Why does Tikka persist in supplying rifles with plastic magazines?

[odonata]

As a left-handed shooter, I'm a fan of Sako & I have a lot of respect for the value that Tikka offers. But I've always spent a little extra cash & treated myself to the Sako simply because I'm at the stage of my life where I can do that. I like their metal magazines.

Having said that, I have to confess that I really like the plastic magazine in my LH Steyr CL II. It has a solid build, it clicks into place with an authority that inspires confidence & it feeds rounds great. I really couldn't ask for more. So from my experience, a plastic magazine can be made well.

But everyone has their own personal preferences & biases. If it's really important to you, then like @gbflyer mentioned earlier, getting an aftermarket metal one is an option. It's an extra expense but it's not too exorbitant.

 

[Safari Dave]

Don't you know that push feed rifles are worthless and will get you killed in Africa?

Just kidding. I like Tikka's.


The plastic magazines don't bother me.

If they were made by Mag-Pul, they certainly wouldn't bother me.

 

[BryceM]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Fun discussion. It’s an interesting world where a $2k rifle is considered a budget rifle.

From my perspective, it’s pretty hard to beat these little rifles from a value proposition. Why would I want to spend more for a Sako when the little sister version shoots at least as good and better than many custom guns? I still don’t favor the plastic mag, but I will openly admit it’s pretty functional & durable.

Happy shooting all.

 

[375Fox]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Fun discussion. It’s an interesting world where a $2k rifle is considered a budget rifle.

From my perspective, it’s pretty hard to beat these little rifles from a value proposition. Why would I want to spend more for a Sako when the little sister version shoots at least as good and better than many custom guns? I still don’t favor the plastic mag, but I will openly admit it’s pretty functional & durable.

Happy shooting all.

Who is spending $2000 on a Tikka? Most Tikkas people will take hunting are under $1000. Sako 90s are around $2000-$2500.

 

[MS 9x56]

For the same reason that every mass manufacturer does. Because they are cheaper, not better but cheaper. The best magazines ever made were those in the early Mannlicher Schoenauer and next best the savage 99 rotary magazines. Neither of which are currently made. They were better but definitely not cheaper.

 

[BryceM]

There are lots of Tikkas in the under $1k range, but plenty of models that are $1.5k and up. The one I just purchased is a Tikka T3x Super Varmint. They’re going new for $1700-1800.

On a base model $700 rifle, I suppose I’d expect to get plastic everything.

 

[gbflyer]

As a left-handed shooter, I'm a fan of Sako & I have a lot of respect for the value that Tikka offers. But I've always spent a little extra cash & treated myself to the Sako simply because I'm at the stage of my life where I can do that. I like their metal magazines.

Having said that, I have to confess that I really like the plastic magazine in my LH Steyr CL II. It has a solid build, it clicks into place with an authority that inspires confidence & it feeds rounds great. I really couldn't ask for more. So from my experience, a plastic magazine can be made well.

But everyone has their own personal preferences & biases. If it's really important to you, then like @gbflyer mentioned earlier, getting an aftermarket metal one is an option. It's an extra expense but it's not too exorbitant.

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Those MT Tikka mags have a bad reputation but I've had good luck with them for my .338 Federal. They do stick out which is a bummer.

 

[Andrew NOLA]

My 6.5 PRC came with metal magazines that rattled like mad. I had to buy plastic magazines that fit a little tighter and don't rattle at all and perform flawlessly

I called Tikka about it and they sent me to a website that sold them. That was their fix. Pretty sucky.

 

[Russ16]

There are lots of Tikkas in the under $1k range, but plenty of models that are $1.5k and up. The one I just purchased is a Tikka T3x Super Varmint. They’re going new for $1700-1800.

On a base model $700 rifle, I suppose I’d expect to get plastic everything.

Near as I can tell the guns themselves are all the same just the stocks are different on the different models.

That’s why there are so many aftermarket components for them. You can buy a $700 gun throw it in the stock of your choosing and walnut the bit handle and few other things and have a pretty tailored gun for a couple grand.

 

[112Savage]

The tikka factory magazine is amazing in how well it feeds, its weight, its lack of noise.

I have mountain tactical metal mags for my 300WSM. I actually quit using them. I had to file the feed lips, the follower can tip and bind. Honestly a lot of people change the tikka bottom metal to use other mags; experience feeding issues and go back to the factory magazines.

I do have some dislikes though. 3 rounds of standard bolt face is ridiculous in a magazine. The “bottom metal” is plastic with a metal washer. If you torque it correctly, it may pull or warp the washer within the plastic.

See the bottom metal is a functional issue. The plastic magazines work better than anything else, they just don’t give you the feeling you want.

As an aside the browning x-bolt magazines are plastic too and some of the best I’ve ever used. Ruger American rotary magazines are plastic and some of the worst I’ve ever used. Incidentally I think the difference isn’t the plastic but rather the metal spring inside that is the difference.

 

[TOBY458]

I’ve owned several Tikka rifles over the years. I actually don’t mind that the magazine is plastic, but the magazine release is pretty easy to open unintentionally. I also don’t like that they’re only 3 round mags in all calibers except 223. But otherwise, they are excellent.

 

[HankBuck]

Tikka is quickly becoming one of my favorite rifles. On several PG hunts, I’ve used a certain T3 in .308 several times over the years in Namibia. This rifle spends many weeks per year in the field with a variety of clients. The last time I used it was two weeks ago during trip number 8. While it was once new, it now has many thousands of rounds down the tube, the stock has been beat to pieces, the scope has its share of missing paint, and the thing just keeps on shooting. Seeing it each time is like revisiting an old friend. I absolutely trust it, and I’ve used it for many, many headshots culling duiker, springbok and kudu.

