I can't speak to the Tikka, but i do own a 700 AAC-SD in .308.
New these rifles are $600 at Buds, maybe teensy bit lower if you can find one on sale somewhere. That scope is $500 on optics planet (I didn't check anywhere else). So $850 doesn't sound too bad for me if it's a clean example.
The pluses:
The barrel is only 20" which some don't like for a "precision" rifle. However, it is a heavy barrel which
makes up for an inch or 4 of length in a lighter barrel. I also like that the shorter length makes it a bit easier to manage.
Barrel has 1-10" twist, which also makes up for some barrel length, and i have shot heavier bullets with good results with it.
Factory threaded if you want to add your own muzzle device. Mine has a silencerco ASR brake for the Specwar. Very neat to shoot suppressed at home for practice. (I can also buy the ASR mount for the Saker, but haven't yet)
Aftermarket toys for the 700 are plentiful. This can be a long term investment/project.
I shoot it well ha ha
Mine has a Vortex 4-16x50 Viper PST FFP scope on it. I thought enough of the rifle to put my best scope on it.
Cons:
Trigger might be subject to the recall (you can check the serial number on Remington's site on your phone at the store
). Mine was subject to the recall, but I didn't mind. Since I bought it to learn precision shooting, i planned on replacing the trigger anyway with a Timney. This rifle is awesome with the Timney. I sent the trigger in by itself to keep for if i ever sell the rifle, i will keep the timney and put the stock back in.
Some don't like the X-Mark Pro trigger. I have the same rifle in 300 BLK, and this trigger is newer and was not subject to the recall. I don't mind the trigger at all. It doesn't have a lot of takeup, the break is pretty crisp and it's adjustable. It is not
quite a smooth as the Timney, but I didn't spend $200 on it LOL.
The stock is a Hogue overmolded. It is quite flexible, which many don't like. I plan on stiffening the forearm with some stock putty. When I can out shoot the rifle, I will replace the stock with something else from McMillan, B&C or H&S.
Again on the stock, the flexible forearm does touch that heavy barrel when any pressure at all is put on it, like on a rest. I solved this by simply drinking a sprite and cutting up the can to put a couple of thicknesses of sprite can around the front action screw. Problem solved. (I have the same stock on a Howa 1500 compact ranch, and the thinner barrel does not touch.)
I will take my time selecting the right stock, but I can easily put rounds down range with decent accuracy for now. At my stage of development, that means my best is 5 shots in the size of a nickel at 100 yards. I will take it.
Having said all that, I have heard really good things about the Tikka. It just depends on what your goal for the rifle would be. I just know I really like the 700 AAC-SD.