browning x bolt

[rkymt hunter]

Was at Sportsman Warehouse and was looking at the new Browing X bolt looks and feels like they did a good job,but has anybody got one and how does it shoot ?

 

[Big Squeeze]

Was at Sportsman Warehouse and was looking at the new Browing X bolt looks and feels like they did a good job,but has anybody got one and how does it shoot ?

.................Like you, I have seen & handled them but not shot one! I don`t see any reason why they wouldn`t shoot as good as any of the other Browning A/Bolts..........The stock design is unique with the palm swells and does not look as plain as the A/bolt design and would be a matter of personal preference between the two stocks...... I think the X bolt is a very good looking rifle!! I would have considered one or in the A/bolt earlier if available in the 375 Ruger......

 

[buckfever]

The new X Bolt does seem nice but the little bolt handle has got to go.

 

[SakoSteve270wsm]

All the A-bolts I have seen felt like the bolt was running on sand paper.Did they smooth the bolt up on the X ?

 

[m1aggie01]

I am currently waiting on my X-bolt in .280 Remington to arrive. I ordered it about 3 weeks ago, sight unseen, and the rifles just seem to be trickling out of the factory in spurts. My local shop got ONE in .300WinMag the other day and that was it...they ordered 15 including mine!!!

I have yet to see them but I will most probably be very happy.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I am currently waiting on my X-bolt in .280 Remington to arrive. I ordered it about 3 weeks ago, sight unseen, and the rifles just seem to be trickling out of the factory in spurts. My local shop got ONE in .300WinMag the other day and that was it...they ordered 15 including mine!!!

I have yet to see them but I will most probably be very happy.

...........................I like the palm swells on the X Bolt forearms. Kinda grows on ya! Better handling for larger hands. Reminds me of the Hogues.......The X Bolts are are a real beauty!!

 

[Big Squeeze]

The new X Bolt does seem nice but the little bolt handle has got to go.

......................Actually! That bolt handle isn`t bad at all! I have large hands and I had absolutely no problems cycling that bolt and even with gloves on, there shouldn`t be a problem. Very smooth operation!!!

 

[Big Squeeze]

All the A-bolts I have seen felt like the bolt was running on sand paper.Did they smooth the bolt up on the X ?

..................The X Bolts are as smooth as glass! I didn`t feel any harshness like sandpaper!

 

[ldg397]

I held one today at Cabelas in 7mag. To put it mildely I hated it! Seemed very barrel heavy, didn't balance well at all. The scaled down dimension of the action and bolt handle may be plenty hefty to handle the cartridge but made me feel like I was holding a youth .22 didn't inspire a lot of confidence. Sorry if anyone likes it not trying to start anything JMHO.

 

[ldg397]

All the A-bolts I have seen felt like the bolt was running on sand paper.Did they smooth the bolt up on the X ?

I thought about this comment when I was at Cabelas today. It didn't seem that bad, but since I bought the sako 85 a couple months ago every rifle action seems like they are operating on sandpaper. :lol:

 

[Big Squeeze]

I held one today at Cabelas in 7mag. To put it mildely I hated it! Seemed very barrel heavy, didn't balance well at all. The scaled down dimension of the action and bolt handle may be plenty hefty to handle the cartridge but made me feel like I was holding a youth .22 didn't inspire a lot of confidence. Sorry if anyone likes it not trying to start anything JMHO.

...........................I can`t understand how or why that X Bolt didn`t feel right for you!............My impression was totally the opposite when I also handled the same 7mm X Bolt!.......Perhaps a better balance with a scope mounted on it???

 

[YoteSmoker]

I also am not a fan of the new look of the X-bolt. Maybe because I love my a-bolt and BBR models so much...The bolt on the a-bolt is designed not to rotate like a normal bolt and is not real slick but the 60 degree bolt throw sure is cool imo. Also imo, newer is not always better, but new sells.

 

[ldg397]

I held one today at Cabelas in 7mag. To put it mildely I hated it! Seemed very barrel heavy, didn't balance well at all. The scaled down dimension of the action and bolt handle may be plenty hefty to handle the cartridge but made me feel like I was holding a youth .22 didn't inspire a lot of confidence. Sorry if anyone likes it not trying to start anything JMHO.

...........................I can`t understand how or why that X Bolt didn`t feel right for you!............My impression was totally the opposite when I also handled the same 7mm X Bolt!.......Perhaps a better balance with a scope mounted on it???

I really like the profile of the rifle I think it looks very sharp. It may well balance better with a scope and ammunition in the magazine???? I wasn't fond of the looks of it from above the action. I guess just expecting something more substantial. It may suit me better in a short action caliber??

