my coyote hunting partner has a tikka. he LOVES it... just like i LOVE my winchester model 70.

i will say that his tikka holds the same if not better groups at 100 yards (given the performance of both rifles, it's hard to tell who's cloverleaf of stacked up shots is tighter)

both our rifles have wood stocks. but the tikka with a synthetic stock is quite a bit cheaper than a winchester model 70 featherweight.

it's not the rifle, it's they guy holdng it that puts stuff on the ground... but only when the rifle works properly.

i ended up with winchester because i too used to own bargain rifles. but never again!

i think you'd be happy with either tikka or winchester. even a remington 700 would be a good choice.