Tikka Roughtech or Bergara Carbon Wilderness

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I've got several guns that I never shoot, the .243 being one of them. I always tend to grab the .308 anytime I go to the range or go hunting. I grew up hunting with a .243 and know it's a good round but like the added power of the .308. The budget is more of if I bought one of the above guns to allow me to change things I don't like. I don't mind spending more if go the semi custom route to end up with what I like.

Entire Tikka 308 rifle - $800
Carbon 308 Barrel for tikka rifle that is not likely to be better than the one that comes on a Tikka - $800
If you cant see the obvious choice between those two it's hard to give input.
 
OP
Y

Yfz04drt

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Entire Tikka 308 rifle - $800
Carbon 308 Barrel for tikka rifle that is not likely to be better than the one that comes on a Tikka - $800
If you cant see the obvious choice between those two it's hard to give input.
I understand that. The regular lite has a smaller barrel profile than I prefer to run a suppressor. That pushes me into the Roughtech line that had a slightly heavier barrel and higher cost. I don't love the factory stock of any of them which would cost more to replace. Therefore I'm weighing whether to buy the Roughtech and replace the stock for $1500-$1800 all in or spend slightly more and build off an action I already own with everything the way I like. I'm not questioning the ability for the gun to shoot in factory form.
 
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lite profile is plenty sufficient for a suppressor. If the question is really "which 308 is going to look the sickest with a suppressor" that's going to be in the eye of the beholder.
 

swavescatter

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I have an ember. The stock looks cool isn’t really worth the $. I run a suppressor on other chopped tikkas just fine. The spiral fluted bolts looks cool.

That said - I won’t buy another over a regular stainless T3X. Spend that money on an aftermarket stock instead.
 

ElPollo

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I understand that. The regular lite has a smaller barrel profile than I prefer to run a suppressor. That pushes me into the Roughtech line that had a slightly heavier barrel and higher cost. I don't love the factory stock of any of them which would cost more to replace. Therefore I'm weighing whether to buy the Roughtech and replace the stock for $1500-$1800 all in or spend slightly more and build off an action I already own with everything the way I like. I'm not questioning the ability for the gun to shoot in factory form.
I have multiple T3x lites and run suppressors on all of them without any problems. I am not a fan of the roughtech or ember versions primarily because the fluted bolt provides an extra pathway for the ingress of dirt and debris into the action. I also don’t need or want the slightly heavier barrel profile. Finally, the roughtech stock is not worth the extra money. I get your opinions on the stock. The tikka factory stock is not my favorite based on the drop at the comb and the heel. But there are not many factory stocks that are significantly better. If you spend about $500-600 on a Stocky’s VG hunter or a RokStok, you’ve got a winner. If budget is a thing, add a tikka vertical grip module and some foam padding and tape to raise the comb, and shoot the factory stock until your bank account recovers sufficiently to upgrade the stock.
 

MatukaJoe

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I'm not closed minded to opening my options. I just know a little more about those 2 platforms. What route are you referring to? Feel free to pm me if it'll create a mess.
For the 1200$ price range you mention I'd go Kimber Hunter or Kimber Hunter Pro - had a Kimber Hunter in 7mm-08 I sold a number of years back and I wish I'd never done so. Phenomenal lightweight rifle that worked flawlessly for me. Also if you are looking at the 1200$ price range for a Tika in my area at least for 1400 you could get the Sako S20 in both the hunter and precision versions. I have more confidence in the S20 line personally. You also could look at the Weatherby 307 - I've not handled one but they look interesting to me and a buddy has the MeatEater Weatherby and it's a solid shooting rifle. There are also Savage 110 models in the 1200 range and I've had good experiences with them. A buddy owns one in 30-06. There are both the long range and high country models. Rifles are really so much personal preference of course. I found I was not gelling with any off the shelf rifle so for 1100 I assembled my own with a Howa 1500 carbon barreled action and a Stocky's VG2 Stock and I am loving it. That's a long-winded way of saying while its good to get opinions and hear issues you probably already know what you want. :) Happy shooting!
 

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MatukaJoe

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What Tikka QC issues have you seen? I'm interested to hear.
It usually causes a kerfuffle when I mention as people exclaim it's our faults but ermagerd newp not.
My rifle stopped ejecting brass. I took good care of it. In fact back then I used to clean it regularly and keep it in immaculate condition. Another buddy's almost immediately had brass jamming in the throat chamber and it had to be mortared out or smacked out with a rod from the barrel end. Lastly, a friend had a bluing issue almost immediately and it had to be stripped and cerakoted. While these are not catastrophic issues they are not fun either esp when one doesnt expect such... and the fact that me plus two of my friends all had issues I just stay away from Tika ever since. I would likely build a custom off a tika action for affordability but buying off the shelf not for me.
 

