Tikka T3x vs. Christensen Arms Mesa

[twall13]

I guess I will find out. Its just the Tikka is the worse stock I have ever felt. But I had myself convinced I could live it, until I saw used CA in my area.

I have to agree, I had myself talked into a Tikka until I shouldered one and couldn't stand the feel of the stock. Knowing I'd be replacing the stock essentially upped the cost to where it didn't make sense for me anymore. There are too many other good options out there. I'm a much more confident shot with a stock I can get comfortable behind and I just couldn't personally get there with the Tikka stock.

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[Fatcamp]

I have to agree, I had myself talked into a Tikka until I shouldered one and couldn't stand the feel of the stock. Knowing I'd be replacing the stock essentially upped the cost to where it didn't make sense for me anymore. There are too many other good options out there. I'm a much more confident shot with a stock I can get comfortable behind and I just couldn't personally get there with the Tikka stock.

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You fellas obviously haven't handled a Savage lately.

 

[twall13]

You fellas obviously haven't handled a Savage lately.

Well, not a newer Savage anyway. I've killed a lot of animals with my old Savage 30-06 over the years, but I try not to shoot it anymore as I really hate that gun... It kicks harder than my 300 Win Mag.

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[Zerk]

You fellas obviously haven't handled a Savage lately.

I have a weather warrior, feels fine. Not new. Not a savage fan though. Had some fail to fires, and now I won't use it.


I did think about using the money to buy a custom stock that fit me for the tikka. Problem, is I don't know where to guy to try them out.

I like the mesa stinny stock. I got small paws.

 

[Fatcamp]

Well, not a newer Savage anyway. I've killed a lot of animals with my old Savage 30-06 over the years, but I try not to shoot it anymore as I really hate that gun... It kicks harder than my 300 Win Mag.

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LOL. I'm currently working on my wife's .300WM 111. That stock is horrible. I honestly don't think Tikka stock is bad at all.

 

[Fatcamp]

I have a weather warrior, feels fine. Not new. Not a savage fan though. Had some fail to fires, and now I won't use it.


I did think about using the money to buy a custom stock that fit me for the tikka. Problem, is I don't know where to guy to try them out.

I like the mesa stinny stock. I got small paws.

That's a laminated wood stock? My wood stock Savage wasn't bad, just heavy.

 

[Zerk]

I have to plastic savage stocks, no complaints. They feel like a stock. Nothing unusal. The tikka feels like hollow junk. There are probably worse stocks out there, I just don't recall handling them.

The weather warrior is lighter rifle too. Maybe not ultra light. But I think stock feels fine.

 

[Zerk]

That's a laminated wood stock? My wood stock Savage wasn't bad, just heavy.

Weather warrior is black plastic. Fairly light, but not ultra light. No tikka just feels awful to me. Hollow

I also have a predator model in cammo, which feels ok. Thats not a light gun though.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I did think about using the money to buy a custom stock that fit me for the tikka. Problem, is I don't know where to guy to try them out.

I would periodically swing in, or see if someone from the best LGS will notify you if they take a custom in on trade. Or connect with someone in the area either from here or social media, or if you have a managed public range.

I like the mesa stinny stock. I got small paws.

That's funny, I can't stand the Mesa because of that. You probably won't like any custom stock with a vertical grip, probably sporter only. I replace the grips on my Tikkas to vertical and probably couldn't tell a difference from them and my custom carbons if I wasn't paying attention. To each their own.

 

[Zerk]

Actaully i thought vertical grip or pistol would be the way to go. Something I can wrap my hands around.

Also I am talking Tikka T3, the light ones. I have not handled anything else.

 

[Fatcamp]

Oh ya, swapping out to the vertical grip is mandatory.

 

[yej0001]

Tikka's accuracy seems more consistent to me. Every one I owned was a shooter.

 

[Zerk]

Buying a used $$ made me a bit nervous, what if it wasn't accurate. I would be paying the factory.

