Tikka T3x vs Ruger American Gen 2 Predator in 300 Win Mag???

[Dobeman887]

I have been using my neighbors older Tikka T3 with a 1:11 24" barrel with a variety of loads, and using 165/168gr Barnes TTSX and 180gr Barnes TTSX. I will be going on a number of western hunts over the upcoming years and want a rifle that is going to be accurate out to 400-500yrds if necessary. I know the Tikka has a better action, no question about that. My question is will his 15-20 yr old Tikka be more accurate at long range? For the money, I have read that these Gen 2 Ruger Americans are amazing for the money. So far, my first two shots at 100yrds with the Tikka have been awesome-holes touching, but for whatever reason the third shot consistently is about an inch up and to the right???? This has been repeated at least ten times. Possibly hot barrel, but all my shooting with that gun was done in about 50 degree temps. He was able to take an Elk at over 300 yrds a few years back using 165gr Barnes TTSX, but I don't know the load data. His guide in CO had made the round. I did see pictures of his practice shots at 300yrds and he was shooting approximately 2 inch groups. I would take 2" groups at 300 yrds. Anyway, the basic question is "Do you know if the Ruger can compare with the Tikka at long range"? Any info/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[180ls1]

If you are already that familiar with the tikka either take it or buy another one. The extra money for one (vs an American) is chump change compared to what you'll be spending on the hunts.

 

[Dioni A]

That third shot is your brain turning on realizing that a Tikka 300 win mag sucks to shoot!!!!! Buy a Tikka or a American 2 in something much smaller!

 

[Ahugemuledeer]

Anecdotal because I have never fired the ruger, or even the old 11 twist barrel, but my t3 in .300 mag is literally my favourite thing I’ve ever bough for less then 1000 bucks. If you can deal with the recoil on a light gun, the thing for me is just perfect. No frills, but dependable

 

[huntingislife]

is that tikka in stainless? The pencil thin barrels in stainless typically get a flier on the third or 4th shot because they heat up so quickly. I only hunt in the western states and I have a tikka in 7mm Rem Mag and that's all I've ever used. has worked great for pig, deer, bear, caribou out to 400 yards (my personal limit of shots I'm willing to take)

Only modification I've done to it is add a muzzle brake. Its a T3 Lite in stainless. Every time I think about switching to something else I don't. because this setup just works. At least until tikka comes out with a 300 PRC then Ill likely switch to that

 

[solarshooter]

You should buy this on this sale and spend all the rest of your money on ammo and a can. Might not ever need another gun.

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Ember/Tungsten 4rd Rifle JRTXRBT382 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x RoughTech Superlite 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Roughtech Ember/Tungsten 4rd Rifle JRTXRBT382 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Oh and shoot this ammo and save the Lapua brass you get for free with it:

Berger Match Grade 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 135 Grain Berger Classic Hunter

Berger Ammunition provides the most demanding hunter, competitive shooter and Mil/LE warfighter a precision-built performance product that is unequaled...

www.midwayusa.com

Edit

And this scope: https://swfa.com/collections/swfa-ss-gen-2/products/ss-3-15x42-30mm-mq-gen-2-zero-stop

And these rings: https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/um-tikka-rings/ and level https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/um-tikka-level/

Vertical grip, wide forend, cheek piece for the stock is my preference.

 

[AntelopeEater]

I have two Tikka T3x rifles as well as a Ruger American Gen II.

None of them are in 300 win mag, but if you’ve already shot the tikka in 300 win mag and like it, you know you aren’t recoil sensitive so go for the 300 win mag.

Both rifles are capable of superb accuracy.

The tikka action will be smoother, but the Ruger comes with extra features like a threaded barrel for free, and it’s generally cheaper than plain base model tikka.

If you use the Ruger a lot, eventually it’s action will get smoother.

So I’d personally get the cheaper Ruger and use the savings to buy more ammo to practice and “break-in” the gun.

 

[nobody]

That third shot is your brain turning on realizing that a Tikka 300 win mag sucks to shoot!!!!!

This. It’s not hot, it’s not throwing shots, you’re flinching and pulling shots whether you realize it or want to admit it. You’ve got a few options:

1: thread the muzzle and install a brake or a suppressor. Brake is cheaper, suppressor is a better long term tool and is better for your ears.

2: rebarrel to something lower recoil. Maybe a 6.5 PRC (then put on a suppressor or a brake), or a 6 UM.

3. Buy a new rifle in something that won’t knock your teeth out and that’s relatively easy and inexpensive to shoot. I vote a Tikka in 308 or 6.5 creed if you want a longer term rifle.

Whatever you do, put several hundred rounds down range every year and learn to shoot whatever solution you invest in. Install a quality optic, shoot large sample groups (10+ rounds per group) to establish a good zero, and learn to shoot from field positions.

Big guns don’t make up for no practice. I’d personally trust a guy who shoots one barrel out of his 243 every year more than I trust the guy who shoots the same 300 win mag barrel for 30 years. I can guarantee guy number 1 is a better marksman with superior fundamentals behind his rifle, without question.

 

[Live_weighT34]

Tikka, then get a suppressor. I’ve become a fan of small cartridges and calibers but I still love my T3 300 win mag either suppressed or with a brake.

