Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

I am looking for 2 new rifles, and have already decided that one will be a sako.

The other one I am still looking for, but want to stay within the abolt/tikka price range.

I also am choosing between these 3 calibers, .308 (for sure am getting a .308)

and then either a 300 wsm or a .338

So the combinations could be a sako in either .308, 300wsm, or 338

or tikka/abolt or whatever other cheaper gun i go with in the .308, 300, and 338.

Now, i already have a tikka in 7mm, and love it to death. But am really liking the action and the quality looking wood on the brownings. also, i am a little cautious about the brownings accuracy, as i have generally heard the tikka is a little better in that category.

What would you all pick for the cheaper rifle, and what caliber would you put to which rifle?

Just looking for suggestions, and am really trying to think through it.

I figure i would rather have the nicest rifle possible for shooting the longer distances, becuase that is where the accuracy would matter most. So right now I'm leaning towards the sako in either the 300 or the 338, and the browning or tikka in the .308.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Da Tikka in .308 for thy cheaper rifle and might as well go .338for the more expensive.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

What animals do you want to hunt and what type of terrain do you hunt?

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

everything-from caribou,elk, whitetail, bear, goat, moose, muledeer, absolutely everything. I want power and flatness, so if i come across a trophy of a lifetime that is 500 yards away, I could take him.


Granted, I probably will not start hunting most of these species for a few years, but i figure i should get the gun soon and start practicing out to the 400-500 yard range, learning what loads work best, etc.

As of right now, I am thinking about going with a sako in .338 win mag, since the .300wsm has very little ammo options to choose from, and isn't that much different the the 7mm,

and a browning or tikka in .308.


I also am eyeballing the ruger hawkeye, or maybe a m77.

however, when i bought my tikka they seemed to be far more expesnive, now i see them on able ammo for only 514 bucks, which i think is horrendously cheap for the performance. I think i bought my light stainless, (now only 499) for 560-600.

So im currently going for the tikka because i am confident in its performance, but really would like the quality wood of the browning.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

My Browning A-Bolt Stalker in 7mag outshoots my Tikka T3 in 243. Can't seem to find a load for my Tikka that is a consistent 3/4" or better shooter. My A-Bolt will shoot anything I put in it in a nice tiny group.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

I have the Ruger M77 MK II, stainless synthetic in 7 Mag that I just bought last year and topped it off with a nice Nikon scope. I love the rifle but want to get a lighter trigger. Wait for the new Hawkeye that has a newer and improved trigger if the price is going to be no more then $100 more, otherwise you may have to incur the extra cost for a new trigger. On the bright side, all Ruger rifles come with scope rings that are ready to mount and once mounted are absolutely un-moveable. I love my MK II except for the heavy trigger that causes me to pull my shots and flinch more often. On that note, I hardly consider the Ruger a "cheap" rifle. It's an exceptional quality rifle for the price. Half the price of a Browning and just as good.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

the ruger seems nice.

Im not liking the brownings so much anymore after i went to g-mountain and looked at some. the action just isn't as smooth as i had hoped for. It looks beautiful, just can't see myself buying one

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

I love A-bolts,there a BUNCH of reasons that I feel they are among very best of factory rifles.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

would you mind sharing them?

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

The a-bolt comes glass bedded from factory,concealed detachable magizine has scissor spring instead of w spring,bolt has 3 locking lugs-thus 60 degree bolt throw,WIDE extractor with plenty of bite,bolt handle is shaped for fast,comfortable operation,factory free floated barrel,palm swell built in grip,smooth slick bolt operation(except for 1 I read about),tang safety so you can easily operate without looking by feel when throwing up to shoulder,fully adjustable crisp trigger,available boss system,want me to keep going?

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

yeah, i mean what really sets it aside from lets say a tikka.

The Tikka comes bedded, has a detachable magazine, not so sure about the spring stuff, i think it only has 2 locking lugs but that isn't the biggest of deals to me, bolt handle i think it just as good, has a factory free floated barrel, i personally think the tikkas action is smoother than the brownings that i tried out today, I don't see much difference in the two safetys, other than tikkas is on the side and brownings in the middle, Trigger seems better on the tikka, i don't need/want the boss system.

plus tikka is guaranteed to shoot 3 in an inch at 100 yards, browning is not.

But, i think the wood on the brownings are very nice.

But a lot of this is personal preference to me.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

If your getting a .308 for sure, then by pass the .300wsm. Doesn't make sense with 7mm rem mag in the cabinet already and .308win to beside itshortly. The .338 will be your thumping gun, while it may not be required for elk or moose it certainly doesn't sufferto any forthis application and it creates a nice spacingin the cabinet .284, .308 and .338.

