ORIGINAL: Todd1700
As said before, get the Tikka andput the 400 to 500 dollars you save on a good scope.
I get such a kick out those who want to talk about the "plastic trigger guard or magazine". BTW synthetic composites have been around long enough you really need to start calling it by the right name.
LOL, good point. They are building airplanes out of synthetic composite materials but gosh darn it they still just aren't tough enough to serve as a trigger guard. If you drop your rifle on a hunt you are just as likely to damage your scope as you are the trigger guardon a Tikka.
I've never heard of anyone break a trigger guard on a Tikka or any other rifle for that matter. It's a total red herring.
Synthetics can and are engineered to be as strong and in some cases stronger than steel. You've heard of "Kevlar" right?!
I see many models of top quality shotguns with synethic trigger guards (e.g Benelli M2, Super Black Eagle II) are you telling me these are top of the line shotguns.
Tikka T3 s with their cold rolled stiff Sako free floating barrels, unique barrel to stock mounting system, solid smooth action, smooth crisp breaking adjustable trigger, crowned barrel end, solid rings mountings and other features are top of the line and together enable sub 1" groups at 100 yds out of the box on every Tikka T3 shipped.
I've got 2 that have shot deer and Elk out to 300 yards with a quality scope on them. They are one of the best and most accurate rifles out of the box without question. I can't help some peoplecan'tor refuse to acceptthe truth. It's their loss.
The gun store Manager I've bought mine from said that since the T3s have been introduced, they've sold more or them than any other firearm (i.e. rifle, shotgun or handgun) and they are one of the biggest firearms dealing in the southern 1/3 of our state. I've described just a few of the reasons why.