Well after searching and searching for the right rifle I bought a Sako Finnlight in .300 wsm. However, I learned after buying the rifle the Sako 85's have ejection issues so I'm not going to keep this rifle. Haven't shot it but did run a few empty casings through it an it appears it may have a problem and I'm not willing to try deal with these issues.


As pizzed off as I am at Beretta for putting out all the bad 85's I'm seriously looking at getting the Tikka T3X laminated steel in .300 wsm as it seems to be the only rifle under $1500 that meets all my requirements. So I have some questions.

I know the plastic magazines can be replaced with metal so would plan on doing this.
Anyone having any sort of cycling issues with their Tikka's?
Do the wsm's cycle well in this rifle?
Anyone shooting 200 grain bullets out of the 11" twist barrels? If so what are your experiences with accuracy?
Are there any other downfalls to buying this rifle or bad experiences anyone has had?


Thanks,
Adams

Only downfall to owning a Tikka is if you ever have to deal with the terrible Beretta customer service, (so far the dozen or more Tikkas I have owned have never had any issues) as far as the rifle goes I can think of no downsides, it should function perfectly and shoot lights out and if you dont like the trigger guard/ bolt shroud / bolt stop/ bolt handle/ magazine etc. they are all replaceable, several places sell excellent aftermarket OEM parts, some of My favorite Tikka parts are sold by Tikka Precision/Mountain tactical......Good luck.....Hb

bud I can answer 2 of your questions. I have (3) Tikka T3's and have had absolutely no cycling issues but my rifles are chambered in 260 rem,7mm-08 rem and 6.5x55 swede so not sure about Tikkas and the sharp wizzzzzm shoulder. I absolutely love mine and have had no issues with no bad experiences. I've never even had mag issues but don't hunt in sub 0 degree weather either like some of these guys do.

No cycling issues with my two tyikkas, though they arent WSMs..I DO hunt in sub zero on occasion and have had no issues with the plastic mags, shrouds etc....

Tikka fan!

I've had a T 3 Lite SS 270 since 2003 ---- NOT ONE problem
Even the 'plastic' magazine still works perfectly.

I have recently acquired a T 3X Lite SS 7m RM. I've shot about 16-20 rounds thru it..... NOT ONE problem.

Jerry

I've never had a problem with the OEM magazines in the 3 or 5 round. Unfortunately, Tikka does not make a 5 round magazine for the WSM, but Mountain Tactical soon will have their metal ones in 3 and 5 round. Only thing I'm not sure of on theirs is the hole through the sides and bottom of the magazines. Not sure the reasoning, but it just seems like another way for crud to get in the magazine when in a pocket or if dropped. If they are easy to disassemble, then I guess it isn't as much of an issue.

Yeah I was thinkin the same thing about the holes in the new magazines, hopefully I will have My hands on one soon as I have one on pre-order.......Hb

Been shooting a Tikka .308 for years.... No problems, never. The 11 twist on my .308 is crazy accurate.

My 30-06 shoots 200 gr. Partitions very well.

Once I get mountain tactical bottom metal for my T3x and the alum mag I willl have a complete rifle.

RIght now it is one wicked accurate rifle

How much for the Finnlight?

I wouldn't be so quick to give up on the Sako.I'm not trying to be a smartass but you write"it appears" to have "the" ejection problem.I have read enough to realize it is possible you have a bad one.I have also read some don't, even the most notorious,being 85M and 85SM actions.I have an 85S with no issues what so ever.As a matter of fact,I traded a Tikka,with extras of course,for it.I wouldn't trade back that's for sure.I would bet you will take a beating money wise.That would be enough to motivate me to make it work,or get a refund.You didn't buy it from Beretta,if it is truly a defective item,you should be refunded from the vendor.If you bought it with a cc you have some leverage.If you bought it for really good price from a private party you were ripped off.I would not buy one unless it was tested first(returnable).
Like I said I had a T3 and loved it,but it's no 85 by a longshot.If you do go that route with the Tikka their stock magazines are just fine,I never saw a need to get the aftermarket metal type,plastic won't rust.The actions feed everything well.That along with the great accuracy is what sells them.It aint because they are pretty.
So ,how much you want for that POS Sako.

My T3 .270 WSM has feed perfectly for many years now. It has been a great rifle.

I've got $1480 in the Sako. I bought it brand new online from Northern Firearms. I've spoke with them and no refund as I've had the gun since late October and didn't call them until early January. Right now I consider the gun to be brand new. But if I start putting a scope on it or doing anything else besides having cycled a few empty casings, in my mind it becomes a used gun. That's why I really don't want to start down that path. Although my elk hunt isn't until October I want to do a lot of 300 - 500 yard shooting with the rifle. I'd like to start shooting in March and do a lot of my shooting in cooler weather. I like to shoot when temperatures are in that 30-50 degree range.

Adams, I have an 85 in 300 WSM and an A7 in 300 WSM.

The 85 doesn't have the brass issue but it also doesn't cycle quite as smoothly as the straight stack A7 mag.

Euro Optics for Tikka/Sako

https://www.eurooptic.com/

Id sell it at a loss to bh444 and save Myself the grief, he is aware of the issue so let him deal with it and move on......Hb

My son has a T3 Laminated in .300 WSM. No feeding issues and super accurate. The heaviest bullets he's shot are 180's.

I received my mountain tactical magazines for my 270win and they have to fix an issue with the magazine. The bolt hits the lips and won’t feed the last round and makes it hard to put in the rifle. I believe they are on the issue and will have a revised version soon.

The magainzes are simple to pull apart which is nice to clean them. Overall great design !

No plastic parts left on my rifle now...just received the new Mcmillan stock for it yesterday

Harv, sounds like you have a super nice rifle....Enjoy!.....Hb

A note on my Tikka T3 stainless 22" bbl. 260 Rem. Absolutely deadly accurate with any cup & core bullet. Sub 1/2" 3 shot groups. But when trying to work up loads with the Barnes 100gr TTSX, 120gr TSX & Hornady120gr GMX absolute failure. Tried three different powders & shot with bullets seated from .010 to .080 of the lands in .010 increments. . Scattered random 3" to 5" groups. No type of hunting accuracy. Was very disappointed as I liked the rifle very much. Any one have success in their Tikka with the mono copper bullets? My considerably less expensive Savage model 16 stainless 260 shoots these mono bullets into "TINY" little groups. Any suggestions please?

Both of My T3x Superlite stainless .300 Win rifles shoot FACTORY Barnes Vortex 165gr TTSX loads into .75" 3 shot groups @100 yds and they will do the same with Federal Trophy Copper 165 gr factory loads......I also had a T3x stainless 30-06 that would shoot Barnes vortex 150 gr TTSX well under MOA....as much as many reloader's love to crow about their rifle shooting MOA with a few pet handloads that they have spent much time developing its really no great feat to work up a handload for almost any decent bolt action rifle that will shoot at least MOA..Tikka rifles will do it with factory ammo.........Good luck....Hb

Good friend of mine here SU35 has 2 Sako A7's in 300wsm. I've seen them shoot his handloads. They flat out shoot every bullet he's tried easily MOA or better. I had a Kimber Montana in 300wsm that was a keeper. I've got a 30-06 and a 270 in the Sako A7. I will "never" sell them. I prefer the soft touch stock. Sako A7 300wsm is money!