- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
First for those who don't want to read this whole thread, no big deal, just take my advice, and go buy this rifle. 
For those who want some more info, I will do my best to put it all out there, and answer any questions....
Here goes....
So a recent promotion at work is what brought me to start looking at some decent rifles in the first place. I have always only purchased budget rifles, such as Stevens 200's, and Savage 111's, or a Marlin XS7, etc. I had been happy with those guns, and they all shot well, but I never got much satisfaction from them. They just never boasted the quality, and feel of a good rifle, like it would last a lifetime. So my hunt began....
Initially I was after iron sights, and started a thread on the topic, which didn't yield many answers, but I ended up snagging a Win M70 on the EE with Irons, and immediately I could see the difference in quality between this gun and the various others I had owned in the past. It was a nice rifle, and worked great, but it was used, and just didn't do it for me. It was a carbine model, and was light weight with no recoil pad, which I felt at the range, even in a .270 win. The irons were useless with the Leupold turn in mounts, as they would not be easy to take off anyways in the field, so I abandoned the idea, and sold her on the EE.
So what were my options now? I settled on either the Tikka T3, or Browning Xbolt, both of which have excellent reviews. At this point I hadn't handled either rifle but the reviews for both were very positive, and I knew the local SAIL had both so off I went to check them out.
I had heard the Tikka felt a little cheap, and I agree the stock really didn't exude quality, but it felt real good. Bolt was smooth, and I am Finnish so I wanted to go Tikka but......
I knew as soon as I picked up the Xbolt that it was the one.
This particular one is in my all around calibre of choice .270 WIN, and I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this gun...... LOL
What I love:
Overall Styling:
- Gun looks awesome despite many complaints I have read. I like it, and the bolt/shroud have some pretty cool styling of their own.
60 degree bolt throw:
- Makes cycling the bolt fast and hard really easy, with your scope mounted as low as possible, and not getting in the way of your knuckles.
- Very smooth, and the polished fluted/cut bolt is very nice.
Textured stock finish:
- The whole stock is covered in a rubberized material, with texturing on the forend and grip.
- Feels really good, and even when wet it is not slippery at all.
- Concern is chips, tears, peeling, but reviews say it holds up well
Recoil Pad:
- One of the best on a factory rifle I have ever felt. Shooting this gun all day is no issue at all.
Barrel/Rifling:
- Not sure how to say this, but the barrel rifling on this rifle is top notch. Running a cleaning brush through the barrel you can tell how smooth the inside is. Comparing to the other rifles I have/had it is night and day. This also shows in cleaning, as their is little to know copper fouling after about 100 rounds now.
Scope Mounts:
- The Xbolt has 4 mounting holes per base. I have never seen this before, but it seems like a great idea. Ensures better alignment, and strength so I only see this as a positive.
Overall Fit & Finish:
- Easy to please here I guess, but like I said this gun is a huge step up in this department. I honestly can't say there is anything I have found that is wrong, or out of place on this one.(That said the one on display had a slightly warped forend with the barrel closer one side.)
- The gun is also a flat textured coating, or blueing which seems really durable.
Trigger:
- Absolutely fantastic trigger, and came perfectly adjusted for a hunting rifle. It is easy to adjust though and can get down to 3 lbs according to Browing.
- Most importantly it breaks like glass with little to no take-up or over-travel.
Accuracy:
- With my first small trial of loads this thing easily shoots MOA, and I am sure with more tinkering I could do better.
- See pics below
What I am just OK with:
Weight:
- many reviews say this is a light gun, but the Tikka is lighter, and some of the cheap guns I have owned even more so. With the 3-9 scope it does feel a little hefty, but compared to some it is pretty good.
Small Bolt Handle:
- Just feels strange, and seems unnecessary with the 60 degree bolt throw. Hell a huge tactical knob would easily clear any scope.
Things I don't like:
Nothing!!! LOL
Anyways here is a couple pics.
She is mated with a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40, with Leupold bases, and rings:
Now as for accuracy, I have only been reloading for this gun, and have only tried 1 bullet/powder combo, but so far I am very impressed, and with some more tinkering I am sure these groups will get even better.
These are Hornady 140 Grain Interlock BTSP and 56 Grains of H4831sc:
So long story short, if you are thinking about one of these guns...........GO FOR IT!!!
