Ha ha ha, come on sir, T3's "much higher quality". Let's be realistic for a second, you think the owners are trying to pull the wool over the consumers eyes and sell a lower quality product (Sako in your book), at a much higher price to the 'best value' product (Tikka)? Are you therefore saying that Schultz and Larsen are a pile of junk given their low numbers of output? and therefore that Remmington 700's must be some of the best firearms in the world!
Did you have a drink at lunch by any chance - LOL
I know what you say about BIC, interestingly I know the owners but that's besides the point. Yes, we also did a case study on them in business school, BUT, if BIC did a 'premium' line, it would be produced in the first batch series after a new production setup/moulds/etc was installed. Same as factory ammo, the best stuff comes off the line first, then the second best, etc.
The 'factory' ammo supplied to snipers is 'green dot' as its the most consistent stuff off the press, first 100 of each batch if I recall correctly.
BIC could make better lighters to tighter tolerances if they 'wanted to', but have perfected the art of 'best value' by honing their skills in the manufacturing process.
as for plastic mags feeding better than steel...the jury's out on this one.