Xbolt vs T3 in 30-06, Pros/Cons?

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RielM

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Looking at getting a left hand hunting rifle around the $1000 range in 30-06. I have been looking at variations of the Browning Xbolt and the Tikka T3 that are available in left hand configurations such as the Xbolt hunter or the T3 hunter. Anyone have any feedback as to pros or cons of either one?
 
I have handled any of the new T3x's, so I can only comment on the normal T3 vs X-bolt.

I like the browning stock, buttpad and bolt better and they have a decent mag, I like the Tikka bolt handles and price better. Beyond that it's down to looks and how it feels in your hand, which I prefer the browning.

They are both nice rifles and will both shoot better than I ever will, but overall if I was given the choice between the two I would go with the X-bolt, but if I found a good deal on a Tikka I wouldn't be unhappy with it (although I would probably change out the stock buttpad that comes on the tikka, they're a little on the stiff side).
 
The X-bolts are a very nice rifle with several excellent features.

-Really nice mag
-Tang safety
-Very ergonomic stock
-recessed barrel crown
-3 lug bolt

They both tend to be very accurate rifles and It all boils down to what works best for you. I think the X-bolt is worth the extra few bucks, and it gets my vote.
 
Have to vote Tikka here. These rifles are accurate, tough, an ever growing after market for accessories such as trigger springs , picatinney rails, bolt handles drop in stocks the list goes on.
 
Both good rifles. I've owned both and have found that the T3 tends to be a better shooter in my experience. But have seen some X-bolts shoot very well too. The T3 will be lighter. Can't get after-market stocks for the X-bolt yet I believe...
 
Hi, I own a left hand XBolt (got if in the EE this spring). It is perfect for me, I got a bear with it in June (first hunt ever!).
I have shot T3 a bunch of times, but I preferred the price of the XBolt.

Pro
- trigger, I like it
- safety lever position

Cons:
- the original stock is made of some soft synthetic. It is easy to scratch it.
- I tried to replace the stock, not much exists for LH XBolts! I kept the original for now...
- plastic magazine. But works well. Never had an issue with it.

So if you don`t beat it on trees, the XBolt will last a long time. But that can be said of the T3 as well I guess.
For me it was availability and price that decided.

Nic
 
I love my lefty X-Bolt hunter (wood stock) in 30-06, very accurate, soft shooting, looks great. Shoulder both the T3 and the XBolt, Xbolt just fit me better. PM me where you are located and if close, perhaps we could meet at the range so you could try her out.
 
I had a xbolt SS and a Tikaa SS, both in 7mm. The Xbolt was way more accurate and smoother to operate. I think the Xbolt is the better of the two and that's reflected in the price as well.Xbolt SS stalker if for hunting only.
Tikka if your looking to add aftermarket parts.
 
Both are great rifles and will do the job.

You really need to get out there and see how they feel, work the action etc...

I have owned both I wanted to love the X-bolt but found after having it for a year it wasn't for me, the stock fitted me like a glove but I could not live with the x-bolt action, the bolt is not circular and I have found with every x-bolt I have tried that you try and do it to fast or put too much pressure up down or to the sides and it will not slide smoothly. I also thought I would like a tang safety but I don't know if it is how I hold my rifle while hunting(I don't like slings) that the web of my hand would always be putting pressure on the safety.

With the tikka it wasn't love at first sight but that action and safety were perfect for me, that plastic stock fitted me like a wooden shoe, is terrible, I went with the hunter version as I found the wooden stock fitted me much better.

I would love to mate an x-bolt and a tikka but knowing my luck probably end up with tikka stock and x-bolt action rather than the other way round.

Not sure what the t3X stocks are like.
 
definitely more aftermarket support for the t3

I have both, both are accurate and slight edge to the xbolt for me but I don't handload yet....I like my xbolt more personally but I'd say it's a toss up as to what fits you better

you can now get only the game scout stock from macmillan for the xbolt, hopefully sales are strong so they inlet for more stock designs
 
I've had 2 long action X-bolt's, both 280rem Stainless Stalkers, both fit me really nicely, but they where both really easy to short stroke and the bolt lift on a fired round was stiff. As stated above, if you tried to work the action quickly it would bind. The magazine is held in place at the front with a flimsy piece of spring steel that left me doubtful of its longevity. I really liked the tang safety. I worked up some loads for a fellow with a 270WSM Stainless Stalker and it wasn't nearly as touchy with the short stroke problem, so I wonder if it's long action related?