Antares

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It usually causes a kerfuffle when I mention as people exclaim it's our faults but ermagerd newp not.
My rifle stopped ejecting brass. I took good care of it. In fact back then I used to clean it regularly and keep it in immaculate condition. Another buddy's almost immediately had brass jamming in the throat chamber and it had to be mortared out or smacked out with a rod from the barrel end. Lastly, a friend had a bluing issue almost immediately and it had to be stripped and cerakoted. While these are not catastrophic issues they are not fun either esp when one doesnt expect such... and the fact that me plus two of my friends all had issues I just stay away from Tika ever since. I would likely build a custom off a tika action for affordability but buying off the shelf not for me.

Did you ever get those issue resolved? If so, what was the solution?
 

MatukaJoe

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Definitely interested in a 800 dollar rifle that rivals tikkas value, can think of maybe one off the top of my head… what are you talking about here?
The OP mentioned 1200$. (The roughtech is not $800 at least in my area.) But for 800 or less I'd probably go Ruger American Gen II, Savage 110, Weatherby Vanguard, or Sauer 100. I've not shot the Sauer but it has the right make up IMO. Its of course opinion based upon my own experiences. :) For $1100 I put together a rifle I quite like just last year.
 

MatukaJoe

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Did you ever get those issue resolved? If so, what was the solution?
Yes all resolved. I didnt hear what the issue with mine was I had to send it in. The Blueing I've just seen a lot of cheap blueing lately it seems like esp on less expensive rifles. His was not mistreated nor stored wet it started rusting from being in a wet environment. No he didnt store it wet it was rusting probably by the time he was heading home from his hunt. The jamming in the chamber I didnt find out what that friend found was the solution.
 

Hnthrdr

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The OP mentioned 1200$. (The roughtech is not $800 at least in my area.) But for 800 or less I'd probably go Ruger American Gen II, Savage 110, Weatherby Vanguard, or Sauer 100. I've not shot the Sauer but it has the right make up IMO. Its of course opinion based upon my own experiences. :) For $1100 I put together a rifle I quite like just last year.
Sauers intrigue me, but haven’t had enough hands on time. The rest I have had and haven’t been overly impressed with, RA are great at around 500 bucks though
 

OneShot

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If you don’t have to have the gun immediately, there might be some sales coming up like last winter. Academy had some good sales last November. I had a tikka Roughtech sent to the store. With the sale, tax and rebate, I was in the gun for $885.
 

BCD

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It usually causes a kerfuffle when I mention as people exclaim it's our faults but ermagerd newp not.
My rifle stopped ejecting brass. I took good care of it. In fact back then I used to clean it regularly and keep it in immaculate condition. Another buddy's almost immediately had brass jamming in the throat chamber and it had to be mortared out or smacked out with a rod from the barrel end. Lastly, a friend had a bluing issue almost immediately and it had to be stripped and cerakoted. While these are not catastrophic issues they are not fun either esp when one doesnt expect such... and the fact that me plus two of my friends all had issues I just stay away from Tika ever since. I would likely build a custom off a tika action for affordability but buying off the shelf not for me.
The Tikka sheep don't want to hear about any issues. I had a very well respected gunsmith and custom rifle builder tell me to stay away from Tikka. Not to mention they are the absolute ugliest rifle in the history of mankind.
 

mxgsfmdpx

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The Tikka sheep don't want to hear about any issues. I had a very well respected gunsmith and custom rifle builder tell me to stay away from Tikka. Not to mention they are the absolute ugliest rifle in the history of mankind.
No we actually specifically asked what the issues were. As in, we want to hear about them. Literally the opposite of what you typed.
 

MatukaJoe

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The Tikka sheep don't want to hear about any issues. I had a very well respected gunsmith and custom rifle builder tell me to stay away from Tikka. Not to mention they are the absolute ugliest rifle in the history of mankind.
I mean at least this thread they did ask although yes I have run into certain people who just won't hear it even if I can show it. And your post did make me chuckle.
Also I personally like the tika action as far as for a inexpensive action it's quite good is it on par with something really nice like a defiance or a bat no in my opinion not even close. But it's an affordable action that if you wanted to kit out for something else I think it's a good option.
 

ElPollo

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The Tikka sheep don't want to hear about any issues. I had a very well respected gunsmith and custom rifle builder tell me to stay away from Tikka. Not to mention they are the absolute ugliest rifle in the history of mankind.
You dislike something apparently because some undefined group of others like it, despite the fact that you have no experience with the thing. But someone you know and claim to be a respected authority but refuse to identify also dislikes the thing. Did I interpret that correctly?
 

mxgsfmdpx

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And your post did make me chuckle.
Also I personally like the tika action as far as for an inexpensive action it's quite good is it on par with something really nice like a defiance or a bat no in my opinion not even close.
Interesting take. My guess is you haven’t shot with defiance and bats side by side with tikkas and sakos in large volumes. Here’s a quick hint…

In extensive field use and real world hunting conditions. High wind blowing dust, dirt, plant debris, mud, rain, ice, snow, etc. Guess which actions continue to function at a high level and which ones do not?

The two brands you mentioned in particular have an astronomically higher field failure rate.
Your basing your opinion because of a price tag and not because of what happens in real life.
 
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