Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

[jaxfreebird]

I have done a few builds on Rem 700s and would like to try a new brand for a 300 WM to go into a XLR. Was looking at the base models of Weatherby (vanguard), Savage (110) and Tikka (T3). I was wondering if someone with experience in 2 or more of these could give me some insight as to which had better accuracy right out of the box.

Id rather not hear from people with experience with only one ("My Tikka is the best"). Was hoping I could get an opinion from someone who can compare 2 or even 3. I know the weatherby has a sub MOA guarantee but Ive heard the savage and tikkas are also good shooters "as is"

Thanks!!!

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Tikka T3. Enough said. I have experience with both the Savage and the Tikka, but never played with the Weatherby.

 

[SJshooter]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I've handled (not fired) weatherbys, and own both a savage and a tikka. When I was down between either buying a tikka or weatherby for my first gun, I handled both in a store and immediately liked the tikka better. I'll need regret that decision.

Prior to building my .308, I hadn't handled a savage before, but found one at a great price and had heard great things, so I snagged it.

Now, after having handled and shot both my tikka and savage side by side, I like my tikka better.... BUT! I like knowing that I have the ability to change between calibers by myself.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

When you say build.. do you me just upgrade the stock?

If you mean build as in just using the receiver, then unless you have the proper tooling, I'd say Savage b/c all you need is a nut wrench and some go/no-go gauges. The others will require professional gunsmiths to do barrel installs.

I've not had/held a Weatherby and not seen much on them outside of hunting talk. I have several Savages and a Tikka. Both have their plus/minus. Savage is easy to do a full build on just the receiver. Barrels are easy to get and screw right on with basic tools. The actions are kind of "loose" feeling b/c of the floating bolt head, but that floating bolt head is also an advantage. Some love the Accu-Trigger, some hate. Tikka's have a super slick action and very nice trigger. Aftermarket is not as good for Tikka as Savage. Savage is #2 right after Rem 700 as far as aftermarket. If you go with a Tikka T3, all the actions are basically long actions, no matter what caliber you get. I think their "Tactical" versions have true short actions (if that is what you want). Both have exceptional accuracy out of the box from my experiences.

I'd say if you want to do lots of upgrades other than just the stock, get a Savage.
If you are just going to drop in a aftermarket stock, it's a toss-up between Savage and Tikka. Get the one with the trigger and barrel specs you like best.

 

[jaxfreebird]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Appreciate the feedback.

I have a few Rem 700s that I have done trigger jobs on and/or replaced with Timneys. I have learned to glass bed and optimize all of my mounts. My gunsmith has always trued the action or installed barrels.

Hawk45 My plan is to upgrade the stock as soon as I get the gun (XLR) but then shoot several hundred rounds or so through it to determine what kind of accuracy Im getting. If I can get around 0.5 - 0.7 inch groups at 100' that is all I need. My goal with this rig is just to shoot out to 600 yds accurately. Id like to avoid having to put on a new barrel and playing with the action. Dont mind adding a trigger if needed but trying to find a gun that shoots well enough out of the box to avoid the added expenses as it will likely be a safe queen that gets used by visiting friends for hunting trips.

I have usually bought the cheaper rem700s and played with them to get them down to 1/2 moa in my hands. Ive never bought a Rem700 that shot anything close to that out of the box. (but then again Im not buying the 5R either...) Just looking for a gun to shoot decent out of the box for a decent price ~$700 (Already have a used XLR for it)

 

[Layton]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Based on the above a 700 or Tikka. For the trigger and out of box accuracy I'd go with a Tikka. More aftermarket for the 700 but their are enough for the Tikka given you really will only replace the stock and eventually the barrel. Their triggers are usually pretty damn good and you don't need to true the action. You'll end up saving a few $ in the long run.

L

 

[SJshooter]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Based on info you just gave, go with a tikka. Don't even hesitate. I dropped mine in an XLR also, and it's sexy and shoots better than I can... With the factory barrel still on.

 

[jaxfreebird]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Sounds like Tikka is an ovewhelming favorite thus far.
Anyone have an opinion/experience with the Weatherby Vanguard? I find it interesting they have a sub MOA guarantee on a $550 gun.

 

[dogmessiah]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I have never played with the Tikka's, and don't know a lot about them so I will not offer an opinion on them, but have played a lot with the savages and had a Howa 1500 which is the exact same action as the weatherby. (Howa makes the weatherby vanguard series)

I am a big savage fan, that being said the savage action is not the most refined in the industry and has some negatives in addition to it's positives. The largest negative in my opinion is that the bolt operation isn't that smooth. It isn't horrendous but it isn't super nice either. It also does not have an integral recoil lug. On the plus side is being made in America, the floating bolt head and being able to do barrel switches at home. The floating bolt head removes the need to get the action trued, and for a little money in relatively inexpensive tools you can go to any caliber you want that fits that action size for cheaper than any of the other actions named.

My howa was a pencil barrel and would still do under MOA. They use Remington bases which is probably a plus for you. My action was smooth, and I mean really smooth. They have since changed the trigger and I am not familiar with the new design, but mine was adjustable (so are the new ones), and by filing on the back of the trigger so that it did not run into the safety as soon you could adjust it to be scary light with no creep. In my opinion it was the best factory trigger I have ever played with. The howa also has an integral recoil lug which is a big plus. In my opinion there are two major negatives to the howa actions. One is that the barrel uses metric threads so it cost an extra $75 or so (depending on what the smith is tooled to do) to do a rebarrel. The other is that they aren't made in America.
I wound up selling off the howa and keeping my savages simply because I can do barrel swaps at home, and it is like a tinker toy for grownups

 

[CaptRob]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I have owned Tikkas, Weatherbys and Savages. They all shoot good but the Tikka is definitely more accurate out of the box and has a better feel/balance to it. I would highly recommend the Tikka.