The T3's are great rifles, smooth bolt, easier bolt lift, better magazine system, very accurate (so is the X-bolt, but I believe the tikka gets the nod on this), needs a limbsaver recoil pad ($50.00) the stock recoil pad is terrible, hard and slippery, if you lean the rifle against a wall on a smooth surface it will soon be on the floor and it does nothing to reduce the recoil, doesn't get hung up your clothing while trying to quickly shoulder your rifle though.

For me the Tikka is the better rifle and is less expensive. But you won't go to far wrong with either.
 
Great info. Thanks everyone. I will definitely try to find both in a shop to see how they feel handle, and also check out the T3x too depending what options it has in left hand. As far as I know there isn't a lot of other left hand options in that price range and that type of rifle out there?
 
I feel your pain being left handed as well. I have a stainless tikka 300 win mag and a stainless tikka 25-06. There both great I think for the price and what's available for lefty's you cant beat a tikka.
 
Never owned a Browning, but may one day. They seem well enough made. I've owned several T3's. I keep buying them. My T3 Battue with the oiled walnut stock is the nicest yet and shoots like a laser beam. I like it better than my previous Sakos. With the exception of a plastic bolt shroud, there's nothing to change on them. Mags are virtually indestructable. The bolt throw is as smooth as glass. I highly doubt ^^^^ there's an x-bolt that is "way more accurate".
 
The Kurgan said:
Never owned a Browning, but may one day. They seem well enough made. I've owned several T3's. I keep buying them. My T3 Battue with the oiled walnut stock is the nicest yet and shoots like a laser beam. I like it better than my previous Sakos. With the exception of a plastic bolt shroud, there's nothing to change on them. Mags are virtually indestructable. The bolt throw is as smooth as glass. I highly doubt ^^^^ there's an x-bolt that is "way more accurate".
Click to expand...
LOL .. My Xbolt SS stalker could clover leaf 5 rnds at 100 yards, using cheap rem core lok. My Tikka SS Varminter could barely break 1 MOA , with hand loads only. I tryed 5 dif factory rnds but they were all above MOA . Maybe I had a unicorn Xbolt. :)
 
Brianma65 said:
LOL .. My Xbolt SS stalker could clover leaf 5 rnds at 100 yards, using cheap rem core lok. My Tikka SS Varminter could barely break 1 MOA , with hand loads only. I tryed 5 dif factory rnds but they were all above MOA . Maybe I had a unicorn Xbolt. :)
Click to expand...

If so, then I've got a unicorn X-Bolt as well. Right out of the box, after a couple of fouling shots and a boresight my Eclipse Hunter in 30-06 was putting groups of 3, consecutively, in less than an inch @ 100 yds. Had it pretty much zero'd in 12 shots including the foulers. The Eclipse hunter is a laminated thumbhole stock, a little heavy but great handling.

I also have a Tikka T3 hunter in 22-250, just bought it at the clearance prior to the T3x intro. It shoots great, although not as tight as the Browning, but I find the "furniture" (trigger guard, bolt shield, bolt release, etc.) plastic feeling and cheap. Good stock though. It just didn't whisper quality, much less scream quality.

I'll reserve further judgement on the T3 until I've had a chance to use it in field, hopefully this weekend.

O.N.G.
 
Have shot both a lot. The Browning Xbolt in .308 Win with good hand loads could only shoot into 1 to 1.5 MOA.

My oldest son's Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 300 WSM after breaking the barrel in and doing a load workup and replaced the stock with a B&C Medalist now gets sub 0.5 MOA and often better than that when conditions are best. One 5 shot group at 200 yards was a bit under 1/2 inch. Not bad for a light rifle. The scope he put on it at first was a Vortex Razor but something happened to the reticle (loose) whie he was shooting it and so he took that back and installed a Zeiss Terra 4-12 x.

So far we have tried to get the Browning to shoot better but have had no luck, so it is relegated to under 300 yard hunting shots for now, which should/will do the job just fine.

As to smoothness of the action, I must say that few rifles can currently beat the Tikka T3 for that. Very nice. My old Pre 64 Winchester 30/06 would have been close but not as good either.
 
some brownings shoot better than others. some tikkas shoot better than others. I have one xbolt and 2 tikkas. the x bolt and one tikka shoot superb. the other tikka shoots good. id say buy a xbolt in anything over 243 they just kick so much less. tikkas kick hard, something about the stock design. weight is a toss up.
 
Tough to go wrong with either. I personally prefer the Browning, but that really is a "preference", not a "belief" that it's superior.

If you have a warranty issue Browning Canada is way better to deal with than Stoeger - but that may not be an issue for you.

Both are well made and I would say, in the same quality/fit/finish group. A spare mag for a Browning will not deplete your wallet "as much" as for a Tikka, but Browning is pricey as well.

You have to handle both and figure out "which one tells you to take it home" more convincingly than the other :)
 
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