a shorter barrel?
Yes the higher twist rate on the 6.5 PRC let’s you get away with a 22″ barrel and still maintain the accuracy. The ammo for that gun is available at most box stores now and there are mutiple companies producing ammo in that caliber due to its high popularity.
Thanks guys. This is basically backing most of what I’ve been researching. I’m going to wait until after the holidays to start shopping or looking around.
This could be a completely different topic, but any advice on a scope to pair with the tikka would be greatly appreciated. My goal is to stay around 1500 for the package but I will splurge more if need be.
Around home my shot on a white tail is going to be any where from 20 yards to 150, but I want to be able to poke out a few 3 400 yards so I can go do other hunts. I am far from a expert when it comes to a scope. I hunt right now with a savage 270 with a cheaper utg scope that does the trick but is nothing great. Or a different savage .308 iron sights.
SWFA Ultralight 2.5-10 with the BDC reticle.
They also make a fixed 6x you can dial that is one of the best values in optics, but for bow range type shots around here that 6x could be a bit much. I have two of their 3-15s that are rock solid.
I think a good old VX-3 in 3.5-10 would be about perfect. I might also look at the 2.5-8, keep it simple and light. If you wanted to go a little fancier, pending your budget, the Leupold VX5 2-10 with the firedot reticle is a great hunting scope too.
I think a good old VX-3 in 3.5-10 would be about perfect. I might also look at the 2.5-8, keep it simple and light. If you wanted to go a little fancier, pending your budget, the Leupold VX5 2-10 with the firedot reticle is a great hunting scope too.
I have the VX-3 2.5-8 on my primary deer rifle, recommend over the 3.5-10. Good glass, rugged as you’ll find, great for close up in northern MN or to reach out a ways elsewhere.
Found on Gunbroker.com
T3X.jpg
In the Tikka the 270 WIN comes with a 22″ barrel and 6.5 PRC with a 24″ barrel, both long action as well. I’d go with the 270 for that specific rifle.
Yes the higher twist rate on the 6.5 PRC let’s you get away with a 22″ barrel and still maintain the accuracy. The ammo for that gun is available at most box stores now and there are mutiple companies producing ammo in that caliber due to its high popularity.
Barrel length is for speed, not accuracy. High twist rate is to stabilize longer bullets.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Steven Krapfl wrote:</div>
I think a good old VX-3 in 3.5-10 would be about perfect. I might also look at the 2.5-8, keep it simple and light. If you wanted to go a little fancier, pending your budget, the Leupold VX5 2-10 with the firedot reticle is a great hunting scope too.I have the VX-3 2.5-8 on my primary deer rifle, recommend over the 3.5-10. Good glass, rugged as you’ll find, great for close up in northern MN or to reach out a ways elsewhere.
I agree, I have a 2.5-8 on my 30-06, which I love! However, I also have the 3.5-10 on a 243 win of mine and I like that scope, too. Figured if the OP was going to take his rifle out for other things, like coyote or antelope, perhaps the 3.5-10 might be a good option.
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