Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles winchester model 70 or tikka t3 hunter

possibly gonna buy a new rifle was wondering between these what would be a better choice. lookin at getting either a .308 or 30-06.

I own both in .270. The Tikka is lighter and more accurate. Tikka magazines are $65 (or more) apiece.

I've owned both. The Tikkas are gone.

I really like the hunter model

Stepdad has a T3 in '06, shoots most any thing an inch or better, 200 Accubonds/R22 less than 5/8 for 21 rounds in three shot groups.

im leaning towards the t3 hunter i think.

I have had both. Tikkas in 300 win mag, 270, 280AI, and 223. I also have Model 70s in 270, 300 win mag, 30-06, 243, 223 and one in 338 win mag on the way.

The only Tikka I have left if the .223. They are light and accurate but I prefer the Model 70. They just feel like a rifle should based on my personal preference. I have hunting buddies that get along with their Tikkas just fine. You could spend a lot of money trying to improve on that kind of accuracy in a light weight package.

If you want a gun that is actually accurate and isn't finicky, then get a Tikka.

Tikka will shoot better and be way smoother. The Winchester will have a better feel and a better safety.

The tikka is also lighter. Both are great, get what you like best.

Do you care about "feel" and "soul" and all that crap in a tool that you hunt with? If you don't, and just want a light, accurate tool, the Tikka T3 lite I have in .308 is accurate with most anything I feed it, has a buttery smooth action, and has a great out-of-the-box trigger.

If the intangibles are a big part of your hunting experience, then the Tikka may not be your cup of tea.

Tikka, 30-06. Load it up or load it down, a do-all gun.

Let me think a second.......

Tikka over the M70........

Winchester

Oh, FWIW, the Tikka is a long-action with a spacer for the short-action calibers. If you are looking at '06 or .308, you may as well use the long-action and get the 30-06.

Just my opinion.

Tikka if you like a nice lite pointing rifle that shoots tiny little groups out of the box with no further modifications necessary. Sweet triggers as well.

The FN model 70s I have had have shot well also. I'm not sure how much lighter the Tikka hunter will be (assuming a wood stock). It depends if you will be bothered by the plastic/economy measures on the Tikka. They have a reputation of shooting well.

Oh yeah.....lots of "intangibles" in a M70....LOL!

My M70's shoot better than my Tikka's. However, all of them shoot less than an inch at 100 yds. They are both excellent rifles.

For me the Tikka would be an all weather gun, and a good one at that. My pick of the litter would be the Model 70 for sure. Not even close.

Both are good rifles. I have one of each M70 Featherweight 257 Roberts and a Tikka T3 varmint 223. My only complaint with the Tikka as a big game rifle is the magazine.

I lose schitt. Tikka mags are a bitch to find, not to mention misplace one during a hunt and your screwed.
I don't think you could go wrong with either of them.

I owned a Tikka for a few days. Never scoped it.

Besides that plastic, I could not find a thing wrong with it, and I really liked the feel of the rifle.

If a tool is what you want, the Tikka may be the right choice.

Myself, I would buy the M70, without question.

An observation . . . Tikka owners post pictures of their targets

M70 owners usually post pictures of their rifles.

I gotta tell you, the new Model 70 shoot pretty darn good too. They are surely both very fine rifles but I much prefer the Wincheser.

I didn't mean it in a negative way at all. I have hunted deer successfully with a single-shot rifle and a revolver. I didn't do it because they are better tools for the job than my bolt-guns are, I did it for the different experience.

YMMV

It all comes down to personal preference.

Beyond my dislike for plastic parts, I could not find anything wrong with the Tikka I owned.

It just wasn't my kind of rifle. YMMV

Very good point!

Says something about the Tikka's accuracy.

It's a ridiculous point and proves nothing.Like most generalizations on the CF, you can ignore it and you'll be OK.

I don't post pictures, but we can ask BSA to post up some of his M70's so you guys can examine both the rifles...and the groups.

Pal of mine had a Tikka 223 that he raved about....until the trigger assembly disintegrated after 300-400 rounds,which made shooting groups of any size,impossible.

OTOH, an old pal of mine, now deceased, held records in registered matches shot with a pair of M70 actions that saw,in the aggregate, over 200,000 rounds of live fire without a bauble.

So I guess one of the "intangibles" of a M70 is a trigger design that does not quit after 300-400 rounds.

