I'm finding that I am a real loon for these guns. I already own a Tikka T3 light in 7mm Rem. But, what is making me crazy is the Steyr Pro Hunter in SS and camo stock in 270 Win.

Sakos I would have to trade other guns for - no worries - have enough guns I have never shot - plenty of trading stock.

The delima is my access to Tikkas in all calibers at around $440 - the Steyr would run around $730. And I'd have to pony up cash for the Steyr.

What would you all do in such a target rich environment? I love the Steyr action. Sako's come in second - Tikka's 3rd.

The 270 is the only caliber I can get the camo stock and SS action in. The 270 is also a pretty versatile North American caliber. I don't like the Tikka's hard, hollow sounding stock.

I'm mostly a varmint/predator hunter and have that genre covered in spades - I'm looking to trade up several guns to a few better quality guns for big game - North America and possibly Africa at some point.

Opinions?

TM

i can put you onto a slightly used 270 camo blue matte if your interested.
i can tell you that you wont be sorry after you shoot a steyr the first time.
they are pure smooth hell on a stick.
let me know cause my buddy that has it is headed to ATL show w/ it Saturday.

Ilike the Sako's the best, and would recommend it first. Steyr's are okay in my book, can't like Tikka's mainly because they are butt-ugly and feel too "fake" IMHO----2MG

I would go with the Tikka(s). They are as pretty as a peach and good for being a 1 x 1 inch single hole puncher at 100 yards.

There you go, 3 different votes. Sakos look like a rifle, the other 2 look like hunks of plastic to me. All three shoot...2MG

I am getting sick of people saying the Tikka is ugly. Who realy cares if a rifle looks good. The point is that it shoots streight. If it does, most people will think it looks fine.

Have plenty of good lookin' rifles that shoot well. Life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle. Why do you suppose you're hearin' lots of people sayin' Tikkas are ugly?---2MG

Because they are close minded persons. I have had many complements on my T3WMSS. I also have plenty of good looking rifles, fro sako's to Marlins (I can't believe I admitted that I own a Marlin).

Why is someone closed minded if they don't agree with you? I can't believe you're ashamed to admit you own a Marlin but will readily defend a rifle with plastic parts where metal should be and has a bolt handle shaped like a nutsack on a 90 degree day---2MG

Whats the problem with owning a Marlin. I own about 7 at this time and they are good lookin' guns

Don't ask me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> My 444 is one of my favorites....2MG

I have the same problem now my safe is filled with one of each:
weatherby ultralight .257 wby
tikka t3 270 wsm
sako 75 delux 300 wsm
and a new steyr forester .260 rem
Here is my my .02.

1. sako 75
2. tikka SS
3. weatherby
4. steyr forester

sako - plain simple bolt design with a sweet butter smooth operation. Best trigger period! Accuracy is awesome! It will shoot federal accubond and Winchester XP into .5 - .75 if I'm not too recoil shy.
tikka - cheaper version of the sako but with as stated earlier a hollow feeling. too light for my taste but it will shoot. I can't believe you can buy a rifle for under 650.00 that will shoot almost anything under 1". Another rifle with awesome trigger. My loves the accubond - best I've done is .5.
Weatherby - nice light with a beautiful web stock and fluted barrel. my will shoot .75 - 1.5" with premium bullet. It is my father's favorite borrowed rifle from my safe. Trigger is good but not like my sako. Bolt is very smooth also.
steyr forrester - its an okay rifle but i've yet to shoot it. To my suprise, it came with a beautiful grain wood stock. The bolt is not as smooth as my tikka. For the same price i would buy another tikka (Wood) or try a CZ. I've yet to shoot it since i'm waiting for talley lwt rings to arrive. There are plastic parts as with the tikka but do correct me if i'm wrong. I was aiming for the steyr ultralight but couldn't find one locally to play wiht so I bought the forester online at a very good price. I Didnt want to spend 1600 for a rifle that i've not seen. The trigger has a noticeable creep. When I have time I will see if i can get rid of this. This rifle reminds me of a remy or winch. I hope the accuracy department will persuave me to keep it.
I just bought myself for christmas a 2.5-10x42 diavari so my next rifle a sauer LAW or if I can find a low price Heym but I will have to wait til next year. I love euro rifles.
I will report what the forester can do at the range.

thx,

yurotrash

TM45,

Been there, thought about it, bought the wrong thing, sold it, lost money, came to my senses and bought a Sako instead. Please don't tear yourself apart on this one, it is a simple choice, but one that will be less costly than my own, I hope.

