There are Hogue rifles built with other stocks, but the one we tested doesn’t get Backfire’s recommendation. It’s one of the best 3 out of 8 rifles we tested in this price range. It’s just tough to get excited about because it has no single stand-out feature. It just does everything reasonably well. It’s like the girl you almost dated because you were such good friends and got along with great, but just never could fall in love with.
Both have a great bolt-throw, but while the Tikka is a bit smoother, I give the win to the Browning for a 60-degree, vs. a 75-degree throw. It’s a great gun and there are some features that fit my likes well with the x-bolt. +1 on the Tikka, when you add it all up, they are a tough act to follow out of the box. Blows me away too, when you see the “recoil lug” and the way it fits in the action/stock.
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Tikki T3 Lite vs. Ruger M77 Hawkeye vs. Browning X-Bolt
Not a drama unless you were wanting to go as short as possible. Thought I would start a bit of a debate as I’m currently at a crossroads! As per previous posts, finally after 15mth have my FAL . Have done a bit of hunting growing up, mainly pig though. Spent 5 years in the Army and now a copper and have been for the last 6 years, so not new to firearms.
My arms are a bit short and most hunting rifles are just too long for me, length of pull wise. The SIG Cross would be a best second choice. So keep in mind as you read my analysis of these guns that I can only comment on what I have personally experienced with each brand. Some folks simply enjoy the nostalgia of hunting with a lever action rifle, and Browning’s BLR is an accurate and handy option. The lightweight, stainless, pistol grip offering weighs under seven pounds and is suited to hunt in inclement weather. A removable magazine allows for the BLR to fire pointed, spitzer type bullets which is an advantage over the traditional tube-fed lever guns.
Best Bolt-Action Hunting Rifles Over $1,500
I also am a fan of Browning’s 4-screw-per-ring system for attaching a scope ring. Also, the styling of the Browning is by far the best in this price range. I really like the Tikka Veil Wideland chambered in 6.5 PRC.
Fierce Reaper – I just love it so much. I seriously am not sure how you can improve on it. Excellent in every way… but it’s expensive.
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X-bolt for me, the stock is far superior to the T3 in my opinion, but whichever way you go they are both good rifles. I’ve shot a T3 and handled an X-Bolt, and the trigger on the X-Bolt is basically a shotgun trigger whereas the T3’s is much more like a rifle “should” be. I was leaning Bergara before but after all the research and analyzes I’ve read online about the Tikka, I’m going with the CTR. The passion people have about them is great, and a lot more reasonable to upgrade the stock if I want to than I initially thought.
The Savage Axis comes with a unique stock that allows the shooter to shorten or extend the length of pull to your body. This is essential for a youth shooter so they can get their face closer to the scope. It’s really hard to analyze rifles in the under $500 category. In this price range, manufacturers use very loose tolerances and have very poor quality control.
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Like firearms themselves, there’s a wide variety of opinions on what’s the best gun. AGM Global Vision, an Arizona-based manufacturer and importer of advanced thermal-imaging and night-vision systems, has announced the release of the Adder series thermal scopes. Hunters preserve a lifetime of memories in taxidermy, so when those memories are threatened by insect infestation it’s cause for concern. Here’s what to do if you see little critters flying around your mounts.
As a rule of thumb I have found the Tikka rifles to be more accurate. I would rate the out of box accuracy as average to good for the Brownings and good to excellent for the Tikkas. The Tikkas are lighter, have a smoother action and have a little better price point. However I do feel like the Browning fit and finish is better. Neither are a bad choice but if I was buying a new rifle today it would be a Tikka. I’d love to hear if the model 70 is still relevant.
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I went on quite a journey finding the lightest rifle I could, with good trigger and shoots exceptionally well, to end up with a sauer. Bolt action rifles, lever action, pump action, self loading rifles and other miscellaneous longarms. Sniper’s Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Sniper’s Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location.
The BAR is probably softer-recoiling because of the gas operation. The biggest negative IMO is the BAR being a gas operated semi auto, it may have issues with certain ammo. I have the T3X Superlite and don’t consider the stock flimsy like some of the T3 Lite models I owned. I have a .223 varmint bbl in blue, it’s been on several prairie dog shoots, and still going strong. I also have a T3 stainless fluted bbl in .223. I doubt if there’s much difference in bbl life.
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I’ve had the HMR from Bergara and still have a Tikka CTR 260. The one and only thing I liked better on the Begara was the stock having an adjustable cheek piece.. The Bergara also didn’t like to have loaded rounds cycled from the mag into the chamber and back out without firing, it would on occasion drop rounds back down into the action.. Didn’t do this with fired cases, I know, most people font care about that kind of stuff but it irritated the shit out of me….
Short 60° bolt lift is fast cycling and allows you to work the bolt quickly without the scope getting in the way. The New Tikka T3x models are guaranteed to ship from the factory with 1 MOA accuracy. 14 different models of T3X and 7 different models of T3 . All Tikka rifles are engineered and manufactured by Sako, in Finland. Tikka claims “Every Tikka rifle has to go through accuracy testing to prove the rifle can perform under 1 M.O.A accuracy prior to being sold anywhere.” I will say the A-bolt looks more like a real rifle if you are a traditional wood stock person.
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If Remington starts producing a better rifle than the other options on the gun shelf, I’ll be thrilled to buy one and recommend it. But until then, do not buy a Remington 700 unless you’re planning to do significant work to the gun and use it as a platform for a custom build. Savage 110 Switchback – The Savage 110 comes in many different models, but the Switchback that we tested did not convert us to Savage in this price point. It was very inaccurate and poorly designed.
Tikka T3x TAC A1 – $1,799.99
I can’t tell you what its like hunting past those distances as I don’t have access to a property where I can hunt longer distances than that. The Tikka T3x has a single-column detachable clip magazine made from a strong fiberglass-reinforced composition. The magazine holds 3, 5 or 6 rounds depending on the model and caliber. A flush serrated release is installed at the front of the magazine to prevent accidental releases.
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