The M70 is one of the most successful designs in the history of shooting and BG hunting,proven for decades...the Tikka is a cheap economy model made to a price point.Could care less how well it shoots...you guys can keep them all.

I own both.

I love my Tikkas for their accuracy, great triggers, light weight, and slick as snot bolt. That said, they are a tool to be used. I put them in the same category as any other synthetic stocked hunting rifle. If the weather is bad or I'm going to be doing a lot of walking and carrying a rifle, they serve that purpose well. They are not heirloom type rifles that you will look upon fondly as you think about them being used by future generations.

My M70's are a totally different kind of rifle. They are Pre-64's and they are finely crafted rifles that are the epitome of what a wood/blued bolt action rifle should be. Light weight is not their strong point, but they are accurate and also have very good triggers. I have no experience with newer M70's so I can't comment about the quality of those, but they seem to be highly regarded here on the 'fire. For some reason I rarely come across anyone using one in my area. Also very few in the used racks of local gun shops. Rem 700s, Rugers, Savages, and Brownings are just more popular in my area.

Go handle them both and pick the one that feels right. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

We used to have several tikkas, smooth action and they all shot well, but then I got into pre 64 M70's and thats all we have now days. Seems the model 70 set the standard that everybody wants to compare themselves to.
Here's a target from my 60 year old plus, M70 06 fwt. 2 shots to adjust for right to left, then I dialed in for verticle and fire 3 shots...yes winchesters can shoot.

Its not because a M70 can't shoot. It's because no one wants to look at a tikka.

That's funny, with a little truth thrown in!

My brother shoots a Tikka T3 Stainless lite in .308. It is a nice rifle that shoots most loads at or under an inch. I have the Model 70 Ultimate Shadow stainless, also in .308. While my rifle does not like every load like my brother's Tikka, I have zero complaints about accuracy. My hand loads will print under an inch. Surprisingly, my best 100 yard group was shot last week with left over factory ammo (see photos). Bottom line, get what feels good to you. Either rifle will serve you well.

[/URL
[URL=http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/bearhunter141/media/IMG_0271.jpg.html]

It' like comparing lead to gold IMO. Tikkas aren't even in the same league as the Winchester... Model 70 hands down !, you wont regret it.

I always laugh a little at the comments about Tikka rifles being built to a price point. Winchester does the same thing. They all aren't Super Grades with exhibition wood, are they? Winchester has had it's share of economizing (i.e. Rangers), so have their competitors.

I'm not knocking Winchesters, but in my experience Tikkas will shoot the pants off of them out of the box. I won a MODEL 70 last year at a gun bash in 30-06 beautiful rifle no doubt, but it sleeps in somebody else's safe. My buddy and I both couldn't get it to shoot as well or even close to how these Tikkas shoot out of the box. I hunt through all kinds of nasty thick [bleep] at times, taking turns putting small and big drives on; up and down up and down MT's and hollows in PA. Now I know it's not like MTS out west, but you go up and down a few Mt's here in PA around the 3000+/- FT mark with snow covered logs and rocks your bound to take a spill or two, I have and when I pick my nasty looking, stainless, tupperware Tikka 7mm-08 back up from the mud or snow, I don't fill to bad. Just me, I'm not the type that's spends time waxing(more ways than one) over his rifle, I'd rather be out chasing animals and not worrying about the latest scratch, ding or dent in my AA or AAA walnut stock. I'm not a "Look at the wood on this rifle kind of guy" to my buddies. I usually hunt with my father-in-law and two other guys sometimes and we're just meat and potato's kind of guys....... Different strokes for different fokes. If you want a beautiful rifle get the Winchester with CRF for when the deer start biting back and show her off. If you want a accurate tool for the job to use--get the Tikka. They fit me perfectly and the point ability is perfect for me for shooting freehand in the woods.

What part of Pa do you hunt?

Of course they or both built to a price point...or for a given market. But they are not produced for the SAME market (or price point, if you will).

Model 70 for me. I do not have any real experience with the tikka's but the ones I have handled have too much plastic/synthetic on them for that price point imho. If the tikka was substantially cheaper then it might be a different story.

The Tikka's are about the same in price as the Rems and Winchester's around here, so give me a model 70.

Really? I would take a Tikka over a new Rem 700 any day of the week ending in Y, but they (tikks's)are at least a few hundred less than the 70s around here. For the same price, I would probably go Winchester too.

