Tikka t3 or browning x bolt?

tipper said:
I'm looking for a new 30-06 with a detachable magazine. I've been looking at the tikkas but heard the stock basically sucks? Browning the way to go?
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Absolutely NOTHING wrong with a T3X stock ! I Have T3X SS SuperLite Fluted barrel and bolt - Strata Stock 30-06 - did the yo Dave trigger spring ! Excellent Shooter . RJ

No comment on a browning as I have not even held one .
 
I’d pick the Tikka, they’re both nice though. I handled both a few year back while looking for left hand bolt action’s, I didn’t initially consider the x bolt but it sure did fit me well when I shouldered one.
 
I've owned both but had the tikka only briefly.
I'd choose the x-bolt. It's bolt was every bit as smooth, more accurate out of the box, felt better balanced in my hands, the synthetic stock was stiffer and didn't feel so cheap.
 
I have both. Used xbolt, new to me, as yet un shot. The xbolt feels the more solid gun, also at least a lb heavier. The T3 is my father's last rifle a early one in 3006. The tikka can shoot, easily better than me. Basically a hockey puck factory "recoil" pad. A limbsaver was about $60, tamed the recoil nicely.

The negative I heard about the xbolt( or abolt?) was that the barrel/action threads are very fine. Hard not to gall/cross thread if your replacing a barrel. I would doubt either rifle would be a likely candidate to rebarrel, so maybe a mute point.

Just my take, tikka is a Chevrolet that really shoots; whereas, the xbolt is a Buick. Can't go wrong with either.
 
Although I own one Tikka and no Browning rifles, the X Bolt seems like a better rifle to me. Tikka still seems overpriced and flimsy, for lack of a better word.
 
Tikkas are ok, I just see them as budget rifles due to the one action length, lame recoil lug, cheap stocks, etc. About 30% over priced for the basic models, I won't get into how out to lunch the "fancy" models pricing is lol.
When I hear "soo smooth action, shoot great" all I can think is Savage Axis, a $500 rifle that does that too lol.
Xbolts are finely made, but I don't really like the over priced rotary plastic mags (still cheaper then Tikka plastic mags though) and the 8 screw scope base affair is a solution to a problem that never existed lol.
If my only choices were those 2, I'd actually choose something else, I dunno, lots of nice rifles out there in that range, hell I've seen some new Winchester M70's in the $1200 range, there are Howa's in HS Precision stocks in that range, lots of goodies to be had.
 
EJG said:
Never seen an Xbolt at any of our PRS shoots or F Class. Plenty T3's though. They hold up quite well. One of the best bedding set ups with the recoil lug bedded in the stock. Done right any T3 action will fit right in a bedded stock and shoot straight....and the T1X will also fit into that stock as a trainer set up. T3 action is Lighter than a Rem 700 action, don't know about the Xbolt weight.
Most factory stocks are not up to much and one improves with aftermarket offerings, no matter what rifle brand.
edi
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Xbolt doesn't have much aftermarket support, thats probably why you don't see many at PRS shoots.

Hitzy said:
Tikkas are ok, I just see them as budget rifles due to the one action length, lame recoil lug, cheap stocks, etc. About 30% over priced for the basic models, I won't get into how out to lunch the "fancy" models pricing is lol.
When I hear "soo smooth action, shoot great" all I can think is Savage Axis, a $500 rifle that does that too lol.
Xbolts are finely made, but I don't really like the over priced rotary plastic mags (still cheaper then Tikka plastic mags though) and the 8 screw scope base affair is a solution to a problem that never existed lol.
If my only choices were those 2, I'd actually choose something else, I dunno, lots of nice rifles out there in that range, hell I've seen some new Winchester M70's in the $1200 range, there are Howa's in HS Precision stocks in that range, lots of goodies to be had.
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Soo smooth for the Axis? I guess if you don't factor in the stupidly heavy bolt lift... I like the Axis but if the T3 is overpriced so is the Axis these days...

rascal1 said:
Tikka's advertised min trigger weight is a lie. Can't get them lower than 2.5 lbs because the screw backs up into the mounting bolt of the trigger group. Have had 2 T3x rifles and both had the same issue. Have a Yo Dave trigger in my current rifle, didn't make a difference. In this day and age, there is no reason to have only a 2 position safety like the Tikka. The X bolt has a 3 position set up which is much safer. Tikka is a bit lighter and has more after market support and has probably a bit smoother action. I am going to flip it and get another X Bolt.
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A 3 position safety is much safer? How so? Not being able to open the bolt doesn't make the gun safer. (not that you should rely on a safety anyways)


OP I'd go handle both and pick the one you like more. The lack of aftermarket support for the Browning would make me lean towards Tikka over Browning, but if you don't care about after market support the Browning is a nice rifle for the price. Their magazine design in particular is interesting, it has a shoulder in it to prevent bullet tips from hitting the front of the mag well under recoil.
 
