Did your friend call Berreta for an RMA to have his Tikka looked at? If I spend money like so many others paid $600 and it jammed, its going back for warranty. Yes it cost money to send it back for warranty because unlike many, Tikka does not want rifles returned just because, there actually has to be an issue. Whom ever you talk to at Berreta will go through their spiel about lowest QC return rate, how many are sent back for non work, stuff like that before issuing RMA. I sent back firearms from manufactures all the time for this and that to come back, adjusted, cleaned and lubed, polished feed ramp, meaning nothing wrong and wasted time and money. I sold firearms to include Tikka for well over a decade, only once did any Tikka come back or customers claim there was an issue and after sending his 300wm in for accuracy and his complaining he bought junk, it was found that its not a bench rifle to hold long round counts under 1moa, its a hunting rifle for 1 shot and a follow up or 2 and the recoil of a light weight 300wm some shooters will flinch (this was his problem). His came back with under an inch targets with the ammo he claimed he shot and they charged him $50 for non warranty issue. And he was really mad and said he would go and claim how bad there were on the web. They told him upfront if there is no issues they were charging him $50. Not that Tikka cannot have a QC issue. And anything mechanical can and will at time have issues when you need them most.
To me Tikka is the best off the shelf bargain in a hunting rifle. Even rifles that cost twice as much or more gain virtually nothing. Save the money for hunting trips. Tikka T3 in 338wm is or was the superb hunting rifle for AK. But very hard to manage the recoil. When they were avail, everyday someone was looking for one, could not stock enough to meet the demand. I wish the guys at SW / Cabelas would bring it back in the SL.
For long action Tiika T3 SL is my preferred. Its shorter and lighter than the Kimber. But you have to purchase at SW or Cabelas or used. Spare mags are avail now.
For short action Kimber Hunter is shorter and lighter than the Tikka. Spare mags don't know, haven't seen any on the shelves.
What unit do you hunt?
Good luck!
