I have had all three rifles, two EWs (270 WSM and 300 WSM), an early A7 Tecomate in 270 WSM, and multiple Tikkas (both Lites and Superlites). This is what I liked/disliked about each:
Tikka-light, still relatively cheap, normally very accurate, great trigger, more and more aftermarket support each day, little to tinker with as they normally shoot so well out of the box. Some folks don’t like the plasticky-ness (if thats a word) stock, mags, bottom metal, but that doesn’t really bother me much. They are very common and mostly soul-less, which is why I think so many mod them. For me, Tikkas are a tool rifle to go shoot and not worry about. They just work.
A7-not as light as the Tikka possibly much heavier depending on the configuration and stock, more expensive overall, shoot just as well as Tikkas as they share the same barrels, slightly less plasticky, magazines stupidly expensive, very limited aftermarket support. Multiple action legths compared to one action size on the Tikka if that matters. Mine was the early Tecomate version with the green B&C stock. I wasn’t thrilled with the chunkiness of the stock, overall weight, or expense of buying extra mags. It also has a three lug bolt, which is very smooth to work like the Tikka, but has a much harder bolt lift compared with two lug actions. Also there is the possibility of ejection issues similar to the Sako 85 long actions (my WSM length action was fine) with brass hitting your scope and falling back into the action. Slightly less soulless than the Tikka, but for the cost and tradeoffs, I’d take the Tikka every time. My A7 was sold a long time ago.
Winchester Mod 70/EW-Potentially the most expensive of the three, All metal construction, CRF, significantly heavier, potentially as accurate but not always, MOA trigger (which some like, some despise) easily adjustable and lightened with Earnie’s spring, early ones made in USA (BACO SC), later in Portugal, decent aftermarket support due to longevity of Winchester model,production. Comes with a B&C stock which is what it is, heavier than necessary, chunky (especially earlier plain black models -newer black/gray speckeld ones reported to be slimmer), stock feel changes depending on short/WSM/long action with the long action forearm being significantly longer, overall rifle weight generally the heaviest of the three (similar to the A7 Long Range in weight), not as smooth action as Tikka and A7. Much more prone to have a soul. Personally I much prefer the feel of the wooden featherweight stock on the FW compared with the B&C on the EW. One of my EWs I gave to my Dad, who shot it, sold it, and bought a FW. The other EW was sold a while back. Personally, I’m done hunting with a heavier rifle than necessary (currently prefer Kimbers, which sometimes have their own issues, Tikkas, and Fieldcrafts) and my last Win is a BACO SC US made Stainless Featherweight in 30-06 which is likely going up for sale shortly on the 24 Hour Campfire site as I just don’t use it. I still have way many more people ask me about that rifle than any of my others, as it just has soul.
Hope this helps and let us know what you decide.
Craig
