Why does Tikka persist in supplying rifles with plastic magazines?

[CBH Australia]

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.

I have the CTR in 7mm-08 and had a T3 Laminate in .308 long before that.

I like both magazines no contest. The 10 round CTR took a lot of pests from the vehicle in follow up shots.

The plastic magazines feed smoothly.
When Im on foot I carry a spare loaded 3 or 5 round in my top pocket in case I manage to go through the ammo on pigs. Others are worried about dropping a mag from the rifle so the second mag can be a spare in the unlikely event you have an unfortunate or unforeseen incident losing or breaking a mag.

I suspect it’s by design to meet a price point being the budget brand of the parent company. It doesn’t affect accuracy.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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
If'n it ain't broke why fix it.
The plastic mag works and works well. Time has proven it strong, durable and works well.
You used to be able to get six shot replacement mags made of steel for the T3 lite but being single stack they made the rifle uncomfortable to carry. My mate blue had one and thought it was a pain in the arse.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

As i get older i am getting rid of my rifles with plastic stocks & magazines for me older rifles all wood & steel are are much more appealing . the only plastic rifle i own is a RUGER American in 7.62x39 at least it has a metal magazine & its amazingly accurate .75 moa 3 shots . As for stocks a BELL & CARLSON or
H S precision stocks are great on a rifle used for rough country hunting . I am 1 week post right hip replacement & about to re finish the stock & rust blue a 1968 Win 94 30/30 , with sintered steel receiver i find these older rifles are much better than the plastic fantastic low cost rifles of to day.
A friend of mine has a Browning x bolt in 308 he is on his 2 nd replacement plastic mag, replaced by warranty due to feeding issues .

@rdog
Does that mean I will soon get your plastic stock Ruger 350 REM mag. It has a plastic stock.
Looking forward to getting it.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have 4 tikkas and I am contemplating selling 2 of them just because I don't really use them. But I don't understand the hate over the plastic magazines.

I have heard this same complaint about almost every gun that uses plastic magazines. I have used easily over 100 guns that use plastic magazines and have experienced extremely low rates of magazine failures.

I notice the most common thing I hear is "I hate the plastic magazines, they feel cheap and I don't trust them". That is 99% of the complaints I see and hear. which is funny because I'm sure people have had failures. But most complaints I have seen is about how it makes the person feel, not about performance.

I have also seen lots of failures from metal magazines. I don't feel like it is more or less than plastic magazines. I don't personally feel like thin stamped metal magazines scream quality and reliability over molded plastic.

Overall, I think most people who had experience in the past with metal magazines or internal magazine with floor plate just don't trust the plastic.

@Sabre
Most military weapons now have polymer mags in both rifles and handguns and they work fine.
Drop a metal mag and you can bend the feed lips. Drop a polymer mag it may scratch and bounce but it won't bend.
Some companies are even going to a combination of polymer and metal nags. Polymer body with metal base.
Bob

 

[rdog]

@rdog
Does that mean I will soon get your plastic stock Ruger 350 REM mag. It has a plastic stock.
Looking forward to getting it.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

Nice try Bob, about 1 year ago i was lucky to find a genuine Ruger laminated stock for it , fitted the De accelerator pad off the plastic stock & put the plastic stock in the fire. as i had to cut the back off it to salvage the recoil pad. How are you knees going ?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@BryceM
They don't shoot as good as my custom guns that were cheaper than a Tikka in Australia plus they don't come in calibres I like and they look like toys in my hands.
Apart from that tikka is a good rifle
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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

@375Fox
In Australia they are well north of $1,000
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Nice try Bob, about 1 year ago i was lucky to find a genuine Ruger laminated stock for it , fitted the De accelerator pad off the plastic stock & put the plastic stock in the fire. as i had to cut the back off it to salvage the recoil pad. How are you knees going ?

@rdog
Missed out again
The knee is going well, hope to get bush early next month
Bob

 

[375Fox]

@375Fox
In Australia they are well north of $1,000
Bob

I think that would primarily be because of tariffs and taxes.

Here is pricing at a bigger local gun shop in US for base models. They are on sale pretty frequently.

 

[rdog]

@rdog
Missed out again
The knee is going well, hope to get bush early next month
Bob

 

[rdog]

Bob Good luck with your knee i am 2 weeks post hip replacement ,have good days & bad days my 2 sons are away pig & rabbit hunting i wish i was with them its boring sitting on my ass waiting to heal. Thank god we have the skilled surgeons to do this type of work or we would be screwed.

 

[BryceM]

So, good luck to you knee & hip patients. Putting those in people is what I do for a living.

So, in the spirit of this thread, both knee and hip replacements contain plastic parts designed to last a lifetime….. and usually they do. Hip replacements that contained only metal were a disaster.

So far I’m tickled pink with the new rifle. It’s doing well under 1 MOA with the first load I tried. But, now I’m on to an entirely different complaint. To seat the bullets where I want to, I’ll need to buy an M+ magazine. It’s nice they exist…. but it’s another $60 or so to be able to seat the bullets near the lands. I suppose I’ll live.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So, good luck to you knee & hip patients. Putting those in people is what I do for a living.

So, in the spirit of this thread, both knee and hip replacements contain plastic parts designed to last a lifetime….. and usually they do. Hip replacements that contained only metal were a disaster.

So far I’m tickled pink with the new rifle. It’s doing well under 1 MOA with the first load I tried. But, now I’m on to an entirely different complaint. To seat the bullets where I want to, I’ll need to buy an M+ magazine. It’s nice they exist…. but it’s another $60 or so to be able to seat the bullets near the lands. I suppose I’ll live.

@BryceM
I was lucky with my knee replacement.
My surgeon was assisted by a MAKO robot. This gives a far more accurate job +-.3mm accuracy he use a lateral incision instead of an anterior incision. Far quicker healing and recovery. I was back driving threw weeks post surgery.
Bob

 

[Boredrill]

I have a few of the Mt Tactical mags I use for 30-06AI and 7x57.
If measuring max COAL in those would help, I’d be happy to find out. Might be on their website, too, come to think of it.
Seems like I parted with the factory mags, but I’ll check.