looking for a new rifle

[HighCountryHunter88]

I'm looking for a new rifle in 300 win mag and i really like the tikka t3 lite because its lite and accurate, my concern is that it only has a 22 inch barrel.. i also like the T/C Icon with a 24 inch barrel but its con a pound heavier. Is two inches on the barrel a big deal in accuracy? what do you guys think of each one? and what is your pick?

[ELKBURGER]

  Longer barrel increase velocities, not always accuracy. Also a lighter gun will kick harder. On a good note, I've always heard great things about the Tikka rifles

[jackelope]

22" seems short for a 300wm.
Thats about all I got.

[chrisb]

After doing some looking around again this weekend for parts/options for some of my rifles I've come to the conclusion that until something DRASTIC changes in the market I'm not buying any more rifles that aren't Remington 700's. I love all of my rifles but the readily available parts/accessories and lets not forget reliability of the 700 makes it difficult for me to look at any other options right now.

[whacker1]

After doing some looking around again this weekend for parts/options for some of my rifles I've come to the conclusion that until something DRASTIC changes in the market I'm not buying any more rifles that aren't Remington 700's. I love all of my rifles but the readily available parts/accessories and lets not forget reliability of the 700 makes it difficult for me to look at any other options right now.

I totally agree.

[Bofire]

 :)I love Tikkas, have owned a lot of rifles and shot alot of rifles for many years. Tikkas will outshoot most production rifles, plain and simple, accross the board. Unless you buy Sako.  You will find an occasional rifle, in Tikka, that is not accurate, you will find 10 rugers,rems etc, prolly 100(maybe a 1000) Howas,browning,weatherbys etc. that are not, if you tested 100's of rifles.
All that said I would not buy a 22 inch 300WM, you might as well get an 30/06. You need 24-26 inches to make it really work.
Carl

[carpsniperg2]

BUY THE TIKKA  sorry i had to yell it i am a huge sako/tikka fan and you will not be disappointed the t3lite we have that my wife takes to new zealand and my little brother hunts with here. great guns and great accuracy

[Thenewguy]

just go buy a sako A7. Not much more expensive but deffintely worth it

[carpsniperg2]

depends on the a7 some are well over 1200 and tikka t3 runs 500-650

i have been looking at the new 85  1700  i already have one sako that is worth that much and been looking at a christensen arms as well

[Bscman]

As much as I like remington, I'm very disappointed in their quality control lately...they've gone down hill pretty rapidly in the last couple years. Lots of accuracy and quality control complaints out there on the newer stuff...
Like EVERYONE else, they're switching to MiM on most of their small parts...which I have no problem with when they are properly fitted...but it seems there are a few manufacturers having difficulties with this step. Take a look at a current production Remington 870 for instance...ouch!

Tikka's are a great answer, but I know of three that have been sent back in the last couple months from local (Skagit Co.) shops due to accuracy issues. Everyone once in a while they pop one out that just WILL NOT shoot better than 3-4inches at 100yds. On the plus side, they have great customer support and they WILL make it right.

[HighCountryHunter88]

so what are your guys suggestions for a comparable rifle to the tikka in a 300 win with a longer barrel?

[carpsniperg2]

sako but your wallet will hurt with about 1.5-2x the price tag for a added 2" not worth it for me the tikka will do just fine ours shoot 3/4" all day long at 100

[thinkingman]

Tikka in magnum cartridges is 24".
Starndard cartridges 22"
Remingtons NEED lots of aftermarket support.

[carpsniperg2]

thats cool to know ours is a 22" barrel because it  is just 270 winchester never looked at a standard next to the mag i wonder if the short mags have the longer barrels on them aslo?

[HighCountryHunter88]

yea cabelas online says they're all 22 but Beretta's site says magnums are 24 sweat!! Thanks thinkingman

[Pathfinder101]

My sister has a Tikka in .260 Rem and she loves it.  That's all I've got to offer...

[MDGrand]

From a noted NW Riflesmith who gave me advice on buying a new rifle:

Learn to carry a heavier rifle.. the utlralights are not recommended
Magnums.. look for a 26" barrel because the velocity outlined on the box comes from a barrel with that length
Production rifles.. look for accuracy guarantees or really well known actions or models: i.e. Model 70, Rem 700, etc.

[thinkingman]

yea cabelas online says they're all 22 but Beretta's site says magnums are 24 sweat!! Thanks thinkingman

Welcome.
I have a 300wsm and 7-08.  look at them sxs all the time.
Buy the Tikka, and buy the SVL buttpad at the same time...you'll know what I mean.
I think it's the 10001 or 10011 model.
Might wanna consider upgrading from the factory rings, too.
Nice rifle if you're covering lots of ground.