Thread: 223 Browning X-Bolt Super Light 16'

Anyone any experience of the 223 Browning X-Bolt Super Light 16" fluted and threaded barrel rifle.

Okay it has a pretend carbon stock but I really liked the feel of it so short and light when I first picked it up.

I fitted the Stealth modular suppressor and removed a baffle reduced the length by 30 mm to 195 mm and 220 grams and adding 100 mm to the barrel now 20" with a suppressor fitted.

The trigger springs are harder to change as they are captive within the trigger unit so i set it to 2.5 lb the lightest it would adjust too with a nice clean break.

So far my best load is 65 gr Sierra GameKing and 25 gr 2208, would be interested on anyone else's opinions and loads or factory ammo you found works well in this rifle.

Cheers and seasonal wishes to all.

I was drooling over one of those myself, for a little while.

Elegant lookin' little beastie.

Originally Posted by berg243

i like it . is it the micro action .twist rate? is mag length long enough to load 75gr bullets properly? would be a nice option instead of a howa mini or ruger american ranch rifle.

I think it is a micro action its a good half an inch shorter and thinner than my .223 Ruger Ranch Rifle bolt , twist 1 - 8, mag internal length 61 mm.

Interesting load. Another hunter on this Forum stuffs 27gr 2208 into his cases but bugggered if I can do that.Same pill but 24gr BM2.Mate runs the std X Bolt and loves it.

What speed are you getting with that load and the 16" barrel?

Originally Posted by TeRei

Interesting load. Another hunter on this Forum stuffs 27gr 2208 into his cases but bugggered if I can do that.Same pill but 24gr BM2.Mate runs the std X Bolt and loves it.

Tried up to 27.5 gr 2208 but it opened the group to about 1.5 moa, 25 gr gives me two through the same hole and one just outside doing three shot groups with this rifle and its skinny wee barrel it gets warm real fast.

Just making a batch up and will chrono when the wind drops zeroing.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Interesting load. Another hunter on this Forum stuffs 27gr 2208 into his cases but bugggered if I can do that.Same pill but 24gr BM2.Mate runs the std X Bolt and loves it.

Me. The cases are pretty full. 55 TTSX
2208 was the only powder that would shoot them any good.

I don't have one of them - but general speaking a short barrel requires a fast burning powder. 2208 is too slow that's why I use H335 for my 14" .223 and have good success, especially with the 55 and 55gr TTSX.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Me. The cases are pretty full. 55 TTSX
2208 was the only powder that would shoot them any good.

I must concur as I also used the 62 gr TSX and 25 gr 2208 best out of my AR but a bit pricey shooting 100 wallabies a night.

Dropped a few Reds, Fallow and pigs with the 62 gr the ones I found when butchering did exactly what they advertise 4 nice opened up petals.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

What speed are you getting with that load and the 16" barrel?

Just making a batch up and will chrono when the bloody wind drops zeroing.

Just zeroed the browning and a 1 - 8 Swarrrooovissky Z8i its shooting 65 gr GameKings into half moa 3 shot groups at 100 yards good enough for my wallaby rifle.

Average speed 2740 fps and IS-D 14.6 courtesy of Magnetospeed and yes on this rifle the Magnetospeed affected the grouping opening it up and right.

So I am happy with my lightweight hunter

I got given one to accuracy test for Guncity Timaru as they had a few come back as were shooting 4” groups. I tried some 50 gr American eagle down it and shot fine sub moa. But they were selling them and pushing the cheap ammo they had which was the hornady frontier with the hornady sp55 which I usually find that 55sp to shoot well. I tested it with a handloads that I used to use in my AR 1/7 16” and it grouped 2 shots 1/2” and threw 2 shots 4”. So I advised them it didn’t like the hornady 55 sp and try something different.

Did you try anything heavier than 55 gr ?

Any updates on these rifles, whats everyone shooting with them?

Why was @xtightg banned?