Can't decide on a rifle...

[_Scooter_]

New to rifles (but not to firearms...own a handgun and shotgun) and in the market for buying my first hunting rifle. Looking for one rifle to handle everything in the Lower 48 (from deer and wild hogs to elk). Ive decided on a caliber but don't want to say what caliber and start a caliber debate and derail the thread! My budget is $1200 max for the rifle, $800 for a scope. I'm a less is more guy and would prefer to have one decent quality rifle and scope that will let me do most of the things I want to do rather than a few less expensive rifles and scopes.

I want a synthetic stock and a SS barrel. Weight isn't super important, but also dont want to lug around a boat anchor since I anticipate doing multi-day trips with this rifle that would include a bit of hiking.

I checked out a few rifles at some LGS recently. I really thought I'd like the Winchester Model 70 EW SS, but the stock on that rifle felt like a 2x4 bolted to the barrel. Really disappointed in the feel and lack of thought and refinement that seemed to be put into that synthetic stock. Also felt pretty darn heavy. Picked up a Model 70 Supergrade and it's a night and day difference. Not sure why they went with such a clubby, fat stock on the EW.

Also checked out a Tikka T3x Stainless. Very impressed with this rifle and it obviously has an amazing reputation for being very accurate and very affordable. Bolt was super smooth (smoother than the Winchester) but I have to admit that it did kind of feel like a toy. The stock felt a bit cheap, but for the money it seemed like a great rifle and obviously lightweight.

Then the shop owner threw me a curveball and handed me a Sako A7 Roughtech Pro. It seemed like the Winchester Model 70 EW and Tikka T3x Stainless had a lovechild. Stock felt better than the EW and more substantial and robust than the T3x stock. Felt like a quality stock, not cheap plastic. All in all it felt like a great rifle, but having trouble justifying if it's worth the $350 uncharge compared to the T3x Stainless Lite. It's also noticeably heavier than the T3x, but not as heavy as the Winchester EW, but close. Also read about some having ejection issues with the A7 that also required/was solved with taller rings. Never heard of any issues with the ejection port on the T3x, especially since they've enlarged it on the T3x compared to the previous T3.

They also has a few Christensen Arms rifles and those were really nice, but a bit more than I wanted to spend, plus I don't want to be the new guy out there with a slick rifle who has no clue what he's doing.

Tikka T3x Stainless

Pros:
- cheaper price
- light weight
- have hardly ever heard a bad thing about them.

Cons:
- cheap, plastic stock.

Sako A7 Roughtech Pro

Pros:
-Nicer stock
- has an overall better feel / felt more refined & substantial

Cons:
-Heavier than the Tikka T3x
- more expensive than the Tikka

The Tikka has a 2-bolt lug while the Sako A7 has a 3-bolt lug, but that really doesn't matter to me one way or the other. The Tikka has a metal bolt shroud while the Sako's is suprisingly plastic. Both rifles have plastic trigger guards, and all these parts can be changed to aluminum with aftermarket parts available.

I've also tried to rationalize upgrading the stock on the Tikka, but if I did that I might as well just buy the A7, right?

So do I just suck it up and go with the Tikka and use that money toward a nice set of binoculars, or is the A7 overall worth it and is this more of a buy once, cry once situation?

 

[Flatland Newbie]

Following

 

[Jagger0502]

You seems to have done all the research so I don’t mind giving the generic answer and say whatever feels best for you is likely the right answer. They both will likely shoot good groups. You don’t need to spend a pile on a gun to get good groups. A Tikka has a good reputation as a shooter. If the Sako feels better and you don’t mind paying the extra cash then go for it. Likely the groups will be similar as a new shooter.

for me, the rifle has to fit and then I spend the money on nicer glass for it. I have $300 rifles that shoot just as good as my $1500 rifles but I always seem to go with the one that fits me the best and the one I feel most comfortable shooting which is a middle of the ground beat up old hand me down that shoots tacks. And I upgraded the scope to complement its performance. Just happens to have a sako action.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Just my personal opinion but I never considered the A7's stock an upgrade. It needs a diet bad to fit my tastes (both in physical dimension and on a scale). Been around my fair share of tikka's and still own my personal fav. I've come to really like tikka's factory stock (granted my current one is a t3 not a t3x) and how the ergonomics fit me. The stock on mine is anything but flimsy and for a poly stock that isn't some type of kelvlar or carbon, it's pretty dang stiff.

that said if your personal preferences are the A7's stock is a better feel and fits well I wouldn't bat an eye paying the extra $$

 

[slvrslngr]

Of the ones mentioned, Tikka. Otherwise look at:
Used Fieldcraft
Weatherby Ultralight
Kimber Montana
Used Remington KS

Scope it with a VX 3 2.5-8 or a Zeiss Conquest 3-9 (used) and you’re done.

