I'm thinking of using something a little lighter than my .270 next deer season.

First choices so far are the Savage model 14 or the Tikka T3 Hunter. Opinions on which is better?

Also, first choice for caliber is .243 Win; any other suggestions?

Tikka also makes the T3 Lite. Too light for my needs/tates, but might be what you're looking for. Can also get it in SS.

I have a Laminated Stainless in .270: great rifle.

Savage will be less expensive, however.

Good luck,

jonas

savage is good but if i have the cash (and they're not a lot) Give Me The Tikka. any of the 08 offspring would be fine. if you don't intend on using it for any varment i would really look at the 7mm08. but i have a hankering for em. (both the 7mm08 & the tikka's)

JJ79 - The Tikka T3 is very light, as Jonas points out; however, I took a chance on a "Lite SS" in a 30/06, expecting to sacrifice recoil for carriability. With a fairly heavy scope and "loaded", my T3 Lite weighs in just under 7 1/2 pounds. I was surprised that the recoil is not much more than my Rem 700C, .270 Win that weighs in a "8". The well designed stock and recoil pad has a lot to due with the reduction in felt recoil. You should have no problem with a T3 in such a "pleasant" shooting (read - lack of recoil) round like the .243. The Tikka also has a superb trigger and is tremendously accurate with a barrel that has more weight and steel out front than most "featherweights".
The Savage you mentioned is also a very accurate gun that weighs a bit more, and has a very good trigger if it is the new "Accurate Trigger" (assuming you like the "tab"), and is mated to a "short" action. The Savage is less money, but I much prefer the Tikka for function, balance, accuracy, and handling characteristics. My 2 cents - Riley

JJ79 - The Tikka T3 is very light, as Jonas points out; however, I took a chance on a "Lite SS" in a 30/06, expecting to sacrifice recoil for carriability. With a fairly heavy scope and "loaded", my T3 Lite weighs in just under 7 1/2 pounds. I was surprised that the recoil is not much more than my Rem 700C, .270 Win that weighs in a "8". The well designed stock and recoil pad has a lot to due with the reduction in felt recoil. You should have no problem with a T3 in such a "pleasant" shooting (read - lack of recoil) round like the .243. The Tikka also has a superb trigger and is tremendously accurate with a barrel that has more weight and steel out front than most "featherweights".
The Savage you mentioned is also a very accurate gun that weighs a bit more, and has a very good trigger if it is the new "Accurate Trigger" (assuming you like the "tab"), and is mated to a "short" action. The Savage is less money, but I much prefer the Tikka for function, balance, accuracy, and handling characteristics. My 2 cents - Riley

Riley:

Nice to hear about the weight of the Lite. I avoided it for a couple reasons, the primary of which is actualy weight. Good to know it's not too light. The trigger is outstanding, as you noted..and easily adjustable.

Tikkas should still be available for $500-700...depending.

jonas

Tikka makes a good solid rig. Savage, well I dont like the 110's astetics or the tabbed trigger thingy. Its a good idea, its adjustable, but its not for me. Absolutly love the 243win for shooting ground hog, coyote, and whitetail. Mine's an older rem 700, and its one of the select with a permant spot in the gun cabinet. One other thing is stick to the 100gr bullets when shooting deer, and the 55's are "x" rated on woodchuck

Agree with all these guys about the Tikkas. Much nicer fit, finish, and triggers than the Savages.

The 243 is adequate for deer. If you want the rifle to double as a varmint rig, this is the a fantastic caliber. If just want a lighter deer rifle, the 7-08 and 260 are great choices. The 7-08 has a verstility advantage.

You can also load light or buy the reduce rcoil factory loads, and shoot the 270.

I have a T3 lite Stainless 270 and I really like it. I have also owned a Savage 110 in the recent past and I can't think of one thing the Savage did better than the Tikka other than cost me less money. The Tikka is lighter, shoots better, has a better trigger and fit and finish. I used it on a high country Mule Deer hunt in Wyoming this fall and I really appreciated the lighter weight. I traded my 270 M700 Rem mountain rifle off after buying the Tikka. The Tikka just shot better which may be partly due the fact that it has a significantly heavier barrel than the Mountain rifle but still is a little bit lighter overall. The Savage was OK, but if I had the extra money, I'd go with the Tikka.

By saying "something lighter" the way I read it you're referring to a lighter caliber, not gun weight. If you're looking at a lighter caliber, then some of the common calibers that would do a fine job are the 243, 260, 7-08, less common but a fine round also is the 257 Roberts. Sounds like you have your rifles pretty much picked and I can't comment too much on them as I don't own either. But I've heard many good things about both and also if you weren't aware, the Tikka is made by Sako, which is known for it's excellent firearms (or was). Another consideration in the same price range is the CZ, great shooters as well.

SMK, I think another part of why your Tikka shot better is I'm betting it has a much better trigger than the M700. Though I like my M700, I don't care much for the trigger and I think it affects my groups somewhat due to creep and it's not as crisp as it could be. I got a Timney trigger for it but have yet to put it in.

well, sounds like Tikka so far... did some research, and Tikka definitely looks like the better choice - fit/finish, 1/2 pound lighter, MSRP of the Tikka is only $30 more than the Savage...and Tikka includes scope rings!!

a question for the Tikka owners... how difficult is it to adjust the trigger?

a question for the Tikka owners... how difficult is it to adjust the trigger?

