Opinions wanted on the Browning A bolt and the Tikka T3 Hunter

Harley

Harley

New member
I'm on the search for a new rifle. Let me first start by saying that I have owned Rem 700, Savage, Rugers, and CZ's. I am a HUGE CZ fan and they are the rifle that I always buy. I am thinking about mixing it up this time and considering a different brand. I am looking at either a 22-250 in the Browning A bolt or in Tikka T3 Hunter.
So what do you guys think of the A bolt and the T3? I am use to and very fond of sweet triggers so this is a concern for me while considering these other brands. I would appreciate to hear your reviews of these rifles.

Oh, while I am leaning toward a 22-250 I am also kicking around the idea of the 25-06. Is there a lot of pelt damage with the 25-06?

Thanks

Harley
 
Depends on what feel good to you! Both are great weapons but if you plan on walking all day with it you may want to consider the Tikka. Thats coming from a guy who has two A-bolts in his safe. I think the factory trigger the T3 has may be a little better too. Dont get me wrong, I love my A-bolts as both a great shooting guns. I handeled and shot several Tikka's and they are nail drivers for sure but my A-bolt just fits ME.

Dave
 
I would love to hear from someone "in the know" who can tell me why an A-bolt or T3 IS a viable choice over others in their given price ranges......
 
I really like the A-bolt, short bolt throw, good detatchable magazine, I won't buy one that doesn't have a clip. It is what I used to have my T.20 built. It is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. Seems to have a good bolt in it, too.
I haven't seen a tika, but I have no problem carrying my 10-11 lb. Browning, all day.T.20
 
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Ok 2much, I want to hear why you think the Abolt and T3 "both suck"???? Do you have anything to back it up?



I've MUCH to offer on the particulars.....Just wantin' to see if anyone thinks they can float their own boat before I sink it....Anyone?......
 
both are very nice guns however the clip on the A-bolt in my opinion is a very stupid design and quite inaccesible when needed to be reloaded quickly.
 
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I really like the A-bolt, short bolt throw, good detatchable magazine, I won't buy one that doesn't have a clip. It is what I used to have my T.20 built. It is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. Seems to have a good bolt in it, too.



Roger that!
Best thing to do is pick up the one's you're thinking about buying, handle them a bit...walk around the store with one for a couple of minutes, throw it up to your shoulder, quickly work the bolt a few times as if you were doing some follow-up shots, pretend like you were unloading it at the end of the day and putting it away for the night, etc., etc..
One of the two rifles will "speak" to you that it's the one.

The thumb safety and detachable magazine were selling points to me.
With a rifle, there are very few circumstances (barring combat situations) where I would need to quickly reload a rifle after the 5 shots that the A-Bolt clip allows. In fact, for the poster that mentioned the clip as a shortcoming, if you carry a loaded spare clip reloading is very fast.

2muchgun, my boat is floating - I'd like to see how you're gonna sink it?

T20 dude, I'd like to correspond with you regarding your build - pm sent.
 

Harley,

I can't speak to the Browning A-bolt, as I do not own
one. But I can speak to the Tikka, and your desire
for a "sweet" trigger. That comes on a Tikka. It is
arguably the best factory trigger, and if you don't
like the factory settings, one can adjust it down to
close to "scary". I have a Tikka M695, and a Tikka
T3, and both are set to between 1 and 2 pounds of
force, with very little travel. If you want something
"different" than a CZ, then look hard at a Tikka.

You will hear about the plastic parts, from the Tikka
detractors, and probably a few other details that
these folks "hate" about Tikkas, but as an engineer,
I am pretty fussy about my rifles. I am not hung up
on everything being steel, or having conventional
features. I do demand reliability, and accuracy,
from my rifle purchases, and so far Tikka rifles have
met or surpassed my expectations.