 

[BjornF16]

Regarding the rifle scope...what ranges and conditions do you plan on hunting?

 

[_Scooter_]

Regarding the rifle scope...what ranges and conditions do you plan on hunting?

I'm going to use the rifle for everything for a while. Deer and wild pigs to start, and hopefully larger game down the line including getting up into the mountains, but nothing necessarily considered "long range". Probably a couple hundred yards to start but would be nice to be able to reach out a little farther over time as I get better. Just trying to be realistic.

 

[BjornF16]

Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 TMR reticle with FireDot, $600 at Bear Basin. Weighs 16 oz.

LEUPOLD VX-R Patrol Tactical 3-9x40mm (30mm Tube) Illuminated Matte FireDot TMR (LEU113771)

We have the best prices on rifle scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, long range scopes, hunting optics & birding optics

www.bearbasin.net

I have one and am really impressed with glass. Much clearer than my Vortex Viper PSTs.

 

[6mm Remington]

Tikka's sure seem to shoot very well and are made by Sako so they can't hardly be bad. There's a couple other Sako Models that might work. 30-06 sure would be a caliber to consider. I love it! 280AI would also be another good one.

https://www.sako.fi/rifles/old-mode...l-700/model-700-adl-stainless-synthetic-scope

The American Wilderness Model 700 looks pretty sweet

Model 700 American Wilderness Rifle | Remington

The Stainless Mountain rifle is a nice rifle. I had a 700 Mtn rifle in 280 Remington and I sure liked that particular rifle. It shot great and I killed a lot of elk, deer, and antelope with it.

Model 700 Mountain SS | Remington

Model 700 SPS Stainless | Remington

Look at many and see what feels right for you and what fits you. Best of luck in finding the one for you.

Scopes:
I really like the following.
Leupold 6x42mm fixed power scope. (I have never felt handicapped with this on a hunting rifle!)
Leupold 3.5-10x40mm with the B&C reticle. (Great scopes.)
Leupold 4.5-14x40mm with the B&C reticle. (Great scope. I have one and my son has one.)

Zeiss Conquest with the Z600 Reticle.

ZEISS Conquest V4 3-12x44 | High-quality optics for rugged hunting use

www.zeiss.com

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You really need to get into the Sako 85 realm to gain any real benefits over the Tikka T3X. The A7 is a miss from Sako in my opinion and I'm a HUGE fan of their rifles.

Honestly, for the price, I'd go with the T3X Lite Stainless and do some upgrades. There is a thread on here titled "Let's see your semi custom Tikka builds"... There is a ton of good information in their on how to upgrade the Tikka T3X.

Also, welcome from a fellow Northern CA hunter. Where are you located?

 

[Formidilosus]

Then the shop owner threw me a curveball and handed me a Sako A7 Roughtech Pro. It seemed like the Winchester Model 70 EW and Tikka T3x Stainless had a lovechild. Stock felt better than the EW and more substantial and robust than the T3x stock. Felt like a quality stock, not cheap plastic.

The Sako A7 stock and T3 stock are the exact same material. If one feels “cheap” than the other would. The only difference is the checkering and shape.

 

[_Scooter_]

You really need to get into the Sako 85 realm to gain any real benefits over the Tikka T3X. The A7 is a miss from Sako in my opinion and I'm a HUGE fan of their rifles.

Honestly, for the price, I'd go with the T3X Lite Stainless and do some upgrades. There is a thread on here titled "Let's see your semi custom Tikka builds"... There is a ton of good information in their on how to upgrade the Tikka T3X.

Also, welcome from a fellow Northern CA hunter. Where are you located?

Ive browsed through that thread and people are turning them into really, really nice rifles. I'm not knocking anyone for doing whatever they want to their rifles, but with many of them if you price out what they've spent on stocks and other upgrades it's a bit surprising. I've seen this happen with people who are into guitars. They'll buy a lower end or mid-level guitar and upgrade everything on it when in the end they could have just saved up a little longer and bought the one they really wanted over time. Again, not knocking anyone for building and modding a rifle into something that's exactly what they wanted. I've just been down that road with other interests (motorcycles, guitars, etc.) and would rather spend more time actually using the rifle and less time and money modding it. Just what I tend to prefer these days. It's still nice to look over threads like that and see what amazing things people do with the Tikkas.

 

[452b264]

If you dont like the cheap plastic factory T3x stock they make a laminated wood stock in SS.

Also you may want to take a look at the new Weatherby Vanguard they shoot very well.

