Tikka v. Remington 700VS SF
I went through the same choices, get the Tikka Master Sporter with heavy barrel wood stock and adjustable cheekpiece in .308, or the Remington 700VS or PSS. I like a blued barrel.
I settled on the Remington for ONE primary reason and some minor ones.
Remington is made here and easier to get parts (both Remington and aftermarket) for.
My + and - considerations.
Tikka pluses:
Sako connection
Accurate
Low bolt lift
Reliable detachable mag.
Beautiful adjustable wood (walnut) stock
Tikka minuses:
Wood stock might not be solidly bedded
non-standard scope rings (but could use regular rings with proper bases so call it a draw.)
potential parts issues
finish was not matte and bolt was polished bright
Remington VS or PSS pluses:
easy to get parts
matte finish available
standard ring mounting
many, many accessory parts available
used as basis for many custom guns and tactical rifles and USMC M40A1.
HS-Precision aluminum block bedded synthetic stock and (on PSS) dual sling studs for sling and bipod
Remington minuses
Detachable mag version are NOT reliable feeders
Alleged quality problems in Remingtons (not in LE models (PSS) from what I read and have seen)
Black synthetic stock vs wood
Aluminum trigger guard/floorplate
NOTE: I DID NOT consider the Remington extractor a negative.
I have had 4 Rem 700's.
The BDL in .30-06 is sub-MOA with proper ammo, 1.25 with most any ammo.
The .308 PSS is always <.5 MOA with Black Hills 168 gr. This gun is what accuracy is all about.
The .223 PSS is also a sub-MOA gun with 68gr BTHP and 52 gr. match, but I have not tried enough ammo yet.
I had (and traded for the .223 PSS) a Remington .223 Light Tactical Rifle (LTR). Great with 52gr match (sub-MOA), but 2"+ with most other ammo.
Never, ever a problem with any.
That said, that heavy barreled Tikka Master Sporter though still is a very tempting gun.
Buy one, then buy the other....
