Ok, hit me with opinions: I have a choice at lgs, both are new. They are definitely NOT same price, but IF price was same, should I get Tx3 lite stainless or Browning X bolt 300wm?
Handle both. Throw them up to your shoulder as you would when hunting. Which feels better? Fit is important. I don't have experience with x-bolts but I do shoot Tikka rifles and each will shot sub MOA with the right ammo.
Ok, let me give a little more insight. I have a 700 long range that I love, no more recoil than my 30-06, probably cause it weighs 50lbs and has a custom brake. But my sil is getting an elk hunt organized later this year and I think I want to stay with 300wm but don't think I want to hike far with my 700. So thats why I'm looking at Tikka or X-bolt. I have a few Savage and I know I'd probably be ok with a 110 or similar, but haven't seen any around in 300wm. So right now my options are Tikka or x-bolt.
Personally, I would go with the X-bolt unless the price difference is significantly in favor of the Tikka. MY reasons for choosing the X-bolt are similar build quality, fit and finish, but the X-bolts a longer action so your not constrained to the relatively short OAL that the T3xs 30-06 length action limits you to. The X-bolt also comes with a 2" longer barrel which offers a marginal increase in performance, but I prefer the way the longer tube feels. Id also suggest handling both, as they feel noticeably different to me. Performance will likely be similar, but the handling is where the big differences are most of the time.
Actually, the Tikka is almost 1/2 price of the X-bolt, but I'll pay the difference if the value is there. My 700 is hitting 1" groups at 300yds right now, so I won't be happy with anything less, especially since I plan on stretching out to at least 600yds very soon. So that's really the main thing for me. I've cycled the bolts on both and both are smooth . As mentioned, the Tikka is a little smoother opening up and closing, but either is acceptable to me. I hadn't read anything about differences in OAL, so I've got to check into that.
Both good choices, I've been through several Tikkas and still have my one X-Bolt, so I guess that's my preference. I do prefer the safety setup, magazines and general ergonomics of the X-Bolt. My X-bolt has been as accurate as any of my Tikkas except for the CTR, which was a real hammer. I still like Tikkas and will buy another one at some point, but if you're definitely going with the .300 WM, I'd lean a little harder towards the X-Bolt. To me the X-Bolt stock handles recoil better than the Tikka, even in same weight rifles, in fact that's kind of a weakness of Tikka's IMO, they seem snappier than they ought to be.
Which X-bolt model are you looking at? My long range stalker cost me 700, which is about what a T3x goes for out here.
Thats a sexy beast...... I just noticed your 700s giving you .3 moa groups, I wouldn't EXPECT either the Tikka or the Browning to do better than that, tho either MAY equal it or perhaps better it. Im not a fantastic shot, but all the Tikkas I've used have been solid sub MOA rifles, Likewise, MOST of the Brownings, and all of the X-bolts I've shot have been Sub MOA......I cant say I remember any of either being sub 1/2 MOA rifles tho.....least not in MY hands.
What Loon said. 1" groups at 300 yds is spectacular. Being unhappy with larger groups is likely to leave you a little dissapointed with any rifle. Not saying that either of these rifles will for sure be less accurate, but those group sizes at that range are certainly lofty goals.
I’ve never shot a Tikka. I do have an X-Bolt in 7 mag that shot sub .5” three shot group with hand loads right out of the box. I’ve done as well since the other time I shot groups it has a super squishy recoil pad so the recoil is quite tame for the caliber
No idea what the Browning is like. I own the T3X Lite Stainless. It is LITE. So the 300 mag will be a kicker.
I’d go X-Bolt because as I’ve stated numerous times I don’t like the small ejection/loading port on the T3x. In addition a Tikka in .300 WinMag is too light for me. I don’t want the felt recoil.
I don't mind some recoil. This won't be a plinking gun for sure. Once its zeroed it will only get fired at game, and I probably won't care about recoil if I'm sighted on a big elk. But a small loading port is something I hadn't noticed, but definitely would be an issue with gloves on.
I seem to be in the minority by disliking small ports. They are touted as being more accurate because it makes for a stiffer receiver. No doubt there is merit in that thinking but IMO the reason for having small ports is a cost cutting feature. Remington 700-normal size port 783-small port Savage 10/110-large Axis-small Ruger M77-large RAR-small Winchester M70-large XPR-Small
IMO, you're barking up the wrong tree. Your real focus should be the optic. THAT's the "brains of the operation", THAT's what's going to be having the most influence upon your accuracy. I never cease to be amazed, folks pull their hair out, over which rifle, and willingly spend three times what they need to, in order to get "the right one". BUT, then it's time to get a reliable scope, which will hold zero, dependably, and has clear, well ground glass, and all of a sudden they get all stingy, and treat the scope like it's an afterthought. SMH...
Most of us I think would agree with that sentiment Dibbs, I for one do. And as an example I’d rather have a $500.00 Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic and a Meopta MeoPro than a X-Bolt with a Vortex Crossfire II.
Tikka,Tikka, Tikka... And not because I'm Finnish. Value for the price, quality, balance, weight, accuracy... Small port? Really? How many of you have actually had a problem with a "small port" when hunting? Bueller?
I’ve never shot a Tikka, but I do have an X-bolt, and once I got the glass worked out (dropped the Vortex for a Sig scope), I am very happy with it. Hopefully Browning has gotten rid of the weird metric threading on the muzzle.
Run your mag dry and it can be an issue. My Americans are a little larger and still a trick to toss rounds into. I believe there are a couple that are still metric, perhaps the smaller dia.barrels, but my SLR is 5/8-24
