I'm contemplating a choice between a tikka t3 lite for $550 and a winchester model 70 ultimate shadow for $650 for 7mm-08. I've owned tikka before and know they are easily capable of 1/2-1/4 moa accuracy. I just haven't heard a lot about the new winchesters.
Well, the tikkas are just plain awesome shooters, they have a lot of plastic, detachable mags, and long actions and mags for short calibers.
The winchester had a trigger almost as good as tikkas, the action was just as smooth as the tikka, it felt more solid, don't have to deal with a detachable mag, and the crown looked flawless.

How is the accuracy on these new winchesters? is it hit and miss?

I'm not interested in remington, savage, other rifles, ect...

I also like the 4 groove barrels on the tikkas because they generally give higher velocity and foul less

If its made by FN Id vote for it...but a tikka is not to be despised.

I would love a half dozen SS Ultimate Shadows for projects...

I can't get by the plastic bolt shroud and trigger guard on the Tikka.

the shadow is blue and for the same price the tikka would be stainless. The winchesters do feel nice, that's why i will never sell my m70 458 win. It's just so solid and slick.

Buddy of mine bought one of the original stainless New Haven ones when they first came out, other than the trigger that left the factory at 8 pounds(has since been turned down to 3 1/2), he's really liked it...

I have both. An Ultimate Shadow in .243 and a T3 Stainless Lite in .308. Love em both. Can't go wrong. Both shoot 3 shot MOA.

I like the feel of the Tikka better by a little, the Tikka trigger is a little better and the Tikka action is smoother. But the FN M70 CRF action is fantastic and i like the CRF. Also had to upgrade the Tikka to a Limbsaver recoil pad to match the Decelerator on the M70.

But to sum it up, the Tikka is a fantastic utility tool, the M70 is a fantastic rifle.

You can't make a bad choice here.

I like it! The rubberized grip areas give positive purchase too.

I would take the Tikka. I have had alot of model 70's and Tikka's and the Tikka's almost always shoot better. Tikka feeds way smoother, better trigger and better barrel in my opinion.

IMHO a Tikka is a piece of garbge compared to a Model 70. They do shoot pretty well though.

this is one is from the newest plant. the action is just as smooth as the tikka, but tikka has slightly better trigger and I've never seen a tikka that can't shoot 1/2" or better groups. I'll just have to pick one. I may choose based on my style of shooting. I send a lot of time range shooting and a little time hunting.

Just decided to get the winchester. these new ones are supposed to be the most accurate and best versions yet. the insainely smooth action and absolute perfect crown leed me to believe this may be a shooter. and I've been hearing many reports of 1/2 groups with hand loads.

And my instinct was right on this one. At 100, 5 shots, let barrel cool every 5 shots, Worst load- 1.01" Best load- .53"

And one group that was a split group of 2 shots and 3 shots both of those measured .27" each.

So this may be capable of 1/4" groups if I don't screw up any shots.

Tikka's are great consistently phenomenal shooters,but this winchester is about equal on accuracy and a more solid feeling rifle.

Congrats on picking a winner!