I shoot a Sako 75 Hunter in .30-06, which to date, has three pet loads: a 150gr softy, a 165gr IB at 2900fps and a 165gr TSX at 2930fps. It is such a versatile "tool" and although not the prettiest, is very efficient in its primary task; a shooting machine. It has taken roe to red to elk, all I need do is change the recipe. To give you some idea, this is a 5-shot group with the TSX:



Says it all really...

Spend the extra few bucks, overlook the cosmetics and concentrate on the engineering. The Sako is the last man standing, whatever test you apply.

Regards,

Jacobite

Here's my Take: They are all good , you should go with what you will have the most fun doing.
Here's what I mean. Some shooters biggest fun is to try all different calibers and rifles. Sometimes a certain rifle is just an itch that needs to be scratched. If you are that way trying the different rifle is the way to go, you'll have more fun trying a new rifle than otherwise.
Others enjoy sorting out a particular rifle or even brand of rifle to the Nth degree. They prefer setting on a specific rifle and getting the most comfortable with a gun that they can be. If that's the way you are maybe you should stick within a certain brand.

Either way is just as valid as the other, it just depends on how you are and what you enjoy the most. Personally I like to try as many different brands and styles of rifles as I can, maybe eventually I'll settle on something more specific but right now there are a few that I like better than others but not just one above all else.

But again just think about which way you would have the most fun and go with it. After all this is all for fun isn't it?.........................DJ

i cant wait to see how your lists changes once you do shoot it.
I own plenty of steyrs i have 7 friends who had never shot one until i let them shoot one of mine and now they all own one and say, to a man, its thier #1 GO TO rifle.
I dont know anyone who has spent time behind a steyr that doesnt like them.
my standing offer is this "if you shoot it and dont like it, ill give you fair money for it".
oh, its S t e y r.

I like Sako's myself.

I own all three & they are all shooters. The Styer I have is a specialty rifle in 376. I have it scoped with a 6x42 Leupold & have used it in Africa. Would also be ideal for moose, grizzly, & elk(if shots were reasonable). Based on price you can't beat a Tikka that uses a Sako barrel. Only thring wrong with Sako/Tikka now is that Beretta owns them. You can't make a bad selection.

Unless you're fond of plastic magazines, trigger guards, and floorplates(can't call it bottom "metal"), or non-integral recoil lugs(Tikka) buy the Sako. You won't be disappointed---2MG

Just do not get behind a Steyr Professional Model M or a SSG.

Makes the heart go "pitter-patter."

TM45 and WTM45 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> WTF? Somebody needs to buy a vowel or somethin' here......2MG

There's a 75 in the classifieds....

I had a tikka t3 lite and I sold it because I did yhink it was ugly! I now have a tikka hunter in wood and blue and It looks totaly different than the lite even though its the same gun!
I think its purdy. I must also say Ive never seen a tikka that would not shoot though.

I'm keeping the 7mm rem in the Tikka so it will do much of the heavy lifting with a 6x Leupold. I do like the Steyr and Sako's better but the prices on the Tikkas are unreal. Thanks.

Well I don't think the Tikka's are ugly, but I'm comparing to Savages in the safe. The Savages are being sold due to access to cheap Tikka's.

If I had my druthers I would own only Sakos and Styers - I do think the Tikkas are well desiged. Not much there that doesn't need to be. Only issue is lack of 3 position safety and the dam little plastic mags cost a fortune. Dealer cost is around $45 for the bitty plastic thing.

