Big_Sparky
Well-Known Member
Hi all! Looking for your thoughts - in the market soon for my first stalking rifle. Calibre will be .308 and I’d had suggested to me to look at a Tikka.
I’m constrained, aren’t we all, by finances just now and would ideally like to get a package for under 4 figures and therefore appreciate that a new Merc is out of the question but a second hand Merc is probably a better option that a brand new Perodua... if you’ll forgive the motoring analogy!! But, I’m in a slightly difficult situation in that, whilst I’m right handed, I’m left eye dominant - my right eye is poor at best and I can only shoot right handed with an eye patch and this isn’t ideal. I’ve previously fired a right handed weapon from the left shoulder which is clearly an option but I’d rather have something that I’ll be truly comfortable with longer term. Therefore when searching online - the second hand market of rifles, once sorted by orientation to left handed - drops considerably.
So, I hope you’re all getting used to my long winded meanderings by now (ha ha - sorry) several folks have suggested Tikka as a good manufacturer for a new, yet accessible rifle. However, last week, whilst visiting a very helpful RFD in Glasgow I was able to handle a Tikka T3X with a stainless barrel and synthetic stock and I was surprised at how “plasticky” the whole thing felt. It genuinely felt like a toy and I’m just really not convinced. Equally strange (in my opinion) was the way the bolt was very free, almost slack, when open - it certainly wouldn’t appear that it would stay open but just slip forward?
Not really wishing to argue the toss here but more interested to hear from folks who have or have had one and their thoughts as to the rifles durability and if this is more a case of my expectations being unreasonable.
Thanks!
I’m constrained, aren’t we all, by finances just now and would ideally like to get a package for under 4 figures and therefore appreciate that a new Merc is out of the question but a second hand Merc is probably a better option that a brand new Perodua... if you’ll forgive the motoring analogy!! But, I’m in a slightly difficult situation in that, whilst I’m right handed, I’m left eye dominant - my right eye is poor at best and I can only shoot right handed with an eye patch and this isn’t ideal. I’ve previously fired a right handed weapon from the left shoulder which is clearly an option but I’d rather have something that I’ll be truly comfortable with longer term. Therefore when searching online - the second hand market of rifles, once sorted by orientation to left handed - drops considerably.
So, I hope you’re all getting used to my long winded meanderings by now (ha ha - sorry) several folks have suggested Tikka as a good manufacturer for a new, yet accessible rifle. However, last week, whilst visiting a very helpful RFD in Glasgow I was able to handle a Tikka T3X with a stainless barrel and synthetic stock and I was surprised at how “plasticky” the whole thing felt. It genuinely felt like a toy and I’m just really not convinced. Equally strange (in my opinion) was the way the bolt was very free, almost slack, when open - it certainly wouldn’t appear that it would stay open but just slip forward?
Not really wishing to argue the toss here but more interested to hear from folks who have or have had one and their thoughts as to the rifles durability and if this is more a case of my expectations being unreasonable.
Thanks!
