Tikka M595 .243 Win

by **nickhornet** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:18 am

Recently I had a chance to buy a Tikka M595, Whitetail Hunter rifle in .243. I was very pleased with its good looks and slick action, as well as its reported accuracy. The more I shoot it, the more I liked almost everything about it.

To be honest, I have done some digging around on the internet and have found some interesting info;
Prior to 1917, Finland had been part of Imperial Russia, the Czar ruling as the Grand Duke of Finland. However, this came to a rapid and abrupt end at the outbreak of the Russian Revolution. While the Reds were able to pull the Czar from his throne and eventually subjugate all of Russia, such was not the case in Finland.

A Finnish Aristocrat and former Czarist General, Baron Carl Emil Mannerheim, rose up and led the White anti-Communist forces during a brutal civil war. He crushed the Red Communists around mid-1918.

As can be expected, the defense of their newfound liberty was of immediate concern to the Finn's. During these early years, two companies would come to play important roles by providing weapons for the defense of Finland. The better known of the two was of course Sako, and the other Oy Tikkakoski. These two companies played a key part in rebuilding and later refurbishing rifles for the Finnish Defense Forces.

While Sako's story begins in 1919, Tikkakoski's history actually predates Sako's, the company having been established by 1890. The name Tikka (woodpecker) is derived from the name of the village where the company was located -- Tikkakoski, which means Woodpecker Rapids.

When the Soviets returned to lay claim to Finland in 1939, the Finns put their Sako and Tikka produced Mosins to good use, heroically defending the freedom of their homeland. In doing so they gained lasting respect for their marksmanship skills, and bravery, during the Winter War of 1939/40. Unfortunately their bravery and skill-at-arms could not save them from the relentless Russian hordes. They were eventually overwhelmed. To save Sako, a controlling interest was donated to the Red Cross in 1945. This was done to exempt the company from confiscation by the USSR as part of Finnish war reparations. They produced not only military weapons, but also became famous for their handsome and superbly accurate sporting rifles. Sako has gone on to earn an enviable reputation for both quality and accuracy.

Tikka did not immediately return to the manufacture of firearms, however in 1957, they introduced a line of hunting rifles and combination guns, and the Tikka banner returned. By 1974 though, the company had fallen on hard times, and was purchased by Nokia.

Production continued in Tikkakoski until 1988 when the company was merged with. The production of Tikka models was renewed, independent from the Sako line.

In 2000, Sako Ltd. was purchased by Beretta.

Specifications
Tikka Whitetail Hunter M595 .243
It has a series of actions which are designated: Short action M595, Long action M695 incl. Magnum.
Models are also available in left hand (LH) version.
Bolt handle is stainless steel.
The detachable clip MAGAZINE holds 3 cartridges.
The single-stage TRIGGER pull is adjustable from 1 kg to 2 kg (2 to 4 lbs). Mine is set a tad lower than 2lb.
The stunning walnut STOCK is matt lacquered and has a butt plate system where the length of pull and the butt plate angle are adjustable by means of straight and angled spacers.
It also has a nice size palm swell.

It is supplied without open sights but has integral rails for the scope mounts on the top of the receiver.
The free-floating BARREL is cold-hammer forged.
Sling swivels are standard.

I have mounted a Meopta Artemis 2100 3 x 12 x 50 which works superbly on low rings.

It also sports a moderator that came with the rifle a T8 which is in good condition but it will get a Predator 8 or 12 when replacement is needed.

Calibre - 243 Win
Rate of twist - 10":1
Overall length - 1070 mm (42 1/8")
Barrel length - 570 mm (22 7/16")
Weight - 3.2 kg (7 lbs)
Cartridge capacity - 4 rounds (1 in chamber, 3 in clip magazine)
I have to admit I took a liking to the Tikka M595 straight away. It's a good looking and well-made rifle with a slick action. Accuracy is very good, as seems to be a trait of Tikka rifles.

This can be seen in the fact the 1999 British Long-Range Bench rest Championship was won by a Tikka Continental in 6.5x55. Group size was 10 rounds into 4.4 inches at 1,000 yards. Anyone looking for an accurate hunting rifle would do well to consider a Tikka M595.

Now I am not that good but here are some pictures @ 100m shooting at the Bog..
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I don’t reload at the moment all the ammo I use is factory i am lucky that this rifle spits out PRIVI ammo in good groups too;
I use Norma 58grain ballistic tip; 50m = 2mm high, 100m = 25mm, high 250m = 0 fairly flat trajectory.
I also use PRIVI 100 grain SP; 100m = 50mm high

Pictures of the rifle to follow