Remington 700 5R, Tikka T3X Lite, Browning x-bolt hells canyon. Advice on a nice long range bolt gun

[wonnabesniper]

Hey guy,

Im interesting in spending a little money on a good quality long range bolt rifle that will last me years to come. Im having trouble picking a rifle platform. im new to hunting and this is a rifle id like to use bench rest target shooting and in the field, hunting. Im not interested in a heavy bench rest long range rifle. im also looking to spend around $1500 +tax (willing to spend more if someone can recommend a quality rifle that they suggest is worth the money). so far i have narrowed it down to 3 rifles im currently looking at. the Remington 700 5R, the Tikka T3X Lite (cabelas special edition), and the Browning x-bolt hells canyon long range. im also thinking of getting the rifle in 6.5 creedmoor, with a vortex pst gen 2 for glass.

700
Pro - reliable proven action
cons - 90 deg bolt throw

t3x
pro - glass like action
pro - 70 deg bolt throw
cons - less common aftermarket parts

x-bolt
pro - 60 deg bolt throw
cons - less common aftermarket parts

 

[YotaEer]

I was looking for essentially the same thing and went with the 20” stainless tikka CTR in 6.5 CM. I’m very happy with it.

I also used to have the Gen 2 PST but I replaced it with a Bushnell LRHSi. Definitely prefer the Bushnell.

 

[Steel head]

Tikka
700






X bolt.
it does suck but has no support

 

[Bradv86]

I'll toss my vote in for the Tikka. There is quite a good bit of aftermarket for it these days.

 

[fdkay]

Not sure which model of the tikka you're talking about. They have lightweight and varmint under the "lite" name but I don't think the varmint comes in 6.5.
Tikka enjoys a very good reputation.
The remington will have a sendero/varmint profile barrel which is an excellent all around profile.
The browning looks good and likely shoots well. You better like the stock it comes with.

Have you not considered the bergara or howa rifles?
They offer excellent value and performance.
It is really tough to pass up the bergara hmr.

 

[The D]

A big reason there’s not much aftermarket support for Tikka is that they don’t really need it.

With how easy it is to re-barrel rifles now, you could buy a standard bolt face rifle and a magnum bolt face rifle just to get the most popular bolt faces and have barrels in as many cartridges as you want. Put each of them in whichever stock or chassis you want, get the trigger set up how you prefer and you essentially have a dozen rifles but only two stocks/scopes

 

[wonnabesniper]

Seems like most people are leaning towards the tikka, i might have to take a closer look at it. i have thought of other rifles like howa or bergara, I’m from Toronto canada and haven’t seen any local shops that cary the Howa. Plus only one place that carries the Barbara but they are out of stock of the HMR Pro. Links have been added bellow for anyone who isn’t familiar with any of the particular models I mentioned.

Tikka - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/124654/tikka-t3x-lite-special-edition-bolt-action-rifle
Remington - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/1029...-r-stainless-threaded-gen-2-bolt-action-rifle
browning - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/132530/browning-x-bolt-hells-canyon-speed-bolt-action-rifle

 

[silentheart]

I have 2 tikka rifle and tried another friend’s t3 lite. My t3 sporter 223 is 1/3 moa with match ammo. My wife’s t1x is under 1 moa with cci Sv any time any day indoor. My friend’s t3 lite is sub moa when our door no wind. So, if you like tinker around w your rifle, get the 700 5r. If you like a rifle that just shoot sub moa on any good condition day, get tikka. Imho, 700 are money pit. You get one, you read what other does to their gun. Then you wonder if it can get the extra performance. Then you give in and upgrade. Then again. Soon, you are $600 upgrade into your 700. Not worth it.

 

[Baddog 0302]

Seems like most people are leaning towards the tikka, i might have to take a closer look at it. i have thought of other rifles like howa or bergara, I’m from Toronto canada and haven’t seen any local shops that cary the Howa. Plus only one place that carries the Barbara but they are out of stock of the HMR Pro. Links have been added bellow for anyone who isn’t familiar with any of the particular models I mentioned.

Tikka - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/124654/tikka-t3x-lite-special-edition-bolt-action-rifle
Remington - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/1029...-r-stainless-threaded-gen-2-bolt-action-rifle
browning - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/132530/browning-x-bolt-hells-canyon-speed-bolt-action-rifle

Since all 3 listed will require a different stock IF you want a DBM and more than 4 shot cap. of the stock, just another factor to consider

 

[R_Swanson]

I mean, I sort of don't understand the idea that still is floating around that there's not much to upgrade on tikkas. Other than there only being 2 trigger options, there's plenty of stocks and chassis, plenty of barrels. What else do you need? It's got a KILLER single stage trigger from the factory so if you want single stage your set, or you can get the Timney or KRG dual stage triggers.

You aren't really getting a better action + trigger for 500-600 USD IMO. It literally costs double to step up from this combo.

 

[Southern Custom]

Another vote for Tikka here. The reason you’ll see so much love for the gun is it’s consistency. Any time you are buying a factory gun, it can be a crap shoot as for as accuracy out of the box. Tikkas are consistently good shooters.
I’ll also add a thumbs up for the Bergara HMR Pro. Mine is a .1/4 moa shooter and I can’t say a bad thing about it. Comes with a mini chassis stock and a TriggerTech trigger and factory cerakote. What’s not to like.
Either way you’ll be happy.

 

[jbuck88]

I've owned 2 5r Rem 700's and they both shot very well. I haven't owned a Tikka, but have owned a Sako which I liked as well. I think in general the 5r's are a decent gun, a step above the other 700's.

Some other might know better, but I think that Tikka has a Tupperware stock. If so the 5r will have a nicer HS Precision stock.

There are a lot of remington haters on here. I own several, and haven't had the issues some people complain about. Other then the trigger, my latest 5R trigger is pretty heavy. Its it still a 1/2 MOA gun with it though.

 

[physguy88]

Seems like most people are leaning towards the tikka, i might have to take a closer look at it. i have thought of other rifles like howa or bergara, I’m from Toronto canada and haven’t seen any local shops that cary the Howa. Plus only one place that carries the Barbara but they are out of stock of the HMR Pro. Links have been added bellow for anyone who isn’t familiar with any of the particular models I mentioned.

Tikka - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/124654/tikka-t3x-lite-special-edition-bolt-action-rifle
Remington - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/1029...-r-stainless-threaded-gen-2-bolt-action-rifle
browning - https://www.cabelas.ca/product/132530/browning-x-bolt-hells-canyon-speed-bolt-action-rifle

The Tikkas seem to be selling quite a bit cheaper south of the border, adjusting for the exchange rate:

Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech Rifles

Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech Rifles are available now for order at EuroOptic! Black and Tan finishes and available in magnum and standard calibers!

www.eurooptic.com

Tikka T3x CTR Rifles

Tikka T3x CTR rifles in stock, best price. Call (570) 368-3920 or visit www.eurooptic.com

www.eurooptic.com

You might be able to find better prices for the Tikkas in Canada if you check around with the outlets listed here:

Dealer Locator – Stoeger Canada

www.stoegercanada.ca

For example:

https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/tikka-t3x-compact-tactical-rifle-6-5-creedmoor-20.html#.XtNrTzpKiUk

Search Results | SAIL

www.sail.ca

 

[CaptNemo]

Tikka CTR stocks, bottom metal and mags should be pretty easy to find on the used market or for a little more $ the KRG Bravo is a proven combo.
Been there, done that.