Browning x bolt

N

nrvet06

New member
Any reason why one wouldn't buy an XBolt in .243? I'm in the market for a new rifle and am strongly considering the browning. I have always been a 700 fan but I have read where quality has become an issue with Remington. I know this will open a can of worms between savage/browning/Winchester/Remington, but just want to know why people wouldn't own one.
 
im a remington guy myself... but i love my browning abolt... not sure the difference between the abolt and the x bolt, but i wouldnt have a problem buying another....
 
I like the x-bolts magazine design....its shaped like the specific cartridge; which holds the cartridge by the shoulder and stops it from moving forward during recoil thus helping to prevent bullet tip deformation in the mag..
 
I have several A-Bolts & one X-Bolt(7mm-08). I wouldn't hesitate for a second buying an X-Bolt, there's a lot to like. For much of my hunting I actually like the 'Micro-Hunter/Medallion'), though even the regular size is light & handy.
 
I have six or eight Browning rifles in various calibers, my last purchase was an X Bolt in 243. Many improvements over the old A Bolts( but I loved the A Bolts). I like the newer mode. With the older Browning rifles you could not open the bolt to extract a round at the end of a hunt without pushing the safety off in order to lift the bolt handle. I didn't care for that. The newer X Bolt has a button on top of the bolt that you depress and lift the bolt with the safety still on. The magazine/clip is a tremendous improvement, no more drop down floorplate holding the clip, simply press the button and clip drops out. Triggers are easily adjustable as compared to previous models.

Brownings come out of the box with the barrels already floated and the action is bedded. Something many other models don't do.

Also, I agree with muskrat above, the Micro Hunter is my favorite model. The X Bolt 243 recently purchased is the Micro Hunter and I have a couple of other micro's in 22 Hornet and 17 Ackley Hornet. Great for cold cold weather hunting with lots of clothing on, quick and easy handling, and man do they shoot accurately.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info guys. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a creature of habit and the Remington is all I've ever known from a rifle standpoint. I am just hearing so much good about the Browning that I would like to try one. I have never shouldered the Micro Hunter. I am about 6'1", would that be an issue or is it long enough that I wouldn't have any issues?
 
During the 70's-80's and 90's I too was a Remington addict, then I bought my first Browning. WOW! I am pleased. They may cost a little more, but there is a reason for that too. Just my opinion. My last Remington was a 700 VLS in 204, the barrel was touching the stock on one side of the stock channel with over a 1/4"+ gap on the other side of the barrel btwn the wood and the barrel. I spent money accurizing that one, floating, bedding etc. It was my last one.

Try the Micro Hunter, I too am 6 foot, it is great, quick handling maneuverable calling rifle and not too short at all. I think you will find it pleasingly comfortable to shoulder and aim. It really shines during cold weather with heavy clothes and coat. Just logical.
 
I am a "custom" guy myself, BUT I've shot a lot of family and friends A-Bolts and X-Bolts that shoot right there with my Customs. I am always impressed with Browning for a production rifle. CAn't go wrong with a Browning.
 
I have an abolt 2 micro hunter in 223. It is by far my favorite varmint rifle. I am a Remington guy for sure, but after getting this gun my inclination is to go browning. I too am only familiar with Remington, but my extra pennies may be spent on a new xbolt micro. If I can find an abolt in 22 hornet I'm all over it. I'm a small person so these rifles fit me perfect.
 
Archer 204 said it best couple comments up. They can hold their own with most custom rifles. The target below is with factory ammunition. Even the Browning BAR of mine shoots like a target rifle. But I have never seen anything shoot like their bolt guns do for straight off the shelf. Oh the stories I could tell you about my Browning A Bolt in 204 and some hand loads, but I wont because they beyond belief and I realize that.


 
I dont know about the x bolt, but my abolt ll in 300wsm a four shot group from a bench at 300 yards is just over an inch. I have done the trigger work myself and added a KDF muzzle break. The abolt triggers ar very easy to adjust. The xbolt is supposed to be even better.
 
One more target for you. This coyote was at 100-120yds, the rifle was my little Browning Micro Hunter in 22 Hornet, shooting factory Hornady 35 gr V-Max in the moonlight. Under gunned? not if you pierce the heart and leak all the blood out. Very-very accurate rifle.

 
i have 2 x-bolts, a .308 w/wood trim and a .243 in stainless. i had a .338win mag and a .325wsm, but both of them gave me trouble with ejecting empties so i got rid of them. i will never part with the .243 or .308 because i tried lots of factory ammo through them and found at least 3 very good shooting ammo for each. i love the guns but its a crap shoot on the ejection problem. my plan is to replace the .338 and if i get another bad ejection gun i'll have to find a good gun smith to fix it.
 
Originally Posted By: nrvet06Thanks for the info guys. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a creature of habit and the Remington is all I've ever known from a rifle standpoint. I am just hearing so much good about the Browning that I would like to try one. I have never shouldered the Micro Hunter. I am about 6'1", would that be an issue or is it long enough that I wouldn't have any issues?

If deciding about the 'Micro' model I'd try to handle one at a local store 1st. You can see the slight dimension differences on the Browning site, most will have a 20" barrel too. Some will depend on where & how you hunt/shoot.

I'm about 5' 8" & usually have a fair amount of clothing on. On top of that I'm in heavier cover. My current favorite is my 'Micro-Medallion' in 284 Winchester. It worked just superbly on my U.P. of MI 8 ptr last Fall. It's a joy to carry also.

On big seller you may want to check out is 'Northern Firearms'(Reeds) from Walker, MN. They have a lot of Brownings. Grices Gunshop in PA is another big seller.
 
Rem 700 are for people who need to customize and spend money with their gunsmith. I haven't seen a browning that isn't a shooter. Rem 700 customizing is kinda a scam in itself. A well chambered free floated barrel screwed on an action and free floated will make a shooter. Everything else is feel good comfort food. How do you explain an out of the box rifle shooting as good or better than a $2500 plus custom rifle? I still can't get past that. But then again people will have to justify spending and waiting 1-2 years for the product to try to argue to me that it's worth it. Hey it's your money I don't care. Same nonsense about the crown. Watch the vids of guys just hacksawing off an inch at a time and still shooting under the magical moa. Go look in the classifieds, you won't be able to buy a gun that shoots over moa!!
 
I'm a Remington guy but I use my Abolt 222 as my go to calling rifle. It's light,handy&accurate! Sub MOA 3 shot groups all day long!
 
I had one just like it Pruson and I wish like [beeep] I had never traded it away.... my best friend still has his and reminds me of it often..
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top