Tikka T3 or Weatherby Sub MOA

[E. Johnson]

I'm shopping for a new rifle and have it down to the Tikka T3 Lite and the Weatherby Sub MOA in 300 WSM. I have a few questions about both and thanks for any help or advice.

1, Can you buy a simms recoil pad to fit the Tikka or do you have to buythe grind to fit?

2, I looked at both rifles and it seems the Weatherbyis built heavier.Will the Tikka hold up as well?

3, Are the rings that come with the Tikka quality rings or would you buy different rings?

4, Will the recoil be harsh because of the lite weight of the Tikka? I shoot a Browning A Bolt 270 now.

[pintailhomes]

I looked at a T3 for quite awhile, but never shot one. I went with my first choice a Weatherby SubMOA .30-06. I believe all the sub moa's come with the pachmayr recoil gel recoil pads and are quite comfy to shoot IMO.

I put all Leupold rings, bases, and scopes on my rifles just because I'm stubborn and that's the way I like it.

My Weatherby weighs 9 lbs unloaded with scope.

I just like the synthetic stock and raised buttplate of the Weatherby it just fits me well.

[hotled]

The Tikka T3 Lite is just that, Lite. At a shade over 6lb of course it will have more recoil, but it also has a huge price advantage and is also supposed to be MOA.
Your other option is the Tikka T3 SS Camo, or Laminated, that is a bit heavier at over 7lbs and still costs less.
I just went to the Weatherby site and saw a few of the Vans, are you looking at the Varmint?

[bugsNbows]

Either is fine although I personally own the Tikka. Both rifles can be very accurate. The Weatherby seemed heavy and blocky to me... compared to the Tikka. However, the Tikka does have some polymer parts which turn some people off. If you get a wood or laminated stock, grind to fit recoil pads are easily doable. Not sure about the synthetic versions. Mine is synthetic, but it's a 25/06 (little recoil) so I just left the butt pad on that came on the rifle. The rings that come with the Tikka are only o.k. IMO. The screws are soft, but they do fit the receiver dovetail nicely. You can certainly get better rings / bases should you so desire. A 300 WSM will have a good kick for sure (in the Tikka). The laminated versions are heavier and will thus absorb some of the recoil. I've shot a laminated Tikka in 270 WSM and it was not an issue what-so-ever. The Vanguard MOA's aren't cheap either. Maybe you should consider getting a Kimber. They are better (quality wise... IMO) than either the Tikka or the Vanguard. Godd luck in your decision.

[M77man]

I held them both and didn't like the feel for either of them. The stocks were too wide and flat underneath or something. If I had to pick between the two I would go with the Weatherby Sub MOA ~ A little nicer rifle.

Myself, I'm a Ruger, Remington, or Browning man.

And one other thing to mention...People say that the Rugers kick hard but wait until you get a hold of that Tika, THEN you will feel the all mighty kick!

[hotled]

One problem I have with the Kimber is the price[8D] If there was no limit on your budget then heck ya, Kimber, but if your on a budget you could get either rifle (tikka or wtby with great glass) for the Kimber price.

[bugsNbows]

I last Vanguard SMOA in 300 WSM I saw was right at $750. A Kimber Classic in 300 or 325 WSM is about $950. The Kimber Montana is about $1100. What's a couple of hundred bucks when it comes to a good rifle??? LOL Whatever lifts your skirt!