Well I have decided to get a new rifle for the upcoming deer season, and I have narrowed it down to two choices; the Tikka T3 Hunter and the Browning X-Bolt Hunter. Both are beautiful rifles and have received great reviews, but I'd still like to hear some opinions from the CGN community. So let's hear what you have to say; pros, cons, likes, dislikes etc. Help me decide!
T3 Hunter or X-Bolt Hunter?
- Thread starter Slug870
- Start date
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
I've had both, and prefer the X-bolt. Cartridge choice would also effect my choice, as the X-bolt comes in two action sizes, the T3 in long action only.
I own 2 Tikka's and would like to add the price of a spare mag is ridiculous for the Tikka and fairish for the Browning. But I like both, so I would hold each one and you can't choose (they both fit you well) then buy the cheaper one!
My sisters fiance has a Tikka 7mm syntheic hunter. He loves it. Very accurate. I bought the Mrs. a xbolt medallion addition 270WSM last year, her brother owns the same gun, her cousin Brigette owns a 7mmWSM xbolt medallion. Once again accurate and feather trigger. I honestly like the Tikka over the browning. Both are reliable. Both will go boom when you pull the trigger. The Tikka and The Browning are extremely accurate. I hunt with a BLR .308, put prefer my Lee enfield .303. The .308 cal. is superior to the .303, but it's all preferance. That's why suggest you get a feel for the guns. Pick em up get a feel for em. or buy'em both lol
Have you picked a Caliber?
Have you picked a Caliber?
For me, it was the Model 70 Featherweight or Xbolt Hunter, because I wanted a wood stock and I thought the Tikka looked awful in wood(but I'm sure there are people who hate the look of the Xbolt.).
The way the xbolt felt sold it for me.
The trigger on mine is sweet, but the one thing I`d change is the magazine is one of those composite plastic deals, metal would make me feel better about paying 50$ or so for another magazine, so I haven`t yet. (and I don`t see much reason to need more than 4+1 .30-06 anyway)
The way the xbolt felt sold it for me.
The trigger on mine is sweet, but the one thing I`d change is the magazine is one of those composite plastic deals, metal would make me feel better about paying 50$ or so for another magazine, so I haven`t yet. (and I don`t see much reason to need more than 4+1 .30-06 anyway)
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
As much as I like my Tikka, I like my X-bolts even more
I have a T3 hunter in 6.5x55 which I really like, the trigger is fantastic and th egun is stupidly accurate. I had an Abolt 11 which was ok, but the trigger was kind of mushy,
After years of loving Sako rifles and turning up my nose at Tikka's I now kind of wonder why. FWIW, I've never bought a second clip for any rifle I've ever had so the cost of them is irrelevent to me.
The tikka is cheaper and a great gun.
After years of loving Sako rifles and turning up my nose at Tikka's I now kind of wonder why. FWIW, I've never bought a second clip for any rifle I've ever had so the cost of them is irrelevent to me.
The tikka is cheaper and a great gun.
If I may chime in.... I bought the first X-Bolt in Sudbury back in 2008, loved the gun. It was a Medallion in .300WSM. It was the most accurate big game rifle in my battery at the time, consistantly right around (or under) an inch with several different loads. The magazine is awesome, better than the T3's hands down and half the price to replace. The excellent trigger is another bright point of the Xbolt, although the Tikka's is not far behind. I ended up selling it to a buddy a few months ago because of the high gloss finish. I'm not hard on equipment by any means, but I hated how it marked up so easily. Battle scars are cool, but they're only cool if they have a story behind them, and I'll be damned if I could remember where any of those dings came from! So for that reason, I'd get a synthetic, or the matte-finished hunter like you're considering. My Ruger M77 MkII has an oil rubbed finish that's much more practical IMO.
As for the T3, a few of my friends own Tikkas and swear by them. They are tough, and accurate, but I just can't get over how cheap they look and feel to me. It's a $900 gun that feels like a $500 gun. The factory recoil pad is terrible. I shot my Xbolt and a Tikka with the same ammo side-by-side and the Tikka was noticeably more fierce in recoil; to the point of being uncomfortable for more than three or four shots. He has since added a Limbsaver. However, they probably have come down in price since I last looked at them... If you find one priced in line with the Remington SPS and Savage 111's I would serisously consider it.
That being said, it really is a personal preference thing. They are both accurate, reliable rifles. Shoulder them and see which feels better. Then make your decision from there. In a perfect world you would know someone with both rifles who would let you fire them both! Good luck!
As for the T3, a few of my friends own Tikkas and swear by them. They are tough, and accurate, but I just can't get over how cheap they look and feel to me. It's a $900 gun that feels like a $500 gun. The factory recoil pad is terrible. I shot my Xbolt and a Tikka with the same ammo side-by-side and the Tikka was noticeably more fierce in recoil; to the point of being uncomfortable for more than three or four shots. He has since added a Limbsaver. However, they probably have come down in price since I last looked at them... If you find one priced in line with the Remington SPS and Savage 111's I would serisously consider it.
That being said, it really is a personal preference thing. They are both accurate, reliable rifles. Shoulder them and see which feels better. Then make your decision from there. In a perfect world you would know someone with both rifles who would let you fire them both! Good luck!
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After shopping around I just bought a Stainless Stalker from Prophet River in 223. They gave me a great package deal with a leupold VxII (and had it shipped to Edmonton in my hands with the scope mounted and bore sighted all in less than 48 hours from when I agreed to buy it!). I've rolled some 45 to 55gr loads with H335 and Varget and will try out tomorrow. The action is very smooth operating and overall it feels very solid. I don't like the Tikka's synthetic stocks (looks or feel), their bolt handle design (looks like the end of a proctology tool) or the low profile ejection port. They do have a smooth action though. I have the x-bolt's trigger turned all the way down and while it could be a bit lighter yet it is very crisp with no take-up or over-travel. The mag is well designed with center feed - and also would accomodate cartriges with an OAL of about 2.45 inches which is way above the 223 max length. When you see the mag it is hard to believe it holds 5 rounds but they fit. Another feature that got me was the short bolt-lift. While the CZ 527 has a shorter action - their bolt lift really sucks. Still want a full-stock 527 anyway!
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
To be fair a T3 Lite can be had brand new for $599. So your quote should be: "it's a $599 gun that feels like a $500 gun".
I can only find them for $699. Where are you finding them for $100 less?
