Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
12-16-2003, 07:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blythewood SC USA
Posts: 102
Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
I am a lefty and down to these 2 rifles. Tikka only offers lefties the Whitetail Hunter in wood stock and blued finish but have heard no negative comments regarding quality or accuracy. The A bolt is offered in stainless synthetic for lefties but have seen several posts less than impressive accuracy numbers. I have shot a BDL 30.06 for 27yrs and am ready for a new rifle. Is a potential 2 inch MOA group vs a 1 inch that big a deal?
12-16-2003, 08:26 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jackson MS USA
Posts: 387
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
Well, in my experience you won't have accuracy complaints from either of these guns. In all honesty, I've only shot 2 Tikka's but they both shot an 1"@100yds if I did my part, and I've shot at least a dozen of Browning's A-Bolt and haven't run across any that wouldn't shoot at least 1.5"@100 if I did my part and most would do better than that (although I'm not too proud to admit that my shooting can easily turn a 3/4" gun into a 1.5" gun on a poor day). The caveat to these guns from the ones I've owned, is take the time to find the load they like to get the best accuracy. My 300 WSM A-Bolt will punch holes into 1.5" with any factory load I want to feed it, but it becomes a sure enough shooter with it's favorite 2 loads.
Gordon
Gordon
12-16-2003, 10:08 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
For a typical hunter, 2" is about right. If you visit this page more than once a week, then your probably not just a typical "go to the range once a year to sight your guns in hunter". Then if you visit this page much, then you are probably a shootist also. In that case yea 2" is not great at all. If you visit the reloading page along with this one, then 2" is entirely unacceptable. If you just want to shoot a deer, any gun will work with 4" groups.
12-16-2003, 12:05 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pine Hill Alabama USA
Posts: 1,280
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
I have an A-bolt in 7mm-08. I can shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yards with factory ammo pretty consistently. (on the days I can't you can bet it isn't the guns fault) Accuracy will not be a problem with the A-bolt. Never owned a Tikka but always heard good things about them too. I think you will be happy with either.
12-16-2003, 01:54 PM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 305
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
The T-3 in most cases cost less than the A-bolt. That's due to the companies decesion to make the action a "one size fits all". So, if you want a .223 rem.. You'll get the same action and magazine as the .300 win. mag. No thanks Tikka! It's fine if you're looking for a long action anyways like a .270win. or 30/06 etc..
I own a Browning A-bolt and a Tikka Whitetail Hunter. They are very similar in many ways. Both are great guns as far as quality and accuracy. It comes down to personal preference. You can't go wrong with either choice.
I own a Browning A-bolt and a Tikka Whitetail Hunter. They are very similar in many ways. Both are great guns as far as quality and accuracy. It comes down to personal preference. You can't go wrong with either choice.
12-16-2003, 07:56 PM
#9
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 80
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
Back40 I am also a lefty.I wanted a SS bolt so I went with a Browning A-bolt 270 with Boss.With 130 Winchester BST it groups .75.with new SST Interbond Hornady .434 at 100 yards.So far killed two deer with the 130 BST's,first deer at five yards drop in tracks and second deer I made a bad shot to far foward and high in the neck still dropped in tracks at 175 yards(measured with Lecia laser rangefinder).I used to use Federal Prem Sirerea Game Kings in 30-06 150 grains and got all shot thurs no matter the range,poor blood trail and most deer would still go 50-100 yards.Mid season last year went to 3006 Winchester BST and have seven kills to date,5 dropped in tracks,1 went 30 yards(double lungged),another went 25 yards(double lungged and heart.Have yet to use to SST because I am getting such good results with the Ballistic Silver Tips.By the way to 3006 is a BAR that groups under .75 with the BST.Never had a Tikka but with the way my Browning's perform I will always use/buy another until performance goes bad.
12-19-2003, 03:53 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 1,045
RE: Tikka vs A Bolt survey.
Had an A-bolt, sold it and bought a Tikka. Best think I've ever done. More accurate and better all around. I got a Whitetail Hunter though and they are a little nicer than the T3's.
1" at 100 yards (MOA - Minute of Angle) is good. 2" is ok but, depending on where you hunt, that might not be good enough. 2" at 100 yards = 2xMOA. What that means is that at 200 yards you'll be off 4" and at 300 yards you'll be off 6". The kill zone of a deer is only 8-10" so if you have a deer at 300 yards (a long shot but makeable) and you know your gun is off at least 6" of that it's hard to make a good shot. Factor in wind, Buck-fever, and any heavy breathing you just did running up the hill to get a better shot and you see why an accurate, a MOA-capable rifle is worth having.
1" at 100 yards (MOA - Minute of Angle) is good. 2" is ok but, depending on where you hunt, that might not be good enough. 2" at 100 yards = 2xMOA. What that means is that at 200 yards you'll be off 4" and at 300 yards you'll be off 6". The kill zone of a deer is only 8-10" so if you have a deer at 300 yards (a long shot but makeable) and you know your gun is off at least 6" of that it's hard to make a good shot. Factor in wind, Buck-fever, and any heavy breathing you just did running up the hill to get a better shot and you see why an accurate, a MOA-capable rifle is worth having.