After reading about Tikka in Outdoors magazine I just had to have one. In 03-03 I got a L/H 7-08 White Tail hunter. I was a little dissappointed with the plastic, but the trigger pull was great and it would put the first two shots kissing each other, the third shot was a little iffy. During August I got a "Pacemaker" and will never again be able to shoot left handed. What to do? Well, I traded the Tikka,with Opti-locks, even for a new CZ American 550 in 6.5X55. I'm hear to tell you that I think the CZ is a better made rifle. It comes with rings (a little high I think) that are super strong. True Mauser bolt with big extractor and all steel hinged floorplate. The wood and checkering is also better than the Tikka. I didn't even know this until I got it home that you can "set" the trigger by pushing it forward resulting in about a two pound trigger pull. The regular trigger is about 3.5 pounds. Both settings are easy to adjust. I guess I better quit bragging until I shoot it. Folks, when I handle this rifle I feel like I'm in Africa with a true Mauser. The main thing about the CZ over the Tikka is that it soothes the "Gun Nut" we all suffer from.