The rotary magazine on the Browning is far superior to the Tikka magazine. The 60 degree bolt lift is another bonus when it comes to mounting optics. I find the cheap synthetic stock on the Tikka has an unusually harsh recoil for caliber compared to almost anything else I've shot with a tupperware stock including the Savage Axis. They both have their pros and cons but IMO the Browning is a better quality rifle. If they were both fitted in a wood stock I may be persuaded to go with the Tikka if it was a long action caliber.
 
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Suther said:
Xbolt doesn't have much aftermarket support, thats probably why you don't see many at PRS shoots.



Soo smooth for the Axis? I guess if you don't factor in the stupidly heavy bolt lift... I like the Axis but if the T3 is overpriced so is the Axis these days...



A 3 position safety is much safer? How so? Not being able to open the bolt doesn't make the gun safer. (not that you should rely on a safety anyways)


OP I'd go handle both and pick the one you like more. The lack of aftermarket support for the Browning would make me lean towards Tikka over Browning, but if you don't care about after market support the Browning is a nice rifle for the price. Their magazine design in particular is interesting, it has a shoulder in it to prevent bullet tips from hitting the front of the mag well under recoil.
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Do I have to explain the benefits of a 3 position safety to you? Shouldn't rely on the safety? Do you do any hunting or packing a loaded firearm anywhere? Really, you seem a bit clueless.
 
Suther said:
Xbolt doesn't have much aftermarket support, thats probably why you don't see many at PRS shoots.



Soo smooth for the Axis? I guess if you don't factor in the stupidly heavy bolt lift... I like the Axis but if the T3 is overpriced so is the Axis these days...



A 3 position safety is much safer? How so? Not being able to open the bolt doesn't make the gun safer. (not that you should rely on a safety anyways)


OP I'd go handle both and pick the one you like more. The lack of aftermarket support for the Browning would make me lean towards Tikka over Browning, but if you don't care about after market support the Browning is a nice rifle for the price. Their magazine design in particular is interesting, it has a shoulder in it to prevent bullet tips from hitting the front of the mag well under recoil.
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Those silly savage are in a league of their own no doubt, the Axis, 10, whatever model all share the same 20+ piece bolt design, it's ridiculous honestly, the firing pin spring is super short, stiff, but it has a faster lock time then just about every other rifle out there, even the barrels are unusually rough and while they shoot pretty crazy good out of the box, they get even better with age lol.
But yeah, the Axis is probably overpriced too, basically a barrelled action with a Lego bolt. Use to be a $300 rifle, now they are pushing $500 unless you find a sale.
But really, when you compare the axis to the Tikka, how much different are they? Same long action sillyness, both have floppy cheap stocks,, they both shoot well, and at the end of the day the Axis probably costs more to manufacture then the Tikka and retails for much less. So is that Tikka worth your money, I dunno, that is all personal decision stuff.
 
I prefer the xbolt, but the cost has increased substantially in the last few years. There are a lot of expensive sub-models, and they've actually done away with some of the traditional chamberings in favour of newer ones. Just before the pandemic you could find some micro midas xbolts for 750. The pro/pronlong range could be had for under 2k and had substantial mail in rebates. I like mine but no way would I pay 3k for one.

Assuming you're looking at xbolts in the same ballpark price as the tikkas (1000-1200) , I'd go with the xbolt. If you're looking at more than that there's probably better value in the 1699 Sako finlight that one of the site sponsors (Italian sporting goods) has for black Friday.
 
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Those that want to use a rifle out the box without future changes they might be better off choosing what comes up better to the shoulder, maybe also what scope mounting options suit better. I would skip the injection moulded plastic stocks and chance a wooden stock especially in your climate. (At least that can be properly bedded)
If however one wants to keep a rifle for longer and might want to customise parts to suit a certain hunting style then the T3 is the way to go. Good selection of stocks from ultralight to ultra heavy available, very good scope mount options from say Spuhr made for the T3, several aftermarket magazine systems available. I think the T3 action very underrated and weight to stiffness ration possibly the best out there. The T3 action is so popular because people have faith in it, I would certainly choose it over any older Tikka or any Sako action.
edi
 
rascal1 said:
Do I have to explain the benefits of a 3 position safety to you? Shouldn't rely on the safety? Do you do any hunting or packing a loaded firearm anywhere? Really, you seem a bit clueless.
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I USE my safety all the time. I don't RELY on it though. Responsible handling is what I rely on.

And yes you do need to explain how a 3 position safety is safer. I literally asked that in the post you quoted. I know how they work. I don't see how they're more safe though.
 
Only 1 of my 3 Tikka magazines function properly. That's another knock against the Tikkas. It's crazy that cheap STANAG or Glock mags work flawlessly but $100 magazines will fail.
 
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