X-Bolt and Tikka T3 owners

[buckchaser]

I'm familiar with the X-Bolt, no experience with the T3. A friend who I've introduced to hunting is considering purchasing a T3 as his first rifle. Any owners of both care to chime in with their thoughts?

[terrym]

Both great choices. I prefer the action on an Xbolt. The T3 only comes in long action.

[B525]

I like and have owned both and just recently traded my x-bolt for another Tikka. Both are good rifles and basically it boils down to personal preference. You cant go wrong with either rifle.

[sharps4570]

There is no wrong answer if it comes to a toss up between a T3 and X-Bolt other than individual preference and perhaps budget (based on flavour i.e. finish, wood vs. synthetic etc).

I'd owned a T3 Hunter and used both Lite and Hunter versions belonging to friends. Last year, I also had an opportunity to handle/shoot a new X-Bolt Medallion quite a bit.

Personally, I would lean towards the T3 but then again that would just be based on individual preference. My impression is the Tikka accuracy performance is superior with most brands of store bought ammo right across the board.

[Big Jack]

I quite enjoy the T3's. 1 MOA guarantee never hurts either.

You really can't go wrong with either choice.

[Species8472]

I have a Tikka T3 in .243 and an x-bolt in 7-08. As has been stated both are good guns.

My 2 cents:

- action on the Tikka is smoother
- triggers are comparable
- factory synthetic stock on the X-bolt is nicer than factory synthetic on the Tikka
- magazine on the x-bolt is nicer
- they are both plenty accurate

[hunt 365]

T3 stainless 308.. love it!!!

[4weight]

Terry,

The Tikka comes in both short and long action.

BC,

It's going to boil down to which calibre in whatever rifle he finds. Both shoot like a barn on fire and are quality guns. My favoritism is that the bolt on the Browning can worked with the safety on, safety must be off for the Tikka...

[DGearyFTE]

Though I have shot a Tikka, I have never owned one. Given that I own 3 Browning X-Bolts I guess its not hard to figure out my bias. Varmint Stalker 22-250 Rem
Stainless Stalker 30-06
Composite Stalker 338 Win Mag

This is what I like about the Brownings (not that Tikka doesn't share some of the same features....)
Bolt release is a separate button vice having to use the trigger
60 deg bolt rotation
Miroku barrels
bolt rotation and action with Safety on
ease of cleaning
ease of trigger adjustment

The magazines are easy to use and easy to keep clean however the only negative is that the release clip/button can catch or hook. I have broken one and I am til waiting for a replacement. It a $1 piece so apparently I am low priority.

[terrym]

Terry,

The Tikka comes in both short and long action.

.

Nope. One action length only. They chamber short action rounds in it but it's done with shimmed magazines. This is how most price point bolt actions keep costs down. So your .308 is identical to a .30-06 in size. Some chamberings have shorter barrels but a .222 and .300 mag use the same length ( T3 ) action
http://www.tikka.ca/pdf/specs/LiteStainless.pdf