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

byronick87 said:
Sorry; the Winchester has a 2 position Safety, but works like a 3 position. Theres a button in front of the safety that allows you to lift the bolt while in safe .
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If my memory serves me, the AB3 has the something similar as the Winchester.
I do remember the Winchester safety making a twang sound when taking it off safe. Apparently it costed my friend a deer lol. I think it was more his being sh*t at hunting
 
byronick87 said:
If my memory serves me, the AB3 has the something similar as the Winchester.
I do remember the Winchester safety making a twang sound when taking it off safe. Apparently it costed my friend a deer lol. I think it was more his being sh*t at hunting
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The one I looked at in store had a very quiet safety. I’m guessing it was an easy excuse for him.
 
Lyallpeder said:
Thanks for the input. What do you mean the Winchester has a 3 position safety? You mean 2 position, right?
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The three position safety has fire, safe but you can lift the bolt to unload and safe with bolt locked.

Two position is just fire and safe.
 
dand883 said:
The three position safety has fire, safe but you can lift the bolt to unload and safe with bolt locked.

Two position is just fire and safe.
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Thanks, I know what we all mean now.

In the manual online Winchester calls it a 2 position safety because the safety is either in fire or safe. The safety doesn’t move into “unlock the bolt” like a model 70. A separate button, the “bolt unlock button” releases the bolt.
 
The Tikka will likely be a good shooter out of the box. The XPR might be. I have one that I had to bed to get it to shoot consistently. I have seen another XPR in 6.5 CM, no less shoot 5-6" groups at 100 yards. YMMV
 
The Xbolt ‘3’ and Winchester are on the same playing field both having pros/cons, whereas the Tikka is more comparable to the regular Xbolt and higher quality IMO…., but if it’s about money, then probably better to remove the Tikka from the list and just compare ABolt3 vs Win and see which one feels best for you personally (I’m sure either will satisfy @ couple hundred yards).
Cheers.
 
Of those three the tikka t3x hunter with the walnut stock would be by far the best rifle and would be my choice. You said wood stock so I assume hunter but the laminate stainless is also a very nice model.

I’d also consider the x-bolt hunter with the walnut stock, much better than the AB3 and a bit cheaper than the tikka. Plus there is a $200 mail in rebate on the x-bolt right now so it’s a really good value.
 
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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You end up finding one?
There are some good sales on those now in walnut
 
Also, replying to my own comment.... I'd probably go Winchester XPR. AB3 is probably the most classic looking rifle in walnut. (That's the one I have, in 7mm08 also.) Tikka walnut is beautiful, but put the extra money you save toward a better scope.
 
smokedherring said:
Also, replying to my own comment.... I'd probably go Winchester XPR. AB3 is probably the most classic looking rifle in walnut. (That's the one I have, in 7mm08 also.) Tikka walnut is beautiful, but put the extra money you save toward a better scope.
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Yeah I went to P&D and looked at all 3, although the browning they had was plastic. The tikka just didn’t feel like $300ish better. Perhaps it would have shot $300 better but we’ll see, I doubt I’m that good to notice. I haven’t taken it to the range yet but I did gather what I need to load 120gr Ttsx for it. This Winchester has a very nice grain in the stock, and after 20+ years hunting with a 1975 model 99, this tigger is amazing! Lol.
 
I could not find a AB3 in stock in wood near me. I handled a plastic one, it was very similar to the XPR (as mentioned above)

I handled the T3X yeah it was nice, but didn’t really feel $500 more nicer. I don’t think I’m enough of a marksman to really see it’s amazing accuracy. And I want this for hunting not precise target shooting.

I ended up buying an XPR. It has very nice wood and compared to my current 1975 deer rife the new one has an amazing trigger. I realize there is probably better out there but I have never used them.
Today was warm, and I was the early shift at work so I went to the range and did some shooting and cleaning.

Like I said I’m not a great shot but just under 1.5 inches at 100 yards with 140 gr factory ammo was achieved, even with a gusty 40km/h wind.

I have everything to load some 120gr TTsx with BL-(c)2. That’s the next project.

Thank you all for the input. I appreciate it.
 
remington jim said:
Tikka T3X in 7-08 with 120-145 gr bullets will get it Done for a LONG time for you ! RJ

Of course with a Synthectic Stock would be my choice for a Hunting rifle 😀Much more Durable 👍
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Funny that you typed that Injunnus Jimmie.
I just picked one up.
Tiny little thing.
Two pound trigger.
Funny #’s for a model.
Haven’t deciphered what they mean?
PHJ5331 FI24
Anyone?
 
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