 

[Dobeman887]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. The barrel does get hot very quickly. I shot it again a couple days ago, putting about 30 rounds through it with various loads. I was allowing it to "cool" after 3 shot groups while shooting my Dad's 1980 Remington 270. I wanted to compare the two. The barrel on the Tikka is the pencil thin one and yes it really heats up. The Tikka blew away the Remington in terms of accuracy. I was shooting 10 shot groups, 3 shots at a time. Bottom line, with the loads I had available, the Tikka shot the 165/168gr Barnes TTSX the best with 75grns of Ramshot Hunter, which is what I originally started with. The 10 shot groups really showed a great deal more than simple three shot groups. I do want to try some ELDX bullets with it.

I had never shot the 270 before and I personally hated the trigger on it-I will have to adjust that a bit because it is way to stout-I'm guessing around 7lbs to pull. I think that may have accounted for some of the accuracy issues. It did shoot better as I got more accustomed to the stout trigger. It also has a Redfield scope on it from 1980, but was still pretty good.

As for recoil, I don't think it is affecting me. I am shooting with a Caldwell sled and I never really think about recoil. I have always loved my big bore pistols (.44 up to 500 S & W). And honestly, I think a 12 gauge slug gun is as bad or worse than the 300 win mag. Living in IA and IL most of my life started out with shotgun or ML only, before straight walls became legal and to this day I still hunt with a ML the vast majority of deer season, though I do like to mix it up a bit now.

As for the Ruger Gen 2 I was able to get my hands on one at Scheels on a turkey hunting trip out to Western NE this past week (which was awesome by the way) and no way will I go with the Ruger after shooting the Tikka- the action on the Tikka is just so much smoother than the Ruger. Can really feel the difference in quality between the two rifles.

I will continue to work with load development and practice shooting, but my Western adventures don't begin until next June in TX after Axis deer, so I have plenty of time.

 

[hickswr]

Tikka > Ruger…..always

 

[Balderdash]

Tikka all day. Nothing specific against the RAR, but Tikkas are in a different league as far as reliability and durability.

Had older 1:11 Tikkas in both 300 win and 300 WSM. Both shot 200 ELD-X into tiny groups. All the bullet you need for elk 600 yds on in.

But, if you are going to spend money on a new rig, I'd give serious consideration to getting a lighter recoiling cartridge in a Tikka. 300 win is a lot of recoil in a light weight Tikka. Really too much, which negativity affects most peoples' desire to practice enough to be proficient at 5-600yds from field positions.

I still run several 300 Win mags, but they are 10-14+ lbs and still aren't all that pleasant to shoot.

 

[Turkeytider]

You might want to also consider the Tikka Super Varmint. Comes in a variety of calibers, to include better ones than 300 win. Love mine in 6.5 CM .

 

[MTHunter1321]

I have a Tikka 300wsm and love it. I put a Limbsaver butt pad on it and I could honestly shoot it all day without issues. I never did shoot it with the factory butt pad on, but with the Limbsaver the recoil on it is comparable to my Ruger Gen 1 6.5 creed as far as comfortablity goes. I’m waiting on getting my barrel back as I sent it in the get cut to 22” and threaded for a suppressor. Very excited to see how it shoots with that set up. My dad put a Limbsaver pad on his t3 270wsm and noticed a huge difference in recoil compared to the stock pad.

 

[solarshooter]

As for recoil, I don't think it is affecting me. I am shooting with a Caldwell sled and I never really think about recoil.

This statement seems contradictory... If the recoil doesn't affect you, why do you shoot in a lead sled? If you are doing it to "eliminate the shooter variable" for accuracy testing, then you have to ask yourself, why can't I shoot this rifle accurately? And last point, if you have trouble shooting accurately on the bench due to recoil, just imagine how bad it will be kneeling off your pack with your heart pounding and a target that's taking a few steps every 10 seconds.

 

[The Harbor Master]

That third shot is your brain turning on realizing that a Tikka 300 win mag sucks to shoot!!!!! Buy a Tikka or a American 2 in something much smaller!

This. It’s not hot, it’s not throwing shots, you’re flinching and pulling shots whether you realize it or want to admit it. You’ve got a few options:

This. You sound like me a year ago. I spent a few hundred rounds, several months, recoil pads, and a few posts on rokslide before I realized "recoil doesn't affect me" is usually not true. I was shooting a superlite 7RM and would get "decent" groups (1.5-2moa for 10rds), sometimes 3rds touching and a 4th high. "Must be heating up," was my thought as well, and "I thought Tikkas were supposed to be accurate!" I really like the gun, and finally found a bullet it likes after trying a half dozen. But now I spend way more time behind .223 and 6ARC guns, and am waiting on a factory Tikka 6CM or will build one.

I didn't believe it, but those light hunting rifles in heavy recoil calibers objectively have an effect on your shooting ability. They can be shot just fine. But stepping down in recoil WILL have an effect on your groups.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Dobeman887]

Tikka all day. Nothing specific against the RAR, but Tikkas are in a different league as far as reliability and durability.

Had older 1:11 Tikkas in both 300 win and 300 WSM. Both shot 200 ELD-X into tiny groups. All the bullet you need for elk 600 yds on in.

But, if you are going to spend money on a new rig, I'd give serious consideration to getting a lighter recoiling cartridge in a Tikka. 300 win is a lot of recoil in a light weight Tikka. Really too much, which negativity affects most peoples' desire to practice enough to be proficient at 5-600yds from field positions.

I still run several 300 Win mags, but they are 10-14+ lbs and still aren't all that pleasant to shoot.

What load were you using with those 200gr ELDX bullets, or were they factory rounds?