Jeff In TX
Well-Known Member
I picked up my new .243 LH Tikka SS Lite on Monday from Sportsman's Warehouse for $579.00. On my way back up Hwy 35 I stopped by SWFA and picked up a New Burris 4.5-14X32 Silver Short Mag scope for $323.00. I used the factory scope rings but I'm not overly impressed with them, time will tell. I mounted the scope last night, gave the gun a good cleaning and headed off to the range this morning.
First impression, I'm not sure if I care for the stock, so again time will tell. The barrel is floated about half down the barrel the channel. I thought the entire barrel was suppose to be free floated but upon further inspection I found that once I took the barreled action out of the stock, I found a couple of molded braces in the barrel channel where the barrel rests. Not sure of the design so I put everything back together and headed to the range.
The action is slick as glass or wet ice on wet ice. Wow is it smooth; I've never had a rifle with an action this smooth. The plastic magazine fed smoothly and when loading the first round I could not tell if a round went into the chamber. Heck after 20 rounds I still couldn't tell if it was feeding or not, but it fed every time.
First shot 8" low 4" inches to the right. I adjusted the Burris scope, it tracked perfectly and the next shot was in the X. Good start. The gun comes with a 1 MOA @ 100 yards guarantee. I pulled my next shot and there was a cease fire on the range so I regrouped and started fresh after the cease fire.
First shot half inch of the X, I pulled the second shot almost an inch left. Next shot just below the first shot. All three shots under an inch which made me feel good. I decided to go for a 5-shot group. Next two shots with half inch of the first shot, both slightly left. Excluding the second shot I had four shots around .83" at 100 yards and 5-shots measuring .96". I was shooting 95 grain ballistic tip hand loads that I used on my son's .243's. My best 3-shot group was .63 and my worst was the first group. I'd say it's a .75 moa gun easily.
This new Tikka is light weight rifle and a real shooter and I didn't break my bank buying it. I'm still not sold on those bedding posts in the barrel channel but it doesn't appear to affect accuracy so I'll leave well enough a lone. Trigger needs a bit of adjusting as it's probably around 4 lbs. This rifle will make an outstanding deer, hog and antelope rifle. Overall and for just over $900 with glass I'm loving this rifle.
First impression, I'm not sure if I care for the stock, so again time will tell. The barrel is floated about half down the barrel the channel. I thought the entire barrel was suppose to be free floated but upon further inspection I found that once I took the barreled action out of the stock, I found a couple of molded braces in the barrel channel where the barrel rests. Not sure of the design so I put everything back together and headed to the range.
The action is slick as glass or wet ice on wet ice. Wow is it smooth; I've never had a rifle with an action this smooth. The plastic magazine fed smoothly and when loading the first round I could not tell if a round went into the chamber. Heck after 20 rounds I still couldn't tell if it was feeding or not, but it fed every time.
First shot 8" low 4" inches to the right. I adjusted the Burris scope, it tracked perfectly and the next shot was in the X. Good start. The gun comes with a 1 MOA @ 100 yards guarantee. I pulled my next shot and there was a cease fire on the range so I regrouped and started fresh after the cease fire.
First shot half inch of the X, I pulled the second shot almost an inch left. Next shot just below the first shot. All three shots under an inch which made me feel good. I decided to go for a 5-shot group. Next two shots with half inch of the first shot, both slightly left. Excluding the second shot I had four shots around .83" at 100 yards and 5-shots measuring .96". I was shooting 95 grain ballistic tip hand loads that I used on my son's .243's. My best 3-shot group was .63 and my worst was the first group. I'd say it's a .75 moa gun easily.
This new Tikka is light weight rifle and a real shooter and I didn't break my bank buying it. I'm still not sold on those bedding posts in the barrel channel but it doesn't appear to affect accuracy so I'll leave well enough a lone. Trigger needs a bit of adjusting as it's probably around 4 lbs. This rifle will make an outstanding deer, hog and antelope rifle. Overall and for just over $900 with glass I'm loving this rifle.
