Tikka T3 Lite vs. Browning X-Bolt

[deer_hnter]

I will be buying a new rifle soon and have come to these two models as my final choices. I need some pros and cons on these rifles and stories on how these rifles perform in the field.
Thanks for the help!

[KillBilly]

I own a Browning A-bolt and it is an extremely well made, accurate, smooth operating and heavier weapon. I also own three Tikka T3 Lites. My Browning sits in my safe now looking good.

The tikkas are out of the box dead nuts accurate, very smooth long actions, and very lite. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the Tikkas except that I want more of them....

Some will tell you that the rings that come with them are no good but that is crap. Everybody has their preferences on rings and bases so that is okay..   my vote is the Tikka

[D-Rock425]

I like the way the Browning feels better than the tikka.

[lewy]

They are both great guns, esp if your looking for a detachable mag. I have a t3 lite in 300wsm and love it

[FALFire]

I cannot comment on a Browning, I don't have one nor have I ever fondled an A-Bolt, but I am on my second Tikka and it's a keeper. I sold my first one to a good friend and he loves it, he wanted a good deer/coyote gun so end of story. My newer one is in 22-250 and it's a tack driver, now I'm thinking about getting one for my wife, she likes the lightweight of the T3. For an out of the box gun, it does extremely well and with the clean break of the adjustable trigger it makes for a very safe and predictable release. The scope rings are actually quite good, though they appear cheap they are of very good quality, I've never experienced any problem with them on either rifle. I can truly say the only regret I have with Tikka's is selling my first one in 25-06, it shot amazingly well.

[GoldTip]

I have a Browning A-bolt and love it.  Have handled and fondled the Tikka's, liked the way they felt and have heard nothing but great things about their accuracy.  Recently I was shopping for a 7mm-08 and was looking at the Tikka's, was really hoping to get my first, but they only come in a long action, so that made up my mind for me and I ended up a remington 700xcr.  If it were between those to rifles for me, the Browning and the Tikka, I would make the decision based on the caliber.  If the caliber you want is a short action, I'd no doubt buy the Browning.  If it were a long action caliber, I'd buy the Tikka just to try something different.

[KillBilly]

I have a Browning A-bolt and love it.  Have handled and fondled the Tikka's, liked the way they felt and have heard nothing but great things about their accuracy.  Recently I was shopping for a 7mm-08 and was looking at the Tikka's, was really hoping to get my first, but they only come in a long action, so that made up my mind for me and I ended up a remington 700xcr.  If it were between those to rifles for me, the Browning and the Tikka, I would make the decision based on the caliber.  If the caliber you want is a short action, I'd no doubt buy the Browning.  If it were a long action caliber, I'd buy the Tikka just to try something different.

The long action Tikka shoot short action calibers just fine. Tikka has different magazines for long cases, wsm cases, short cases. All the cases will work in the Tikka long action without any problems whatsoever.

[Bofire]

 :)Choose for yourself. I love Tikkas and the X bolt is a vast improvement over the A bolt. If it were an A bolt I'd say Tikka all the way.
Carl

[Bob33]

I have used both Tikka T3s and Browning X Bolts extensively.  I've not heard of a Tikka T3 that could not shoot well. The Tikka trigger is better: it can be user-adjusted down to 2 pounds vs. 3 on the X Bolts.  The Browning has a nicer look and feel and appears to use higher quality components.  Since Tikka is imported by Beretta, I suspect their Customer Services is about the worst in the industry but I've never heard of anyone needing service on a T3.

Performance wise, they're very similar: both excellent.  Pick them both up, evaluate the cost difference, and pick the one you like better.

[thinkingman]

I don't know what an X-bolt weighs but the Tikkas I own are very light, accurate, and smooth....great triggers on both.
In re rings/mounts, I am using factory rings on both and the scopes (Burris FFII's on both, twinsies!) never need adjustment.
That said, if I was going on the hunt of a lifetime, I would switch to Deadnutz or Warne, Talley, before leaving to eliminate what I perceive as the weakest link.

[birdwacker]

Love my Tikka T3. Great trigger and very accurate. I have lot's of other rifles but if I had to replace any of them I would get all Tikkas .I do love my TC Icon though it's a bit on the heavy side to carry all day but makes a good stand hunting rifle.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Luv my Tikka!

[Ingwe]

I bought a Browning A-bolt .338 win mag in about 1988. It was only gun I hunted with until 2008 when I bought a Tikka T3 stainless in .338 win mag. The Tikka has a great tigger, smooth action, and is real light weight and very accurate. I have had several weatherby's, winchester's, remington's and a sauer rifle but I will do most of my hunting with my Tikka because it is accuate and lite weight/

[SkookumHntr]

Get the Browning now so you wont be wishing you did 3years down the road! Buckmark All the way!!

[Huntbear]

Which one feels best when you have it in your hands?  When you throw it up to your shoulder?  Is there a big weight difference?  These should be your deciding factors if price is not an issue...

[norsepeak]

Love my tikka.

[Threebyfour]

Love my Tikka T3 lite in .300wsm.   shoots swings and handles way nice. Light and very durible. VERY. Dont get me wrong i love my browning too, looks incredible in my custom built lighted gun case   

[FALFire]

Dont get me wrong i love my browning too, looks incredible in my custom built lighted gun case   

Ouch!    

[D-Rock425]

Lots of people like their tikkas I just hate the way they feel.

[shocking300]

I have tikka and a x bolt    Tikka cheap made shoots good, x bolt nicer finish shoots just as good

[luteai]

Unless the T3 has improved the mag feed over the Whitetail they used to make, I'd go X-bolt.  The X-bolt mag feeds rounds flawlessly, I've not had a problem with a nose-diving last round in the X-bolt.  Cannot say the same for the Tikka Whitetail I sold or the Remington with detatchable mag...

[Rick]

Unless the T3 has improved the mag feed over the Whitetail they used to make, I'd go X-bolt.  The X-bolt mag feeds rounds flawlessly, I've not had a problem with a nose-diving last round in the X-bolt.  Cannot say the same for the Tikka Whitetail I sold or the Remington with detatchable mag...

I know more than a few guys that shoot Tikkas. You're the first I've heard of with a feed problem. I think I've had mine 4 years now. Its smooth as can be.

[Bob33]

I have tikka and a x bolt    Tikka cheap made shoots good, x bolt nicer finish shoots just as good

  That sums it up pretty well.

[FALFire]

Unless the T3 has improved the mag feed over the Whitetail they used to make, I'd go X-bolt.  The X-bolt mag feeds rounds flawlessly, I've not had a problem with a nose-diving last round in the X-bolt.  Cannot say the same for the Tikka Whitetail I sold or the Remington with detatchable mag...

I know more than a few guys that shoot Tikkas. You're the first I've heard of with a feed problem. I think I've had mine 4 years now. Its smooth as can be.

Yeah, same here. Both of the Tikka's I've had/have feed flawlessly, buttery smooth.

[bod]

you can get the tikka + a nice scope for the price of the browning. I have had both the tikka trigger is much better.

[sticky]

I'm in the same boat, doing the same research and all I can say is:

"Buy them both!"

[Brownie28]

never handled an X bolt but the tikkka i owned was silky smooth action and super accurate. i liked it because it was light weight and with the snthetic stock i didnt have to worry about ruining a wood stock. My only complaint was that if anything bumped into the stock im made that loud hollw sound.

[coachcw]

t3 no frills just a great go to gun that you wont be afraid to use . I was really surprissed how well mine shoots in 300wsm and the recoil is quiet managible.

[Fishmasterdan]

Tikka= most accurate out of box hunting gun on the market.