 

[YoteSmoker]

I know I badmouthed the looks of this gun in my above post, but last night I checked out an x-bolt in 308 win and really liked the feel and lightness of this gun...really shouldered like it was made for me. The trigger is better than the a-bolt but not as good as a well adjusted remington or timney. Definitely ok for hunting.

In the way of big game rifles, I currently have a 243, 6.5, 7 mag, and 30-06. My uncle is bringing out my deceased Pap's sporterized 03 Springfield 06 to pass on to me in a couple months when he comes out here elk hunting. So basically, I'm inheriting another 06 but this will most likely not be used much.

I will primarily be using my Win 70 7MM mag for most of my hunting this fall. It has a 26" barrel with a boss brake on it, so a little heavy for spot and stalk hunting but great for sitting on stand and glassing.

My 30-06 is an older browning BBR model, weighing around 7.5#s without optics. Again, about as heavy as the 7mag but 4 inches shorter in length.

I have tons of 308 brass and bullets, and the dies as I have a heavy target only type rifle in 308.

I'm thinking it much more pleasant to carry the new browning X-bolt in 308 for my woods/ side mountain type hunting at 8-10,000 ft elevation and use the heavier, longer 7mag for hunting openings better suited for setting and watching.

What do you think? Should I sell/trade my heavier 06 for a lighter/handier walking rifle in 308 or am I nuts? I guess either way, in the end, I'd have two '06 rifles and one 308; or two 308s and one '06.

Please help me decide!

 

[YoteSmoker]

P.S my Mom and Dad are coming to visit in a few weeks, so the 6.5 is most likely on it's way back to Michigan and probably won't be a hunting option any time soon

 

[russ808]

IMO Keep um all. :grin:

 

[lefty315]

:grin: I picked one up at the RMEF show in Reno and fell in love. So I just had to sell my Ruger .280 and picked up the X-bolt in .280. I mounted a VX III 2.5-8 on it and loaded up some 150 ballistic tips just to form some brass and get the scope on paper, also to break the barrel in.

WOW, once on paper 3 shots went into 7/16ths of an inch at 100 yards. I continued to break the barrel in and put 10 shots into 1 inch. I was getting a little mirage towards the last few shots as the clouds parted which may account for two of the shots. (Like I can do any better) Without those two, 8 shots would have been 3/4ths of an inch.

I am impressed to say the least. The balence feels great and the bolt seems to be smoothing up the more I work it. Still, it's pretty nice.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I know I badmouthed the looks of this gun in my above post, but last night I checked out an x-bolt in 308 win and really liked the feel and lightness of this gun...really shouldered like it was made for me. The trigger is better than the a-bolt but not as good as a well adjusted remington or timney. Definitely ok for hunting.

In the way of big game rifles, I currently have a 243, 6.5, 7 mag, and 30-06. My uncle is bringing out my deceased Pap's sporterized 03 Springfield 06 to pass on to me in a couple months when he comes out here elk hunting. So basically, I'm inheriting another 06 but this will most likely not be used much.

I will primarily be using my Win 70 7MM mag for most of my hunting this fall. It has a 26" barrel with a boss brake on it, so a little heavy for spot and stalk hunting but great for sitting on stand and glassing.

My 30-06 is an older browning BBR model, weighing around 7.5#s without optics. Again, about as heavy as the 7mag but 4 inches shorter in length.

I have tons of 308 brass and bullets, and the dies as I have a heavy target only type rifle in 308.

I'm thinking it much more pleasant to carry the new browning X-bolt in 308 for my woods/ side mountain type hunting at 8-10,000 ft elevation and use the heavier, longer 7mag for hunting openings better suited for setting and watching.

What do you think? Should I sell/trade my heavier 06 for a lighter/handier walking rifle in 308 or am I nuts? I guess either way, in the end, I'd have two '06 rifles and one 308; or two 308s and one '06.

Please help me decide!

........................Interesting situation there!!!..........Don`t trade or sell anything! Instead, diversify your inventory to include the 325 WSM or maybe the 338 WM in the X bolt.

Though I`m not too keen on the shiny gloss wood elegance of the X Bolt Medallion, they are nevertheless, wonderful rifles!!!

The X bolt triggers are adjustable. Also, go with the composite/stainless if you`re hunting in the harsher weather. They are a little lighter than the woodys!

Since I often enjoy comparing one rifle to another, I did so not long ago. The two, were the 375 H&H Browning X Bolt stainless/composite vs the 375 RUM Remington XCR.

And ya know what? To be honest!! For its better looks, feel, handling, action smoothness, shorter 60 degree bolt lift and less weight, I would certainly take an X-Bolt over the Remy XCR!................