Sako vs Tikka

DavyG

Well-Known Member
In a head to head between the Sako 85 and the Tikka T3x....is the Sako worth the extra dosh?
This is one for those of you out there who have used and/or owned both.
Regards,
DG
 
What I like about the sako mag/port is that an unfired round can be shoved into the mag when it is still in the rifle. T3 the mag has to be dropped out then bullet fed into it then replaced back into the rifle. This does not sound a big deal but it is a pita when you are doing this day in day out.
 
I’ve had both, now just have the Sako.

Both shoot as good as each other, it’s the small differences that, for me, counted.

Sako- better magazine.
Sako- can open the Bolt with the safety on, Tikka, need to take safety off.
Sako- stock feels better

Tikka- more aftermarket stuff if you want to change bits

I’m probably going to buy another Tikka in 22-250 as it’s not my “Go to” rifle. My Sako in .270 is. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Tikka. I would avoid the Sako A7 though. Feels poor quality even against a Blaser.

Go Tikka, what ever cash is left, add it to your scope budget.
 
I've handled both and personally prefer Sako - The metal mag is nicer, the stocks are nicer, the fit and finish just feels a bit more slick and tight.

They'll both shoot as well as each other so if that extra level of polish on the overall item isnt much of a big deal to you (or its going to be a truck gun getting bashed about all over the place) then I wouldnt spend the extra.
 
Very little one can change on a Sako with aftermarket bits and they are not perfect just like any other factory rifle. You can turn a T3 into something that one will just about never achieve with a Sako. Those who have issues with top loading can get a 10 round mag with a T3... tape two together, should be enough rounds or? Those who need top loading how many rounds do they typically shoot in one session? Fox calling is the only time I fill a ten round mag but never ran out so far.
What extras do you get from a Sako over a T3? Plastic injection moulded stocks are not great no matter who makes them, the extra hassle of trying to get decent scope mounts for a Sako compared to the ease of screwing on a rail on a T3. Three position safety on a Sako seems fiddly, on a T3 you can get an aftermarket proper 3 pos safety that works on the firing pin. A few barrel manufacturers are starting to make replacement barrels for T3 that can just be screwed in, drop in solution no barrel nut.
If one decides to go T3/ T1X with a few different rifles then bits like stocks can be swopped back and forth to suit seasons and usage of the rifles. Stick the T1X for bunny shooting into your favourite stalking stock for example.
For me a T3 makes more sense.
edi
 
I had a T3 and now have and 85 and a 75. Much prefer the Sakos, everything just feels better made and more satisfying.
Perhaps you can get all sorts of aftermarket bits to improve a T3 but I’d rather just buy a rifle where I already like everything in the first place. Appreciate others prefer to customise though, each to his own
 
Ive got both rifles and there is minimal difference. Both guns use the same barrels and are made in the same factory.
Think you are paying extra on the sako for the finishings like the magazine is made better (steel)instead of plastic on tikka.
The trigger is crisper on the sako.
The stock on sako is made that bit better!
But the tikka seems to be lighter than the sako.
The action seems smoother on tikka!
The sako has a 3 lug bolt tikka only 2.
But performance is equally identical and its the final touches is the difference between them!
But cant fault any of these rifles, both exellent rifles and do what say with ease!
the price tag is the biggest difference :thumb:
 
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Same Trigger
Sako has a three position safety so can be loaded and unloaded with the safety on.
Sako can be top loaded, Tikka you have to load via the magazine, so if you need to reload in a hurry it's going to take longer.
Stocks, it's a question of feel, but the Tikka has a flat top line and as you are likely to need to fit a check raiser to get your eye behind the scope, it's going to fit better on Tikka.
Tikka is cheaper - more money for your scope.
 
The one thing I would definately say about the Tikka T3, is that for the wooden stocked ones, the quality of the wood, and the layout of the grain on many is not brilliant. Not worried about figure at this price point, but its strong straight grained with the grain flowing through the hand of the stock. On many it is not and have seen some break across the hand.

The Sakos are also better balanced on average. If you are going to add on large moderators, scopes and bipods and shoot prone this doesn't matter at all. If you are going to be snap shooting at driven game it does.
 
I have T3X lite stainless synthetic in .243 Winchester . It has a larger ejection port on the t3x so you can drop a round straight in should you need to. The synthetic stock is practal and wipe clean. I'm also not as worried if I do knock it as oppose to a nice wooden finish that I pay more for. I've never owned a Sako so have no comparison, but why would I need to as I bought what I could afford and it does the same job, from the same factory with the same sub Moa 5rnd group as the 75 85 or anything else from Sako.
 
I would go T3x over 85.
The biggest disadvantage for me personally is that the T3x is long action only. Otherwise it gets my vote. The magasines feel cheap compared to Sakos but they are a cheaper class of rifle. For the same money as T3 I would also look at Sauer 100.
I have 2 Sako 75's. I prefer the classic stocks like on the T3 over the Monte Carlo, but it works fine.
 
As for my two peneth, i have one of each.. A .17 Rem c/f Sako 'Vixen' and my most recent buy, a 6.5x55 S.E Tikka t3 heavy barrel and as standard, fully adjustable, laminated stock.

Both shoot as well as I can hold if fed well. The Tikka has a few plastic bits (original mags, bolt shroud and trigger/mag well group, but to be truthful I just DON'T notice this whilst shooting the 6.5 and probably helps a little in keeping the rifle (slightly) less heavy - it is a bit of a brute to haul around if stalking!..

I have recently bought an after market 10 round ALL METAL, single stack magazine for the Tikka, and it is well worth the approx £150 to me as one of my Club's competitions is the MacQueens @ 200 & 300 yards. This interesting comp' requires 10 fairly rapid rounds loaded and accurately fired in a fairly short fixed timespell.. The faff of dropping an empty and fitting a full mag with the standard 2x 5 shot mags is sufficient to occasionally stump me with the last round being out of time?...

Because the Tikka is more designed to be one of these "Cross-over" rangework AND stalking, the stock is pretty cool and I cannot say the Sako Vixen one is any better (or worse) cos it is an Oranges and Apples comparison here for me. The Sako IS nice to simply shoulder sans any resting device though!....

If I had a Sako and a Tikka of pretty similar general design the choice for me would be pretty difficult as I am more and accuracy nut than an appearance guy, and BOTH shoot brilliantly with appropriate loads (and with my handloads).

The ONE thing that I find has me leaning definitely towards the Tikka family of rifles is that, like 'big ears' above, I am a leftie and the Tikka range is much more friendly to us Left-Hookers!! Tikka field many more in the spread having totally 100% dedicated left handed rifles - NOT just left handed stocks but right handed metalwork as in some rifle manufacturers (that is where they even DO have anything lefthand orientated at all that is!?)..... Top Marks from me for THAT Tikka !!!

ATB ......and shoot safely
 
Well....some interesting stuff. This would be my take on it......
1. Same trigger
2. Same barrel
3. Sako action sized to calibre
4. Handed stock on the Sako
If you were to take a Tikka T3x and a Sako 85 out of the box is there £500-£600 of a quality/finish noticeable difference?
Does the 85 cycle that much better than the T3?
It does appear that from those of you who have the pleasure of owning both, one will shoot equally as well as the other.
Weight won't be a deciding factor in my final choice as calibre will be .270 win, so that few extra ounces will help soften the blow.
Thanks for the responses so far and for any future opinions you might share.
Regards,
DG
 
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