Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka, Sako, or Kimber?

Where did I say that Kimbers won't shoot? Someone tell me. What I said is that, although a few people here have had very good luck with Kimbers, some of them won't shoot. Some of mine wouldn't, and I know of several others that wouldn't. You probably have a better chance of getting a shooter if you buy a Kimber than if you buy a M70 or a M700, but I wouldn't push it further than that. The Kimber plant spends a fair amount of their time touching up returned rifles. If you think buying a Kimber guarantees you a half-MOA rifle, good luck to you. Brace yourself for a reality check. As it has ever been, some rifles are put together more true than others.

I consider Kimber in the same class with many other rifles, including Sakos and Tikkas. Their aesthetics are super, and I love the 3 position safety. I prefer quality American made products when I can get them. Their website and literature, not to mention their pricetags, certainly encourage you to think of Kimbers as a cut above the competition. They are not by any means guaranteed to outshoot a Tikka, however. Why this fact sparks such outrage is beyond me. If you need to feel confident of getting a rifle that shoots bugholes out of the box, buy a Cooper.

Of the three mentioned, Tikka would be the best deal for the dollar. At less than $500, they won't devalue much at all. If you want just the best all around rifle, check out Dakota rifles. Finest firearm I own that I didn't build my self.

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Magnumb,
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"The Sako's trigger pull was the most difficult adjustment to make of any trigger I've ever worked on.....and there have been dozens."

I'm sorry but if I didn't know much about the Sako 75 trigger I would assume from your post that they are tough to adjust. As those who have tweaked with one are aware, they are in fact quite easy to adjust. IF they aren't defective from the get-go.
Clarification can work wonders for the unknowing. Didn't mean to personally insult you in any way. Sam

Appreciate your thoughts.

In my little part of the world, I am asked quite often to help other shooter's out with trigger problems/adjustments. I've learned to "instruct" said individuals rather than to do the actual mechanical adjustments due to the ever present risk of liabilities. Additionally, I am very selective concerning those that I do assist in their efforts in that regard.

I incorrectly assumed that a person reading my initial post would have just "figured" that I knew what I was doing. In that regard, I was being too presumptuous which was my fault. Clarification is always a good idea, but sometimes rather a PITA and oftentimes quite boring for those uninterested in such matters.

Thanks again for your post and have a good season.

Best for the money = Tikka

I have one Kimber and 2 Tikkas (soon to be 3.) If you want a traditional or classic American style rifle, then Kimber is the only one out of the three brands specified. My Kimber is the 84M Varmint model, and it shoots as well or maybe a bit better than my Tikka in the same caliber (.22-250), but you are really splitting hairs - like a 3/8 inch group versus a 1/2 inch group.

Sako is, I'm sure, every bit as good as a Tikka but I don't own one.

Well, I did it. I bought a Tikka T3 Lite in 25-06. I know I said it would be a 7-08 but they made me a deal I couldn't refuse. So, if this one works as good as everyone says they do I'll probably end up with another in 7-08.
Of course, since I picked it up the wind has been 25 and gusty. Supposed to gust around 35 to 40 today. Guess I'll wait till next week to try her out.
Thanks for all the input everyone. We with "the sickness" have enough trouble justifying another purchase much less trying to figure out which one to buy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Super choice. The 25-06 is the perfect open country deer/antelope round, and I'm told it does a dandy job on elk. With the Tikka, you'll have plenty of chances to observe the sour faces on the Remchester shooters at the range when you retrieve your targets, too.

First of all, excellent choice. I expect that you'll be quite happy with your new purchase.....for many years to come.

May I make a suggestion........even though many shooters find the factory setting regarding T3's trigger pull quite comfortable for them, it would be prudent to make adjustments according to your likes and dislikes.

As has been stated earlier, Tikka's Lite's have but one trigger adjustment screw. It is therefore quite easy to adjust for the weight of pull/let-off that you desire. I usually turn the UNLOADED rifle's adjustment screw all the way in to start with which will give you the heaviest pull weight. Work the bolt, slowly squeeze the trigger until there's let-off and decide if that is what weight you're looking for in your trigger. If not, which is quite likely on the first several adjustments and attempts, repeat the process in 1/4 screw turns until you think it's where you want it. At this point, make VERY small adjustments either to add or reduce pull weight until you are as sure as you can be that this is what you feel comfortable with.

Now work the bolt (with safety off) rather vigorously to see if your rifle fires. If it does fire, tighten the screw another 1/4 turn. Continue doing this until your rifle doesn't fire anymore when the bolt is slammed home....and then turn it 1/4 turn more (clockwise) and apply nail polish to the adjustment screw where it screws into the trigger assembly. Let it dry for an hour or until the next morning and repeat cycling the bolt several times in the method described earlier. It shouldn't fire at this point, but if it does, turn clockwise another 1/4 turn and repeat the sealing procedure. This "bond" will help to reduce the chances of your adjustment screw working loose through handling or repeated firings. Nail polish can be easily removed if further or future adjustments are desired so there is no reason to worry about that being a problem.

I know many friends and shooter's that have been quite pleased with their Tikka T3's trigger pulls right out the box. Their groups were quite good without any trigger adjustments. BUT, those that took the very little time and effort to adjust their triggers, ended up with tighter groups and became much more confident in their own abilities, primarily due to adjusting their triggers. Not one ever said that they wished they'd not adjusted their triggers. If that were the case, it's an easy fix that takes only a few minutes.

