I just purchased my new big game hunting rifle.
I got the Tikka T3 in stynthetic stock.
It is a 300win mag and I am mounting a Nikon 4.5-14 on top of it.

Im gonna go through the barrel break in process to increase its shooting.

Anyone else have a tikka?

You bought by far the best rifle in that price range.

I have always liked Sako's and when shopping for mid-priced hunting rifles, the Tikka really stood out.
I know that Remington and Winchester have their fans and that Savage and Ruger will put em where you point em but the feel of the Tikka and the finish and machining was so much better than the others, it was no contest.
The factory accuracy guarantee was the deciding factor.
I bought T3's in wood/blued 300WSM and S/SS 7mm-08....the 7-08 is the coolest thing. That is the most fun to shoot and will do anything I need in the PNW.
Great guns.
Where'd you get yours and where do you shoot?

catcher,
so where did you get the gun, Yeagers? (i'm also from b'ham). I've looked at them several times and they really impress me! What length barrel did you get? Or i should ask (or go ask for myself) do they make one with a 26in. barrel (in the 300 win mag.) I know a guy who bought one in 30-06 and loves the gun. Look forward to you report and overall impression.
chumsalmon

Nice gun Catcher. I'm looking for a Tikka myself, but have yet to find exactly what I'm looking for (SS/Laminate T3 in 7mm Rem Mag or 270). Apparently its a new model for 2004. If you are interested there is a lot of disussion on http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpnuke/index.php regarding Tikka guns.

I look forward to hearing a range report.
JMS

I was going to get the short mag but decided it wasnt the best decision because if I happen to forget the bullets when going hunting , where we go isnt going to have a box of 300wsm sittin on the shelf. and the 300 is plenty of gun.

I got mine down at Kesslerings Gun Shop. off of the old HW.

I believe its a 26" barrel. I wanted stainless but they didnt have it.

I upgraded my .300 win mag for the .300 WSM and haven't looked back! Better balistics with factory ammo, and less recoil to boot!

FYI, I was in Mackay Idaho last fall and picked up an extra box in a service station, next to the .270 WSM. . .both are here to stay and gaining popularity every day.

goforchrome, Those 7mm08's Are Awesome,
We Have Three And My uncle has One.

We use 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. They proform Awesome on Deer, Antelope, coyotes, cougar, sage rats, pairie dogs Ect.

Congrats on your new rifle. I sure like what I've seen and read about the Tikka - I'd own one except for one small problem - no left hand actions. Rats!

Are you set on the 4.5x14? You may want to consider one of the 2.5x 10s or 3x12s. Unless you plan on shooting over 1000 yards Just trying to help The stainless barrels are nice but stick out like a sore thumb. So do bright blued ones and shiny stocks. The barrel break-in is completely unnecessary. [Assuming the firearm is of good quality] inaccuracy is usually the result of the shooter, not the gun. Hope this helps.

I looked at a couple Tikkas in Kesselrings the other day. They had a 300 not sure if it's win mag or wsm and a 270. Both were blued barrels with leupold scopes. Both were in the $600-$700 price range. I don't know much about the Tikkas, is this a good price? Looking for a good straight shooter for possibly 300-400 yd shots in the open sage brush & wheat fields. Any suggestions on caliber and scope? Mulies & whitetail mostly, possibly elk???

Thanks
Shane

Get a Tikka 300 win mag. that is a pretty decent price for them with a scope on...
and they will only get more expensive as they are the best buy on the market right now.

If you're debating between the WSM and the Win Mag, consult a balistics table. The WSM is superior from the factory, and the ammunition is shorter so you get a lighter action. Either is an effective caliber, and will do the job at the distances you're talking about.

FP

Looked up the ballistics table on the Winchester website...

300 Win. Mag.
180 Grain
3.340 inches (cartridge length)
2,960 fps
-11.9 inches at 300 yards
3503 ft. lbs

300 WSM
180 Grain
2.860 inches (cartridge length)
2,970 fps
-11.7 inches at 300 yards
3,526 ft. lbs.

If I read that right the WSM is faster, flatter, and harder hitting???

f.y.i.
Shane

Either of you want to buy a Tikka 300WSM?
I'm moving and some of it has got to go.....

how much?

Camofish,

You read correctly. I don't think the difference is that significant, but I appreciate the short-action in the WSM.

FP

Actually, with everything else being equal, the 300 Win Mag will have at least 100 feet per second over the 300 WSM. It would be impossible for the WSM to outperform the standard 300 Win Mag, as the case is smaller and holds less powder. In reality, there is virtually no difference between the two cartridges ballistically, not enough that a deer, elk, or the guy behind the gun is going to see any difference whatsoever.

GFC~

How much do you want for the 300WSM? I'm interested. Scope included? Pictures?

Thanks,
Shane

I bought the gun in October for $540 and it has less than a box of rounds through it.
Comes with factory rings that are pretty nice.
I put a Burris FFII on it and I really don't want to sell the scope. Those Burris scopes are sweet!
I would sell the gun for about $500.
It is 'as new'
If the gun and scope together, $700.
2 or 3 boxes of ammo go with (that's about $80 worth of ammo!)
That's a decent deal AND you save sales tax.
Let me know.