Tikka Roughtech or Bergara Carbon Wilderness

[wind gypsy]

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.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

What Tikka QC issues have you seen? I'm interested to hear.

Metoo

 

[Yfz04drt]

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.

 

[wind gypsy]

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]

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]

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.