Tikka T3 vs CZ 550 (Poll)

[bear2000]

This topic has been discussed numerous times on this board and elsewhere, but I haven't seen a poll for it yet. Since the many people (including myself) do come down to Tikka and CZs when deciding on a new rifle, I thought it might be useful and fun. Please comment on why you voted as you did.

I'm considering a Tikka T3 Hunter and CZ 550 American in 6.5x55 Swede. Both rifles have a lot to recommend them. When I hold the Tikka, I lean to the Tikka. When I hold the CZ, I lean to the CZ. It may end up being a coin toss seeing as both rifles will run me about $600 otd. I already own a T3 Varmint SS in .308, which I like a lot. I feel there's no risk with the Tikka. But I thought I'd try something new with the CZ.

Here are some of the factors I weighing:

Tikka T3

1. light (around 7.5 lbs scoped)
2. super smooth bolt
3. very crisp, adjustable trigger
4. recognized for its accuracy
5. decent, but not great stock
6. plastic trigger guard/mag
7. detachable mag
8. customer service not great

CZ

1. nicer finish/worksmanship overall
2. all metal/wood
3. set trigger (very nice), but standard trigger is creepy/grity
4. a little on the heavy side (8+ lbs scoped)
5. very accurate (although my sense is here Tikka has the slight advantage)
6. good customer service
7. bolt a bit rough (mauser action)
8. not a Tikka, which I already have

[Old English]

I did the same as you, decided to go with a CZ550 for a change. I already had 2 T3's in 223 and 308, got a hankering for a 243 and went CZ. I no longer have the CZ and have a Tikka in 243!!
The CZ is a fine made rifle but... the standard trigger is rough, set trigger is very light. T3 trigger is perfect. The scope rings on the CZ, dovetail.... The T3 has the tapped holes for a decent scope mount. The CZ is definitely more pretty, too pretty so........ it stayed at home.
I am sure many will disagree and bring up the steel mag v synthetic and all that stuff. I have 3 years hunting experience with the Tikkas and they are wonderful, so that was my choice.

[bear2000]

Thanks for the feedback, Old English. I tend to think that the Tikka may also be the more practical choice as well for what I want it for. But again, it's the desire for something different that keeps the CZ in contention.

[sandcritter]

that's a good question. Faced the same 6.5x55 dilema, agree with your your breakdown completely. i like really like attactrive wood, and rubbed oil finishes can be touched up to look more "well loved" than "dinged up", so i gave in to wood. tough call between those two, isn't it?
Confession: haven't shot it yet.

[bear2000]

Hey Sandcritter,

The Tikka T3 Hunter has a decent enough stock, it's just not as nice as the CZ. Of course, I've heard that some CZ stocks are amazing, while others are just decent.

Yeah, it's a tough one. I've got a line on a couple of new 550s for $550 otd. I could then get a trigger job to eliminate the creep, but there's not a lot I can do to bring its weigh down!

Just don't know! Would love to hear how yours shoots.

[kevthebassman]

Buy a good sling and the weight won't be an issue.  My CZ (527, not 550) is the most accurate gun I own.

[nodlenor]

I was looking for a Howa in 6.5x55 but my dealer said he couldn't get one. He priced a Tikka T3 for $575 and a CZ 550 for $625. All I have seen of either is pictures but I like the looks of the CZ best. There aren't many of either in my area and I would like to hold one before I invest. I'm on hold for now and reading everything I can about them both. I have two Howa's in other cals and like them really well so I may just hold out for another one.

[jcn59]

My Tikka T-3 hunter was much more accurate than my CZ 550 which shot 3 shot 100 yd. groups from 1" to 1.5".

I'll continue to buy T-3s unless I find a 550 with knockout wood that I can't resist.

