Hi im new to hunting/firearms and looking for my first rifle. I was wondering if anyone has any testemonialswithtikkat3 lite, savage model 11 or weatherby/vanguard stainless? The tikka feels so nice, the savage is supposofly really accurate and a good bang for your buck. So if someone could let me know about each company and their field reputation that would be awesome.

Also im looking either get a .270 or .308

if that helps

THANKS

I tried a tikka out about 6 months ago and have sincebought 2 tikka lite's. I got a 300wsm stainless and liked it so much I went and got one ina 308. Both shoot less than 1" groups and my 308 is less than a 1/2" groups @ 100yds. I'm not a big vargaurd fan and the savage bolts are to sloppy and clunky feeling. The tikka's are guaranteed to shoot 1" or better groups at 100yds. There is a thread under the firearms forum. It's labled Tikka T3. There are 7pages worth of post and not one person had a bad thing to say. You won't be sorry by going with the Tikka. But get what you feel comfortable with. They will all shoot pretty good. A savage is a savage. Vanguards are decent but I've seen someissues with them in magazine articles and stuff, and Tikka's are an offshoot of a Sako which is a high dollargun. Tikka and Sako's are imported by Beretta. IfBeretta puts their name on ityou can gaurantee it isn't junk.Good luck

I just got a tikka T3 in 7mm rem mag. Fantastic is the first word that comes to mind. I don't have experience with the others you mentioned, but my tikka is my new all around gun.

I have an Ithaca LSA65 which I bought in 1975, it is made by Tikka, I also have 3 Savage rifles, which are American made, and they will all out shoot the Tikka. The Tikka does feel better, and has a slicker bolt. It's also the most effective rifle I've ever touched for running game, almost like it has radar. I have no experience with the Vanguard, so no comment on it.

My dad loves his Tikka and I love my Savage. Most Savages are ugly to many gun enthusiasts.[X(] When I learned why the action is ugly, I fell in love. Also, the Savage will shoot more accurate than most other guns which sell from the Savage price to double. For example, my Savage shot it's first groups in 300WSM with 30-30 bullets. Those groups were .60" at 100 yards. I can't wait to run real bullets through it. Savage pillar beds them, button rifles their barrels and gives you a good(accutrigger) trigger. I can't argue with that, but I will be finishing the bedding myself. Nobody esle is throwing these features in at this price.

My dad's Tikka, shoots under an inch with most bullets he has tried at 100. It has a detachable mag and I think it came with rings. My dad threw a cheap Leupoldd on, but I think I would look at a Zeiss, if I were you.

Both are good guns for the money. Just figure out what you want. The Savage may have a slight lead with smiths and tuners. I think the Tikka is more preferred by hunters.

I think you would be impressed and would like the Tikka. I just recently purchased a T3 Lite in .25-06. The gun it replaced was a Savage model 16(stainless/synthetic). The Savage was a good shooter but the Tikka felt better in my hands and so far is every bit as accurate. I havefriend witha Weatherby Vanguard in .300 Wby, and he is impressed with that gun as well. All three rifles are reasonably priced and should all be good shooters.

yeah when i first held the tikka i fell in love....then i played with the boltomg. then i was like k i have to get this. the savage did feel clunky. to nksmfamjpquote of "Most Savages are ugly to many gun enthusiasts.[X(] When I learned why the action is ugly, I fell in love." - what do you mean exactly.

thanks. this is alot of help for me. you guys rule

It is ugly, IMHO because of the short bolt shroud and the joint in the middle of the bolt. Without getting too technical, this is how Savage gets both lugs to bear on the receiver without fancy machining. That means accuracy. Also, the barrel nut is ugly, but makes adjustable headspace which can make a gun more accurate. Those are both improvements over "pretty" guns IMHO. Most/Many Savages will show that "improvement" on paper too.

i don't have any experience with tikka or Weatherby, but do own a savage. I love my savage gun. Very accurate, and i don't think it's ugly at all. Looks just like any other gun out there. But i do know that as long as i do my part the gun will hit what i aim at. It was almost dead on right out of the box for under $350 with scope and sling. Hard to beat.

i have a savage model 11 in 30-06. i love it.
i started hunting with a savage 300, not sure of the model, and my father uses a savage 250. Savage makes some great rifles.