If you can afford the Sako, get it. The Tikka is a great rifle, if you can find a Whitetail Hunter, but I've heard the quality isn't quite there with the T-3. It's made in the Sako warehouse anyway, and they just do some things to keep the cost down. I'd get the Sako if I had a choice.

Also, I much prefer laminated wood to the synthetic stocks out there for a couple of reasons. 1. They will not absorb moisture like a regular wooden stock will. In this regard, they are almost as waterproof as the synthetic. 2. They aren't nearly as noisy as a hollow fiberglass shell of the synthetic stock. 3. They are a whole lot warmer on your face in the middle of winter than the plastic stocks are. 4. Not really an issue in the .223 caliber that you are getting, but on heavier kicking rifles, the added weight helps absorb that recoil.

Good luck to you, and welcome to the board.