It has been said many times and I am a staunch believer that there is no more important part of the rifle (assuming bedding, scope, etc. issues aside), regarding enhancing accuracy, than proper trigger adjustment. Proper and comfortable for you.

I would also suggest that you take a serious look at a Limbsaver recoil pad as well. A great aftermarket product for many rifles, the T3 is no exception. Recoil and the 25-06 is really a non-issue, but the pad if just a quality pad that takes just 2 screws to replace. It makes very little recoil feel like almost no recoil......and that never hurt group size. About $30.

Congratulations on your purchase and good luck on your season.

Great advice magnumb! I have already considered the R3 pad. Dislocated a shoulder early this year and it's still recoil sensitive so anything can help. A couple of rounds hunting is ok but, a number of rounds off the bench can get ugly.
Your advice on the trigger will be used. Thanks

I think it�s funny how many people have the false belief Remington�s are inaccurate rifles. Both of my Remington�s shoot MOA or better, one is a Mountain Rifle and the other is a Model Seven that have no modifications whatsoever. At least with the Remington�s you will not have to worry about the plastic drying out and cracking unlike the Tikka�s.

The Remington�s also don�t use all of the shortcuts that Tikka does in order to make their rifles. I just think it�s funny that you guys are spending that much money on a Tikka when you could buy a rifle for less and get the same accuracy without all of the shortcuts. To each his own but I think you guys are spending hundreds more than what the rifle is really worth accuracy or no accuracy.

Agreed, Ken. My Rem. 700 BDL SS in .30-06 shoots lights-out.

Ken L...."plastic drying out and cracking....? Give me a break. You take 10 out of the box Remingtons, and 10 out of the box Tikkas, and 90% of the time the Tikka will shoot as good or better (better most of the time) with not modifications. Do a search and you will see how many Remy's need trigger jobs, bedding, etc to get there. Tikkas need none, ever.

Your welcome SH.

Seven Heaven has made his choice, whether it be anyone else's choice or not. To argue the merits of his choice or other offerings at this point can only prove to diminish his excitement regarding his most recent purchase.

Most all brands of rifles offered out there do the job and do it well. On any given day, my Rems can shoot as well as my Tikka's and vice versa.

Many suggestions were made and pro's and con's described. SH made his choice with our comments in mind. He doesn't write or "sound" like he took the "short bus" to school as a youth. Give him some credit and congrats where both are due.

I hope you all have successful seasons.

No, I hope SH enjoys his purchase which I am sure he will.

I just get tired of reading where guys say that Remington's will not shoot just because they bought another brand. You also cannot tell me that the plastic at some point will not begin to show signs of age.

Ken L...metal shows signs of aging too, especially if not taken care of. Never said Remy's will not shoot. 99% of the time you will do a trigger job at least to get them to reach their potential. Not so with the Tikka.

I see you already made your choice. The above was the best advice I saw in the whole thread. For pure quality the Steyr wins hands down. However, you likely got a great value in the Tikka. I own both a Steyr SBS, and a Tikka T3 Lite. I always recommend Steyr. I haven't shot my Tikka yet, but am looking forward to it. Most Tikka owners love them.

[quote]Your welcome SH.

Seven Heaven has made his choice, whether it be anyone else's choice or not. To argue the merits of his choice or other offerings at this point can only prove to diminish his excitement regarding his most recent purchase.

Most all brands of rifles offered out there do the job and do it well. On any given day, my Rems can shoot as well as my Tikka's and vice versa.

Many suggestions were made and pro's and con's described. SH made his choice with our comments in mind. He doesn't write or "sound" like he took the "short bus" to school as a youth. Give him some credit and congrats where both are due.

Thank you for the kind words sir!
Ken L, I have a few Remingtons. My usual go to gun has been a Mod Seven in 260. I have complete confidence in it and as long as I can hunt it will most likely be with me. Another of my favorites is a Rem LVSF in 223. Very accurate. If the new Tikka is as good as these two Rems I'll be quite satisfied. I was in the mood to try something new and got the advice I needed.
Again, thanks to all who responded. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You and Todd both have valid points, many of which need to be considered strongly when making decisions as important as purchasing a firearm which may be passed down for years to come.

This thread however, has run it's course. No amount of further "discussion" will change the minds of those that already have strong opinions. I credit those strong opinions on experience that you, Todd and I have from, no doubt, years of field experience (30+ for me......e gads!!!). Having said that, I'm well aware that the Tikka's are a relatively new-comer in this department, but Beretta is not, so we are expecting no more or less a reliable product than those that have been around for many years.

I, and evidently SH as well, appreciate both your opinions very much. As I own several of each brand discussed, I consider myself fortunate and expect reliability and great accuracy from both. Neither brand, nor most nowadays, is ever a bad choice.

Once again, good luck this season and I look forward to the sharing of successful and memorable hunting experiences.

As there is no one in my local area selling Steyers I went with the Tikka. Besides, I got a good deal. I had planned to check them out in the "big city" but my trip to said city has been postponed. On top of that my A/C at the house has decided to die which will put a major dent in the fun funds. So, I scratched the itch earlier than planned. Someday this will be recognized as a legitimate disease! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's amusing to read posts to the effect that Tikka is a new company. Tikka was making rifles before Kimber was even a gleam in it's founder's eye. Tikka has been making rifles since 1918--a year earlier than Sako--and shares that company's illustrious history of supplying rifles to the Finnish resistance of the Soviets. The modern company was refounded, after finally being dismantled by the Soviets, in 1957 and has been building rifles ever since.