Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Two Tikkas for One Sako?

I own two Tikka T3s - a 243 Varmint Stainless and a 7mm-08 Lite. They have been reliable, accurate hunting rifles.

I am tempted by the Sako Finnlight, having recently handled one. I figure a Finnlight in 260 or 7mm-08 would be quite versatile, albeit not as versatile as two Tikkas.

Would like to hear feedback from folks who have owned or extensively handled both.

I'm a hunter, first and foremost. My hunting rifles get used in rain, sleet, snow while I hike up mountains and thrash through swamps. My rifles are not "safe queens" or just used to poke tiny groups on paper at the range - not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my thing.

Should I make the switch?

Two rifles are always better than one. I'd keep the Tikkas.

No

Keep what you have and save to buy a Sako. I've always regretted getting rid of any rifle to fund another. It doesn't matter how long it takes since you have 2 rifles to use now.

I have both, T3 Lite .223 and Sako 75 in .260 with 1/9 twist. The Sako is my favorite (including all other brands) but couldn't see trading in two Tikkas for one Sako. Accuracy on both is similar. Got the Sako on sale....Otherwise wouldn't have bought it.

This is a no brainer. Keep the two Tikkas.

Do a quick google search on "sako ejectin problems" then make your decision. The problem seems to be more prevelant in long action cartridges, but personally I wouldn't take the chance. I have a friend who had a Finnlight in 7mm mag. and he had the problem. He sold the Sako and bought a Tika as a replacement.

I don't particularly like Tikkas, but no. Do what R_H_C suggested. By the time you save up the money, your lust may have subsided to a manageable level. Selling good guns is seldom a wise move.

Specifically as it relates to hunting, you would be better off keeping both Tikkas, and developing the one into a backup system for the other.

It's always good to have a spare ready to go, if needed. It will be someday for some as yet unforeseen reason.

The title sounds like 'two girls one cup'

This is a stretch but if you really like a Finnlight buy it!! You won't be sorry. But as one person pointed out you could be sorry selling 2 guns.

Keep the 243 and buy the Finnlight in 7m-08 or 260. This way you will still have your varmint gun and you will have your new hunting rifle as well.
An option also is, just recently I have seen a few used Finnlights on the Campfire and this would keep the upgrade finances more practical.

A 7m-08 Finnlight is one awesome hunting machine.

I have two Tikka's and a Sako 85. The Tikka's are in 6.5x55 and 30-06. The Sako is in .270. I know, lots of redundancy. The Tikka's are more accurate than the Sako. The Sako barrel cleans easier. The fit/finish and quality is better in the Sako.

They all shoot well and are keepers. They serve different functions for my hunting needs.

I'm not sure that the Sako finnlight is worth the extra coin, unless you want a more refined rifle. If you are going to be purchasing in the same caliber as the Tikka, if I were to do it all over again, I would just go on another hunt instead of getting another rifle.

If you want another rifle, I would get the Sako Black over the finnlight, as it's cheaper.

I have owned three Sakos and four Tikkas. One Sako was a stinker and none of the Tikkas were stinkers. Therefore, I'm partial to Tikkas over Sakos...and, they're cheaper. If, as you say, you beat up your rifles, why buy a fancy and expensive Sako? However, if you really want a Sako, then get one, but I wouldn't sell two good rifles to get one rifle, quality unknown. I have done that more times than I care to recall in the past.

I've owned several Sako 85s including 2 Finnlights, an AV and a couple of older Vixens.

I've also owned LOTs of Tikka's in models 658, 695 & T3s.

In all honesty although the Tikka's aren't quite as fancy as the Sako's I've gotten better and more consistent accuracy out of the Tikka's.

For the $$ they cost I'm not that impressed with Sako's anymore and have sold off several.

Finnlight in 6.5 Swede!!!!

The rifle brand is your call. Chambering-wise, I did it. Tripped a 243 and 7-08 for a 260. Not hard to make it cover both...

Have a stock T3 .223 and a 85 finnlight 6.5SE in a mcmillan and a few pimp tweaks.

Both feel very good in the hand and both shoot silly well. The sako is sexier, but frankly that's all that's "better" about it when the rubber meets the road. I guess it's the bang for the buck thing - I really like the tikka.

So if the finnlight is an itch you've got to scratch, I understand, but I wouldn't personally sell two tikka's that were lights-out performers to then buy one sako that wasn't as suited to what was hunting as the two tikka's are. Not saying that's true for you, but just saying.

Has anyone ever played swap with a coupla Tikkas and one Mcmillan stock? I pretty much pack the big rigs for the better part of the year and shoot loads of 223 in the meantime. Maybe late summer switch when its time to get serious.

Just thinking.....

I have several Tikkas and last Fall took my wood stock off my less used 300 WSM and put it on my 25-06. It shot fine after my swap, and got my nice wood stock urge satisfied.

I have not bedded or glued my recoil lug into either stock.

2 -1 = -1

I don't like that math.


Jerry