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.

 

[ZAK13]

Preferred barrel now has x-bolt prefits.

that's good to know, thanks.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

X Bolt 2 now available in lefty

I haven't seen it available online anywhere. Have you heard of an ETA?

 

[highside74]

Nope

 

[user2026]

I have an X Bolt Stalker with the factory plastic stock. Its excellent and stiffer than the Tikka. I love that gun.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Is the xbolts composite stock actually good, or just better than the terrible tikka stocks?

 

[UnckleBob]

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.

My x-bolt was sticking 6.8W cases that had the nickel plating. I called Browning, they had me drop it off at a Dallas gunsmith. He polished the chamber and the problem went away.

Honestly, I think the problem was the factory ammo and the fact I was shooting it in 90+ degree weather. I think Browning/Winchester loads their 6.8W hot because every factory load I have tried was within 50fps of the box velocity. Some exceeded the box velocity.

I have two tikka's and one x-bolt. The actions are a dead heat to me.
- It isn't fair to compare the stocks because the Tikkas came with Lite stocks and the Browning came with a CF stock.
- accuracy is good from all three rifles.

Conclusion - both are good choices, but don't get the Browning unless you like the factory stock.

 

[RocketRob16]

I bought an X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR in 6.5 PRC when they released. I kept it one season and sold it. Accuracy was decent and I had no issues with feeding. The bad: the action was horribly tight out of the box. After working the bolt hundreds to thousands of times and shooting it some it loosened up a little. Not what I expected from a gun in that price range. Also, Browning did not update the trigger between gen 1 and gen 2. They gave it a new name and that was it. I went to put an MCARBO in it and broke the housing while punching out the 2 pins. I can't say enough bad about the trigger design. I hate it. Put a Timney in after that and it was a massive improvement. Also, the barrel channel didn't have enough clearance so that had to be hogged out. I never fell in love with the ergonomics of the stock. I thought the fore end was too skinny, too flexible, and poorly shaped to be stable in many shooting positions. For the price, I was extremely disappointed.

I have 2 Tikkas now and no complaints. They cost me what the 1 Browning did and I don't have to jack around with them. Oh and they've been more accurate too.