As far as rifle buy whatever one you like. Good luck

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Hopefully if you’re looking at the 338 Win. Mag in the Sako it’s the 75 model because the no longer offer this cartridge in the 85 model. You can check it out for your self. www.sako.fi Good luck...

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

I just got quoted for a .338 win mag at gander today, let me check something out.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=95279

Here they are selling it in .338 win, which is kinda weird since sako doesn't acknowledge it on their site.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction! I believe the Tikka is also half the price of a Browning and with everything you just mentioned it beats out my Ruger but you might still want to check out the Hawkeye. The only thing that I didn't care for on the Tikka was the ergonomics and fit of the stock. BUT, the Tikka lite is high on my list for my next rifle should I be lucky enough to get another! Right now, my priority is saving up for a hunt out west with the one I got right now. A few years down the road, which is a long time from now, I'll probably be like you and adding one to my collection. The main thing is to take your time and analyze everything before making the deciscion. But to me it sounds like you have your ducks in a row.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Just check it out because they have the 338 Federal listed but not the Mag. I also checked Beretta’s websit and it’s not listed either... Here’s the link http://www.berettausa.com/product/pr...ifles_main.htm Something funny going on...

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

oh i know, it is wierd. I hope they actually do offer it in .338 win

I emailed berretta asking them, said they should reply in 3 business day.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

From a layman's perspective..........I just went through this between the same 2 guns !!

The A-bolt looks and feels like a more quality gun IMO !!

The Tikka has a smoother action.........lighter trigger from the factory.........and a huge internet following...........great reputation for accuracy !! I found nothing negative about the tikka's posted from actual owners ........found very little negative's on the A-bolts !!

I would have taken either really............but when I went to get mine.........the A-bolt was $599 in all black and the Tikka Stainless was $499 !! So I went with the Tikka and it is a great rifle for the price so far !!

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

I called able ammo today, and they said the .338 win is probably a misprint, but couldn't tell me for sure.

I was quoted for one at gander mountain however in .338 win, so i don't understand. We'll see when beretta responds

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

http://berettausa.com/media/webcasts...o=2006_tom256k

Here is video of a guy from sako explaining the gun, saying that many of the big calibers will be coming out in 2007. We'll see.


fortunately i have a few months here. But The Mark V sporter has now caught my eye if the sako doesn't work out, but I really want that sako. I would be so dissapointed if they didn't put it out in the win mag.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

just talked with beretta customer service, and the .338 win mag is out, just not in the u.s. yet. he said it should be in the U.S.A soon!!!!!!

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

me too, i have a browning a-bolt hunter in 25-06 and it is the best rifle ive ever shot. at 100 yards i can keep 5 shots that can fit in a dime with any ammo thats out there. thats from a gun vise of course. love the wood and fit and finsh. my plan is to get an a-bolt micro hunter in 308 win and keep the 25-06 then ill have the 2 rifles/calibers that i would need to take on anything from long range varmints to long range deer and realy anything that walks the earth in the north or south american contenant {execp maby brown and poler bears, but thats just a safty isue not saying that it couldent or hasent been done} would like to take a look at the tikka's in 338 fed that is the only other rifle i would even think about and thats only because browning is not offering a 338 fed as of now but i would weight on that buy for a couple of years if i knew browning was going to, i like the brownings that much.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Browning 300 WSM . would be my choice .
I ve looked at both and the quality and smothness is a lot nicer in the Browning rifle .[8D]

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

A Browning A-bolt is just a much higher quality gun that a Tikka, not taking anything away from a Tikka but a Browning is just a better gun for the money.


NRA

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Sold my A-bolt after I bought my first tikka t3. Accuracy is far superior out of the box compared to the a-bolt. Every gun and situation is different, great a-bolts and bad tikkas and vice-a-versa. However, I will NEVER hesitate to buy another tikka. Great trigger, great accuracy out of the box.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

Tikka hands down........brownings quality has gone downhill since they brought japan into there manufacturing.

RE: Tikka t3 vs. browning abolt hunter.
 

pdoughertyDU and chuckclear - You said everything I could have. Tikka T3 is my choice. I've only personally had experience with their .300 WM and .30-06, but I'm impressed with their out of the box accuracy, smooth bolt and trigger and free floating barrel based on Sako's. I also appreciate in the miles of daily hiking up and down the mountain sides when hunting Elk out West that the T3 Hunter is 6 3/4 lbs (plus scope), instead of some of the heavier rifles out there. It looks like A-Bolt is marginally heavier.
Price for A-Bolt is probably $350-400 more than the T3, depending upon which special caliber and options.