TM

I may add a 223 and 243 Tikka to the herd. The 223 is a 1 in 8 twist which is pretty quick for a production bolt gun. With a 7mm, 243 and 223 - I'd have 90% of my hunting handled and seriously upgrade the looks of my safe contents.

TM

I own a Steyr SBS 7mmRM, and a Tikka T3 Lite 270WSM...no question about the difference in quality and day in day out accuracy of the Steyr...hands down a winner every time! Worth the extra scratch IMO if you're having to pick!

I think the Tikkas are great looking production guns. I like Savages for just what you say - they shoot great. But I think Tikkas shoot just as well, are cheap and do look better.

TM

Marlins are great looking and shooting guns. I like the 94's the best. For whatever reason, I don't own one yet - first will be a 357 of some flavor.

TM

I would order it :

Sako
Steyr
Tikka
Weatherby (don't like the stocks)

The Steyrs I have handled have the smoothest bolts of any gun I have handled. the weatherby would lcome in second.

TM

I'd have to agree the Sako is hard to beat. And in 30-06 it is a one gun wonder.

I also agree in function over form. It's why Savages still impress me with their performance.

There is a 7mm Sako 75 at a local shop that had me tempted... but it was a heavy thing. I couldn't get past the weight. It felt heavier than a 7mm Number 1 SS Ruger that I traded away. Right next to it was a Finn light 243 that I still drool over... Sako magazines have a substantial feel - like they'll last forever - unlike the pricey plastic Tikka mags.

TM

I own 4 Steyrs and several Sako's. The Steyr's are very accurate, nice rifles but they aren't in the same league as the Sako's are as far as smoothness goes.......................DJ

Well, my progression has been Ruger 77 to Rem to Savage to Ruger Number 1 and now to Tikka. I'm constantly upgrading based on performance.

Ruger Number 1's are still beauties - but the practical side loves bolt guns.

The Tikkas are good performers that happen to look good in my opinion.

I buy guns to fill a niche - like fly rods - I try to cover as much hunting territory as possible.

Right now, the Tikkka value has my attention.

TM

Have a buddy that has a Steyr 376 Pro Hunter that I have tried to talk him out of many times. he won't budge - grrrr... ha ha! And he hasn't even shot the dang thing. His brother has.. but not him. I don't understand that...

TM

See comments on pricey Tikka plastic mags... the Sako wins on over all quality.

TM

I think WTM45 is my long lost cousin - genetics make us both love the 45 caliber... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Only a rich man can afford a poor rifle.....

Not sure what a poor rifle is, but if they shoot well, I'd say it's a good rifle. Function over form. It's Glock versus 1911 in my opinion. I have a tricked out Glock 21 that will out shoot most lesser grade 1911, but I still like the 1911.

Different strokes... If a Savage and Tikka both shoot the same - I'd take the Tikka for its looks.

Heavy is a sin to me. Present a heavy Sako versus a light Tikka to me and they both shoot the same - I'll take the Tikka.

As long as we're both satisfied who cares right?

TM

If a Tikka and a chunk of firewood both shot the same, I'd take the firewood for its looks..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have to agree. I do like the Steyr's above all. I may forgo the cheaper Tikka additions and get a Steyr Pro-hunter in SS 30-06 as a main go to hunting rifle. Not sure if it's the name/brand the action or just the performance, but I like them.

I just wish they made a controlled round feed 375 H&H... sigh...

TM

That's what makes a horse race! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You and my cousin would be best buds - he adores pretty guns. Safe full of Weatherby's... ha!

TM

TM---Buy a Sako and don't look back. Seriously. I've owned over 100 factory specimens. Worth the money all day. It's only money, and once you get over the sticker shock, if there is one, you'll be happy ever more......

Have to admit the Sako magazine impressed me. It's substantial like nothing I've ever seen. Worth at least $50. Unlike the Savage, Tikka and Steyr mags which feel like you could crush in your hand.

