As you, I came to a fork in the road between a Browning and T3. I chose the Browning because it seemed to be a more polished gun- the bolt, receiver and all and felt better in my hands. I imagined that the more enclosed receiver port on the T3 would restricted access more and would be harder to get to a misaligned cartridge or whatever. I went to Sheels and put 2 next to each other and alternated in picking them up and shouldering them a couple of dozen times and I just liked the Xbolt better. The palm swell (didn't know that's what it is called) lended to a more natural fit, and the forend grooves are a very comfortable grip point. But that's an Xbolt, not an Abolt. The A bolt is also a more refined rifle than the T3 though.
Nevertheless I hear that the T3s shoot very well, so if you get one of those I don't think you will be disappointed either. I love the look of the T3 camo/stainless model.
