Is the Cascade r700 clone? I thought that was just Bergaras. I need to find more reviews, mostly to satisfy my own curiosity, but it looks like the smarter path is just accepting the extra cost of the Tikka. Or step down to a Savage 110.
Having fought against getting a Tikka, and gone through several rifles in the process (R700, R7600, Sako 85, Kimber Montana) my advice would be just get a Tikka and be done with it.
All my complaints with the Tikka still stand, but they just don't matter, or are actually a positive.
Ugly: no stainless and synthetic rifle is really pretty, and I have rust issues even with stainless hunting costal salt water. Pretty is a luxury I have no time for.
Coin slot ejection port: turns out this helps with reliability in crappy weather and while I still don't like it aestheticly, function trumps aesthetics.
Only available in long action: Yeah shaving a little length and weight from the action and bolt would be nice, but matters a whole lot less than I made it out to in my head. As I am now reloading, I can exceed COAL if desired with simply needed a different magazine.
Plastic bottom metal and mag: who cares, it is light and works.
Single stack mag: higher capacity in a flush mount would be nice, but is not really needed. Only magazine design I like better is the Sako 85.
Push feed: I think the advantages of CRF are overblown. Plus, the external extractor is more prone to clogging with snow and ice.
If Sako had better aftermarket support, I would take them over a Tikka. As they don't, and the Tikka is half the price, Tikka wins.