Sako's are quality no doubt. However if I could buy several Steyr mags with a gun and still be under a Sako price tag - it would still be a toss up in my mind. I think they are equal other than the magazines.

Like I said, I am thinning the herd. I may go for the Finn Light 243 in a trade and pony up real $ for the Steyr and a couple mags.

Then I'll have some first hand experience. It's all good... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

TM

Once you pony up for a Sako, let me know. I'm easy to thank! They're most definitely more refined than said others......

Regarding the drumminess in Tikka Synthetic stocks - there is an answer:-

I use the expanding foam product that plumbers use, in an aerosole can. Just take the recoil pad off the butt and fill it with the foam (keeping the stock upright) using the extension nozzle that comes with the can.

A word of warning, its takes a while for the foam to expand to its full volume, so only fill the stock about 2 thirds of the way up, leave it for a while, then top up if necessary.

Otherwise you will end up with this messy goo everywhere and believe me it sticks like s**t to a blanket!

The foam is light, so it does not change the weight much but it definately has a dulling affect on the drummy sound when you tap the stock butt.

Hope this helps.

"Great Stuff" is not a great answer. But I'll agree, it don't come off......

I don't own a Sako, but shot my friends Sako's several times. No doubt, very good rifles, but not a bit better than the Steyrs, not at all. I own a Tikka T3 in 6,5 Swede. Sure, it does not look pretty, the action is not as rugged as a Steyr action, and it has som no-nonsense-approach, but it shoots light out. Altough I don't like the Tikka magazine, I haven't had a failure until now. I will admit, that on the overall appearance of a T3 one can say it looks "cheap". But it IS cheap, especially compared to the Steyr ProHunters. I own 7 of them. They costed me a lot of money, but......they're worth every cent. At first look they appear to be expensive, but, in fact, they ar not. The stock is very ergonomic, has adjustable length of pull and can be changed within seconds to one's specific needs, the actions are rugged as hell, in my oppinion the strongest and safest action in the world, the safety has three positions and is located very ergonomically. The hammer forged barrel with it's typical forging marks is a pleasure to my eyes and it shoots lights out every day every time you want. Not to forget the fully adjustable tirgger of the ProHunters, which are a class of it's own. Last but not least, a Steyr never ever failed me in the field. And I am not a one-deer-per-year - hunter, I'm out in the field every week at least once, all over the years and in every imaginable weather condition and my average total number of game killed per year is around 60. For me, there's no doubt, which rifle out of the three I would choose every time.......

just my 0.2$

Gerry

+1 on all of the above.
My dealer and friend had tried for 2 years to get me into the Tikka camp. He knows I like light weight, (cause I'm gettin old), and accurate. Finally got one early this year, got another last month.
"Pretty is as pretty does" Iv'e heard said and the Tikka does! Wanted a Sako but got two Tikkas instead.
I've got pretty rifles that go to the range or the stand but, when it is time to hunt hard the Tikkas go now.

its not just an opinion. the sbs actions are proofed to 120,000. who else can say that?
i own/ have owned steyrs in the double dozens digits and am always looking for good deals when i have the $ to get another. i just picked up a Sako L579 308 and it seems to be a sound rifle. i'd never sell a steyr to buy a sako and i'd trade it for an SBS in a heartbeat no matter how well it shoots.

