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

So I’ve been looking at the Browning X-bolt Hells Canyon Speed in 6.5 creedmoor. Then a friend mentions looking at a Tikka T3x lite.

Now I’m up in the air and back at square one.

I’m looking to mainly deer/antelope hunt with it. Maybe more. Want something pretty rugged and liked the cerakote on browning. Everything Ive looked at recently says tikka action is a bit smoother with better accuracy. I’ll probably mostly use factory loads. I don’t feel I’m capable as a shooter to push it past 300 yds on a game animal.
What do you guys think? What are your experiences with these rifles/brands? Thanks for the input!

Luke

Tikka

This is a tough decision as I have owned a number of X-Bolts and Tikka rifles, both are excellent rifles IMO, if price matters go with the Tikka if not I'd go with the Browning as it is mighty cool......Good luck...Hb

Like Hb, I own both. Overall, I slightly prefer the X-Bolt, but for the money, the Tikka is hard to beat, and is a great value. Either should be a reliable, accurate rifle for you. Good luck and shoot straight.

Had both an xbolt hunter and 1st gen tikka. Both are good, but I wouldn’t get another xbolt: it’s a black box. Tikka has all the aftermarket support you could ever want if your shooting evolves into something different.

tough choice... the tikka is less money, but I like the ergos of the xbolt.

go xbolt

tough choice... the tikka is less money, but I like the ergos of the xbolt.

go xbolt

My choice would be the x-bolt.

Rugged? Get the Tikka stainless.

Tikka is the very easy choice between those two.

If for no other reason than the terrible trigger on the Xbolt.

I have an A-bolt, a X-bolt, a handful of T3s and a T3x. All of these rifles are dead-nuts accurate and lock the bolt down when the safety is on, which is a must-have for me. In my view, the X-bolt is a far better designed rifle than the A-bolt. I guess I could also argue that the replacement of the T3 aluminum and poly parts with steel ones in the T3x is an improvement, but I honestly believe that it is only by a small margin.

I have a safe full of elk hunting rifles, but I find myself using my stainless/synthetic 30-06 Tikka more than all the others combined. It has a straight forward simple design and has proven to be reliable in some pretty harsh conditions. I can field strip the bolt in 15 seconds and the single stack magazine has never failed to function. I wish it had an open trigger group, but I have not had any real issues with its enclosed system. So, I am recommending that you see how the T3x fits you, and if does-that is the one you need to have. CP.

Thanks for all the input guys!

I was able to find a Tikka CTR in 308 at a local gun show today. I really wanted that 6.5 but thought I got a pretty good deal at $700.

I guess that 6.5 X-bolt will be next on the list!

I have a CTR in 308 in a walnut stock, and that rifle puts ever shot in the same hole regardless of the ammo I feed it.

I also have a bone stock T3x Lite in 6.5 Creedmoor that I will scope and ring out next. Have no doubt it will shoot well under minute of deer.

Having owned both I prefer the Tikka T3x. If they were priced the same I'd say flip a coin. Either way you will most likely come out with a very accurate hunting rifle.

I own both and love them equally. My Tikka is a CTR which to me fills a totally different role than an X-Bolt. The CTR being a 10 round box-fed bull barrel rifle, not my first choice as a hunting rifle. I use it for PRS competitions and it hangs easily with rigs costing 5 times as much. The knock I hear constantly about the X-bolt is the trigger, I see where Timney is now making one. I don't have a problem with the factory one, but there is a solution for those who do. I do like the ability to have the safety on and unlock the bolt on the X-bolt.

Buddy just bought a Hells canyon Long Range in 6.5 Creedmoor, sighting it in with Hornady 140 match (white box) shot just over half inch groups. I couldn't believe how accurate it was. My daughters Micro Midas 7mm-08, shoots .75 with Hornady "LITE" ammo

The Brownings trigger is great, a little heavy for me. I would buy a JARD drop in Timney makes one now.

I'm having the same problem as the OP. I am in the market for a fairly lightweight, rugged, accurate, rifle that I will use primarily for deer, but would also be suitable for elk. I have narrowed it down to the X-Bolt Hells Canyon Speed, and the Tikka Stainless Laminate, .270/.280/.30-06. I have handled the Browning quite a bit, and I love the feel. I can't find a Tikka locally, but this coming weekend we are going to visit friends, he is a big Tikka fan and has several that I can check out. Right now I am leaning more toward a Tikka because of durability/dependability. I have heard stories about X bolts having trigger problems??

Xbolt has the better magazine and it is not even close. The trigger can be resolved with an Ernie the Gunsmith spring for 6 bucks. Tikka T3x priced itself out . I bought my last one for 600 and change.

I’ve never seen a Tikka tramp stamp or a Tikka sticker on the back of a road hunter’s 1994 Z71. I vote Tikka

This. ^^^

I just bought a Tikka T3X from Mountain Tactical for $575 couldn't resist, but I agree for what they're priced at, I'll spend a few more dollars and go elsewhere.