Havent had to, yet. Supposedly easy...however, its so good as it (+/- 3 lbs), i don't have any need to change. Its very crisp and short. No creep.

I think if you to the Tikka site (www.tikka.fi), I know you can get the manual, so it should show you there....

http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/manuals/TikkaT3_RH.pdf
Page 16

jonas

It's very easy to adjust -turn the screw one way for easier pull and the other way for harder pull - takes only seconds and you don't have to remove the stock, just the plate that goes around the clip and the trigger on the bottom of the stock.

M1
Actually, I installed a Holland Gunsmithing trigger spring on my M700 and was able to adjust it to 2.5 lbs with almost no discernible creep - the same as I have adjusted my Tikka to. I also glass bedded the M700, replaced the firing pin assembly with the old style without the lock and recrowned it to remove the huge burr that it came from the factory with and it did shoot OK, but the Tikka shot better out of the box and was lighter.

I'm surprised. But my old M700 is over 20 years old and with things I've heard recently regarding Rem quality....I don't know. Mine shoots well but I know a trigger would help a lot. I guess this goes to show why it's getting harder for american made firearms to compete when you have makers such as Tikka and CZ producing such great shooting rifles for good prices.

Everything is "right" on my Tikka. The lugs on the bolt make
100% contact, the barrel is free of intenal buggers, and
everything is "in spec" including the alignment of the scope rings. The trigger "breaks" like a glass rod and is simple to adjust. It is the most accurate out of the box sporting rifle
I've owned over 40 years. Sadly, most of my Amercan made factory rifles are history. I got tired of spending money on them to get them "into spec". About $540 out the door for
My T3 Light .270 Win. inc. scope rings....and sub-MOA groups
without any tweaking, blueprinting, or lapping. Ugly, the synthetic stock fits great and minimizes felt recoil.

jhpsr,
I have to agree with you about the bolt locking lugs both bearing evenly. That is one of the first things I check on a bolt gun when I first start to set one up. I have 5 Tikkas and on all five both lugs bear very evenly. I just don't see that on a lot of bolt guns - although I think the swiveling bolt head on the Savage takes care of this issue.

I have been very well pleased with my Savage. I absolutely love the Accu-Trigger, and the thng is very accurate. Consider me the minority I guess. A dead animal doesn't really care how fancy the finish on your gun is. Some of us prefer function over fashion.

I have been very well pleased with my Savage. I absolutely love the Accu-Trigger, and the thng is very accurate. Consider me the minority I guess. A dead animal doesn't really care how fancy the finish on your gun is. Some of us prefer function over fashion.

The posts seem to indicate the Tikka is very functional, and didn't get the impression fashion was more important? My Savage .223 is my most accurate rifle and looks pretty good to me, love the trigger, and the price was RIGHT. Have not had a Tikka, but they sound like a sound, performing rifle to be considered.

Dan

The posts seem to indicate the Tikka is very functional, and didn't get the impression fashion was more important? My Savage .223 is my most accurate rifle and looks pretty good to me, love the trigger, and the price was RIGHT. Have not had a Tikka, but they sound like a sound, performing rifle to be considered.

Dan

Dan:

I'll stick up for the Tikka's looks! At least, as far as the SS Laminated is concerned. Really nice looking rifle. SS is matte, so its not blinding. My father has one as well, but the shop owner was willing to swap the SS for blued action/barrel. Very nice looking also. The laminated stock is not too heavy, and per several sources...is made right here in Vermont (http://www.rutply.com/sbond.htm), so I'm even more partial...

Now, I have handled the "Lite" model quite a bit. It won't win any beauty contests, but it's certainly nowhere near the worst thing out there. There are a couple of things with how it looks/feels that I'm not a huge fan of...but definitly not anything that would keep it from getting the job done. It's all taste at that point anyway: regardless of how it looks, its an excellent rifle, especially given the price

jonas

I can just say I have a Tikka T3 SS laminat - cal. 22-250 and for that type of money you get a great rifle, what you can compare with mush more expensive brands. It works perfect in all weather (sommer - winter)

I recomend you to try it! / MrHunter

We have both a savage 110 in 243, my sons, and tikka t-3 light stainless in 7mm-08 thats mine. Both are excellent guns, very accurate. both are great calibers. My edge goes to the tikka. I love the trigger as is, and I have two other guns with major trigger work. I love the light weight. The lighter the better I decided the last time up a wyoming mountain as my old 06 began to feel like 20 lbs (thin air we'll call it not age). The tikka shoots tight groups everytime. (1moa is true with mine) The savage, pretty good I like to say, it's my way of showing up a son who's getting pretty good. The action is so silky smooth I thought something was missing. the safety is quiet and positive. There is nothing bad at all about this gun. I did learn one tip. When you put in your clip you should hear TWO clicks. No I never lost one. I wouldn't want anyone else to either. Enjoy which ever you choose.