Right now, in the market, Tikka is one of the better
values. It is exceptionally accurate, with a Sako
barrel, has a great trigger, a silky smooth bolt, and
is pretty easy on the eyes, if one likes European styling.
If you are hung up on how many locking lugs it has,
or what type of feed mechanism, or the plastic bolt shroud,
or trigger guard, or that it has a plastic box magazine,
then a Tikka is probably not for you. If you want a
light, accurate, smooth feeding, sweet trigger rifle,
than do look at a Tikka T-3.

Squeeze
 
I prefer Tikka. I can buy Tikkas for much less than an A-bolt. Both are good guns, I do not like the Abolt Magazine and I dont buy the "short throw bolt" doing anything for me.

I am mostly interested in 2Muchguns comments. Maybe I am totally ignorant and he can help me. I am very willing to learn and change my opinion.
Please 2muchgun educate me.
Carl
 
Quote:
both are very nice guns however the clip on the A-bolt in my opinion is a very stupid design and quite inaccesible when needed to be reloaded quickly.



I'd have to agree with this. I have an A-bolt in 7mm-08, and at first I thought the magazine in the floor plate was a cool idea, but most of the time I find it annoying. You can't load from top easily and you can't remove the magazine quickly. Plus the floor plate has play in it when latched, at least mine does. I do like the rifle though - awesome bolt throw and very smooth, and very accurate, mine loves 140 gr. winchester ballistic silver tips.

Honestly I'd rather have a blind magazine or a true a DM
 
The short bolt throw is a handy design. I can chamber a round faster and more reliable. When trying out different rifles in Scheels, killing time, I found some of the rifles I would hit my thumb on the scope when cycling the bolt. With large mittens or gloves this could end up as a bad thing. I have two magazines, would have three, but they are a little spendy.
My old 788 had a four shot clip, it was faster to reclip, but it would also fall out once in a great while. I HATE walking back out a half mile-mile to look for it on the snow.
When I was calling different gun builders about the T.20, one guy said he would true the bolt face on the Rem rifle. I sent mine in and the other builder said it wasn't needed on the Browning, saving me, 50$ ??T.20
 
I am looking for a calling rifle, and the T3 is high on the list. I was checking them out at Sportsman's Warehouse and they appear to be a fine rifle. I've heard negative comments re: plastic, etc., but never a gripe about accuracy, feeding, or any functional issues. I hadn't considered the Browning...
 
Yup I know what you mean about losing Mags, Tac 20, I can lose anything and do it quicker than you!!LOL thats why I like plain old drop plate magazines, I always carry an extra Tikka Mag, but I know one day I'll lose it too, it's sad getting old!!!LOL

I got no beef with folks liking Browning or anything,or even trying to compare, I like what I like and so do you and thats OK with me!
I want to hear from 2muchgun. If he knows something I should know, I wish he'd tell me.
Carl
 
I don't think I read his name right is it 2muchgun or 2much beer?Because he must be drinking something strong if he thinks Tikka sucks,I was a machinist for 18 years and The Tikka is built better than guns costing twice as much,If he didn't have so many posts I would say he was a troller,:)
 
I like the abolt better and I have shot both quite often, The tikka has a better trigger, but I like the abolts hinged floorplate and the 60* bolt throw thats the reasson I will only buy an A-bolt, other bolt actions cause me to hit the scope sometimes , I can't see why people don't like the magazine its fast to reload hit the button the clips flops down you don't have to remove the clip to load it, slam a few more shells in the clip shut floorplate and start shooting again. Ok "2muchgun" now I want to hear why both these guns suck.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I have read many good things about each of them. I can't find either of them around here to be able to check them out. I was planning on ordering one. I have read some people say the Tikka customer service is near impossible and if something breaks then good luck. Has anyone had any personal experience with the Tikka warranty?

How is the Browning trigger, are they nice triggers? I like a really nice trigger and I have read good things on the Tikka trigger.
Hey Tmuch - shed some light and tell me what ya know. I don't want to make a bad decision.
 
I must not be much of an expert, it seems my trigger, being stock on the a-bolt, works as good as any I have shot. I thought the trigger on my Rem.788 was ok, too.T.20
 
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