A buddy's looking for a new 7mm Mag deer rifle- Tikka T3, or Remington 700?

[h2ofowlr]

I have the Tikka on the .7mm.  Good gun and I have it in the Rem. 700.  Both are shooters.

[RailRob]

I have owned both. I am about to buy a Remington 700 long range in 7mm mag. Whats good about the 700's is the ability to do whatever you want to them. I felt the recoil more on my Tikka .270 more than my Remington 700 30.06 . If you decide on tikka consider a muzzle brake

[j_h_nimrod]

If you’re looking strictly for “out of box” accuracy, I would favor the Tikka T3 between the two you have asked about. An interesting test would be to take ten out-of-box T3s, ten out-of-box 700s and run an accuracy test between them. I believe the Tikkas would have a slight edge. I’ve not known of a Tikka T3 that didn’t shoot well out of the box.

That said, no custom rifle makers that I’m aware of uses Tikka actions. Many, if not a majority use 700 actions. With work, a 700 can usually become as or more accurate than any other actioned rifle.

As far as aesthetics go, the Tikkas generally don’t score well - some believe they look and feel cheap. If that bothers you, get a 700 or expand your search to some of the other makes mentioned.

It seems that no one talks much about their Remington accuracy anymore, maybe it is just a "given" now and people take it for granted. That being said I have never been impressed with a box Remington, for accuracy they have been on par with all the Rugers I have had and a sloppy second to Winchester or Tikka at the similar price point. A Remington is kind of like a hammer, not much by itself but you can use it to build something. IMO as far as look and feel, most of the base Remingtons (SPS, XCR, CDL, etc.) feel as cheap as any out there. Some would say the reason there are so many aftermarket options for the Remington is because they need them

[coachcw]

If he just wants a good shooter it will be hard to beat a tika.  Don't scrimp on ammo  real it in right and only breach to muzzle cleaning . If he wants to do any custum work then the remington is the way to go . The savages shot really well too. The 116 is a  good route .

[longwalker]

out of the box under a grand you will not beat a tikka. recoil by the way would be the last thing i consider if at all when buying a rifle. is it hitting what im aiming it at being the primary concern....

[longwalker]

That said, no custom rifle makers that I’m aware of uses Tikka actions. Many, if not a majority use 700 actions. With work, a 700 can usually become as or more accurate than any other actioned rifle.

my buddy has two customs built on tikka actions. i havent shot his 300 yet but the first time i got behind his 6.5 i bulls eyed about a 1 1/2 MOA rock at a 1000. gun smith told him he didn't do anything to the action, because he didn't need to.

[bobcat]

Why would recoil be the last thing to consider? That's one of the first things I consider. A rifle that causes you to develop a flinch is worse than a rifle that will only shoot 1-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

[coachcw]

As far as recoil the synthetic tika  art bad .my kids 300 wsm.isn't bad at all.

[longwalker]

Why would recoil be the last thing to consider? That's one of the first things I consider. A rifle that causes you to develop a flinch is worse than a rifle that will only shoot 1-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

i dont flinch

[Bob33]

That said, no custom rifle makers that I’m aware of uses Tikka actions. Many, if not a majority use 700 actions. With work, a 700 can usually become as or more accurate than any other actioned rifle.

my buddy has two customs built on tikka actions. i havent shot his 300 yet but the first time i got behind his 6.5 i bulls eyed about a 1 1/2 MOA rock at a 1000. gun smith told him he didn't do anything to the action, because he didn't need to.

Good to hear. I think they're nice actions.

[bobcat]

Why would recoil be the last thing to consider? That's one of the first things I consider. A rifle that causes you to develop a flinch is worse than a rifle that will only shoot 1-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

i dont flinch

I used to have a pretty bad flinch, many years ago, because my dad gave me a 264 Win. Mag. for my first deer rifle. 

[longstevo]

Alright, now a little background.  I, myself, have been hunting my whole life, and spent ten years hunting MF with a Remington 7mm WSM.  I killed everything I ever shot at, and now I hunt with a Ruger M77 in 7mm Mag, and so far I'm 2/2 on that one as well.  I usually stick with something that works and don't change it for the life of me.

My buddy on the other hand is getting into hunting a little late in his life.  He started at age 26 with some hand me down stuff, to include a rifle, from his father in law.  The rifle he's been using is a Model 740 Woodsmaster in 30-06.  It's a good thing he's never had to pull the trigger on anything.  We went out shooting this last weekend, and between yet ANOTHER jam in his auto loader and having him try my M77, he's giving the Woodsmaster back to his dad in law and is now in the market for a 7mm.

He swung by Fisherman's to get their 2 cents, and the gun counter guy told him to forget about the new 700s because of their unreliability, and handed him the Tikka and the Savage 110.  He was taken aback by the lightweight feel of the Tikka, and now he's torn.

He's trading in a Vanguard Weatherby in .300 to go towards whatever 7mm he decides on. 

[mountainman]

Either would be a good choice

[Bob33]

You posted earlier that you don't flinch. What does that have to do with your friend?

If he hasn't shot much he may well flinch with a light 7mm Magnum.

[carpsniperg2]

I have a few magnum tikka rifles. If the recoil bothers him or might get a limbsaver recoil pad on it. Very easy DIY and it really tames down the recoil. I am not recoil sensitive but I like a little longer length on my stocks so I put them on most my tikka's regardless of caliber since they are a little longer then the stock pad.