Update, I bought one. Browning AB3, Winchester XPR or Tikka T3?

Lyallpeder

Lyallpeder

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I am looking at getting a new deer only rifle for 30-250 yard max. I’m thinking this will be a buy once and use it for 20 years. I do hand load and would like to switch to solid copper bullets. I have settled on 7mm-08 and it must have a wood stock.


Looking online I have reduced it down to 3 that I am looking for experienced fed back on. Browning AB3, tikka t3 and Winchester XPR. All 3 are similar weight, barrel length and twist rate.

I realize the Tikka is the standard these days, but other than a smooth bolt, what does it bring to the table for $525 more than the Winchester? If you’re going to tell me the tikka is more accurate, have you used them both or are you going off what you have seen online? Not trying to be rude but I have not seen much information from non sponsored individuals online to suggest the XPR is “not accurate” as a deer rifle.

The AB3 looks good, it’s mid way priced, but will be harder to find with wood and 7mm-08.

Thank you for your feedback.
 
Have you been able to find any of the 3 rifles you speak of in stock anywhere? Tikkas with wood stocks are relatively common, but I don't see many AB3s or XPRs with wood stocks, and 7mm08 isn't a super-popular round either.

Sometimes what you can actually find in stock makes the decision for you...
 
The Winchester is basically the Browning AB3 but with the Winchester MOA trigger. On that basis I prefer it but the AB3 is just fine too.

Of the 3, I prefer the Tikka, I think its a cut above the more "economy" level rifles that the Browning and Winchester fit into...but would have no prob owning any of em!

Yes the Tikka is more accurate. And personally, I think it will stand up to a lot more use. The trigger is VERY trouble free in crappy conditions. Basically if you're not gonna ride it hard and put a LOT of rounds through it, you're not gonna have anything but a more shootable rifle. The rest won't matter.
 
Suther said:
Have you been able to find any of the 3 rifles you speak of in stock anywhere? Tikkas with wood stocks are relatively common, but I don't see many AB3s or XPRs with wood stocks, and 7mm08 isn't a super-popular round either.

Sometimes what you can actually find in stock makes the decision for you...
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Yeah I looked at the XPR and T3 in wood, AB3 may be nowhere to be seen in person, and I don’t want to order it.

That being said, I don’t think I really saw $500 difference between the two. I definitely like the 60 degree bolt on the Winchester,
 
smokeater40 said:
I have an XPR Sporter in 308 win, it has served me well as a deer/moose rifle out to 200 yrds. I too like wood over composite/plastic stocks.
FWIW, I really like the XPR and the bolt is not a zipper.
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Thanks. After handling the Winchester and the tikka I’m leaning to the Winchester, all wood rifles seem to have the same soft/hollow wood feel to them in this price range. I know it’s real wood but just the way they use that satin finish on them.
 
Joel said:
The Winchester is basically the Browning AB3 but with the Winchester MOA trigger. On that basis I prefer it but the AB3 is just fine too.

Of the 3, I prefer the Tikka, I think its a cut above the more "economy" level rifles that the Browning and Winchester fit into...but would have no prob owning any of em!

Yes the Tikka is more accurate. And personally, I think it will stand up to a lot more use. The trigger is VERY trouble free in crappy conditions. Basically if you're not gonna ride it hard and put a LOT of rounds through it, you're not gonna have anything but a more shootable rifle. The rest won't matter.
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Thank you, I appreciate it. I thought the Winchester did not have the 60 degree bolt, turns out it does. Thanks for mentioning your experience with the trigger, I’ll look into that more too.
 
Lyallpeder said:
I am looking at getting a new deer only rifle for 30-250 yard max. I’m thinking this will be a buy once and use it for 20 years. I do hand load and would like to switch to solid copper bullets. I have settled on 7mm-08 and it must have a wood stock.


Looking online I have reduced it down to 3 that I am looking for experienced fed back on. Browning AB3, tikka t3 and Winchester XPR. All 3 are similar weight, barrel length and twist rate.

I realize the Tikka is the standard these days, but other than a smooth bolt, what does it bring to the table for $525 more than the Winchester? If you’re going to tell me the tikka is more accurate, have you used them both or are you going off what you have seen online? Not trying to be rude but I have not seen much information from non sponsored individuals online to suggest the XPR is “not accurate” as a deer rifle.

