Winchester Model 70 vs CZ 550 vs Tikka T3

A

arthury

New member
Looking into these to get a new one ...
Premise:
  1. Caliber: 308win
  2. Reloading: using heavier bullets (> 165gr) --- need 1:10 twist-rate
  3. Usage: Hunting
  4. Budget: under $1,000

Here's my short list:
  1. Winchester Model 70
  2. CZ 550
  3. Tikka T3
  4. Kimber 84M


What are your thots? I know they are all reputable and accurate hunting rifles.
How are the customer service when you need them? Is warranty lifetime?
Do you send you a shipping label?
 
I currently own Kimber and Winchester, have owned Tikka in the past. No experience with CZ other than a 452 in 22 LR. Can't say a bad thing about the Tikka other than it being very non-traditional. I could live with it, some cannot. I'd rate it as the best, most accurate lightweight rifle under $1000.

I sold it after buying the Kimber. The Kimber weighs less scoped than the Tikka did unscoped. The traditional lines and CRF are features worth the extra to me and I didn't need both even though I liked the Tikka. The Kimber doesn't shoot any better though, and the Tikka is just heavy enough to be considered an all around rifle. I like the Kimber, but it is better suited on tough backpack hunts where every ounce add's up fast. For all around use some would consider it too light. I don't think you'll find one anymore new for under $1,000. Used, or just over that price are more realistic.

I also have a Winchester EW in 308. It will be the heaviest of the three that I have experience with. But can still come in right at 8 lbs scoped in factory form. I bought mine used and after a year found a used lightweight McMillan stock cheap enough. After the stock change it is 3/4 lb lighter and about the same weight as the Tikka, 7 3/8 lbs scoped. This has become my all around go to rifle. Both the Kimber and Winchester, as well as my old Tikka are capable of shooting well under 1 MOA. Never had any warranty work with any of them so I cannot comment on that. Not sure the EW is under $1,000 either. If you can find one, the stainless ultimate shadow will be. As well as a Featherweight in walnut/blue.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. it is just which features are more important to you.

The Winchester

 
Nice fluted Winchester.

I was thinking more along the line of the Ultimate Shadow Hunter SS.
The only issue with the Winchester is the slower twist-rate at 1:12" so I may not be able to use heavier bullets.
 
Competitive shooters using 1:12 twist 22 inch barrels won matches and set records with 180 and 185 grain bullets for years. In 24 inch 1:12 twist ones, 190 grain bullets did as well if not better. All with 7.62 NATO ammo.

Western Cartridge Company's .308 match ammo with 197 and 200 grain bullets was made for Winchester Model 70's 1:12 twist match rifle barrels. A very accurate combination for 300 meter free rifle international competition.
 
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I believe what you said.

Just curious why the US Army required a 1:11.25" twist rate for their M24 sniper rifles when using the M118LR cartridge. And, the bullets used for these cartridges are merely 175gr Sierra Match King Hollow Point Boat Tail.
As far as I know, the ones designed more recently (after the M24) were all 1:10" twist rate.
 
Depending on the stability factor desired for a given bullet over a range of muzzle velocities, ambient temperatures and accuracy desired, rifling twist will have a spread based on the method and criteria used to calculate what's best. It's my opinion that specs to the one hundredth inch are more ego satisfying by "twist nerds" than what's practical for actual manufacturing and use.
 
Well, the Kimber is very good, and possibly/probably the best on the list. However, I consider it to be in the "next price class up" from the other 3 (am I wrong on that?). So if you exclude it, I'd go with Win 70 or CZ 550 over Tikka.

Although I don't think you will go wrong with any of those. I am nowadays (post-USRAC) partial to Win 70 featherweights, though I've had and liked CZ 550s.

If the US dollar is strong relative to the Euro at point X in time, the CZs can and do become a smokin deal. When the dollar is weaker / Euro is stronger, they are not quite the value, though still very good (although I suppose the same is true of the Tikka??).

I've been called a lot of things; but not YET called a "twist nerd" - I'm sure it's coming. ;)

jmr40, that one for sale? I love it. :)

Wait, you can get an 84M in .204 Ruger, but NOT .260 Rem? Epic fail, Kimber - epic fail. http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84m/montana
 
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Winchester model 70, with real Walnut stock, of course. I'd rather have it in 30-'06 than 308, yet prefer 270 Winchester over either. Stainless is practical, but blued looks better in Walnut. Subjective, I know, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Someone else has said that, "Life is too short for ugly guns.", and I can't help but agree.
 
"Life is too short for ugly guns.", and I can't help but agree.
Click to expand...

Preach it, brutha!!

Wood & steel.

However, I got my first and only stainless steel / walnut rifle a few months back, which happens to be a Win 70 featherweight, and as much as I love blued steel & wood (actual blueing), I find this combo equally attractive. As you say, eye of beholder.

They are discontinued now, but they'll probably do some more runs of them in a couple years:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/historic-detail.asp?mid=535119
 
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