Author Topic: Tikka or Browning? (Read 4256 times)

slickest · « **on:** August 04, 2012, 12:18:58 PM »

I have been trying to find a used bolt action rifle for about the last month with no luck on what caliber I wanted. I really don't like buying guns online with out looking at them myself so I try to keep my business local. I am LH so that narrows down the playing field a little bit. Right away I have took Remington, Ruger, and Savage out of the line up.

I have never been a fan of Remington rifles or shotguns I bought a 11-87 and had nothing but problems with it and I bought a Remington SPS and had the roughest edges on it I have ever seen on a rifle so I have no desire to ever buy a Remington again.

I bought a Ruger .300 wm around 3 years ago and it had the worst trigger I have ever felt in a rifle. I love the 10/22s and revolvers I'm just not a big fan of their bolts.

If I was buying a .22-250 or .223 bolt it would be a savage. I loved my 110flv in .223 I had but really their isn't that much varmint hunting to do around here so I sold it off. I guess IF I wanted a cheaper rifle I would buy another savage but I just want something different this time. I have nothing bad to say about them at all.

This rifle will mainly be used for target shooting along with deer hunting and the occasional shooting of a coyote. I have decided on .308 for a the caliber. If I had a reloading set up right now it might be different but for the cost and availability of the ammo the .308 is the best choice right now.

After searching the web I narrowed it down between a Tikka or Browning. I have shot both and have always really like and felt very comfortable shooting either. One of the main things I want this rifle to have is a detachable magazine.For the models I have chooses from both manufactures are Tikka; T3 sporter, Hunter, or lite. Browning; x bolt hunter, micro hunter, or medallion

I'm really liking the T3 sporter but who would really want to hump that thing through the woods or walking the edge of field. So more realistically I have narrowed down between the T3 hunter, x bolt hunter, and x bolt medallion. I want to have a nice wood stock rifle this time that is pretty to look at. As of right now I really think the x bolt medallion is at the top of my list unless some one talks me out of it.

I guess my main concerns are what brand rifle has more reliable and quality mags and what one is considered to be more accurate? Thanks for your time

oberhaz · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2012, 01:18:00 PM »

Tikka mags are pricey as far as I'm concerned. I used to have a T3 lite in .308. It was a tack driver! I liked the gun, but wasn't crazy about it. I never cared for the safety, just didn't like it's position. They do have a great trigger though and smooth bolt.

If it were me, I'd go for a Browning. I like the way they look. They also have nice triggers and I like the tang safety on them.

chefjeff · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2012, 01:25:15 PM »

I shoot a LH st. stalker '06 with a good nikon up top.It is very lefty friendly. Many deer and a couple bear have fell to it. Not for trade or sale.

slickest · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2012, 05:46:43 PM »

I have about 99 percent decided its going to be a browning. Now I will have decide if its going to be stainless, blued, synthetic, or wood. I am kind a of a sucker food the wood and blueing

wareagleguy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2012, 03:50:56 PM »

I have owned more Browning than Tikkas. I would say the Tikka is the best of the two. One thing about the Brownings is you can always find a buyer.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2012, 10:16:00 AM »

I don't care for the Tikka but I'd choose it over the Browning.

helotaxi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2012, 04:09:13 AM »

I was in a similar position earlier this year. Also a lefty.. If Savage had chambered in .280 or 7 WSM I would have another Savage. I ended up with the Browning X-Bolt Hunter and don't regret it one bit. Nice, lightweight rifle with a great trigger.

drducati · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2012, 07:59:06 AM »

I never had a newer Browing but i've had several Medallions. I like my Tikka T3 ite stainless lots betterl It's light and handy . At the end of the day the extra weight makes a difference. What's not to like about an accurate,durable and light rifle? If tyou have to have wood go with the Browing but I neve liked the shine on the Brownings. The Tikka 595 is a nice wood rifle.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2012, 10:49:34 AM »

I own a Tikka and am happy with it, not a minute of troubles. I would buy another before a Browning myself. The finest Tikka is a bit of a letdown though. They make a Sako for those who admire beautiful guns.

The Brownings are pretty, if you place a high value on looks you certainly should get the Browning. The resale thing might be important as well, everyone recognises pretty and that Buckmark logo seals it.

helotaxi · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2012, 01:31:10 PM »

Quote from: drducati on August 17, 2012, 07:59:06 AM

but I never liked the shine on the Brownings.

The Hunter models have a matte finish on the wood and matte bluing on the action and barrel. Part of the reason I went with a Hunter over a Medallion.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2012, 02:11:50 PM »

For the prince Browning gets for its guns one would think it would have a better trigger assembly. Down right cheap quality build.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2012, 02:21:35 PM »

Going back over the posts here I think everyone is saying this. The Brownings are pretty and have brand appeal. Tikkas are not a pretty but will shoot the lights out. I guess this says what you want in a rifle.

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2012, 02:33:56 PM »

Neither have any appeal unless you're Bubba.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2012, 03:17:32 PM »

I have had and hunted with about thirty different guns over the years . Most required some work to the trigger or and stock ,to get them to shoot right .

Now I have a T3 Tikka ,for years, that never needed a bit of work though it has never been the best lookin' horse in the stable .

I had a Sako too for many years and worried all the time about putting a mark on that beatiful gun .
The T3 is all black and a quick spray brings the stock back to new, and it always seems ready the next years hunt .
I don't think much of the new triggers . Too many parts to hang up with dirt or freeze when cold .So if you hunt were the weather might be cold and wet Etc best look for a working mans gun with a plain trigger you can set down. The T3 meets the requirment .

