Thread: Brand new 7mm08 Browning X-Bolt

I just took delivery today. Nice looking gun. Lighter than expected.

Maple furniture SS everywhere else.

Any advice? (Apart from I shoulda got a 308 Tikker )

I've wiped it down with Ballistol and that's it.

I'm thinking I'll skip the clean fire clean fire break-in and just put a box through it to sight it.

Can I count on the wood being sealed all round?

Do I need to dismantle and oil the underside of the freefloated barrel?

Advice is appreciated.

Do brake the barrel in and I would not expect any factory wooden stock to be particularly well sealed.

Originally Posted by Shearer

...and I would not expect any factory wooden stock to be particularly well sealed.

My wooden Savages are impressively well sealed inside and out. My wooden Ruger isn't. No idea about a Browning, I guess the best way to find out is have a look.

Come on Sam show us, no bragging rights till the pic's come though

If fact, I reckon we should instigate a 5$ fine for folk who write about new guns but no photos
say a 24hr grace period.
The wham, cough the 5.

I'm calling it my son's rifle because I hope it pans out that well. But like wives, time will tell. Best you have a good look up the barrel before you commit.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

My wooden Savages are impressively well sealed inside and out. My wooden Ruger isn't. No idea about a Browning, I guess the best way to find out is have a look.

I better strip it then.

Looking good.

im not saying you should do it but ive never broken a barrel in with that shoot clean thing ive just taken it out and shot it like normal and cleaned it afterwoods i just dont over heat it and give it a good clean before first shooting it ive never noticed any ill effects with my ones

The barrel break in is a matter of preference. There is enough evidence to suggest it helps, but, that being said, I have never stuck to any kind of strict regime.

As Northdude said, I just make sure it doesn't get too hot and clean it properly after each session up to 100 or so rounds.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

My wooden Savages are impressively well sealed inside and out. My wooden Ruger isn't. No idea about a Browning, I guess the best way to find out is have a look.

Might be the exception there @GravelBen. I have had quite a few wooden stock off rifles and can't remember one that didn't need extra work to seal the in-letting properly. Under the butt pad is another place that never seem to get any attention.

From my experience with having two X-Bolts is that the trigger is a little heavy, even when lightened to minimum factory setting. Easy to remedy by popping into any engineering supply store and picking up a lighter spring. All you have to do is wind out the little grub screw at the bottom of the trigger assembly and swap the springs out. Triggers are mint then, no creep and break nice and crisp.

My 7mm-08 X-Bolt loves 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tips with Ar2208 behind them. Not the fastest velocities, but super accurate and a honey to shoot.

Even amongst the barrel makers there is not complete consensus on breaking in a barrel. However, having spent a shit load of money what is the issue with doing the break in? It takes a bit of time but if it potentially benefits your investment I would recommend doing it. Probably already too late in the case of the OP.

I break in all my bolt action rifle barrels more as a piece mind as my very first new guns the mini 14 and mini 30 I just shot them and never hardly cleaned them shot 2"-3" groups.

What optics you putting on it and are you going to chop and suppress it?