[sandcritter]

bear2000,
absolutely, nothing against tikka stocks. sako seems never to have been big on fancy grain; who cares when the rest of the design is so darn good. i'd wanted a tikka vs. sako laminated .270/.30-06 for years (for all-weather deer) and finally got one last winter, which i guess mentally, freed me up to find a pretty cz 6.5.55 and not think about *having* to take it out in foul weather.

re: hit or miss on cz stocks. based on my shopping around, seems a good percentage of the cz american "upgrade" stocks (have a swooping sako75-like pattern, rather than standard four point pattern) are really beautiful. could you view it before committing to the cz i wonder? it may "speak to you" or maybe you'll not find the wood is nothing special and instead stick to the tikka route?

here's a thought: just like .270 for example is distinctly american, 6.5x55 is distinctly scandinavian - so if you're sentimental, could argue the tikka deserves a hard hard look...

you'll probably shoot yours before i do mine. am overseas a spell and purchased a number of long-desired-guns online/help of friends, but won't shoot them for some time yet, as ridiculous as that situation may seem. my impressions are only from handling them while home briefly last spring.

[jro45]

I have the CZ 550 with lamanated Stock, set trigger, three distance sights. and it will put three bullets into 3/4" at 100 yds. It is the 458 lott.

[bear2000]

Thanks everyone for participating in my poll. It's going to be a tough choice!

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Bear,
I have the CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55.....she's my favorite rifle.  Gorgeous and shoots like a dream.  Also have the same rifle in 9.3x62mm with the best wood I have ever seen on a "standard" rifle.  The CZ line is the best value out there in my opinion.

That being said, the Tikka rifles are GREAT!!!  Silky bolt, adj. trigger, and a great reputation for accuracy out-of-the-box.  My advice to you is just pick one!  No matter which you choose, you won't be disappointed.  BOTH will shoot better in the field than 99.9% of hunters.

Jim

[Rev Buck]

That is indeed a tough one!  I don't have a 550 but I do have a T3, so I don't have firsthand experience with owning both.  However I do like the cz from what I've seen.  That being said I think I would go for the T3 if I were buying for the 6.5X55.  My T3 performs flawlessly and I have had good success with it in the field.  I would think the lighter rifle (the T3) would be the way to go in the light caliber -- would make a great rifle for still-hunting or stalking.  Can't really go wrong either way imho.  Rev

[bear2000]

Hi guys,

Thanks again for all of the advice.

I went with the Tikka - ordered it from Able Ammo tonight. They had a very fair price (558 + 15 shipping). I'll be otd for $588 w/transfer fee. Only Buds had a better price (by $7), but I didn't feel like sending them a check. I'll make that up with the points I earn on the card anyway.

It was a hard choice, but I went with weight, the crisp Tikka trigger, and accuracy I'm already familiar with. The CZ 550 is a beautiful gun and I would be happy to own one, but I wanted a light hunter/stalker. I'll be mounting a 12.5 ounce Bushnell 4200 elite 3-9x40, so I'll be around 7 1/3 pounds total. I think I'll have a nice deer rig.

Now for load information! I already have the dies, brass, bullets, and N540 and Varget powder. I think I'll start with the N540, which is a tad bit slower burning than Varget. Any suggestions?

[Mr. Joe]

disreguard, choice has already been made

[one eye joe]

Been loading 120 and 129 grain bullets for my 550. Using IMR4350 and RL22 powders. The RL22 has given slightly higher velocities and both have grouped under 1" with everything I have tried so far. I have some 129's loaded with IMR4064 and AA2520, but have not had a chance to shoot them. I think you may need some slower powders than what you have for best results.

[buckfever 1]

I have both, a Tikka T3 in a 6.5x55 and a CZ 550 FS in a 9.3x62.  The trigger on the CZ 550 is not as good as the T3.  I believe this is the difference in accuracy for the CZ 550.  Here is why.  I took the CZ 550 to a very good gunsmith and he fixed the trigger on it.  It now shoots sub-moa and it is a thumper of a caliber.  The trigger makes a big difference in accuracy.  Like them with no creep, not long and break like glass, 3 lbs. for hunting.  Buckfever

[Brithunter]

Hi There,

    For the 6.5x55 don't discount the slightly faster powders like IMR 4350 and Reloader 19 as they do very well. I use the 4350 with Speer 120 grain bullets and Reloader 19 for a lot of others including the 160 grain RN Hornady's. In my rifles the Hornady 129 grain bullet has been the hardest to get excellent accuracy from  they're not inaccurate just not as tight grouping as I am used to so I am trying some different powders. My rifles are a Sporterised Swedish Mauser and a Mauser Obendorf M96 Slide Bolt. Good loucj with our load development and let u know how it goes.