The "Great Stuff" does actually work. I used it to cut down the hollow sound in both of my Sako Finnlights. The std Sako's don't seem to need it..........DJ

Yep, when I saw the title of this thread I thought "Theres someone that has never shot a Steyr and just looked at all 3 from across the counter or online." IMO, Steyr and Tikka are not in the same league and I own both...Steyr win hands down, by a mile in any catagory. Sako? I don't know never owned one.

back when you could get the T3 for $400-$425 i thought about buying one and went to a local store that stocked them. after opening the bolt and closing it twice i handed it back and said "ill stick with mt steyrs".
I dont know a single person who has spent any amount of time shooting a steyr that doesnt own one, if not a few.
I have only ever owned the Finnwolf and this L579 so i cant judje them against a prohunter. I do own an Steyr classic euro carbine and comparing it to the L579 i'd say fir, finish, lockup, bolt smoothness they are equal. the wood is better on the steyr and the blue is also better on the steyr. CRF goers to the Sako as does the extractor. cold hammer forged BBL goes to the steyr. plus this sako is gonna have to shoot .3" groups w/ its 23" bbl to compare in the accuracy dept. to my classic carbine.
dealer price wise the steyr just went up to $809 blue synth so the ones on gunbroker for $600-$700 are a steal.
the classics are now $1700+ dealer cost so if you can get one for $1500 do so, youll not be sorry.
i paid $1400 shipped for my classic w/ true turret mounts and 2 mags. i dont think i'v paid more than $600 for a prohunter to date, w/ the exeption of a few of the tactical models.
if you take all things into consideration including availablity weight accuracy ect and leave out things like ugly colored stock or spacy looking design you will come to the conclusion that many steyr owners have.

I bought a Steyr Classic Delux (Factory Upgrade) in .222rem a few months ago. I looked at Sako's, and everything else I could find available. I wanted to buy the best I could find, price was not the issue.

I bought the Steyr.

It is gorgeous, stock is fantastic, bolt is slick and smooth. Trigger is excellent. Groups .5" easily with various loads. I have shot 14 foxes with it at night with a spotlight over the past two months at ranges out to 185 yards.

I am seriously considering changing my Sauer 202 for another Steyr to have a matching pair.

Did I say it was pretty? :

ClaretDabbler, if you dont get that GD nylon sling of that steyr im gonna blow a %#@ fuse and start bleeding out my nose.

Cohiba,

Our local gun monger here had a truckload of SBS's last week...unloading them at $599. I couldn't get there fast enough to trade him back my new Tikka T3 for a chambering I wanted before he sold out.

Cohiba, sorry about the sling. I have a lovely webbing and leather sling for it but I need need new screw in studs to fit the larger QD sling swivels. I have these ordered but the Steyr studs are a funny large size and I'm waiting for the replacements.

Question, especially for ClaretDabbler:

Would you get a steyr classic deluxe over a Blaser Prestie?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62328098
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62186902

Petr, I have to say I have never been a fan of the Blaser R93. No doubt they are an excellent rifle. That said I have started to warm to the Blaser recently. Don't know if I would ever buy one though.

To be honest, the Blaser is in a different price bracket here than the a Sako, Steyr or Sauer. I would generally group these three brands togther as they are close in price and quality. Standard wood models of all three of these rifles run �900- �1,000 here in UK - that's roughly $1,800 - $2,000. Factory upgrades like the delux Steyr above run from around �1,250 ($2,500) for the Sako and Steyr, and �1,500 for a Sauer. A Blaser Prestige is towards �2K ($4K) if I remember rightly.

I just find I prefer the german style stock of the Steyr and the Sauer over that of the Sako. Also the action seems slicker than Sako's I have seen recently. None of these rifles are ever a bad choice.

I don't honestly think you can discuss a Tikka T3 compared to the other three. It is at a completely different price point and quality to the other. The Tikka T3 was introduced so Beretta could have a mass market rifle for north America to compete on price with the likes of Remington.

Go with the Steyr. I have one in a 308 & 280 and they both shoot sub MOA. I had a Sako 75 Stainless in 300 Win Mag. It felt great and was very smooth but I have never been so disappointed it would not shoot worth a crap. The best group I could get was about 1.5" @ 100yds. and that was trying factory and my own reloads.

If the Sako were a 308 or 280 and the Steyr a 300mag would results be reversed.....? 'tis a trend I've noticed over the years.....

Nope, EVERY Steyr shoots! Bank on it!

So does every Sako I've seen. Funny how most people report smaller groups with smaller guns....

