Tikka T3x vs Browning X Bolt (Or Howa 1500...)

[flutch]

Mate with a 68gr proj running cci 400 primers it blew at 24.5gr. I had read before with others having issues. And there solutions seem that either use thick cup like cci br4 (which I have) or I'd it's really bad get a gunsmith to make the fireing pin hole smaller (bolt)

I've had maybe 3 CCI primers go caput out of thousands and only cci, never federal... So I would out it down to cci rather than the gun or load.

[Cal-ApeR]

Hi mate, I've got a T3 I bought before the price went stupid. It's a great rifle out of the box and shoots eat better than me. I also have a coupe of Howas. I love them. They aren't as accurate as my tikka bit they are solid and are my beat around rifles. They haven't let me down and shoot under MOA all day if that is your worry.

I also shot a Sauer s100 for the first time on the weekend. Where I live, this rifle is about $400 more then the Howa. It has a great trigger, light and the stock feels good. It is about the same price point as the Tikka used to be. I don't think you would go wrong at all with one of these. In fact, you won't go wrong with any of these rifles.

Let us know how you go.

[TassieTiger]

Ok so from reading all this and going back to the store, I still have no clue lol.

I like the price point of the howa and I find the rubbery stock kinda nice...

The tikka t3x fit perfectly in my hands and shouldered nicer.

If I grab a howa I will have more left over for scope etc, but if I grab a tikka I won't have much budget left.

EDIT: I looked at the sauer xt100 and it also felt nice but I don't know much about them. Anyone with experience that can help me out?

I recently lent my 30-06 sauer xt100 to a (66 years old) mate - because he owns nothing but Tikkas and Sakos. He owns 5 tikkas...I gave him my sauer so he could see that there are other rifles out there and I told him he should be able to shoot Moa with the sauer if he was any good...he then sent me these photos...

Truth is, unless your really unlucky, you will be able to work at making your rifle shoot no matter what you choose...there is hardly a dud in this day and age and if they are out there, forums pick up / run with it pretty quickly. Choose one, stick with it and work on it’s and your ability.

[Bill]

Howa offers out standing value and also the cheapest to mod the trigger with kits off eBay only $22.

I have 2 x Howa minis that shoot 5 shot moa quite easily, same with a 223 HB mini that I sold to a mate

Budget tikka come with a 3 shot Moa capability and generally shoot well.

Aprt from owning Browning BLRs I couldn't comment on there accuracy

[bigfellascott]

I was reading the other day about the Sauer in 223 having a lot of feed issues (not sure what model now) so something to keep in mind I guess if you are looking at Sauer and in particular 223 (I think the other cals are fine).

[bigfellascott]

I like my Howa's they just plain shoot, way better out of the box than my Tikka put it that way, my Tikka is lighter (hunter v Howa HB) so no surprises there. I was surprised how poorly the Tikka shot with the chosen ammo (130gn Premium) not that it really worries me too much as it's only for poking pigs and deer and it's good enough for that job at the ranges we generally encounter them at.

[TassieTiger]

I like my Howa's they just plain shoot, way better out of the box than my Tikka put it that way, my Tikka is lighter (hunter v Howa HB) so no surprises there. I was surprised how poorly the Tikka shot with the chosen ammo (130gn Premium) not that it really worries me too much as it's only for poking pigs and deer and it's good enough for that job at the ranges we generally encounter them at.

You need to pack up that tikka, send it to me and I’ll sort it and then send it back. It’s not the norm what your encountering... know it’s there and not shooting right...it would drive me crazy...bloody OCD lol

[bigfellascott]

I like my Howa's they just plain shoot, way better out of the box than my Tikka put it that way, my Tikka is lighter (hunter v Howa HB) so no surprises there. I was surprised how poorly the Tikka shot with the chosen ammo (130gn Premium) not that it really worries me too much as it's only for poking pigs and deer and it's good enough for that job at the ranges we generally encounter them at.

You need to pack up that tikka, send it to me and I’ll sort it and then send it back. It’s not the norm what your encountering... know it’s there and not shooting right...it would drive me crazy...bloody OCD lol

Hey Taz, I'm sure it won't take much to make it shoot better, I've only really tried the one brand of ammo so far and only in 130gn so it's far from being a dud as such, but it was pretty bloody ordinary considering the rants on how great they are out of the box etc, it's been the worst by far out of the box rifle I own!

[flutch]

I like my Howa's they just plain shoot, way better out of the box than my Tikka put it that way, my Tikka is lighter (hunter v Howa HB) so no surprises there. I was surprised how poorly the Tikka shot with the chosen ammo (130gn Premium) not that it really worries me too much as it's only for poking pigs and deer and it's good enough for that job at the ranges we generally encounter them at.

You need to pack up that tikka, send it to me and I’ll sort it and then send it back. It’s not the norm what your encountering... know it’s there and not shooting right...it would drive me crazy...bloody OCD lol

Hey Taz, I'm sure it won't take much to make it shoot better, I've only really tried the one brand of ammo so far and only in 130gn so it's far from being a dud as such, but it was pretty bloody ordinary considering the rants on how great they are out of the box etc, it's been the worst by far out of the box rifle I own!

Every single firearm store I have been to has told me explicitly that Tikka rifles are notoriously fussy with ammo, so enjoy throwing lead down range till you find something that works or, reload and ladder test, either way

[Bill]

A far bit of the Tikka accuracy claims dribble down from the handloaders and more expensive models, there is a reason the budget T3s only came with a 3 shot Moa claim.....

If you want budget 5 shot Moa sub 1k rifle then a Howa or Mauser M18 is a better bet

[Sergeant Hartman]

I think the light ones get warm hence the 3 shot moa. A couple of my friends have tikka, the rifles are very good shooters. I have a couple howas and they are pretty decent as well

[bigfellascott]

I like my Howa's they just plain shoot, way better out of the box than my Tikka put it that way, my Tikka is lighter (hunter v Howa HB) so no surprises there. I was surprised how poorly the Tikka shot with the chosen ammo (130gn Premium) not that it really worries me too much as it's only for poking pigs and deer and it's good enough for that job at the ranges we generally encounter them at.

You need to pack up that tikka, send it to me and I’ll sort it and then send it back. It’s not the norm what your encountering... know it’s there and not shooting right...it would drive me crazy...bloody OCD lol

Hey Taz, I'm sure it won't take much to make it shoot better, I've only really tried the one brand of ammo so far and only in 130gn so it's far from being a dud as such, but it was pretty bloody ordinary considering the rants on how great they are out of the box etc, it's been the worst by far out of the box rifle I own!

Every single firearm store I have been to has told me explicitly that Tikka rifles are notoriously fussy with ammo, so enjoy throwing lead down range till you find something that works or, reload and ladder test, either way

Yeah I’ve got all the gear to reload for it - I’ll get around to sorting it out one day I guess. It’s accurate enough for pigs and deer so useable was just a bit shocked how ordinary it was compared to my howa which cost 1/3 the price and well and truly out shoot it

[bigfellascott]

A far bit of the Tikka accuracy claims dribble down from the handloaders and more expensive models, there is a reason the budget T3s only came with a 3 shot Moa claim.....

If you want budget 5 shot Moa sub 1k rifle then a Howa or Mauser M18 is a better bet

Yeah she’s only a fluted sporter barrel so onlybinterested in shooting 3 shot groups but more interested in 1 shot from a cold barrel being on the money more.