Beginner--- TIKA T3 VS BROWNING XBOLT

I have never shot a tikka, but have handled a few. Seem like a decent gun though.
As far as the x-bolt, they are beautiful guns, but I'm not a fan. I have been to the range with 3 of them... Two in 30-06, and a 300 short mag. I didn't shoot well with any of them. Don't know why really...they just didn't feel righ. But then again, not every gun feels good for every person. I like the a-bolts better.

In the same price range, my favourite is the model 70. For me, they sit really well.
Try to handle and shoot as many as you can. I shoot everything I can get my hands on.
 
I have owned both the Tikka and the Browning, currently only own the Tikka because a buddy just had to have my Browning. I feel the Tikka is the better rifle, however it is not with out its own faults. The biggest one for me is the aluminum recoil lug, I always replace the crappy lug with a hardened stainless steel lug from Lumley Arms, but after receiving the new lug it is a 5 min install job so really not a problem. The biggest fault with the Browning for me was the trigger, I know others rave about it, but it comes no where near a Tikka trigger in my opinion.

Try them both if you can, buy the one that feels best to you!
 
Its almost impossible to say conclusively that one is a better than the other.

Shoulder each one and pick the one that feels best to you.

I prefer the Tikka but that is entirely personal and has nothing to do with mechanical or design superiority.
 
I've tried the tikka and own two Xbolts. They tikka and browning both shoot exceptionally well. I chose the browning for the way it fit me and the mag design (rotary vs single stack magazine). The other reason I chose the browning was that I bought a .223 & .204, and didn't like the idea of the long action for those small short cartridges. The browning actions are specific to the cartridge length. Either choice would be a excellent choice.
 
I've had a SS A bolt in 25wssm for about 20 years. 2 years ago I was in the market for a 270. After shouldering the X bolt and the tikka I chose the X bolt. I couldn't get used to the safety on the tikka and the stock felt cheap. My trusty a bolt has never let me down and it has brought down well over 2 dozen bucks. My x bolt Carbon fluted SS 270 is also a sweet rig.
 
Both are excellent rifles and 30/06 is a great cartridge.
As for other choices I'd start on the bottom with a Savage Weather Warrior and top it out with a Sako 85 Stainless Synthetic.
In the middle Vanguard (Howa), Ruger and Winchester if you accept floor plates (or are willing to add DBM).
I've never been a big Browning guy but they make a great gun (the BLR Stainless take down in '06 has my eye).
Currently I favor the Tikka or preferably the Sako.
 
The Browning X Bolt is a superior rifle in every aspect when compared to a Tikka. Not a fair comparison though... the X bolt is a 3 locking lug action, the Tikka a two lug... the X bolt considerably safer if you ever blow a reload.
 
I own 2 Tikka's already (dealing on a 3rd one) and one X-Bolt.
The X-bolt looks nicer, but the smooth action and accuracy of the Tikka's wins. I like the Tikka triggers better.

I must admit, though that my Tikka stainless .270 Win looks really nice in its' Boyd's laminated stock.
 
Wow..... il do more homework, and try different ones out, thanks a lot guys for all your input mostly appreciated
 
guntech said:
The Browning X Bolt is a superior rifle in every aspect when compared to a Tikka. Not a fair comparison though... the X bolt is a 3 locking lug action, the Tikka a two lug... the X bolt considerably safer if you ever blow a reload.
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Ive had both. I currently have 3 tikkas and no xbolt. The xbolt trigger was garbage and the tikka triggers are good, thats a very big aspect. I couldnt lower my xbolt trigger weight to less than 3.5 pounds, there was zero overtravel so that when it got cold the trigger would get harder and harder to pull till it was seized.this was by the parts relationships not aa lube problem. Nobody on this forum seems to know how to dissasemble an xbolt bolt judging by a recent thread and browning isnt telling either. There seems to be nothing an owner can do about this trigger. The xbolt seemed good in other respects but the tikka is made for performance. I kind of like the stingy elegance of the tikka although besides the trigger the browning seemed very good.
 