Jeez Bob . . . you completely misunderstood me, and then jumped all over my azz!!!

My point wasn't that a M70 wouldn't shoot . . . my point was that there's not much reason to take a picture of a Tikka

No reason for a M70 guy to post a lot of target pics. Everybody knows a good one will shoot right along with the best (and most of them are good).

How many Tikka fence post pics have you seen? Sure they shoot, but that is pretty much the end of the "pride-of-ownership"

Tikka . . . it's a tool . . . not much reason to take a picture of it.

I've never in my life seen more one hole rifles than many 24HCF members have.........but I also don't understand why avid hunters buy beautiful rifles only to have them sit in a safe and drool over. I'm weird though. I'm one of those "rifles are only a tool" guys.

Same here JG

I hunt in 2C (Seven Springs Ski Resort area)is about a fifty minute ride from one spot and about twenty minutes from two other spots. And I travel four hours north to hunt at camp in 2G(Potter County). More deer in 2C anymore and way more grouse in 2G. Grouse are super hard to find in 2C anymore. Having said that, the last four years I shot 9 deer in 2G with DMAP tags included. I'm hunting 2C this year though ,in which, I hunted mostly the previous 20 years.

Up . . . so Bob can apologize

So it's price point vs something to take pride in....Guys, these 2 rifles are basically on 2 different ends of the spectrum for me: However with that being said, I wouldn't mind having a Tikka T3 lite one of these days. I've looked at them a time or 2 and there's things I like about them and things I really don't like about them. I can't say the same for my pre 64 model 70's, because I like everything about them. I don't need to post pics of how my rifles shoot because that gets redundant. I've sold enough here that those guys can post pics of how those rifles shoot. EricM, Gunnut308, raybass, fordisto, louiethedrifter, joes64gto (his son-in-law who is actually a military sniper has that rifle) and 444Matt. Just to name a few, can attest to how my old rifles shoot. Trust me, the model 70's will shoot as good as the Tikka's, but may require more tender loving care, IE: Bedding, trigger work, etc..For me it's the model 70 because I appreciate the "heart and soul" of the older wood/blued classics...

I am not a pre-64 lover. Tried a couple, and in their original form they just weren't for me.

But since the Classic action returned, I have been a M70 fan.

The Tikka is a fine tool, but the M70 is a fine rifle.

I use my rifles as "tools" as well, but also take a certain amount of pride in ownership too: That means I take care of my chit.. I hunted this one all day today out in the rain:

Man that is a badass rifle. Love that pic!

If I had to choose one or the other I'd go with the pre-64 M70... because they DO shoot very well and like BSA, I love the heart and soul of wood/blue steel. But I also appreciate the Tikka T3 Lites... fun, cheap rifles that shoot very well. Both have their place.

Eric

Yep I want a Tikka too, in. 223. Or one of the other plastic guns. Great tools from what I gather. I'll tote my Model 70 when hunting big game though, LOL I'll get bashed for this but I'm not taking a trophy pic with a Tikka! All kidding aside to me its not only how the rifle shoots, it is how it feels, handles and functions. Last but not least , how it looks is important. I like my rifles, bought for the cartridge they were chambered in and the rifle. Winchester's, Mauser and Remington. All cost me more than a Tikka, for a reason.

Just saw this....I'm sorry!

Thanks Eric, but you know you want to show how that rifle you bought from me shoots . I agree with you though, the tikka's are just plain damn accurate rifles with nice slick actions. I like them too. I'm not going to show pics of how my win model 70's shoot but here's how this Ruger m77 338 win mag shoots:






Definitely not a "1 hole group internet" rifle, but it sure is bad elk medicine!!

Hell, this isn's a win model 70 either but a lowly ol CZ550 chambered in 9.3x62mm and it shoots like this:

[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/1118120922_zps51f9790f.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/003-71.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/002-86.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/001-97.jpg[/img]

I have better things to do with my time than post pics of how my win model 70's shoot...

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I've been thinking about a CZ550 American, but want a firm cheek weld. That looks like a nice low mount.

By the way, I've handled but not fired a T3. Personally my M70 just feels better in my hands.

BSA - Do you rework/bed all of your rifles? They all seem to shoot!

Eric

Thanks Bob!