 

[jaxfreebird]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

Well it does seem that tikka is getting the majority of nods around here. I wouldnt mind changing the barrel on a savage but my goal with this particular gun is to hopefully find a shooter out of the box that wont require a barrel change and wont get fired all that often.

For those that have recommended tikka I assume the T3 Lite is best? I wouldnt imagine there is a huge difference in the other versions if Im going to change out the stock for a chassis?

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

If you want light weight, get a T3. If you want a heavy barrel, get a varmint or tactical.

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I have been able to handle and shoot all mentioned and have to say my pick would be the Tikka. I own an Howa and will never get rid of it, but the Tikka will be a better pick for out of the box. The Savage while being quite accurate leaves something to be desired as far as fit/finish and overall feel. They are not smooth at all and almost feel sloppy. They do work however, they just don't do it for me. As for the Weatherby, just go with the Howa. You save about $100 for a stamped on name.

The Tikka is my choice for the following reasons: 1st the action is butter smooth. The trigger is beautiful right out of the box and I have yet to see a Tikka that didn't print 1/2 MOA out of the box. Also the design of the action is slightly stiffer than the others. A hands down winner!

If made in USA is a big deal to you then you are stuck with the Savage. If it's not you have three great choices and all have the potential for greatness.

 

[ddavis]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

My Tikka IS the best.

Tikka>Weatherby>Savage

I've owned all three. The Weatherby was a wood stocked hunting rifle. I bought it because the stock on it was beautiful and belonged on a much more expensive model. It shot decently, and had a solid old world Mauser feel to it. It was very heavy though, which is why I sold it. I then went through the Savage thing for a couple years, barrel nut wrenches, switch barrels and all. The novelty of switching barrels wore off after a while, and the actions were loose and sloppy, though they were fairly accurate.

Now my bolt action rifles are a stock Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55 and a heavy barreled Tikka T3 in an XLR stock chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Honestly I wouldn't even consider any of the major manufacturers such as Remington or Savage anymore. The Tikka does everything better.
-Dan

 

[rusty815]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I have a weatherby and a savage, and to me the savage is your best choice out of the three to build on. my savage is the most accurate rifle I've ever fired, the weatherby is definitely accurate but not at the level my savage is. I do love the design of the weatherby, though, and the action is smooth as glass, even after nearly thirty years of abuse (if you guys see how we treat our rifles when we hunt here in southern cali, you'd cringe). The savage is your best bet for the best accuracy and customizability ootb.

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: r</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The savage is your best bet for the best accuracy and customizability ootb.</div></div>

After market upgrades yes, accuracy not so much. At the end of the day they will be about even.

 

[MagnumSecurity]

Re: Savage, Tikka or Weatherby Build?

I have a Tikka T3 and a Savage 116FCSS. The Savage is the better shooter of the two. I also prefer a safety that allows me to unload when on safe and my Tikka doesn't allow that. The model Savage that I have is more expensive than the Tikka. Based on my experiences, my next purchase would be a Savage over Tikka.

Another negative with Tikka is if you ever have to deal with Beretta (they own Tikka), you will probably be disappointing. Savage is a great company to deal with. I have not had to send in any thing to them, but am considering some upgrades and they were helpful and the cost is better than any deal I could ever get anywhere else. Dealing with Beretta was a nightmare for me. Based on a Silver Pigeon V shotgun. Ask some dealers discreetly about them and I think you will get the idea.

 

[dgswen]

I currently have 2 weatherby vanguards ( 7mm-08, 7mm RM) and have had various other brands in the past. I have come to like the howa action over all others.
The problem I have ran into is as follows: while aftermarket parts are becoming more plentiful, they are still lacking for Long Actions.

Concerning stocks for example, I can get pretty much anything for a s/a but all I have found for l/a include b&c Monte Carlo hunter type, hogue, and long ass wait time manners, and maybe wannabe chassis Knoxx
Manners clearly the best option but maybe the only high end option.

/shrug. I'd be alright with the b&c but hard to put a kydex adjustable on a Monte Carlo rollover cheek.

As a final note. This lack of selection is causing me problems in that the 708 S/A is my metallic silhoette rifle, good to have Monte Carlo for offhand.
The 7RM is my LRP only, can't use the mag for silhouette and want prone stock with adjustable cheek.


Yeah. I just necro'ed that shit with my aimless rambling.

 

[shootin]

Kind of seems like 2 different questions. Tikka is the best action out of the box, Savage can be pretty rough out of the box but great for DIY projects with its barrel system and aftermarket.

I don't have much experience with Weatherby/Howa.

 

[shootin]

my goal with this particular gun is to hopefully find a shooter out of the box that wont require a barrel change and wont get fired all that often.

In that case I vote Tikka.

 

[BionicSniper]

Tikka, it is what I am going with after a few months of research as well.

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

Can't say enough great things about my Tikka! You'll love it.

 

[getsqurly]

Tikka! Hands down. Find a varmint model if you can.