porpoise said:
Ive had both. I currently have 3 tikkas and no xbolt. The xbolt trigger was garbage and the tikka triggers are good, thats a very big aspect. I couldnt lower my xbolt trigger weight to less than 3.5 pounds, there was zero overtravel so that when it got cold the trigger would get harder and harder to pull till it was seized.this was by the parts relationships not aa lube problem. Nobody on this forum seems to know how to dissasemble an xbolt bolt judging by a recent thread and browning isnt telling either. There seems to be nothing an owner can do about this trigger. The xbolt seemed good in other respects but the tikka is made for performance. I kind of like the stingy elegance of the tikka although besides the trigger the browning seemed very good.
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I know how to disassemble an X-bolt bolt. It's the same as an A-bolt, that way.

Grab the cocking indicator in padded vice grips, and unscrew the entire bolt shroud, about 30 revolutions.

Never take off the vice grips until you've reassembled!

Be super careful you don't break off the cocking indicator.

Grease those threads before you reassemble, because the bolt and bolt shroud rotate on those threads when the bolt is operated. You're slightly unscrewing the bolt shroud every time you unlock the bolt, and slightly screwing in the bolt shroud when you lock the bolt.

The bolt shroud on the X-bolt is the ugliest, roughest, and most amateurish casting I've seen in years. And I've got a White Gold Medallion!

Style points to Tikka.

Easier to strip the tikka bolt, too.

I'm concerned by your experience with the trigger. I love my X-bolt trigger, though I agree 3.5 is the minimum. I'll toss the rifle in the deep freeze and re-test. Cheers!
 
The x-bolt has performed flawlessly for me at -30c even after being covered in snow from the snowmachine. Every time, without fail.
 
Bartledan said:
I'm concerned by your experience with the trigger. I love my X-bolt trigger, though I agree 3.5 is the minimum. I'll toss the rifle in the deep freeze and re-test. Cheers!
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If you have any overtravel at all i think it should be ok but mine had none and felt weird i like a bit of overtravel. Another thing about my xbolt trigger the trigger shoe pivot pin was so tight when i bought it the trigger wouldnt return and it wouldnt recock after tripping the striker.
 
Browning wood is nice and glossy. But seems to scratch and dent easy. Can't comment on tikka wood stocks as never owned tikka with wood stocks.

Plastic stocks are pretty well all the same. I own two tikka lites and they are keepers.

Not sure if Ido go to the browning again but they have that new ab3 model.
 
Ive owned both and both and they are great rifles. The Xbolt felt much better to handle, overall appearance was better. Didn't care for the Xbolt trigger. Tikkas shot better so I kept the better shooting gun. Really you cant go wrong with either one.
 
The new Winchester Model 70s made in South Carolina (parts in Europe, I believe) have been positively reviewed by everyone, including my own experiences. They are truly a fine factory rifle, and there is nothing more reliable, IMHO.
 
1899 said:
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.
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Haven't shot a Tikka but from everything I hear this is definitely a consideration as stated this can be improved by upgrading the recoil pad. You don't want a lot of unnecessary recoil as a new shooter much better to start off with a milder recoiling rifle. Here's a chart of a recoil shown in the middle column as foot pounds of energy. The 30-06 is around 20 foot pounds down around 15 is more pleasant to shoot and better to learn with in my opinion.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

A heavier rifle helps reduce felt recoil as will a good recoil pad.
 
The only thing plastic on the Browning other than the stock if you choose synthetic is the magazine. The bolt throw on the Browning is shorter because of the Browning's 3 locking lug bolt while the Tikka has 2 locking lugs. Browning has what is called their Dura Touch stocks. The stocks feel like a layer of rubber is wrapped around them however people have reported of this being very easy to peal. You can use Sako's Opti Lock rings and bases designed for Tikka rifles however its about $250 for the set up. Most people go with Leupold rings and bases while those who are very cheap go with Weaver bases. The Limbsaver recoil pad is a must for Tikka rifles. Browning already come with a good recoil pad. Tikka's are noticeably lighter rifles with their Super Lite being much lighter than Browning's Carbon Lite.

These rifles are really a coin toss to pick as they're both good rifles however, I suggest shouldering both of these rifles and using the bolt on both of them while shouldering them. This is the ultimate decider for most people once they do this.
 
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