I am loving mine.
Cheers,
M
For those who want some more info, I will do my best to put it all out there, and answer any questions....
Here goes....
So a recent promotion at work is what brought me to start looking at some decent rifles in the first place. I have always only purchased budget rifles, such as Stevens 200's, and Savage 111's, or a Marlin XS7, etc. I had been happy with those guns, and they all shot well, but I never got much satisfaction from them. They just never boasted the quality, and feel of a good rifle, like it would last a lifetime. So my hunt began....
Initially I was after iron sights, and started a thread on the topic, which didn't yield many answers, but I ended up snagging a Win M70 on the EE with Irons, and immediately I could see the difference in quality between this gun and the various others I had owned in the past. It was a nice rifle, and worked great, but it was used, and just didn't do it for me. It was a carbine model, and was light weight with no recoil pad, which I felt at the range, even in a .270 win. The irons were useless with the Leupold turn in mounts, as they would not be easy to take off anyways in the field, so I abandoned the idea, and sold her on the EE.
So what were my options now? I settled on either the Tikka T3, or Browning Xbolt, both of which have excellent reviews. At this point I hadn't handled either rifle but the reviews for both were very positive, and I knew the local SAIL had both so off I went to check them out.
I had heard the Tikka felt a little cheap, and I agree the stock really didn't exude quality, but it felt real good. Bolt was smooth, and I am Finnish so I wanted to go Tikka but......
I knew as soon as I picked up the Xbolt that it was the one.
This particular one is in my all around calibre of choice .270 WIN, and I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this gun...... LOL
What I love:
Overall Styling:
- Gun looks awesome despite many complaints I have read. I like it, and the bolt/shroud have some pretty cool styling of their own.
60 degree bolt throw:
- Makes cycling the bolt fast and hard really easy, with your scope mounted as low as possible, and not getting in the way of your knuckles.
- Very smooth, and the polished fluted/cut bolt is very nice.
Textured stock finish:
- The whole stock is covered in a rubberized material, with texturing on the forend and grip.
- Feels really good, and even when wet it is not slippery at all.
- Concern is chips, tears, peeling, but reviews say it holds up well
Recoil Pad:
- One of the best on a factory rifle I have ever felt. Shooting this gun all day is no issue at all.
Barrel/Rifling:
- Not sure how to say this, but the barrel rifling on this rifle is top notch. Running a cleaning brush through the barrel you can tell how smooth the inside is. Comparing to the other rifles I have/had it is night and day. This also shows in cleaning, as their is little to know copper fouling after about 100 rounds now.
Scope Mounts:
- The Xbolt has 4 mounting holes per base. I have never seen this before, but it seems like a great idea. Ensures better alignment, and strength so I only see this as a positive.
Overall Fit & Finish:
- Easy to please here I guess, but like I said this gun is a huge step up in this department. I honestly can't say there is anything I have found that is wrong, or out of place on this one.(That said the one on display had a slightly warped forend with the barrel closer one side.)
- The gun is also a flat textured coating, or blueing which seems really durable.
Trigger:
- Absolutely fantastic trigger, and came perfectly adjusted for a hunting rifle. It is easy to adjust though and can get down to 3 lbs according to Browing.
- Most importantly it breaks like glass with little to no take-up or over-travel.
Accuracy:
- With my first small trial of loads this thing easily shoots MOA, and I am sure with more tinkering I could do better.
- See pics below
What I am just OK with:
Weight:
- many reviews say this is a light gun, but the Tikka is lighter, and some of the cheap guns I have owned even more so. With the 3-9 scope it does feel a little hefty, but compared to some it is pretty good.
Small Bolt Handle:
- Just feels strange, and seems unnecessary with the 60 degree bolt throw. Hell a huge tactical knob would easily clear any scope.
Things I don't like:
Nothing!!! LOL
Anyways here is a couple pics.
She is mated with a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40, with Leupold bases, and rings:
Now as for accuracy, I have only been reloading for this gun, and have only tried 1 bullet/powder combo, but so far I am very impressed, and with some more tinkering I am sure these groups will get even better.
These are Hornady 140 Grain Interlock BTSP and 56 Grains of H4831sc:
So long story short, if you are thinking about one of these guns...........GO FOR IT!!!
I am loving mine.
Cheers,
M
Last edited:
