A decade ago, I stumbled upon a quirky rifle in Cabela’s “Bargain Cave” that screamed “deal of the century.” Picture this: Battue-type iron sights, an 18” fluted barrel, and a stock that looked like it was camo’d with last season’s mossy oak rejects. But hey, it was on sale and chambered in .300WM—perfect for the moose hunt I had lined up that fall. I grabbed it, and boy, was I impressed. Three locking lugs, a smooth 70-degree bolt throw, and a trigger so crisp it could slice through your doubts about buying it. That, my friends, was my introduction to the world of Tikka rifles. And let me tell you, it was love at first shot.