Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ruger or Tikka?

I'm thinking about a new rifle in 7mm/08. I was planning on ordering a Tikka, as I have one in .243 and it's extremely accurate. I checked a local gun shop today and he has a Ruger Hawkeye for the same price as the Tikka. They're both walnut/blued. Which would get, and why?
Thanks,

Tikka, no question. Why? I haven't had much luck accuracy-wise with the 4 Rugers I've owned. I haven't been impressed with the RAR series just by look and feel of them.

Well if I was going to buy a Ruger Hawkeyes in 7-08 I would buy that NRA limited one in the classifieds. That aside I would buy whichever one fit me the best. I love Rugers and have not had any issues with any of mine. I've not owned a Tikka but have heard nothing but rave reviews on them. Have fun and you picked a great cartridge.

Tikka for accuracy and some have decent wood.

I'd forego the Hawkeye and order a RAR in black and blue. Have two now, 270Win and 300WM that are excellent at the range. Granted not elegant or classics but at $400 with great MOA's - what's not to like? Get some low Weaver Mounts, add a scope and your are set. I say congrats to Ruger on this RAR model.

Tikka over a Ruger. Easy.

Ruger is made in the USA by a company that advocates strongly for your second amendment. You are more likely to need Ruger customer service than you are Tikka customer service and Ruger will do a great job if you do need them. While problems seem to be rare with Tikka, their customer service doesn't get the rave reviews Ruger does. The Tikka is likely to be more accurate than the Ruger. Both will be plenty accurate for whatever it is you are hunting with them. I prefer Ruger's integral bases.

No contest.

Tikka.

Tikka

Ruger's are a far better way to go if you ask me.
Ruger takes good care of their customers.

Tikka does not at all!
in fact when you have a part break on a Tikka (like the BOLT. Not the bolt handle...the bolt body itself) they tell you "too bad"
They have no customer service at all. NONE! I have had 4 customers come to me with broken Tikkas and in no case would Tikka even talk to them about a replacement part, replacement gun, repair or anything else.
They take the stand that it's not their problem. They have already got your money so they don't care, and they will even tell you so.

In my experience Hawkeyes usually need some tweaking to shoot their best, but when tweaked they shoot very well, often as well as Tikkas. This is because they use the same barrels as Ruger Americans--but Americans don't usually need the tweaking.

Out of the box, Tikkas usually win, both due to bedding and OTB trigger pulls. But if you know how to tweak Rugers, they do very well.

Tikka. For butter smooth and boring accurate.
Also, Anytime I hear RAR and tikka in comparison I cringe.

Tikka, no question.

Ruger Hawkeye in my opinion. Had a problem with my 375 Ruger Hawkeye Guide Gun laminate stock cracking in tang area. Called them and had RGA number and next day UPS picked it up. Took longer for shipping then them replacing stock. Great Customer service. My 375 Ruger Guide Gun with 20" barrel I get 3/4" 3-shot group with a handloaded 300gr. Accubond traveling 2590fps average and a Woodleigh 350gr. PP 1" 3-shot group traveling 2390fps average.

I think it comes down to what winds your clock. Tikkas are very modern and have a great reputation for accuracy, good triggers, and smoothness. Ruger Hawkeyes are, aside from the use of castings, very traditional in form and function, and dead reliable. The last one I bought had a very good trigger right out of the box. If I had to pick one from my current herd to keep as my only centerfire, the choice would be between my Hawkeye Predator and my FN, and it would be a tough choice, and I really like FNs.

I like to feed from the top of the action so would probably choose Ruger. I prefer the internal mag of the Ruger too. Both great rifles, can't imagine you would go wrong with either.

For a tack driving rifle for shooting paper, the Tikka.

For a hunting rifle that will see actual use in the field, the Ruger..... , IMO....

I've owned both. I agree with all the comments re Tikka accuracy and I didn't have to do anything to it to get that accuracy. Out of the box it shot about every load including some factory stuff well. After doing some bedding, trigger wok and load development the Ruger's accuracy improved from adequate to very good but it was never as consistently accurate as the Tikka.

IMO it gets down to what Pappy348 said. The Tikka's are more modern the Hawkeye's are traditional. I sold both and wouldn't mind having either one back but if I had to pick one it would be the Hawkeye.

Ruger would be my choice. The M77 Hawkeye is robust and reliable. It can be made more accurate if desired.

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