Vanguard or xbolt

[kamlooky]

I had an early Vanguard and put a detach mag kit in it.
It didn’t stay in there long.
The mag release tab had a habit of unlatching itself when shouldered.
Always listening for the “click”.

Walking guns don’t need detch mags.

I second the T3’s over the Vanguards.
X-Bolts haven’t made it’ear yet.

Two T3’s here and both impress me for what they are and how they perform.

 

[45C]

No need for a smith,
I’ve used the browning trigger and it’s quite good

 

[stubblejumper]

No need for a smith,
I’ve used the browning trigger and it’s quite good

I have adjusted X bolt triggers that would not adjust to below 3-1/2lbs. That is more than I am comfortable with for a big game rifle. On rhe other hand, my T-3 triggers easily adjusted to 2-3/4lbs, and were safe and consistent at that setting.

 

[HunztheMighty]

I would put in another vote for Tikka. There stocks leave something to be desired but so do most factory stocks. I owned an Xbolt and as far as a rifle goes it was nice. The trigger though was horrible.

Consider dropping the tikka into a grs Berserk stock or Bifrost. They have some wood stock as well if that more your speed.

What ever road you travel down make sure you post a photo of the final decision!

 

[Milt Dale]

In my opinion both the Vanguard and the X bolt are good rifles, I have owned a few X bolts and still have a few Vanguards, I prefer the Vanguards but I also prefer Hinged floor plates, there are other good choices out there so maybe look around a bit and sell both, and buy a rifle you like. A Boyds stock on the X bolt might change your opinion of it but you will be adding weight.

 

[Danielbear22]

I had a bolt composite stalker in stainless chambered in .270. The thing kicked like a mule and was so unbearable that I sold it. I did have a few scenarios were mags would come out on their own in a rocking motion sort of.

Great action, slick bolt, amazing triggers and accurate but I don't know if I'd go with one again personally. Maybe it was me?

 

[270WSMXBolt]

I had a bolt composite stalker in stainless chambered in .270. The thing kicked like a mule and was so unbearable that I sold it. I did have a few scenarios were mags would come out on their own in a rocking motion sort of.

Great action, slick bolt, amazing triggers and accurate but I don't know if I'd go with one again personally. Maybe it was me?

The composite stalker is a pretty light gun. If the projectile is heavy and the powder a little fast she's gonna bang... Unless you put a big scope on it or other stuff on it. Curious did it have the inflex pad? My bolts are magnums and very manageable. The new 6.8 western is just sweet and soft with the recoil hawg. My old 270 Husky kicks worse than both my bolts. hell my 30-30 win levers are brutal in comparison. Cheers

 

[Danielbear22]

The composite stalker is a pretty light gun. If the projectile is heavy and the powder a little fast she's gonna bang... Unless you put a big scope on it or other stuff on it. Curious did it have the inflex pad? My bolts are magnums and very manageable. The new 6.8 western is just sweet and soft with the recoil hawg. My old 270 Husky kicks worse than both my bolts. hell my 30-30 win levers are brutal in comparison. Cheers

I had just the base stock and had a typical leupold scope on it. A 2-7 i believe. I eventually got a boyd stock for it and added a bi-pod for weight and it still hit like a truck.

I agree with you though. Considering it was my first rifle, im sure if I went with the normal version it would have been more manageable.

I shoot my dad's sebatti and a sako a 5 carbine in .270 and it's not as bad. I just assumed the x-bolts weight and maybe hoe the stixk was constructed attributed to the shoulder bashing nonesense

 

[stubblejumper]

Anyone that actually believes that the X-bolt triggers are good, needs to try some quality triggers. The Tikka/Sako triggers are a significant step up, and the Triggertechs that some manufacturers now use, are a huge step up from the x-bolt triggers. The x-bolt triggers are better than the old A-bolt, or newer model 70 triggers that were truly horrible, but they are far from being a quality trigger.

 

[FLHTCUI]

I had a bolt composite stalker in stainless chambered in .270. The thing kicked like a mule and was so unbearable that I sold it. I did have a few scenarios were mags would come out on their own in a rocking motion sort of.

Great action, slick bolt, amazing triggers and accurate but I don't know if I'd go with one again personally. Maybe it was me?

The two things that my .300 WM Browning A-bolt II kicked was that hockey puck for a recoil pad (changed out to a soft cushy one) and it kicked me for selling it back in the day.
I went with several Vangards since and have come back to the Browning line with the X-bolt.
I'm a vanilla ice-cream kinda guy so I don't mess with aftermarket bits and bobs....
Rob

 

[Danielbear22]

Anyone that actually believes that the X-bolt triggers are good, needs to try some quality triggers. The Tikka/Sako triggers are a significant step up, and the Triggertechs that some manufacturers now use, are a huge step up from the x-bolt triggers. The x-bolt triggers are better than the old A-bolt, or newer model 70 triggers that were truly horrible, but they are far from being a quality trigger.

Considering I have rifles ranging from Springfield armory, cz, sako, tikka and more, I still thought the trigger (after I adjusted it to be lighter, was still nice even though I prepare a 2 stage trigger

 

[45C]

Anyone that actually believes that the X-bolt triggers are good, needs to try some quality triggers. The Tikka/Sako triggers are a significant step up, and the Triggertechs that some manufacturers now use, are a huge step up from the x-bolt triggers. The x-bolt triggers are better than the old A-bolt, or newer model 70 triggers that were truly horrible, but they are far from being a quality trigger.

I’ve owned a few of browning xbolts SS stalker in 7 mm rem mag and the newer ones with the factory adjustable trigger is better than the Tikka factory trigger.
The factory stock is better as well.

I’ve owned a few complete insite arms builds as well and no doubt the trigger tech is sweet.

But we’re discussing factory rifles , no?

 

[stubblejumper]

I’ve owned a few of browning xbolts SS stalker in 7 mm rem mag and the newer ones with the factory adjustable trigger is better than the Tikka factory trigger.
The factory stock is better as well.

I’ve owned a few complete insite arms builds as well and no doubt the trigger tech is sweet.

But we’re discussing factory rifles , no?

Yes factory triggers, my Tikka/Sako , Cooper, Christensen rifles all have factory triggers that adjust down to 2-3/4lbs with no creep, but even a friend's new $2500 X-bolt long range rifle in 6.8 Western, wouldn't adjust to 3lbs. With the thin fluted barel, it is not as easy to shoot accurately, as any of my rifles.