Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles X-bolt vs T3x

I've owned 4 Tikkas and one X-Bolt, thinking about it just now, I guess my X-Bolt is the hunting rifle I've kept the longest, I tend to go though them. I like both but would give the advantage to the X-Bolt for hunting, I really like the 60 deg bolt throw, ergonomics, magazine design, and safety set up. The accuracy with both has been excellent, but my Browning has been one of the few light hunting rifles I've shot that keeps stacking rounds after the barrel gets hot.

The trigger was always on the high end of where I like so I finally installed an MCarbo spring this year. Installation was super easy, and when I was done I had to adjust the weight up a bit to get to the ~2.75 lb I wanted.

Several days of hiking in -2 to 35 deg weather with snow getting packed all around, freezing and thawing, etc didn't cause me any problems this year when it came time to shoot.

I’ve got a 7mag LR Stalker. Not only is it twisted correctly for the heavies, the magazine is actually long enough for me to seat a 180eldm to the lands(or throat short enough, either way you look at it).

Jeff, the 300 win mag magazine I measured had 3.56 of room. It was a bit short for the long bullets but usable.........I figured probably perfect for a 7 mag. I think the 7 mag would even impress Big Stick 😁


Gtscotty, I didn't mention it but I also found that the Browning I loaded for recently would stack em whether the barrel is cold or hot didn't matter.




Trystan

Do you have to own a Browning to get a Browning tattoo? Asking for a friend.

When you flip the tow mirrors out on your Cummins without a load, does a Browning sticker magically appear on your back glass?

I'm looking at the XBolt Walnut Hunter in 375 H&H. Either that or the Weatherby Vanguard in 375 but I'm leaning Browning.

And I bought the XBolt off GB. Can't wait til it gets here. I just pray it doesn't fall apart if I take it near Alaska. LOL

Dip it in mobil one . Should last at least a few days.

Good choice.

Moose Mike, report back once you play with that thing. Seems like it would rock pretty hard being a 375 in a relatively light package. That being said the recoil pad is excellent as are the ergos. My 30-06 recoils less than I expect.

I will. I'm concerned it's on the light side too but I got it brand new on GB for $650 after mail in rebate so I couldn't pass.

Hell of a deal! Look forward to a report.

Nope.

It's a well-known fact that A-bolts and X-bolts will literally explode if taken near Alaska. The Mobil 1 trick will only provide limited protection from self-destruction when hunting West of Missouri and then very limited protection.

Any good rifleman knows that Brownings can only safely exist South of the Carolinas.

I think these kind of rumors got started in by an outfitter my BIL hunts with in Saskatchewan; these are the same knuckle-heads that think it takes a 300 WM to take down a Canadian whitetail.

Need to move your line north just a little bit. X-Bolts and A-Bolts work amazingly well here in southern VA!

I scored a vanguard dangerous game rifle in 375HH for 800 bucks, sweet gun.

You might also want to consider the Mauser M18 in 6.5 CM. It can be had for less than $600 shipped on GB and weighs in at 6.4lbs. I own several T3s and very happy with them too.


https://www.gunbroker.com/item/789497488

Regards,

SD

I was told a 338 was borderline for Canadian Whitetails. Browning rumors were started by a Alaskan who must have guided a Browning Exec on a hunt and never left a tip.

You need to play the lotto tonite. No one can get that lucky

I have had 2 Abolts, and an Xbolt in 7-08 all compact, and a Tikka T3 in .270W. The only one still in my safe is the Tikka. Never could warm up to the Brownings, they shot pretty well but not as good as my Tikka. The Xbolt felt too 'chubby' in my hand carrying it. I think the Tikka trigger is the factor that makes it shoot so well for me.
I will add that the Ruger American Compact SS is an inexpensive rifle at 1/2 the cost that gives both the Browning and Tikka's a run for their money and is my go to deer rifle in 7-08. My choices are limited since I am a left hander...