New 25-06 - Browning X-Bolt or Tikka T3?

[texgunner]

I'm in the market for a new 25-06 rifle. The two I'm looking at are the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker and the Tikka T3 Lite.

Primary use will be target shooting from 100 - 600 yards and perhaps Whitetail deer hunting. I do intend to reload for this rifle.

All opinions are welcome but I'm most interested to hear from those of you who have owned both rifles

 

[jogar80]

No experience shooting the Tikka, though I have read nothing but good reviews on them. The varmint model I held at the gun shop felt good, but the bolt would hit my nose when cycling the action. I have an Xbolt in .308 and It is exceptionally accurate, although I did have to put a brake on it because the recoil was making me flinch. I have also shot a few other Xbolts and all have been VERY accurate. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

[M1tankerdude]

I think if you are recoil sensitive, the Browning is a heavier rifle to mitigate that. I personally really like the Tikka but not the lightness and availability of their magazines. The Browning is a flush fitting magazine and don't believe the Tikka is, for what that's worth.

 

[burrhead]

I have an X-Bolt Hunter in 308 that is very accurate and I like it a lot. I don't know anything about Tikkas. One thing to be aware of is the X-Bolt is pretty light with a relatively thin barrel. After three/five shots the barrel is very hot to touch. I use mine strictly for hunting so the light weight is a positive but, because of the slim barrel, there are better guns for target shooting. A 6 and 1/2 pound skinny barreled rifle isn't what I want for punching paper.

 

[jogar80]

Yes, exactly as burrhead said. The Xbolts are very light rifles, makes them heavy kickers, which is why I put a brake on mine. The thin barrel does get hot quickly, not great for target duty. As I previously stated, they are very accurate rifles, but primarily for hunting. I think the heavier Browning rifles M1tankerdude is thinking about is the A-bolt.

 

[quartermaster]

I have a Tikka as well as a couple of Brownings although my Brownings are A-Bolts. As far as accuracy goes, you won't regret buying either.

The Tikka has a clip that just pops in the bottom of the receiver. The A-Bolts have a clip that snaps into the floorplate. For that reason only, my preference is the Browning.

Both are great rifles as well as your caliber selection