As I've said before......... each of the rifles mentionned has his own merits and every hunter/shooter has his own preferences.......... nothing's wrong with that. For the one hunter price is the benchmark, for the other one it is accuracy and for another one tradition.

It seems to be normal that we try to convince other ones that our choice is the right one.......but, in fact, every choice is the right one, as long as you are satisfied with the result. Everyone has his own imagination of what a top notch rifle should consist of, and so do I and almost everyone here in the forums, no? And last but not least....... it is also a question of affordability, I for my part haven't yet found oil in my garden ;-), so I'm too poor to buy a "cheap" rifle.
Having handled and tested lots of firearms in my life I came to the conclusion, that the best of all compromises in one rifle FOR ME consists in the Steyr SBS Pro Hunter.

Greetings,

Gerry

Wasn't trying to say Sako is better than Steyr, was trying to say that it doesn't surprise me that the average shooter reports tighter groups with smaller cartridges......

Do NOT change those factory Steyr sling swivels! Have a nice leather sling custom made to fit!

That's a good idea for my only real complaint with the Tikka aside from the magazines.

TM

I guess it's not that bad of an idea, I just hate that chit because I've had it on me too many times. Ain't found nothing it comes off of. Would have a hard time takin' it to one of my rifles methinks......

Ok all you Sako loons - what is so great about the upcoming 85 I keep hearing about? What changes are coming? A 9.3 chambering??

TM

You're partially right. I haven't even shot the Tikka 7 mag I own yet. But I am in the business and have handled and shot them all. I'm in a position to get rid of all the Remingtons (except a 17 Classic), Rugers and Savages I own to fill the safe with Sako's, Steyrs and Tikkas depending on my preferences. Based on my extensive experience with most U.S. brands these are the guns I prefer. The only brand that comes close is Browning in my opinion.

Steyrs are wonderful guns. But they are heavy in my opinion, as I noted earlier. Sako's to me are heavy Tikkas with a better magazine and more refined action.

I do like the Steyr action above all and will probably have 2 Pro Hunters in 7 mag and 30-06. If they made a 375 or 9.3 I would choose them. Why they put a plastic magazine in this gun is beyond me.

In short, I just don't think the Sako's are in the same ballpark value-wise as the Tikkas and Steyrs. And I think many of you short change the Tikka. Beretta is trying to gain market share with these guns in my opinion and that's good for shooters looking for a very competent gun that LOOKS GOOD... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So yes, I put Tikkas in the same league as Sakos and Steyrs. So what if the Tikka is a 2 lug bolt compared to 3? I can get at least 3 Tikkas for a Sako or 2 for a Styer. Yes, the Steyr has the slickest action I have seen in a long time and I will own a couple - in heavier calibers - which seems right for a heavy gun.

And, it looks like I'll need to turn to CZ for heavier calibers.

TM

www.berettausa.com for the new 85's.....

I have a Steyr MIII Professional in .270, a super sweet rig. I love the rotary magazines,"swirled" barrels among other things. It is without a doubt my favorite gun I own. That being said, it doesn't shoot any better, nor is it any smoother or more accurate than the 3 Tikkas I own.

IMO someone could not go wrong with any of the aforementioned guns. I have one Tikka T3 Light Stainless in .338 Win Mag. I put a Holland Quick Discharge brake on it and a Leupold 3.5-10 X 50mm VX-III B&C in Talley Lightweight mounts. Now I have a sub 8lb elk rifle that is accurate and does not kick you into next week. I have used it hard hunting elk with no problems at all. I bought the Tikka because of the low price and high quality. I figured if the brake did not work out I would chop and recrown the barrel. I would have a hard time doing that with a higher buck Steyr or Sako. Also I do not worry about babying it in the field like I would a higher buck rifle. I use it and abuse it and it comes through with flying colors. To each his own.

That nylon does look pretty funny with that rifle. But, so does that nasty bite out of that pretty piece of wood for the mag release...

TM