So, what did I do? I came home and placed an order for a T3X in .308.

So, their reliability is known. Their inherent accuracy and quality of manufacture are well-established. The actions are solid. When it comes to value, they often shoot as good, or even better, than custom rifles with match barrels. They are well-reviewed, and hardly anyone has anything bad to say about them…… EXCEPT for one recurring theme.

The stupid plastic magazine feels cheap, is cheap, and seems out of place on such a fine rifle. I have never talked Tikkas with anyone who didn’t lament and bemoan the plastic magazine. Now, I’ll admit, they are much more durable and reliable than I would have anticipated, but I’d be very, very happy to pay a bit extra for a solid piece of hardware that I have to manipulate each and every time I load or unload the thing.

Just today I mentioned the rifle to an acquaintance who does plenty of shooting. First thing out of his mouth….. “I love Tikkas, hate the plastic magazine.”

When every single customer holds their nose about one feature, why not listen, and give customers what they want? I am absolutely certain that one design decision has turned off many potential customers. Am I missing something?

@BryceM - I agree and have a Tikka .22-250 purchased over 20 years ago - it has plastic 3 round mag = “cheap”….but has functioned flawlessly and been durable & problem free. I did purchase two additional 5 round mags for it and they are steel. All the mags are Single Stack so any capacity over 3 rounds is Not flush mount — makes the rifle clumsy during range sessions, I like the rifle, accurate and smooth/fast cycling bolt action. Yes the plastic mags are cheap but also light and work perfectly. Tikka guns seem to work well mechanically and are accurate, they won’t ever win a Beauty Contest but fewer people care about how a rifle looks these days —— especially those born after 1980.

 

[SGW]

I have a Tikka and it shots lights out! It’s a great tool! Won’t win any pageants at the camp. The plastic magazine is cost saving for sure, not a big deal!

 

[meigsbucks]

I didn’t own a Tikka until I purchased a CTR in 6.5 CM from @TOBY458 in January. Then I decided I “needed” a 22” barreled 7mm-08. I was looking for a stainless Tikka, but found a blued at a price I couldn’t pass up. Both rifles consistently shoot an inch or less as long as the idiot behind the rifles does his job.
The CTR has a metal mag and the T3x the plastic. I’m not fond of the way the plastic mag attaches, but after about 300 rounds I haven’t had any issues feeding. The mag release seems recessed enough to not be an issue.

 

[Gomer]

I have a Tikka and it shots lights out! It’s a great tool! Won’t win any pageants at the camp. The plastic magazine is cost saving for sure, not a big deal!

When the T3 came out, I turned my nose up. Now, compared to some of the other space-age looking stuff, I’ve come to like them a lot more. I have a 243, 308, and a 300 Win Mag. The M+ magazines in the 243 and 308 give lots of COAL latitude. The 300 is really tight, even with factory ammo. Thankfully, it shoots great with TTSXs loaded to factory OAL.

 

[Muntjacer23]

While I don’t know the answer, I think it might have something to do that SAKO has metal magazines.

My Sako S20 has a plastic magazine

 

[pilar]

I like tikka but really don’t trust a detachable magazine, I have a friend who had his magazine fall out and become a single shot when on a mountain caribou hunt, maybe it’s a 7mm PRC specific thing?
But it’s definitely not a brand specific problem, I have a savage m11 6.5cm with detachable magazine but haven’t had a mag loss , and my savage action 375 ruger has a mag ( but I have a piece of camo tape holding it in as a insurance thing)
Have heard multiple people say the Sig 100 9.3x62 has problems with magazine latches?
My Remington m788 .308win has a strong metal mag and latch ( but is uncomfortable to carry, because it pokes my ribs) ( maybe I should trade it for a tikka )

 

[HankBuck]

I like tikka but really don’t trust a detachable magazine, I have a friend who had his magazine fall out and become a single shot when on a mountain caribou hunt, maybe it’s a 7mm PRC specific thing?
But it’s definitely not a brand specific problem, I have a savage m11 6.5cm with detachable magazine but haven’t had a mag loss , and my savage action 375 ruger has a mag ( but I have a piece of camo tape holding it in as a insurance thing)
Have heard multiple people say the Sig 100 9.3x62 has problems with magazine latches?
My Remington m788 .308win has a strong metal mag and latch ( but is uncomfortable to carry, because it pokes my ribs) ( maybe I should trade it for a tikka )

@pilar - your right and some detachable mags do “drop out” fairly easily ie: Ruger 10/22 and Remington 760 or 7600 come to mind. Others like my Sako .30-06 and Browning ABolt are very “solid” and I prefer those over any trap door mag.

 

[MS 9x56]

@pilar - your right and some detachable mags do “drop out” fairly easily ie: Ruger 10/22 and Remington 760 or 7600 come to mind. Others like my Sako .30-06 and Browning ABolt are very “solid” and I prefer those over any trap door mag.

The mag in my BLR is very solid and I have never had an issue with it on many rugged terrain and thick cover hunts.

 

[rdog]

I like tikka but really don’t trust a detachable magazine, I have a friend who had his magazine fall out and become a single shot when on a mountain caribou hunt, maybe it’s a 7mm PRC specific thing?
But it’s definitely not a brand specific problem, I have a savage m11 6.5cm with detachable magazine but haven’t had a mag loss , and my savage action 375 ruger has a mag ( but I have a piece of camo tape holding it in as a insurance thing)
Have heard multiple people say the Sig 100 9.3x62 has problems with magazine latches?
My Remington m788 .308win has a strong metal mag and latch ( but is uncomfortable to carry, because it pokes my ribs) ( maybe I should trade it for a tikka )

Keep your REM 788.