Hi guys, wondering if I could get some opinions on these two rifles. I’m on the market for a new hunting rifle. I’ve had a lot of firearms in my life, buy sell shotguns black rifles but when it comes hunting rifles I’m not that experienced. I’ve been using by grandfathers Parker Hale 30-06 and with the years I have taken quite a few deers with it and of course I have a strong emotional attachment to the rifle, but using it is damaging it at the same time since I walk ALOT in my hunts in the bush and rough terrain. So here it is, the replacement rifle delima. I did tons of research and narrowed down to 2 rifles. Big price difference between the two but I can get a the kimber mountain accent for around 2600 right now Or the browning hells canyon for the regular price. I like the detachable magazine on the browning but walking a lot it’s one thing less to loose. Also I heard the magazine on the browning is not the friendliest for reloads which I do. Caliber I would like 30-06 but 308 will work as well I just have to get setup for reloading. I like shooting my gun as well and practice with it. Kimber might be a downfall for that since it’s got the thin barrel but the weight of it wow! Anyone can justify the extra 1000$ For the kimber? Is Browning a better bang for the buck? Should I just keep using the Parker hale ? Thanks for the input ! Edit: The Browning is a Hells canyon speed x bolt
Browning hells canyon or kimber mountain accent
- Thread starter jer1123
- Start date
- Location
- North Coast BC
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pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
My advice would be go shoulder a Montana 84L 30-06. Kimber has the better trigger hands down. If your walking lots go with a Kimber.
I short x bolts before and don’t mind the trigger on it. Apart of the trigger do you think the Montana surpasses the browning?
The Kimber Ascent comes with a brake, recoil is tame.
Light rifles are easier to shoot off hand in my case...this is different for different people.
X-bolt triggers suck...3.5lbs(not with my money), Kimber trigger are awesome and weight adj.
Once you carry the Accent for a day of hunting, its the better bang for your buck hands down..close to 25ozs lighter
CRF with the Kimber...
Both are nice rifles but IMHO the Kimber accent is an easy choice when comparing the two if you don't mind paying for it!
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It goes to show how subjective these things are.
I had a braked rifle once, likely won't ever own one again.
I currently own 2 xbolts, and have zero issues with the triggers on them. The OP mentioned the same. They are adjustable as well.
I did upgrade a vanguard to a timney, and a rem 700 to a TriggerTech.
I've handled the mountain ascent and the montana. I don't like the blind mag on the montana. I had a rifle with one before and just didn't like it compared to the hinged floorplate and removable mag designs.
My LGS in BC recommended the Browning and I've been very happy with both...
I had a braked rifle once, likely won't ever own one again.
I currently own 2 xbolts, and have zero issues with the triggers on them. The OP mentioned the same. They are adjustable as well.
I did upgrade a vanguard to a timney, and a rem 700 to a TriggerTech.
I've handled the mountain ascent and the montana. I don't like the blind mag on the montana. I had a rifle with one before and just didn't like it compared to the hinged floorplate and removable mag designs.
My LGS in BC recommended the Browning and I've been very happy with both...
I had a couple of late model X-Bolts and will never own another due to the lawyer approved trigger-pack.
You can only adjust them down to around 3.25-3.5lbs even with an mCarbo or YoDave spring kit and I suppose I could live with that but if you have any imperfection or creep on the trigger components themselves and you would like to polish/fit them you are screwed.
Browning decided to make the cartridge style trigger pack impossible to open by using a weird type of screw head or rivet that make it impossible to access or service.
Both my X-bolts had some degree of creep/grit in the pull that I couldn't live with and was unable to polish out.
Timneys replacement offering at 300$ which eliminated the bolt lock feature was out of the question so my Brownings went down the road.
Decent rifles...garbage triggers I have heard the earlier model X-Bolts had normal screws that allowed you access to those internal trigger components but I can't confirm this.
The factory triggers on Kimber rifles are exceptional and leave you wanting for nothing,I have owned many examples...the weird curved trigger shoe even gets a pass due to how great the trigger is!
You can only adjust them down to around 3.25-3.5lbs even with an mCarbo or YoDave spring kit and I suppose I could live with that but if you have any imperfection or creep on the trigger components themselves and you would like to polish/fit them you are screwed.
Browning decided to make the cartridge style trigger pack impossible to open by using a weird type of screw head or rivet that make it impossible to access or service.