 

[_Scooter_]

The Sako A7 stock and T3 stock are the exact same material. If one feels “cheap” than the other would. The only difference is the checkering and shape.

I've held them both side by side a few days ago. They feel different as far as the material they're made out of and they're also different dimensions with different contours/shape. You might be comparing the older A7 stock with the Tikka, not the current A7 Roughtech stocks.

 

[Steve O]

I’d look into a Kimber Montana before you make your final decision; they are a svelte version of that 70EW you liked.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Ive browsed through that thread and people are turning them into really, really nice rifles. I'm not knocking anyone for doing whatever they want to their rifles, but with many of them if you price out what they've spent on stocks and other upgrades it's a bit surprising. I've seen this happen with people who are into guitars. They'll buy a lower end or mid-level guitar and upgrade everything on it when in the end they could have just saved up a little longer and bought the one they really wanted over time. Again, not knocking anyone for building and modding a rifle into something that's exactly what they wanted. I've just been down that road with other interests (motorcycles, guitars, etc.) and would rather spend more time actually using the rifle and less time and money modding it. Just what I tend to prefer these days. It's still nice to look over threads like that and see what amazing things people do with the Tikkas.

I definitely respect this line of thinking. If the stock doesn't fit or feel right to you it is important to stay away from it. Being comfortable with proper shooting mechanics is much more important than a rifles "said accuracy" from a bunch of guys online. Get a guy who's comfortable and familiar with his rifle against a guy with a brand new "precision" rifle who hasn't tuned it or gotten comfortable with it, guess who shoots better every single time?

I love that you are going to the stores and forming your own opinions before posting another "I need a new rifle" thread. This is what I always recommend first time rifle buyers to do. Go into it with an open mind, and then report back with what you like/didn't like about certain rigs.

If you aren't into the idea of upgrading and want to spend more money to get what you really want in a factory form I'd highly recommend checking out the Sako 85 Finnlight 2. It's much more expensive than a T3X so you have to decide if those features are worth it (Stainless cerakoted action and barrel, aluminum cerakoted trigger guard, fluted barrel, action that is sized more appropriately to the cartridge, carbon reinforced RTM stock with good fit/feel and adjustable cheek piece, flush mount 2 row stainless magazine, slightly beefier and better trigger mounting design, semi controlled round feed, better bolt and bolt handle, excellent grip/feel on the fore-end and hand grip positions, etc.)

You could gain most of these features for cheaper with aftermarket parts for the T3X and have close to the same rifle is why I originally mentioned that route. Just more things to consider.

 

[Spoonbill]

New to rifles (but not to firearms...own a handgun and shotgun) and in the market for buying my first hunting rifle. Looking for one rifle to handle everything in the Lower 48 (from deer and wild hogs to elk). Ive decided on a caliber but don't want to say what caliber and start a caliber debate and derail the thread! My budget is $1200 max for the rifle, $800 for a scope. I'm a less is more guy and would prefer to have one decent quality rifle and scope that will let me do most of the things I want to do rather than a few less expensive rifles and scopes.

I want a synthetic stock and a SS barrel. Weight isn't super important, but also dont want to lug around a boat anchor since I anticipate doing multi-day trips with this rifle that would include a bit of hiking.

I checked out a few rifles at some LGS recently. I really thought I'd like the Winchester Model 70 EW SS, but the stock on that rifle felt like a 2x4 bolted to the barrel. Really disappointed in the feel and lack of thought and refinement that seemed to be put into that synthetic stock. Also felt pretty darn heavy. Picked up a Model 70 Supergrade and it's a night and day difference. Not sure why they went with such a clubby, fat stock on the EW.

Also checked out a Tikka T3x Stainless. Very impressed with this rifle and it obviously has an amazing reputation for being very accurate and very affordable. Bolt was super smooth (smoother than the Winchester) but I have to admit that it did kind of feel like a toy. The stock felt a bit cheap, but for the money it seemed like a great rifle and obviously lightweight.

Then the shop owner threw me a curveball and handed me a Sako A7 Roughtech Pro. It seemed like the Winchester Model 70 EW and Tikka T3x Stainless had a lovechild. Stock felt better than the EW and more substantial and robust than the T3x stock. Felt like a quality stock, not cheap plastic. All in all it felt like a great rifle, but having trouble justifying if it's worth the $350 uncharge compared to the T3x Stainless Lite. It's also noticeably heavier than the T3x, but not as heavy as the Winchester EW, but close. Also read about some having ejection issues with the A7 that also required/was solved with taller rings. Never heard of any issues with the ejection port on the T3x, especially since they've enlarged it on the T3x compared to the previous T3.

