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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyP
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by silentscope
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?
Do they make xbolts that ain't just butt ugly?Quote:
Originally Posted by Toby
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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 :P.
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.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps17869b56.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps3960a2e6.jpg
X bolt super!. Most comfy rifle to carry and shoot ive ever owned. Stock is the best-grip wise. Rubbery.ive owned tikkas. And while great rifles, for me the stock on xbolt and mag and bolt safety functions-cocking indicator are winners. I have 270wsm. Wish i had same in 7mmrm.......
just bought one this morning, pretty pleased with it so far it feels pretty good. gonna do a budget sight in tomorrow and see how it goes for accuracy. with a bit of luck ill be knocking over a deer later in the week.
You won't regret it. Mine didn't end up needing a trigger job despite what I posted when trying out different rifles. I adjusted it myself to be as light as it can be set and it's fine like that. Light enough for me.
i had a peek at the trigger to see how easy it is to adjust, theyve pooed all over the grub screw with some kind of anti tamper shit, seems pretty good straight out of the box tho but time will tell.
Is it a blue or red kinda stuff? I think I remember that on mine but it was still easily adjustable. They're supposed to be adjustable, I think it's just loctite or something similar so it holds how you set it.
yeah red stuff, ill pick it off tonight and have a play. i fired a box through it today cleaning as i went, i think i need to spend a bit of time trying some different bullets it didnt seem to like the hornady whitetail stuff i got. still could smack an animal at 200 yards tho but im a fussy bugger.
Fussy is good. Federal blue box goes ok in my 243.
In fact the only thing I have found that mine doesn't like is being left home in the cupboard.
I bought a box of nearly every type of 308 ammo Gun City had for my x-bolt. It liked the Hornady Superformance, but absolutely loved Australian Outback. It didn't think much of Highland or American Eagle (FMJ I know), or several other types.
That doesn't help you much with a different calibre I know, and even another x-bolt 308 would have different preference i'm sure. I guess i'm just saying try a box of everything! I got lucky and didn't need to reload for great accuracy.
7mm08 - liked the Highlander and Nosler Ballistic tip. Then I put a Hardy Suppressor on it and cut the barrel down - then still liked the Nosler but hated the Highlander as well.
yeah i think every rifle has a mind of its own when it comes to factory ammo. since im a .243 and .270 man in the past a 7mm mag is new territory. all fun and games tho