First of all, I went to the gun store to just get a rifle and not the rifle/scope package as most of the scopes are cheap.  My main concern was to get a quality rifle for around $600.  Yesterday I bought a new Tikka S3 Lite, blued in 7mm Mag.  I paid $499 on sale and thought it was a great choice.  It was not my first choice.  I originally went there to buy either a Remington 700 7mm Mag, or Weatherby Vanguard 2 7mm Mag.  I also had Savage in the back of my mind.  I did look at the Remington 770 and the bolt was so sloppy you actually had to guide it straight or it would grab the sides of the housing.  WalMart (I know, just buying bullets)) told me they are not going to carry the 770 anymore because no one will buy them.  And this is crazy, the 770 cost $25.00 more dollars than my Tikka.  I checked out the Remington 700 first.  Very smooth bolt, very well made gun.  I am not a fan of matte blue barrels.  I guess it's just not as appealing to me.  I was going to overlook that because of the reputation of the 700.  My friend works there and was telling me his older 700's were excellent and he shot 1″ groups easy.  The last three he bought, in different calibers, were not very accurate.  Out of the box they were shooting 3″ groups.  With higher priced ammo he was getting under 2″.  He had one of the barrels modified and then he was back to 1″ groups.  But like he said, it's a 700 and I should not of had to do that to pull tighter groups.  His just wanted to inform me, but not decide against a 700.  He said they are a very fine rifle, but it seems the quality is not the same.  The Weatherby Vanguard 2.  I have never shot a Weatherby but I have read great info on-line about their quality.  It equals the 700, or surpasses.  They only had it in 30-06, and while I do like that caliber, I just can't get enough of the 7mm Mag.  I took out a doe at 350 yards with one.  1 shot in the lungs, and it didn't even take a step.  My dad even asked me if I knew how far that was before I took the shot.  I did look at the Savage and the bolt play was a lot smoother than the 770, but I just couldn't make up my mind.  He said the Savage was a very fine rifle, and with his experience he would choose it over the 700.  So I am looking over the rifles and he can see I am not excited about any of them.  Next question, 'Have you heard of Tikka'?  Not a lot, but as I was doing my research comparing the Remington 700 vs. the Weatherby Vanguard 2, a few people said they would rather have a Tikka.  I did not research that rifle.  So he let me check it out.  I was so impressed, I was filling out the paperwork in no time.  First of all, a very tight and easy sliding bolt, Sako match grade barrel, adjustable trigger, removable magazine (not crazy about plastic and the magazines are expensive, but that was not a big deal), very sturdy synthetic sock that will not tweak when shot, floating barrel, nice bluing.  I cycled 9 rounds through it with perfection.  Very smooth.  A very eye catching rifle.  I am more than pleased with purchase.  I will buy a nice scope next month, and I can't wait to shoot it! 😀