New Browning Xbolt 2 vs T3x

[Turkeytider]

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.

That’s saying something if a Browning is tougher to re-barrel than a Tikka.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Preferred barrel now has x-bolt prefits.

This is excellent news, the odometer is ticking fast on my Hell's Canyon LR, and I loathe the thought of ordering another mcgowen barrel.

As far as OP's original question: I have 2 semi-custom tikkas and a stock X-bolt HC LR. I like the X-bolt better as a factory gun (and by a considerable margin) due to the stock ergonomics and fit and finish, but Tikka is better to build on due to more stock and prefit barrel options. If you're buying a gun get an X-bolt, if you're buying a project, Tikka.

You can't go wrong with either. Both are smooth actions with good triggers and inherently accurate barrels.

 

[Stud Duck]

If you're buying a gun get an X-bolt, if you're buying a project, Tikka.

Very well-said.

As an aside, I always viewed Remington 700s as a project gun too.

 

[onlybrowning]

Preferred barrel now has x-bolt prefits.

I’m not sure why, but they don’t list the same, large number of chamberings as they do with Tikka.

 

[stan5677]

I’m not sure why, but they don’t list the same, large number of chamberings as they do with Tikka.

I saw that but for what i'd be interested in shooting it works.

 

[pattimusprime22]

I've have had an xbolt speed and now 2 tikkas. The xbolt shot great, and if it wasn't for me wanting to tinker with a new stock, etc, it was a fantastic rifle. I just wanted to move to tikkas for more aftermarket options. With the tikkas I do miss the ability to open the bolt while gun is on safe.

 

[joliver2]

As someone that loves Remington and has over 20 model 700s. I also own 2 x bolts and 3 tikkas. If I had to only pick one gun to depend on and shoot accurately I’d pick a Tikka everytime.

 

[cbk215]

Being left handed it's hard finding fitting rifles so I originally bought a Tikka and quickly realized while it is a nice rifle it just wasn't my cup of tea and bought a Browning and never looked back several of my hunting buddies also agreed just something about the Tikka wasn't right it was a shooter never had feed or accuracy issues just didn't like the rifle itself.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

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.

Have you considered a new Sako 90?

Vortex did a video on Tikka a while back. They had some critiques about the magazine and no bolt safety. Never once mentioned Sako but that addresses both of those.