The AB3 looks good, it’s mid way priced, but will be harder to find with wood and 7mm-08.

Thank you for your feedback.
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Check out black friday deals or when rebates are offered. I lucked out and picked up an xpr last year for 50% off and this year picked up an axis xp on sale plus $75us rebate
 
I have an AB3 and XPR.
XPR has a better trigger.
Other than that they seem equally as good as each other.
A grade above Savage Axis, but below Tikka, but Tikka is 30% more in price.
 
Lyallpeder said:
Thank you, I appreciate it. I thought the Winchester did not have the 60 degree bolt, turns out it does. Thanks for mentioning your experience with the trigger, I’ll look into that more too.
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No worries! Since Browning Portugal makes the Winchester rifles anyway, they put the same trigger as the Win 70 in their branded version...but otherwise its really just the AB3. They're the same rifle. At least as far as my examination of them went.

One word on accuracy though, if you end up shooting offhand while hunting more than you do from a rest...I find the lil bit of extra heft holds steadier than the Tikka. And absorbs a lil bit more recoil too. YMMV on that one but if you were to say "did you notice a diffrence shooting a Tikka T3 and the AB3 in 308 at 100 yards?"

Yep!
 
Lyallpeder said:
I realize the Tikka is the standard these days, but other than a smooth bolt, what does it bring to the table for $525 more than the Winchester? If you’re going to tell me the tikka is more accurate, have you used them both or are you going off what you have seen online?
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I sight in on average 50-60 firearms per year for past 25 years for clients, friends and myself and i can tell you without question that the Tikka is the farrrrr superior firearm of the 3 mentioned in every way imaginable imho!
And i'm not here for a pissing match or to argue with anybody(and i will ignore such bs) but you asked for feedback and opinions and this is mind.

Cheers and happy hunting.
 
wonksy said:
I sight in on average 50-60 firearms per year for past 25 years for clients, friends and myself and i can tell you without question that the Tikka is the farrrrr superior firearm of the 3 mentioned in every way imaginable imho!
And i'm not here for a pissing match or to argue with anybody(and i will ignore such bs) but you asked for feedback and opinions and this is mind.

Cheers and happy hunting.
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I agree, FWIW

But I think the average hunter would be just as successful with any one of em over lots of years. Only so much of that superiority REALLY matters, you have to want it....you probably won't need it.

But if you appreciate it, cool!

This coming from a big-league Tikka fanboy haha
 
I find a good bolt is the most important. Makes a big difference when you're scrambling to get a round in the chamber because a deer walked out while you were pissing or something. And if you go for a detachable mag, make sure it's a good one.

To that end, I'd go for the Tikka. The other two just don't feel as fast or as smooth.

You also mentioned you're planning to keep it for 20+ years. If that's the plan why wouldn't you buy something nice?
 
I'm a Browning fan but would probably choose the Tikka for the Trigger. For longevity I would consider stainless and depending on the weight of the copper rounds your planning on loading I would want a 1 in 8 twist. That way if you decide to load the longer, heavier, high BC bullets you will be able to stabilize them. I don't know if those options are available in any of those models but it's worth looking at. Hope you find the gun that fits. Cheers
 
270WSMXBolt said:
I'm a Browning fan but would probably choose the Tikka for the Trigger. For longevity I would consider stainless and depending on the weight of the copper rounds your planning on loading I would want a 1 in 8 twist. That way if you decide to load the longer, heavier, high BC bullets you will be able to stabilize them. I don't know if those options are available in any of those models but it's worth looking at. Hope you find the gun that fits. Cheers
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7mm08 doesn't have the case capacity to bother with the really heavy bullets. Even 160gr is getting pretty long for the little -08 case unless you can load 'em long, and most short action magazines don't give you much room to do that.
 
If it was gonna be monos in the 7mm-08, don't think theres need or reason to any heavier tha 120gr TTSX or 139gr LRX anyway. The 120gr has quite a following. And the faster the better.
 
If you have some room in your budget I would get the Tikka in stainless and throw on a Boyds Hardwood Stock on it. I have my tikka set up like this and the Boyds stock is a real nice addition to the rifle and also keeps the wood stock look and feel while being a significant improvement over the factory stock regardless of manufacturer
 
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