550 or tikka t3

[Striper Sniper]

Loving my two 527s and in the market for a .270. Can anyone help me decide between a tikka t3 hunter or a 550? I know my 527 in .223 is very accurate and i have only heard that the tikkas are accurate, well built and very smooth.

[viking499]

I currently have no 550's, but do have two T3's in 6.5x55.  Love the T3's.  Nothing wrong with a 550.  Just like the Tikka better for hunting and packing through the woods since it is easier to pack around.

Never had a 270, but have heard good things about it.   

[Striper Sniper]

I found a tikka on gunbroker at a good price...but it seems like they are hard to find on shop shelves, same as the 550. I do see lots of 550s on gunbroker but rarely do I see thenm on a shop shelf. I did recently find a 550 full stock in 6.5x55 but I don't think the full stock is for me.

[bobanddog]

I have a 550 American in .30-06 and am very pleased with it.  The extra heft may be noticeable compared to the hip new lightweights, but in reality it is no heavier than any traditional Winchester Model 70, Ruger 77, Mauser 98, SAKO L 61, etc. of similar dimensions, and it's lighter than many laminate stock rifles.  I think it's a good balance between stability and all-day carry-ability.  The build quality is there, the fit and finish and traditional materials are there, the integral scope mount milled into the receiver is there, the 5+1 round capacity is impressively packaged, the curve of the grip, slight palm swell and length of pull fit me 'just right', and when properly adjusted, the trigger can't be beat. 

[Striper Sniper]

Bobandog, I agree the fit and finish are pretty nice on the 550 series. I love the trigger system too. Plus no plastic. I think the 557s may be an economy way to go...but I've never seen one in person.

[viking499]

When are the 557's supposed to be available?

[TCups]

Managed this 100 yard, 5-shot group with my CZ-550 Varmint in 308 Win this afternoon.  Berger 168 gr. VLD Hunting bullets.  Hand loads of Varget, 42.0 grains at about 2560 fps, scope is zeroed for 200 yards.  I have replaced the factory single set trigger with a 2# Timney trigger. Heavy? Yes.  Deadly accurate for a factory stock rifle, though.

[bobanddog]

When are the 557's supposed to be available?

They're already listed on CZ's online catalog:
http://www.czub.cz/en/catalog/364-kulovnice-cz/KM/CZ_557_lux.aspx
I have yet to see one in the flesh though.  I've looked up a European article about the 557 and posted it before:
http://www.arms-cz.cz/novinky/clanky-testy-zkusenosti/180/
Interestingly, the 557 and the T-3 are a closer comparison than the Mauser-style 550.  Both are push feed, both use SAKO style extractors and plunger ejectors, both are lower cost offerings from their parent companies.  However,  the 557 still gets the square-bridged receiver with integral scope rail, and large ejection port that allows you to load or clear the rifle from the top, try that with a Tikka.  The 557 also appears to be offered in a couple of configurations and stock styles, from plain-jane to very good looking (at least in pictures).
Given a choice, I'll stick with my 550.  But if forced to choose between the 557 and the Tikka, I think I'd probably still go with the CZ.

[twowheels]

I absolutely love my sako AVs.  All steel, beautifully built, excellent barrels, marvelous triggers, and accurate.  I could never get myself to buy a tikka because of the plastic despite the nice barrels and triggers.  I'd take a 550 (at least if I wasn't left handed!).

[TCups]

  I'd take a 550 (at least if I wasn't left handed!).

I shoot both my CZ-527 Varmint (laminate stock) .223 Rem and CZ-550 Varmint (kevlar stock) .308 Win left handed, routinely.  Although I am a right hander, my left eye is dominant, so the RH bolt is not a problem -- it's actually a plus if shooting off a rest, IMO.  As a factory stock rifle, out of the box, I think this is pretty hard to beat.

These 5-round groups were my hand loads (center group, Berger 168 VLDs over 42 gr. of Varget at about 2560 FPS) tested yesterday at 100 yards, shooting off a front rest and rear bag.  Those will do nicely.

[bobanddog]

  I'd take a 550 (at least if I wasn't left handed!).

I shoot both my CZ-527 Varmint (laminate stock) .223 Rem and CZ-550 Varmint (kevlar stock) .308 Win left handed, routinely.  Although I am a right hander, my left eye is dominant, so the RH bolt is not a problem -- it's actually a plus if shooting off a rest, IMO.  As a factory stock rifle, out of the box, I think this is pretty hard to beat.

That's all the more impressive. 

[TCups]

Yep.  That's why I have my 3rd CZ on order -- a CZ-550 American, kevlar stock, in 6.5x55 Swede.  Some day, it may arrive in the United States.  It's only been about 3 months now.  The 6.5x55 will not be the heavy barreled varmint version, and will be set up as a feral hog slayer.  Not that the 308 won't dispatch feral hogs with ease, but you know how it is -- I wanted a new rifle more so than needed a new rifle and the 6.5x55 should be a killer.

Apologies - I am rambling again, and didn't mean to hijack the thread.  I REALLY like the CZs, given a choice, and would recommend a 550 to anyone.

[Matt85]

i was facing this exact same choice only for a 6.5x55 swede, i ended up choosing the tikka because it was much lighter weight.

-matt

[viking499]

Nothing wrong with the CZ.  It is an awesome gun.  It is heavier than the Tikka and i do not think it is as accurate out of the box as the Tikka.  Either would make a fine gun.

[SWE1975]

The T3 is a good rifle and is an exceptional value, but the CZ has a single set trigger. With this in mind I chose the 527 along with less plastic