I'm aware of the history of these rifles and the connection with Tikka/Bofors, etc. I'm curious as to fit, finish, accuracy,etc. Just the general pros and cons. I've got a chance to buy a .308 and 30-06, both deluxe models in great shape, for a great price.

Also, what rings/bases do these things take and how hard are they to find?

Thanks.

I can't offer much. But we hada gunwriter for PA Game News named Don Lewis. He was a gunsmith, commercial reloader, and operated his own shooting range and of course was a gunwriter for 40 years. He thought the world of Ithaca LSA rifles.

Generally held in high regard. I don't know about bases and rings but don't lose a magazine - they are rare, and fairly spendy once found.

Mine (3) shoot very well. Trigger is excellent. Finish is some sort of laquer. Mine are fine, but I did see one with crazing. The early production rifles, like mine, were not drilled and tapped. Dovetails look like Sako, but Sako mounts won't fit. Several outfits made mounts for the untapped rifles, Redfield, Warne, Conetrol & some Australian company. Later. tapped rifles accept a Weaver base. I bought several mounts and extra mags on fleabay. $40-50 for mounts and $100 minimum for magazines. The mags are VERY rare.

Sounds like the early LSA Tikka, the model prior to the M series.
The bolt cams open on a stud rather than an angle on the rear of the receiver and has more lift (90 degrees ?) than the 60 degrees of the M series which allows the lugs to contact more of the lug seat, well worth purchasing as they are a very nice rifle to use, the dovetails are 5/8" (16 mm), the current Sako Tikka optilock mount fits the older Tikka models as well.

Magazines are single stacked and turn up occasionally at usedguns.com.au.


HERE.

I sold two of these here last year, a 243 and 308.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9677010/Re:_FS:_Tikka_Ithaca_LSA-55_De#Post9677010

They are beautiful rifles, but being a lefty they just didn't work for me. The tapered dovetail on top is the same as my Sako L579, right down to the recoil lug spot at the rear.

That is interesting, all the Tikka LSA and M series I have owned or handled had straight dovetails rather than tapered like the Sako rifles.

JSTUART,
You are totally correct, I mis-spoke. I just looked at my old photos of the guns and sure enough, the dovetails are straight. My bad.

So what is the best ring/base setup did you use cotis?

I had some of the original Tikka rings!

I currently own the two rifles pictured above. The pictured scope is a older Simmons with a 32mm objective. Not much room for anything bigger in those mounts, so I replced them with Warne mounts to fit a 40mm leupold.

I used some LSA 55 and M 55's in 223 and 222 for a number of years when I first started shooting 'roos for a living, in my opinion they are a very good rifle...they are generally well regarded here in Australia.

The Tikka LSA 55 or 65 is a well made and accurate rifle. You won't be disappointed if you get one. I have a set of 1 inch rings for a Tikka if you need some...

Same dovetail size as Brno 1/2/3/4/5, ZKW465 up to mid '70s (after which they went from 5/8 to 3/8)...and some current CZ centre-fires.

My Dad has used his 270 as his go to rifle for a long time. He has others he has used, but that Ithaca/Tikka is what he reaches for when he wants accuracy.

He worked over the trigger and, I think, bedded it. He bought it in the 70s at a second hand shop for an absurdly low price, scoped it with a 3x9 Redfield and hasn't changed a thing since.

Scary accurate, nice rifle. Have considered buying one for myself as well.

I have had an Ithaca LSA-65 IN 30-06 since 1975 or 1976. Got about 2,000-2,500 rounds through it and still going strong. Mine is NOT the deluxe model. The magazine is all metal and double stack. It consistently gives MOA accuracy _- better on my better days. The trigger breaks cleanly at just over three pounds which is just where I like it for a hunting rifle. It is crisp with little take up and nil over travel.

I also have a TIKKA M-65 in 30-06 from 1978, and the bolt and magazines are interchangeable, though I have never swapped bolts with live ammo. Both shoot about the same -- perhaps the TIKKA shouts a tad better, three quarters moa.

Good rifles. Good shooters. Killed a truck load of moose and deer with mine.

I live in the sticks and couldn't find the TIKKA rings to go with the dovetails, so I used a number 61 Weaver base front and rear. Has worked fine for forty years. Zero issues.

Should add that the mag's are flush mount on bottom and function well, and in 30-06, they hold five rounds and are long enough to accommodate longer than SAMMI length if the chamber cooperates, and both of mine do.

Hope this helped.

Thanks fellas. The seller is a poor communicator or I'd probably have them bought by now.

So is $1250 shipped to my FFL and good deal for a LSA 65 30-06 deluxe, and a LSA 55 .308 deluxe? Both are 90% supposedly.

great guns..value wise yes...market wise, 95%+ would make me feel better unless nice wood..most had ho/hum even on the dlx's..with a nice stick on it,would justify a premium to collectors if excellent (IMO)