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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27 |
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?
Last edited by micro240; 01/19/16.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,274
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,274 |
Two rifles are always better than one. I'd keep the Tikkas.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,999
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,999 |
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
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.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,336
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,336 |
This is a no brainer. Keep the two Tikkas.
Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,253
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,253 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,772
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,772 |
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.
Last edited by Pappy348; 01/19/16.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
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.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,144
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,144 |
The title sounds like 'two girls one cup'
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Double_D
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 232
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 232 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3 |
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.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553 |
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.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,601
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,601 |
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.
Last edited by Ghostman; 01/20/16.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,625
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,625 |
Finnlight in 6.5 Swede!!!!
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
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...
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,866
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,866 |
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.
Last edited by sandcritter; 01/21/16.
Golldammed motion detector lights. A guy can’t even piss off his porch in peace any more.
"Look, I want to help the helpless. It's the clueless I don't give a [bleep] about." - Dennis Miller on obamacare.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
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.....
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 232
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 232 |
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.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
2 -1 = -1
I don't like that math.
Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
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Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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