Beginner--- TIKA T3 VS BROWNING XBOLT

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vale46

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HEY GUYS .... New to this, looking for my first rifle and also looking for a rifle with no issues, was thinking of one of the two mentioned above, looking for a 30.06 for all rounder..thanks
 
My votes for the Tika great barrels buttery actions and accurate as anything most people need plus they are starting to make aftermarket gear for them like chassis systems if you decide to get into it just my two cents though
 
Flip a coin, for sure.

Brownings are a bit more expensive, but they don't need a $50 recoil pad out of the box. The Tikka does. It REALLY does.

Also, a spare Tikka magazine is north of $100, and the spare browning mag is $55.

The tikka is better made, and maybe better designed. It does, however, have a lot of plastic parts, which might bug you, but doesn't affect performance.

I quite like the tang safety on the browning.

My Tikka has a 2.5 pound trigger, and my browning has a 3.5 pound trigger, and I prefer the browning trigger. It's almost supernaturally good. Zero take up and roughly zero over travel. The tikka trigger is great too.

Both rifles are best mated to Talley Lightweight rings, so that's a wash.

Tikka is imported and supported by Stoeger. This is not a "plus". I don't know who the browning importer is.
 
I prefer the design of the Tikka, as it uses fewer parts, Browning rifles tend to be overdesigned these days. The Tikka rifles have a much better triggers, but tend to produce more felt recoil. A Limbsaver is almost a must with the Tikka. The fit and finish is comparable on both, and both tend to be accurate.
 
There's no such thing as a "beginner" rifle. There's affordable junk and expensive junk, just as there's affordable quality and expensive quality. Take your pick.

A T3 would be considered mid-priced (depending on model) and "quality". I don't own Brownings so I can't judge.
 
Tikka gets my vote. Cheaper to buy. More accessories available. Mags are more, but if only hunting you only need one. It seems like you're paying more for the Buck Mark logo than what it's worth when compared to a Tikka.
 
I own both, and I do like the Tikka, but it tends to be a safe queen. The X-Bolt comes with me on every hunt, it's accurate, works flawless, magazines are fantastic, has a much nicer feeling stock, and just plain points right.
 
T3 Lite in .30-06 has pretty sharp recoil. I would not recommend it for a new shooter/hunter. A T3 Lite in .270 is, imo, a better choice. That is what I ended up buying for my wife. Relatively mild 130gr loads (2850 fps) easily get the job done on game and are fairly easy on the shoulder so practicing is more fun and less likely to induce flinching.
 
they are both good rifles, go shoulder them yourself and see what you like better...I personally like my xbolt a little more, trigger is nicer for me

also just joined the vanguard bandwagon during the flamer sale, I like the gun a lot (not the stock lol), definitely a gun to consider in the same price range
 
In my opinion the ruger m77 or winchester M70 is a better choice and it's around the same price. These rifles are made of metal and no plastic on them unless you get synthetic stocks. They both have the reliable mauser style action which in my opinion is more superior and robost.
 
I think there's a flamer 308 Vanguard on the EE selling at cost ($450ish shipped). That would be my choice for a first rifle. just paint the stock.
 
vale46 said:
besides those two, any other options
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Um, those would be about the first two I would recommend actually, I sold my savage 16 to buy a tikka recently, I really like the 60 degree bolt lift on the brownings and Tikka's and the savage was bit heavier and the bolt no where as smooth as compared to the tikka or browning, if I was going to upgrade from those the next thing would be a steyr prohunter, outdoor essentials in smithers BC has them, but they run around $1500, and don't carry them in left handed models.
 
Another Browning X-bolt fan here. Tikkas are very good rifles but I just plain prefer the Browning. There isn't a feature that I would change on the current crop of Brownings whereas I know that I wouldn't like having a plastic trigger guard - they are functional but I feel that they make the rifle look and feel cheap. I don't like the single sized actions (in a .30-06 this really doesn't matter but I really dislike it for the .223/.308 family sized cartridges). I also don't much care for the stocks on the Tikka (just preference). I like that the action on the Browning is bedded and that the magazines are expensive. I am not sure if 4 mounting screws are needed for a scope base but I figure it doesn't hurt either.
 
Never owned a Tikka however did own a Sako A7. Slick bolt however had issues with it and returned it. I also own an x-bolt and a couple A-Bolt II's. I like brownings. I found them reliable and very accurate. Being old school I have a tendency to lean towards to A-Bolt II over the X-Bolt and it just so happens Bass Pro has got their hands on a swack of A-Bolt II's (stainless stalkers) and put them on sale for $749.95. Some may not agree however I would suggest getting one of these now. Super price for a fantastic firearm.
 
I have owned both tikkas and brownings. I own multiple vanguards..

Varguard/howas are cheaper than the browing and tikka also.. Win win. Imo
 
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