Trying to decide....Model 70 EW, Tikka T3x or Sako A7

[TwoTikkas]

Out feed? That implies staggered magazines have a problem feeding. In general, not true, especially regarding bolt actions with non-DBMs.

No implication. Just a cold hard fact. Dragging cartridges out from under feed rails,that likely need deburred, can't and never will feed as smoothly as a single stack. I harbour no hatred toward staggered mags,I've owned a couple dozen or so. Nearly as many single stack. Just can't change the fact that feeding in-line is much easier,and less prone to interference.

 

[deerkiller]

I find it sort of humorous how Tikka rifles are continually maligned for "plastic stocks", "plastic parts", no soul, flimsy forearms, gosh ! the list goes on and on ….. but alas, when a thread like this one emerges "who" gets the most votes or "I love model 70's but Tikkas have fewer problems" and the like (I'll own a few of those comments about model 70's, Kimbers, etc... but I doubt that if I live to 130 I'll never find cause to besmirch a rifle brand that is affordable for most anyone's budget, as often is reported to shoot great "out of the box", and feeds like an ice cube melting on a hot rod's hood - "old world" craftmanship nearly always rules the day and "plastic" isn't always "plastic" ….. BTW, I have always LOVED model 70's but that doesn't mean you can necessarily depend on one these days, considering all the Tikka rifles I own or have owned I cannot cite one time ever when on has failed to feed, extract or fire (that's thousands of rounds) Doesn't mean "YOU" have to own one, it means they are awesome rifle/tools

 

[TwoTikkas]

Funny story. My first Tikka came by way of an exchange. I bought a m70 black shadow in the then new 223 wssm. Turned out it had a factory headspace problem. Rick at Grice gun shop offered me a refund or exchange. I had looked at Tikka a time or two. Thought it was Prime time to try one. A 22/250 stainless. That was 14 Tikkas ago,and never a complaint.

 

[Capt_Craig]

Please don’t get me wrong, just because I said in my post that the Tikka has “less soul” than the Mod 70, doesn’t mean that of the OPs 3 choices, I would chose the Mod 70 over the Tikka.

For what you get out of the box in accuracy, great feeding, no headaches, simple load workup, and cost (even at the increased prices in the last couple years), it’s really difficult to find anything more of a sure thing than a Tikka. As the aftermarket support for them has only increased, building on them is much more commonplace, and seems to work out great, especially in short and WSM based action cartridges, where you can pretty much seat bullets as far out as you’d like. They are also a great tool rifle, where you can go flog them and not really have to worry much about resultant scratches and dings like you would a pretty stocked M70.

Of the three choices the OP gave, the Tikka would be my first choice, unless buying for pretty rifle or nostalgia purposes. That’s just me though.

 

[TwoTikkas]

Absolutely Capt Craig. I was on a very rough truck based hunt. Considered taking my Kimber Classic select. Glad I didnt. Roads in and out of the BLM were off the charts. With all the rubble in the back seat,and the smooooth ride of the F350, it would have been a tragedy.

By weeks end the 270 was covered in dust. It has been jammed between the seat and consol a few trips. None the worse for wear. I've come to appreciate the factory handles. Just plain tough. And, the Kimber didn't get trashed.

 

[Leatherneck]

Please don’t get me wrong, just because I said in my post that the Tikka has “less soul” than the Mod 70, doesn’t mean that of the OPs 3 choices, I would chose the Mod 70 over the Tikka.

For what you get out of the box in accuracy, great feeding, no headaches, simple load workup, and cost (even at the increased prices in the last couple years), it’s really difficult to find anything more of a sure thing than a Tikka. As the aftermarket support for them has only increased, building on them is much more commonplace, and seems to work out great, especially in short and WSM based action cartridges, where you can pretty much seat bullets as far out as you’d like. They are also a great tool rifle, where you can go flog them and not really have to worry much about resultant scratches and dings like you would a pretty stocked M70.

Of the three choices the OP gave, the Tikka would be my first choice, unless buying for pretty rifle or nostalgia purposes. That’s just me though.

Yeah, I really want to buy a Model 70 for the CRF more than anything else in case someday I hunt in dangerous game territory, but like you say, the Tikka seems like the best bet these days for a straight out of the box hunting rifle.