But I went to his house, talked to him for 3 hours, while his kids ran aroiund. I don't think he would invite me to his home to swindle. I was nervous at first he was axe murderer. But I don't think he would invite the family.

Just order scope today. Hand primer shell holder for 300 mag is coming monday. Press is set up.

My range has 3 feet of snow. I may try packing it down enough to get some 50 yard shots in. Snow won't be gone until April or so.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Save your $ and get the Tikka. Accuracy wide they are on par, IMHO. Use the money saved for high quality optics or upgrade the stock.

 

[Raypo]

CA has made so many improvements over the last couple of years. There for a while, they were junk. You could grab one of the shelf and the actions often would barely function. At this point, I think they are pretty squared away. If I was to do the Tikka, I would consider a donor rifle and replace the stock and maybe a few other smaller things done. The CA is more ready to go. I like the ability of the Tikka more but as is, I would go CA. I would also maybe be a little open about caliber choice. The 6.5CR is going to pretty limited. In my opinion, it’s a deer gun. I know, shot placement and hundreds of elk are killed every year with it. But also hundreds run off full of lead. If it was me, I’d go: 6.5PRC, 300PRC, 300WIN, 6.8 Western, 7Mag, and not in the order.

 

[wapitibob]

Christiansen is known for their garbage chamber machining if you search the 'net. Another CA is currently getting lit up on longrange hunting forum for massive overpressure with factory ammo.

do your homework

 

[HornPorn]

If you were to start a thread about coolers on every forum, most people would say Coleman all the way. Why, because they are cheap, that's what most people have. Then in order to validate their decision as one of discernment rather than economy, they espouse it's virtues while also insinuating that anyone who spent more is not as wise or well educated on the matter. Same thing with Tikka's. They are cheap, that's what most people have, and they need to slap each other on the back while also attacking anyone who suggests their product is inferior. Tikkas are what they are. Nothing more.

The stocks on Tikkas are straight garbage, and I personally hate the triggers as well. Generally feel and look like a cheap piece of junk.

 

[SouthPaw]

 

[Zerk]

If you were to start a thread about coolers on every forum, most people would say Coleman all the way. Why, because they are cheap, that's what most people have. Then in order to validate their decision as one of discernment rather than economy, they espouse it's virtues while also insinuating that anyone who spent more is not as wise or well educated on the matter. Same thing with Tikka's. They are cheap, that's what most people have, and they need to slap each other on the back while also attacking anyone who suggests their product is inferior. Tikkas are what they are. Nothing more.

The stocks on Tikkas are straight garbage, and I personally hate the triggers as well. Generally feel and look like a cheap piece of junk.

The coleman analogy is probably good. Tikkas the last few years have become popular, I am sure they are good rifles. More people buy them, more you will hear they are good,

I am a little surprised a company would have problems with the action, CA are just 700 clone.

Funny thing about long range shooters, 5 years ago I was asking about tikka and sako 1:11 twist rate.. Some guy said they don't make very many, and can't afford to change twist rates . I was slammed by the back slappers when I said I know all kinds of people with them, they sell Tikka at fleet farm for cripe sake. Moral of that story is becareful of forums.

I left that forum because you could not question products of sponsors. To slimey for me.

 

[Gila]

I guess I will find out. Its just the Tikka is the worse stock I have ever felt. But I had myself convinced I could live it, until I saw used CA in my area.

For a 300 win mag....I would definitely go with the CA, especially if you hand-load.

Tikka mags are too short for handloads. The CA doesn’t have that issue....plenty of length there. Some people around here say you can “easily” change your tikka to shoot 3.6” long cartridges....that is total BS. You can get bottom metal to run AICS MAGS in the TIKKA but you will need to have a gunsmith “carve out” your action and stock. The parts will run you about $350. AICS mags are $100 each. Trying to get a AICS mag to feed that steep feed ramp is about as frustrating as plucking a goose.