Another Browning?
 

Hello,

So I'm in the market for another rifle this year there's a new cabela's going up in Winnipeg, MB so I figure what better time to try and snag a deal then on there opening sales event!

I already have a browning xbolt SS in .300WSM, and I love it the recoil pad really makes it fun to shoot. Problem is ammo is expensive and I'd like to hunt coyotes and target shoot all year and not break the bank. I've decided to go with .243, ammo is much cheaper and the gun would be a great gun to give my younger brother when I decide to take him hunting with me. Now the dilemma, I noticed that browning came out with a few new xbolt models at shot show 2013. A few I like were the stainless fluted carbonfiber and the stainles long range hunter in realtree camo... None of them come in .243!!! So my choices, so far at least, are between:

another, Browning xbolt SS
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/481/br...t-action-rifle

or, Tikka t3 stainless camo
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/5909/t...88961296560085

I love the look and feel of the browning it fits very nicely and my .300WSM is impressively accurate bullet holes in bullet holes at 100 and 200 yrds. with a redfield revolution 3x9-50mm scope (also super imressed with the scope). So it makes sense to buy this rifle as I am familiar with it. But I would like something in camo as this will mainly be a predator gun. If anyone has any usefull info on the tikka such as pros and cons vs. the xbolt that would be greatly appreciated. Also I am open to rifles of similar nature, stainless camo in .243 I'd like a nice factory trigger and a smooth tight fitting bolt I really dont like how cheap the savages feel and the way the bolt is soo loosely fit and rattles because of it.

Again thanks in advance for any advice of suggestions etc. :party0005:

No sure which savage models you are referring to? I too like a nice smooth tight bolt and that is exactly what my savages have....just curious.

NebBuckHunter,

Dont get me wrong,I am in no way saying they are cheap rifles! I just find that the few that I've held and shot felt cheap one was a savage axis scope combo in 30-06 which doesnt suprise me as it was only 350$ and the scope didnt hold zero, and another 30-06 Savage FCNS 11/111 which was accurate and fun to shoot but also felt cheap in my hands and the numerous savages I've held at the old cabela's in town did not impress me either.

Buy a Weatherby.

Browning vs Sako - I understand .....................

Browning vs Tikka - Browning every time !

Browning. Tikka only uses one action length meaning you're getting a long action and magazine for your short 243 Win.

I actually own a Tikka T3 (stainless lite), as opposed to those haters which I assume don't...mine is in 270WSM and I absolutely love it. It's probably my current favorite rifle to hunt with and the one I have taken with me on the last several white-tail hunts in MI and a mulley hunt in WY last year. It out-shoots me (SUB MOA with factory ammo..Nosler Custom with 140g AccuBonds...from the first three shots out of the box). The trigger breaks like glass, the bolt is smooth as butter, it shoots and handles like a dream...I have around 40 rifles in my safe...Sako's, Browning A-Bolts, Remington 700 BDL's, Savage 99's, a Savage 10 FLCP-K, Savage 11 Lightweight, Savage 93, Browning BLR's....all of them shoot well and some are more expensive some are less expensive...but the Tikka holds it's own against all of them and has probably taken more deer in the 4 years I have had it (probably around 40 now...8-10 a year in Michigan alone) than most people kill their entire life and not one of those deer had died any less...the Tikka T3 is a respectable gun. The only 3 things I do not like about it are...the stock (it's OK...but as soon as I can find a good replacement in left handed I will consider it), the detachable mag (because it's expensive for what it is to buy a spare...) and the recoil pad...I spent $20 and put a Limbsaver on it and love it. For the $ the Tikka is hard to beat....especially if you need a left handed rifle.

Sheridan, I held a few sako a7's and the stock didnt seem all that special compared to the browning. I have yet to hold the finlight but thats a little more money than I'm willing to part with.

Emtrescue6, I am a right handed shooter and its only a 243 so I dont see myself needing much of a recoil pad as for the detachable mag I agree spares are all really expensive. What is it you dont like about the stock?

It's not that I despise the stock so much that I hate it...it's just not the best part of the gun. It was actually the first hunting rifle I had ever bought with a synthetic stock as I much prefer a nice wood stock...I have since acquired a couple savages with synthetic stocks, the AccuStock on my Model 10 FLCP-K is nice but still not a great stock in my opinion. Bottom line is that I am a wood guy and that's the reason I don't really like the stock on my Tikka...it's functional, accurate and handles nicely and in my opinion the Tikka T3 is a great rifle for the $...game won't be any less dead when you shoot one with it and you'll be hard pressed to find another gun for the same $ of the same quality and accuracy. I'd buy another Tikka in a heartbeat.

Emtrescue6: I realize that an animal killed is an animal killed and they wont be anymore dead, but I love target shooting which makes it that much more important that I'm happy with every aspect of the gun cause I dont want to have to buy and sell guns till I find one I like I figure I'll get as many opinions as I can and do as much reasearch as I can and base my descision off that. And I agree wood stocks are much nicer but theres a strong possibility that this will be a gun that stays in my truck so, I'd rather beat up a synthetic stock than a wood stock.

I have 2 Browning A bolts one in 7-08 and the other in 325 WSM. I also own a Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06. So speaking with some experience with both I can tell you that both the Brownings needed some kind of gunsmith work to get to shoot to my satisfaction, The 7-08 need a trigger job and a bedding job, the 325 also needed trigger work. The Tikka had a fantastic trigger and shot sub MOA right out of the box. I like the action on the Brownings but when compared to the Tikkas there is no comparison. The Tikka is superior in smoothness. If I were to purchase another rifle today it would definately be a Tikka or maybe even an upgrade to a Sako 85.

Bronko22000, We are talking about the xbolt. The new features (compared to the abolt), include the new adjustable trigger which in my mind you cant really improve on and they are glass bedded from factory and the didnt change the 3 locking lugs but I think the changed the extractor and the abolt bolt rotates inside a three grooved sleeve through the middle section of the bolt, where the xbolt's entire front half of the bolt rotates.

Here is a link to the other changes,
http://www.thediyhunter.com/243-wssm...hotos-pictures

Well Jarrey I can honestly say I have no experience with the Xbolt. And from what you're saying about the new stock/bedding design then I would say whatever one you feel more comfortable with and fits you better. Good luck with your choice no matter which one it is.