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:04:12 PM »

Just don't leave it in a hot car. You'll find a puddle of plastic when you return.

ironglow · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:05:53 PM »

I was faced with similar choices, so I started some research. I have not been a Ruger fan (centerfire) for years. The reports of Ruger accuracy were "iffy" ans as with Slickest, some triggers required some work... so I stayed away.
Then they came out with the Ruger American...and I noticed that reviewers such as Chuck Hawks claimed MOA or less groups from them. Still, I wasn't convinced...ans went down to my local gun dealer to look at his Savages (He is a Savage fan, as I have been for some time). He had some Ruger Americans there..so I did tyhe usual "shoulder and swing" routine. It fit like it was made for me.. I liked the 70 degree bolt turn, which I can operate between index and middle finger. The bolt, while not polished in the least..operates very smoothly..and Ruger has put their delightful, new, adjustable trigger in the American. While not as polished as the Tikka or browning, it troubles me not at all..since I use my guns for hunting, almost exclusively.
One thing I did notice, some rifles are seemingly designed to look very similar, consider the three mentioned in this thread;

tomtomz · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2013, 07:06:06 PM »

The long grip on the Browning X-bolt is perfectly fit to my hand.

JTB · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2013, 01:56:19 AM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on August 22, 2012, 02:21:35 PM

Going back over the posts here I think everyone is saying this. The Brownings are pretty and have brand appeal. Tikkas are not a pretty but will shoot the lights out. I guess this says what you want in a rifle.

I agree. The five Tikkas I've owned have all been super accurate. I'd put Tikka at the tops accuracy wise over anything in their price range. I hate to say it, but they'll generally outshoot any American made rifle of simliar price.

drdougrx · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2013, 04:49:09 AM »

+1 for Tikka from me as well. I have a T3Hunter in 243 as well as a Sako Finnlite in 06....Cant tell the difference in accuracy. Both are super....

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2013, 01:55:20 AM »

i dont care much for either but that opinion comes from there but ugly stocks not from a mechanical flaw. If it were me and i wanted one of the two id look for an A-bolt browning. Good gun and much better looking in my opinion. Just strip off that laquer finish and put a nice oil finish on one and you end up with a decent looking good shootin rifle.

drdougrx · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2013, 02:56:37 AM »

Thats why I went with the wood stocked T3.

Zachary · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2013, 08:44:43 AM »

I own both Brownings and Tikkas.

The Brownings that I own are the original A-Bolt in Stainless Stalker models (Stainless action and barrel in a synthetic stock) that came out in the late 80s (I bought mine in 1988 and 1989). have been told by a couple of gunsmiths (including George Vais, the master gunsmith and inventor of the Vais Muzzle break from Houston) that the original A-Bolts were better than the A-Bolt IIs. In any event, my original A-Bolt Brownings are in .270 and 7mm Rem Mag, and both are extremely accurate with factory loads.

The Tikkas that I have are both the original Whitetail Hunter (WH) model, and the newer T-3 model. The biggest difference between the two is that the WH had 2 sizes of actions - one for short action, and the second for long action. The T-3, however, has a "one size fits all" action, which means that the standard long action magazine has a "stop" to fit short actions, but you are essentially wasting the extra length (and weight). Tikka did this to same money by manufacturing just one action. The second most notable difference is that the WH had a very big palm swell, while the T-3 is much thinner. I prefer the feel of the T-3 in my hands. I own several of these rifles in both models in various cartridges, and I can't even remember which ones. But I do know that the cycling of the bolt in the Tikka is the smoothest of virtually any factory rifle (even Sako).

I generally prefer the Tikkas over the Brownings.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2013, 04:03:56 PM »

a friend of mine was a die hard browning guy, till he won a tikka at the rmef banquet. he now says that he will buy only tikkas for now on.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 27, 2013, 01:36:54 PM »

Pic worth a thousand words. This is a Tikka I got this Thursday and put a scope on it Friday and this is shots 2,3,4 and 5 from the FIRST 5 shots. I got on paper with first shot and made an adjustment to get closer to center. Here is the next 4 shots. I have been trying to get Swampman to stop all the big talk and come have a shooting session and the winner takes all. He still has yet to take my offer. He talks a big game but he is short on action. Tikka is a shooter, period

Savage .250 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 28, 2013, 02:06:42 AM »

Flip a coin....................

wareagleguy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 06, 2013, 04:07:13 PM »

I find it funny Swampman talking about only Bubbas liking Browning or Tikka. I live in Franklin county Alabama which is the center of the universe for Bubba! While a few Bubbas own Browning and I know of no Bubbas with a Tikka it seems that Remington is the choice for the Bubbas are here. Heck, Bubba can't spell Tikka!

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** May 07, 2013, 02:13:55 PM »

Every Bubba has a Browning and a Browning sticker on his mud truck. I wouldn't have one for free.....

FPH · « **Reply #27 on:** May 07, 2013, 02:19:16 PM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on May 06, 2013, 04:07:13 PM

I find it funny Swampman talking about only Bubbas liking Browning or Tikka. I live in Franklin county Alabama which is the center of the universe for Bubba! While a few Bubbas own Browning and I know of no Bubbas with a Tikka it seems that Remington is the choice for the Bubbas are here. Heck, Bubba can't spell Tikka!

I agree, every guy I know who owns a Browning, also happens to be a multi- millionaire. I know no one who owns a Tikka. I do know quite a few bubbas who have Browning hats and back window decals because they think they look neat.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** May 08, 2013, 11:58:58 PM »

If you're smart enough to have money, you're smart enough not to buy jap made guns.

pastorp · « **Reply #29 on:** May 09, 2013, 02:29:47 AM »

My Brownings are Belgium made.

Regards,