Thread: browning xbolts?

im looking at getting a a new rifle in 7mm rem mag, i have been looking at the browning x bolt, they look good and have a 26 inch barrel which is perfect for the most out of the magnums. i have owned a few tikkas and love they shoot well with pretty much anything you put up the spout, i dont know anyone with a xbolt to ask how they are out of the box so if anyone has some pros or cons on them please tell me.

thanks

I owned an X bolt in 25-06 for 2 years and wish I never sold it to find part of a holiday. They are very nice rifles. Mine was a stainless stalker version. And super accurate with my hand loads. Picking coke bottle caps off at 200 meters. It made me an excellent shooter from the get go. Only pros to speak of hear my friend. They come factory bedded. Awesome hand controls/ergos. Adjustable trigger. Long barrel. Awesome mag. Solid scope mounting receiver. Definitely use x lock talleys rings. If there had to be a con forced out of me I would have to say weight. Buts it's definitely not an issue as it's still much lighter than my M1 Garand highly recommend this rifle from my experience. I am always looking on trade me for another

Awesome thats what I like to hear.

They are really great rifles. I tried everything up to about $2000-2500 and it was the clear winner for me in that price range. I have the Stainless Stalker also, in 308. It puts 5 shots in half an inch with factory ammo if I do my bit.

I think you'd have to go up to a Sako 75 or 85 to beat them personally, so quite a bit more $.

Here's a copy paste from my thread when deciding on rifle. Might help you out.

Originally Posted by MattyP

270 was my original pick! Why does your mate say 270 for south island? Longer range tops shots or....?

Went and played with a few rifles in shops today. Tikka T3's, a Browning X-bolt and a Sako A7. Out of them all I far preferred the X-bolt actually.

Magazines: Extra round in the mag versus the other two + the mag sits flush so the X-bolt wins that one. I did like the feature on the A7 where you need to press up as well to release the mag though. At first I thought why bother, but those mags are expensive so a smart feature to prevent losing one.

Bolts: I liked the bolt the most on the Browning too, the half cock is really...really good. The half cock on the A7 was so easy to go right past for an amateur like me...although I guess you could get used to it. Didn't seem to compete though.

Triggers: The T3 and Sako won here, they were lighter but it was close. Easily fixed with a trigger job I'm told.

Safety's: X-bolt again. Love the safety and the firing indicator. Well located and idiot proof. I also liked the feature of being able to leave the safety on and unlock the bolt to unload, etc.

Stocks: The T3 got hammered here by the other two. X-bolt and A7 both felt great and I especially liked the X-bolts recoil pad - very soft.

So all up it was quite close between Sako and Browning but I liked the X-bolt best. The T3's do really well considering the others are about 50% more expensive. Anyway, just my opinion - I'm sure there's plenty of Sako/Tikka fans!

When I'm back next I'll compare some scopes. So far I'm leaning towards the Leupold VX-6 2-12x but I'll try it alongside the 3-18x and some lower end scopes to see just how bad I want one of those VX-6's.

Thanks mattyp that is exactly what I was after since I am a sako man at heart. I'm going to go out and have a go with one this week just to confirm its what I want.

I did want a stainless one but they only make the wood stock and blued barrel in left hand. Dosent matter really it still looks good even if it's a tad hevier

I've had the same but in 7mm08. They are a better rifle than the A7and T3. For fit and finish although the XBolts do age quickly. I've seen two that had decent rust etc after only 3yrs. Obviously rough buggers but you know.
I liked that rifle but I won't buy another after owning both a 75 and an 85.

Originally Posted by silentscope

Thanks mattyp that is exactly what I was after since I am a sako man at heart. I'm going to go out and have a go with one this week just to confirm its what I want.

Yeah I don't think I actually had a play with one of the 75's or 85's...maybe just briefly. So it could even compete with them - I don't know. The price and the magazines put me off. I think they've changed the mags now. From memory they protruded and looked ugly as fuck. I really like the look of those new Sako Carbonlights - but there's no way I can justify buying one with the nice rifle I already have.

You won't regret the x-bolt. About the only flaw i've found is that the bolt could be a little smoother, but I don't use grease on the lugs or anything and I hear most people do, so that would probably resolve that.

Edit:
Interesting comment about aging quickly. Only had mine about a year and a half but still looks brand new. It hasn't been out every weekend but has seen a bit of use. I'm anal about maintaining it though. Gets a clean and light oil after every use, or the same day I get back from a trip. I did notice one time when I didn't clean and oil it for a couple of days there was a few light rust patches. Just the beginnings of it, where it's quite watery and you can just wipe it off. I think it was due to rapid temp change going from outside to straight into the safe. So then you get mass condensation which causes that watery rust. If I had of just left it for a week or two it would've been in a right state i'm sure.

Do they make xbolts without the ugly metal coming up around the side of the stock?

Originally Posted by Toby

Do they make xbolts without the ugly metal coming up around the side of the stock?

Do they make xbolts that ain't just butt ugly?


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Down where the mag clips in do you mean? I had to use google images to even figure out what you were talking about . I'm guessing you mean that....you know, where our mag sits nice and flush with the rest of the stock and doesn't protrude out .

They are good rifles. You won't be disappointed. Personally I have experience/own A-bolts, BLR and BAR's, but trying hard to justify to myself to not buy a X-bolt. Every one I have used has been a shooter and they are great to carry.

The one I had shot very well indeed, I cannot fault them.

I have an X-Bolt in 7mm08 - because I shoot left, I really got down to a T3 Lite or the X-Bolt. While maybe not the 'best' choice for a bush rifle (wood stock) - the X-Bolt just felt better built, smoother, nicer.

Browning X-Bolt Hunter 7mm-08 Left Hand

Wouldn't be without my xbolt Micro Hunter .243. It was one of the first xbolts in the country. Its accounted for a couple or so deer and never let me down.