Both my X-bolts had some degree of creep/grit in the pull that I couldn't live with and was unable to polish out.
Timneys replacement offering at 300$ which eliminated the bolt lock feature was out of the question so my Brownings went down the road.
Decent rifles...garbage triggers I have heard the earlier model X-Bolts had normal screws that allowed you access to those internal trigger components but I can't confirm this.
The factory triggers on Kimber rifles are exceptional and leave you wanting for nothing,I have owned many examples...the weird curved trigger shoe even gets a pass due to how great the trigger is!
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freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
How did you get down to the Kimber or X-bolt HC? I wouldn't pick either if I was looking new rifle, but that is just me. If it was strictly between those two or keep using the PH, I would just use what you have. The PH is a great rifle that will last a life time and if you are worried about marking up the wood, put a Boyd's stock on it and save yourself a couple grand.
Question for the O.P.
If you are looking at a Browning X-Bolt then have you considered a Tikka T3?
I would always endorse a T3 over an X-Bolt since they are in the same price/build category. T3's trigger leaves the X-Bolts in the dust and they are easier to develop loads for.
A T3X in 30-06 would suit your needs for sure with room for growth if you ever wanted to tap into all the aftermarket goodies available for it.
As soulless a rifle as the T3 is it sure is tough to beat in the 900$ category.
If you are looking at a Browning X-Bolt then have you considered a Tikka T3?
I would always endorse a T3 over an X-Bolt since they are in the same price/build category. T3's trigger leaves the X-Bolts in the dust and they are easier to develop loads for.
A T3X in 30-06 would suit your needs for sure with room for growth if you ever wanted to tap into all the aftermarket goodies available for it.
As soulless a rifle as the T3 is it sure is tough to beat in the 900$ category.
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Was wondering the same thing.
Huge price disparity between the two not to mention every conceivable mechanical difference under the sun besides being a bolt action centerfire!
The kimbers are hands down way better quality, I have kimbers and just bought my oldest a browning micro. My classic select is well made and my Montana is better than anything from browning. I like browning but not enough to buy one with any kimbers in my gun cabinet. The browning micro holds moa or just over. The kimbers are both under moa if I do my part. I have seen a few used browning hells canyon rifles on the racks with the ceracote flaking off, and the Tupperware stocks on the brownings aren't my style. For the money I would rather spend more on a kimber and have a quality gun to hand down in my family years from now.
I have looked and handled the Tikka and as much as it is a nice rifle the stock really turned me off. It made me think of a toy gun. I might start looking at them again with after market stocks.
I love my mountain ascent but I sure wouldn’t pay current retail for one. I got mine for 1800 when they first came out and Montanas were still 1300.
I’d be tempted to just get a stainless tikka and put it in a wildcat. Real light, usually real accurate and half the price of a mountain ascent if you finish the stock yourself.
I’d be tempted to just get a stainless tikka and put it in a wildcat. Real light, usually real accurate and half the price of a mountain ascent if you finish the stock yourself.
I look at them as both lightweight rifles with muzzle breaks and weather resistant. I know there are way more rifles in this category but to my personal liking it came down at the two mentioned. I’m still open minded since I’m not in a rush to buy but with the kimber mountain ascent on sale at 2600$ I’m really trying to justify what to do before it’s gone.... But I’m starting to seriously take another look at the tikka t3x if I can find an aftermarket stock that I’d like for it.
The wildcat ultralight is the way to go for the tikka. Super stiff, super light. Very cost effective if you do the work yourself, and still cheaper than a mcmillan or manners if you get a smith to finish it.
Id also consider a Montana over a mountain ascent. The unfluted bolt of the Montana is generally quite a bit smoother than the MA, and the soft touch coating on the MA wears off extremely quickly. The barrel flutes on mine are also not indexed properly, which is purely cosmetic but still drives me nuts. I also have no use for muzzle brakes, so my threads are actually being cut off as we speak.
Id also consider a Montana over a mountain ascent. The unfluted bolt of the Montana is generally quite a bit smoother than the MA, and the soft touch coating on the MA wears off extremely quickly. The barrel flutes on mine are also not indexed properly, which is purely cosmetic but still drives me nuts. I also have no use for muzzle brakes, so my threads are actually being cut off as we speak.