Yes sir. I don't shot them until they are properly bedded...Well, I can't say that: My pre 64 270 fwt is all original and it will probably stay that way. I'm working on a shooter stock for that one at the moment though. I bought the stock from a good guy here (oregon45) and I'm refinishing it and throwing a repro winchester red pad on it...Yes, that stock will be bedded up right...

Yeah, but the pre 64 375 H&H isn't shooting as good as your BRNO yet!!!!!!!:






I'll have to fine tune this load so it will shoot more like a Tikka...It's almost as accurate as your BRNO though

Amen brother!

Nice shooting there, BSA! Your pre-64 will definitely hang with the BRNO.

Eric

I have one of each and both shoot 1/2 MOA. Tikka is an 06 and has a good little punch at 7lbs. M70 is a 270 at almost 9lbs. Either will shoot fine and it boils down to whatcha like. I'd prefer to dump them both for a 280 Faux, but they've got some sentimental value.

Either way, 1/2 of the folks on this thread will agree with whatever you buy.

but you MUST buy SOMETHING!

Pm me first if you dump the .30-06.



P

The red shroud strikes again....

My Tikka T3 Lite Stainless, using a 2.5-10x24 compact Nightforce

shoots 3 shot groups like this:



That is with Sierra GameKings, Not MatchKings.

Light, accurate, smooth action, awesome trigger. It has become a favorite.

Took my T3 25-06 out for the first time today. Grabbed a few 110NAB loads I had loaded for another rifle just to sight in a shoot a group. This was my very first 3 shot group out of this rifle. When I bought it, it was supposedly unfired.




That's a nickel in the shot. My T3 22-250 shot even better with the first load I ever tried in it. Not a very difficult load workup process for Tikka's!

Winchester Customer Service recently informed me that, beginning in 2013, FN moved Model 70 assembly to Portugal using components produced in Belgium.

I had bought a model 70 LH in 30-06 for my daughter, and out of the box with a 50 pound trigger pull, it would shoot a little over an inch with hunting grade bullets. I thought it was okay. It looked nice, but a tad heavy for a 115 pound girl.

I gave it to my son in law, and he shot it pretty well after he adjusted the trigger a bit, and then shot it real well once he put a Rifle Basics (I think)trigger into it. He's killed some deer with it.

He tried my T3 6.5 Swede, and went an bought aa T3 Varmint in 243 Win. That thing is a tack driver!

Bottom line the edge in accuracy goes to the Tikka, but not by much. The Winchester is a much better looking rifle.

I have seven Model 70s and two Tikka T3s. In my view, the 70s are rifles and the T3s are guns; they both serve my purposes damn well. CP.

I have been considering a .243 caliber Model 70 Extreme Weather SS or T3 Lite SS. The M70 has a better stock than the T3 Lite SS, but is a tad heavier and about $200. more expensive. Since accuracy with factory ammo is important to me, I am leaning toward the Tikka.

Was your M70 made in Europe (it should be marked as such if it was)? I am wondering how the European made M70 quality and accuracy compare to the US made guns?

Thank you.

Dan

Yep. make mine an EW s/a 7-08 or .243 win.

Don't know if it was European, but I think not. It is old enough to have been made in the USA, I think. Pretty rifle. Doesn't shoot as consistently small groups as the Tikkas I have .

I think that everyone should only shoot what I like and nothing else.....good god sometimes this forum is such a riot!

The correct answer after nearly eight pages of argument and pissing contest is get what suits you. For myself personally I have both because in my diversity and open-mindedness I appreciate the differing aspect's of each rifle. The tikka goes on the steep brushy hunts that tend to destroy the artistry of a fine Woodstock rifle.

Shod

Good point shodd. I wouldn't want to f up any of my nice Winchesters either.. I have also been contemplating buying a tikka t3, so that sounds about like the best excuse I've heard . I wonder if my wife will buy it (the excuse that is)...

Come on now - what fun is an interweb forum if we can't all talk about why the stuff we bought is better than the stuff you bought. Jeeze - is this your first time on the web?

Shot today from a 7 digit new haven stainless featherweight in 7 wsm


63.0 gr rl22, 162gr hornady btsp, cci 250, seated 2.995

Make mine an old Winchester..

I would keep an eye out for a nice used pre-64 Winchester. Just recently I picked up a couple nice ones for $750 each. Later used winchesters can be found even cheaper. While I personally think Tikkas are ugly, my dad has one in 338wm and loves it. They do seem like a pretty good deal.