They also has a few Christensen Arms rifles and those were really nice, but a bit more than I wanted to spend, plus I don't want to be the new guy out there with a slick rifle who has no clue what he's doing.

Tikka T3x Stainless

Pros:
- cheaper price
- light weight
- have hardly ever heard a bad thing about them.

Cons:
- cheap, plastic stock.

Sako A7 Roughtech Pro

Pros:
-Nicer stock
- has an overall better feel / felt more refined & substantial

Cons:
-Heavier than the Tikka T3x
- more expensive than the Tikka

The Tikka has a 2-bolt lug while the Sako A7 has a 3-bolt lug, but that really doesn't matter to me one way or the other. The Tikka has a metal bolt shroud while the Sako's is suprisingly plastic. Both rifles have plastic trigger guards, and all these parts can be changed to aluminum with aftermarket parts available.

I've also tried to rationalize upgrading the stock on the Tikka, but if I did that I might as well just buy the A7, right?

So do I just suck it up and go with the Tikka and use that money toward a nice set of binoculars, or is the A7 overall worth it and is this more of a buy once, cry once situation?

I own a Tikka and a model 70 and between the two, I prefer the model 70. The stock fits me better than my Tikka and I prefer a 3 position safety. If the factory Tikka stock fits better over the winchester you were looking at then get the Tikka. Tikka aftermarket parts are starting to become more common, so there are a ton of aftermarket choices. Also good glass is more important than a high end rifle so if getting a Tikka allows you to get nicer binos, I would get the Tikka.

 

[ericF]

I have a couple of the original Sako A7s so things may have changed, but two other features not mentioned are a three position safety as well as an additional magazine feature that requires you to push up on the magazine before unlatching it to prevent accidental magazine drops. That being said, it looks like Sako will no longer be producing the A7 based on their current website as it is listed under older models, but I could be wrong. https://www.sako.fi/rifles
The Tikka will definitely give you more aftermarket features in the long term as it is very hard to find any aftermarket support for the A7. If you are one to leave rifles alone then it doesn't really matter though.

 

[_Scooter_]

I have a couple of the original Sako A7s so things may have changed, but two other features not mentioned are a three position safety as well as an additional magazine feature that requires you to push up on the magazine before unlatching it to prevent accidental magazine drops. That being said, it looks like Sako will no longer be producing the A7 based on their current website as it is listed under older models, but I could be wrong. https://www.sako.fi/rifles
The Tikka will definitely give you more aftermarket features in the long term as it is very hard to find any aftermarket support for the A7. If you are one to leave rifles alone then it doesn't really matter though.

I am more in the mindset of just leaving things alone. Again, this isn't to knock others since we all have different reasons for doing what we do, and there for sure isn't a "one-size fits all", otherwise there wouldnt be so many choices. I just don't want to be "that guy" who gets in a hobby or interest and gets more caught up in the gear and modding everything just because I'm either bored or think I have to when in reality I haven't even learned how to use the rifle properly, can't even shoot it and have never even killed anything with it (which is my whole purpose in this pursuit is to get outside, enjoy the outdoors again and fill the freezer).

Again, I really don't want to offend anyone, but I've seen this happen with guitars like I mentioned earlier in this thread. There are guys who will argue ad-naseum about which pickups are the best, which string gauge or fretboard radius is superior and post about all the work they've dont to their instruments but when it comes down to it plenty of them can't even play worth a darn. I just don't want to turn into THAT guy! I also noticed this years ago when I was ice and trad climbing. People would made excuses and blame it on their gear. In reality it wasn't the gear because may of the routes they were not successful on were put up years before any of the gear we had then was even available.

I just don't want to stray too far from my original intentions and go down a crazy rabbit hole. At the same time I dont want to just buy something cheap simply because it's cheap. Have no problem spending good money for something if it's going to be used and I'll appreciate it more. With that way of thinking I sometimes find myself trying to convince myself that the Christensen Arms Ridgeline is worth it!

 

[Apollo117]

You've got the right mindset.

If you want the Rokslide equivalent of the Staple's Easy button, then get a stainless steel Tikka T3X in 6.5 CM with Sportsmatch rings and either an SWFA 6x or SWFA 3x9. A Tikka T3X in 6.5 CM can be found for about $550 on the Locked n' Loaded website. The Sportsmatch rings are about $70 IIRC. And the SWFA 6x will be around $350, or the SWFA 3x9 will be around $500 on sale. I could be off on my pricing, but I'm in the ballpark. Total setup will be around $1k and ammo will be a range of $15 to $40 per box. You won't be in danger of being "that guy", but with practice you will be dangerous to any NA game animal.

BTW, the above recommendation is not mine. I'm parroting what I've read in previous Rokslide posts.