New Browning Xbolt 2 vs T3x

[JHcaliber9]

I know rokslide is a tikka heaven, but is the browning xbolt 2 worth a shot? I get tikka is the easy button, but the xbolt 2 has some features I really like compared to the tikka. Thank you.

 

[bojangles808]

I know rokslide is a tikka heaven, but is the browning xbolt 2 worth a shot? I get tikka is the easy button, but the xbolt 2 has some features I really like compared to the tikka. Thank you.

what stands out to you with the browning? Now that tikkas all come threaded that eliminates one negative with the tikka. what style of hunting are you doing and cartridge are you looking at? That'd help get you some better feedback

 

[TxLite]

I have both. If you’re not planning on doing anything aftermarket then I’d say get whichever you like better and find more comfortable.

If you think you may barrel swap, stock swap, etc, get the tikka. Brownings are notoriously a PITA for swapping barrels (damaged actions etc) and aftermarket is weak for stocks on them

 

[JHcaliber9]

what stands out to you with the browning? Now that tikkas all come threaded that eliminates one negative with the tikka. what style of hunting are you doing and cartridge are you looking at? That'd help get you some better feedback

Strictly whitetail. Mainly the safety feature, true short action, and barrels that are not slow. Brownings tend to be accurate, tend to have reliable actions, and with new reports stating the trigger can be brought down to 2.5lbs or lower with a mccarbo spring. I just don’t see the benefit of a tikka. Also browning CS is light years ahead of beretta USA and we know this for a fact. As soon as I got my last tikka, the head space was off, which was super disappointing because of the hype on here. I live 2-3 hours from a smith, so after dealing with beretta USA (don’t recommend) I drove it up there just to spend 100 bucks getting it fixed. Also another 200 bucks to threaded and chop my barrel (pre threaded barrels but either way the barrels are to long even though they’re threaded now). Also my tikka is 200 fps slower than my weatherby vanguard in the same caliber. The browning I’m looking at comes from the factory with a 18” 6.5 creedmoor barrel.

 

[KenLee]

Strictly whitetail. Mainly the safety feature, true short action, and barrels that are not slow. Brownings tend to be accurate, tend to have reliable actions, and with new reports stating the trigger can be brought down to 2.5lbs or lower with a mccarbo spring. I just don’t see the benefit of a tikka. Also browning CS is light years ahead of beretta USA and we know this for a fact. As soon as I got my last tikka, the head space was off, which was super disappointing because of the hype on here. I live 2-3 hours from a smith, so after dealing with beretta USA (don’t recommend) I drove it up there just to spend 100 bucks getting it fixed. Also another 200 bucks to threaded and chop my barrel (pre threaded barrels but either way the barrels are to long even though they’re threaded now). Also my tikka is 200 fps slower than my weatherby vanguard in the same caliber. The browning I’m looking at comes from the factory with a 18” 6.5 creedmoor barrel.

You like the Browning, buy the Browning.
I have no desire to own a Tikka unless it's so cheap I can give it to a worthy kid with a desire to hunt and learn. Just a fyi: a-bolt ii and x-bolt 1 triggers will also do 2.5 pounds with a $12 spring

 

[JHcaliber9]

You like the Browning, buy the Browning.
I have no desire to own a Tikka unless it's so cheap I can give it to a worthy kid with a desire to hunt and learn. Just a fyi: a-bolt ii and x-bolt 1 triggers will also do 2.5 pounds with a $12 spring

I like tikkas too, but have a bad taste in my mouth from the first one. If they’re engineered so perfectly and so much better than browning, I’d love to hear why from people who know more than me, but if there’s actually no reason a tikka is better than an xbolt. I prefer the features of the Xbolt. After market support does not affect me, as I have 700’s and a t3x to scratch that itch if it ever arises.

 

[KenLee]

I like tikkas too, but have a bad taste in my mouth from the first one. If they’re engineered so perfectly and so much better than browning, I’d love to hear why from people who know more than me, but if there’s actually no reason a tikka is better than an xbolt. I prefer the features of the Xbolt. After market support does not affect me, as I have 700’s and a t3x to scratch that itch if it ever arises.

I've hunted with x-bolts and x-bolts for 35 years and never even felt the need to change a stock.
A plain Jane Browning shoots better than I with less recoil than a longer, heavier T3x.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Most of the brownings I have been around shoot well. The biggest issue for aftermarket stocks is that HUUGe magazine well. Pull the mag out; there's not much material keeping it together.

They also need better .223 offerings.

Rifles - Bolt-Action • Semi-Auto • Lever-Action - Browning

Successful rifle shooters have one thing in common — confidence. Confidence in their abilities, optics, equipment and, most importantly, their rifle. Browning has been in the rifle business for more than 140 years.

www.browning.com

 

[Natebonebusta]

I have two xbolts. One in 243 one in 6.5 creed. I used the mcarbo spring in both to reduce the trigger weight. I love the 60* bolt throw. I added a cheek riser to one of the stocks, the other came with it built in. Mine are both accurate, not sure of a loss of velocity due to the barrel with my 243 Tikka.

I agree that if you aren’t into the aftermarket add ons, then xbolt will work just fine. I do wish they offered shorter threaded models. I sold a 22” threaded 6.5 xbolt, because I didn’t want to cut it. Just picked up a 6.5 18” barreled xbolt as its replacement.

Tikka is finally on board with shorter threaded options. Took them a long while to give in. They are both good options. Xbolt seems it checks more boxes for you.

 

[bnsafe]

not trying to hijack a thread, but are the barrels slower?

 

[JHcaliber9]

not trying to hijack a thread, but are the barrels slower?

Tikka is undoubtedly slower. Like 100-200 atleast. Not sure about browning.

 

[ZAK13]

I don't own any Tikkas, do own a few Browning X-bolts, and all I can say, they are shooters. I hear good things about Tikka, so I don't think you'll go wrong with either. The only negative I can say about Browning, is that Tikkas are easier to re-barrel if needed/wanted. Good luck with your choice.

 

[lil' bear]

Most of the brownings I have been around shoot well. The biggest issue for aftermarket stocks is that HUUGe magazine well. Pull the mag out; there's not much material keeping it together.

They also need better .223 offerings.

Rifles - Bolt-Action • Semi-Auto • Lever-Action - Browning

Successful rifle shooters have one thing in common — confidence. Confidence in their abilities, optics, equipment and, most importantly, their rifle. Browning has been in the rifle business for more than 140 years.

www.browning.com

Are there any plans for to make an x bolt mold for the rokstock? The aftermarket availability is the only thing keeping me away from an xbolt. That and the fact they aren't even making the x2 in a left hand model...