Tikka T3, Sako A7, or Browning X-Bolt????

I have decided to go with a 25-06.  Always wanted one so I am getting one. 

I have narrowed my choices down to 3 rifles I want to pick from.  Want to stay under $1000 and want to keep it light for carrying in the field.  My choices are:

1.  Tikka T3 Stainless
2.  Sako A7 Stainless
3.  Browning X-Bolt

I have been reading so many reviews and posts my eyes are about to bleed.  However I will choose from one of these. 

Tikka - I own a whitetail hunter and the thing is a tack driver.  I love it, the most accurate rifle I own so I do have some brand loyalty even though I don't really like the looks of the T3 compared to the Whitetail.  Lightest gun, been around a while and proven.  Cost $548

Sako - Well it's a Sako.  Lots of good write ups and 5 shot MOA guarantee.  The Tikka has a 3 shot, and mine does shoot better than that.  Bases are already provided and its light.  Like the steel feed clips on the magazine. (I have no problem with polymer magazines or gun parts.)  Cost is $850

Browning - Another new gun.  Nice recoil pad, polymer mag holds 4 I believe.  Nice action smooth, (not as smooth as the A7 or Tikka but good.)  Made in the good ole...........Japan.  Feels good when put to my shoulder.  Cons - hard to find bases and few ring offerings, new model so there might be some kinks in it (like the Sako)  Cost $830

I really think I am leaning towards the Tikka partly because of the cost and because I know they are good shooters.  I can take the $300 I save on the gun to upgrade the glass and maybe have some left over for ammo.

My question to the experts here is:  Does anyone have much experience shooting these rifles and what are their pros and cons. 

Thanks and good shooting

They are all realy nice rifles .I my self have a sako and love it except for the fact its a 30.06.
not my fave on chamberings,  the tikka is a sister to sako and maybe just as good ,go with it and scope it appropriately.

Great question.  I'm in the market for a similar type of setup in 300WM.  I got rid of a Tikka T3 Lite that was a tack driver.  I can't say enough good about the gun.  I had a brake installed that I didn't care for, so I sold it.

REMF, the KIMBER on my list too!

Yes, I also failed to mention the Remington Alaskan TI, but now we're talking more than a little jump in price.  It has the 24" barrel like the Tikka, and it's even a little lighter than all of the ones mentioned here. 

Oh, one more piece of info on the Tikka...

Looks to me like you have them ranked in the right order.  With Tikka being #1.   I'd save the rest of the cash for an upgrade on glass.

i would take the tikka, sounds to me like you already like there products and if your confident in the t3 setup by all means continue to use it until you are given a reason to switch.

REMF wrote: Yes, I also failed to mention the Remington Alaskan TI, but now we're talking more than a little jump in price.  It has the 24" barrel like the Tikka, and it's even a little lighter than all of the ones mentioned here.    I have a Remy 700 SPS Buckmaster.  It's too heavy, and 1 MOA is all I'm able to get out of it.  I'd hate to spend that kind of money on the Alaskan TI to just have a 1 MOA rifle.

I like the Remmy TI too but yeah now your talking close to 2k.

pyro6999 wrote: i would take the tikka, sounds to me like you already like there products and if your confident in the t3 setup by all means continue to use it until you are given a reason to switch.

Wow...I just looked up the Sako website and discovered that their rifles have ......umm............gone up in price.........  [ $1700 for a Sako 85 walnut???]  

you can get the Tikka in wood.  And here in the midwest, you can get wood (maybe laminate) with stainless as well. 

I've had a stainless T3 Lite for around three years now.  It's easy to tote and it has shot everything that I have put in it reasonably well.  So far, the stuff that it didn't like still shot 1 .5" three shot groups @ 100 yds.  The stuff it likes will shoot 3/4" or better.  The small ejection port has not been a problem for me.  The only criticism that I have is the factory supplied rings - I would also recommend installing quality aftermarket rings as previously mentioned. With the experience that I have had with my rifle, I would not hesitate to save the $300 and use it to upgrade the rings and scope.  

I wouldn't mind getting one in 6.5X55 Swede with a wood stock!

My T3 is a stainless/synthetic Swede.  The blued/wood version also looks nice.  I could warm up to a stainless/laminate if it didn't weigh 7 3/4 lbs(plus I haven't seen on chambered for 6.5X55). 

Tip69 wrote: I wouldn't mind getting one in 6.5X55 Swede with a wood stock!

I have pretty much decided on going with the Tikka.  Didn't get enough info to convince me that the browning or the sako would be significantly better than the Tikka.  

  GREAT rifle in a REALLY GREAT cartridge! Now what ya gonna scope it with?

I have a Zeiss Conquest 4X16 just waiting to go on it.  Should be a nice rifle out to 400.  We shall see.

Well change #1.  I drove down to Whitakers gun shop in Owensboro, KY this afternoon.  I wanted to see what they had and compare the three rifles I discussed buying the other day.  I got to handle the x-bolt, tikka and the sako.

Well long story short I ended buying the Sako A7 in 25-06.  The price the had was wayyyyyy below what I have seen on gunsamerica, able, buds, and a feww others.  I walked out the door with it for right at $650.  I couldn't pass up that deal.  Besides...it's a Sako.

The action on the browning just wasn't as smooth as the other two rifles.  The recoil pad is nice and soft, but I plan on putting a limbsaver on the Sako right after I put the glass on it.  The checkering on the forearm was in the wrong place for me and didn't feel good in my hands.  But mainly the action didn't come close to the other two.

I loved the Tikka as well but they didn't have it in the 25-06 I wanted.  They had it in the Hunter with the walnut and it was very pretty.  The action is silky smooth and it fit really nicely.

But when I handled the Sako I really like the action much smoother than the browning and just marginably smoother than the Tikka.  The gun really felt nice when I held it up and it is very light.  The checkering is in the right spot for me so it felt very comfortable.  I like the metal tips on the magazine and they also offer a 5 round magazine for it as well.  The cost of the magazine there was $52 or thereabouts.

Anyways I will be putting the Zeiss Conquest 4X16X44 tomorrow and will take some pics and post them.  I am thinking this should be a fine shooter.  More to follow.

Join us sako owners and rejoice, good goin! that was a hell of a deal.

matrobw wrote: Well change #1.  I drove down to Whitakers gun shop in Owensboro, KY this afternoon.  I wanted to see what they had and compare the three rifles I discussed buying the other day.  I got to handle the x-bolt, tikka and the sako. Well long story short I ended buying the Sako A7 in 25-06.  The price the had was wayyyyyy below what I have seen on gunsamerica, able, buds, and a feww others.  I walked out the door with it for right at $650.  I couldn't pass up that deal.  Besides...it's a Sako.

I'm not familar with the A7, but I can't hardly believe you got a Sako for $650!!!  Looking forward to the pics.  Congrats!

thats a great deal your a lucky dude!! we want pictures!

Tip69 wrote: I'm not familar with the A7, but I can't hardly believe you got a Sako for $650!!!  Looking forward to the pics.  Congrats!