BROWNING X-BOLT
Posted Jun 16, 2023
HUNTER
Browning X-Bolt Hunter Review
The Browning X-Bolt Hunter is one of the top bolt-action rifles on the market today and it’s easy to see why. This rifle is designed for hunters of all skill levels and offers versatility, accuracy, reliability and performance, all in one package.
Design & Build
The X-Bolt Hunter looks great. It has a classic aesthetic that’s familiar and inviting. The grey-brown composite stock is attractive and ergonomic, providing a comfortable and secure grip. The ventilated recoil pad helps reduce felt recoil, making it comfortable to shoot. The trigger guard and bottom metal are matte black and the receiver is blued for a smooth, sleek look. All surfaces are smooth and polished, giving the overall rifle a nice look.
The action and barrel are both free floating, eliminating the need for bedding any components. The bolt is smooth and easy to use, making loading and chambering rounds a breeze. The bolt also cycled flawlessly, ensuring smooth feeding and ejection of rounds. The trigger is adjustable, so you can customize it to your individual preference.
Performance
I was impressed with the performance of the X-Bolt Hunter in a range of different conditions. Accuracy was excellent, with the rifle capable of producing consistent 1-inch MOA groups at 100 yards. Recoil was mild and manageable, making it great for extended shooting sessions and varmint hunting. The bolt operation was smooth and reliable, making it easy to manipulate the rifle. The trigger offered a crisp break with no creep or over travel, making it ideal for precision shooting.
The X-Bolt Hunter is also equipped with a detachable magazine and comes with one as standard. The magazine fit and functioned properly, providing a secure fit and reliable feeding. The 3-position safety switch locks the action when engaged and allows for the safety to be applied with the bolt in the closed or cocked position. Overall, the X-Bolt Hunter performed very well and I was satisfied with its performance in all areas.
Conclusions
The Browning X-Bolt Hunter is an excellent choice for hunters of all skill levels. It’s built with quality components and offers excellent performance and accuracy. The rifle also looks great, with a classic yet modern aesthetic. Most importantly, the X-Bolt Hunter is reliable and comfortable to shoot, making it a great choice for most any application.
If you’re in the market for a bolt-action hunting rifle that combines style, performance and reliability, then the X-Bolt Hunter is well worth considering. It’s an excellent choice and a great value for your money.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extremely accurate
- Short, lightweight bolt lift
- Great balance and feel
- Flare-style bolt release
- Adjustable trigger
- Durable and weather-resistant finish
- Exceptional safety features
- Classic Browning styling
Cons:
- Limited caliber selection
- Expensive
- Too light for recoil-heavy calibers
- Limiting magazine capacity on some models
Who Should Buy
Anyone who is interested in a high-quality hunting rifle should consider the Browning X-Bolt. It is well made and reliable, and it has the characteristics of a powerful and accurate rifle. However, it is important to bear in mind that this rifle is quite expensive and may not be suitable for everyone’s budget. Furthermore, those who do not wish to use a high-powered rifle, or those who have never used such a rifle before, may be better off looking for a simpler, less powerful option.
Comparisons
| Features | Browning X-Bolt | Bergara B-14 Ridge | Steyr Pro Hunter |
| --------------------------- | ----------------- | -------------------- | ------------------ |
| Precision-fit stock | Yes | Yes | No |
| Advanced trigger system | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fluted barrel | Yes | No | No |
| Adjustable cheekrest | Yes | Yes | No |
| Muzzle brake | Options | Options | No |
| Camo finish | Limited | Yes | No |
| Caliber | Multiple | 6.5 PRC | .300 Win Mag |
| Rate of fire | Single shot | Single shot | Single shot |
| Magazine capacity | Multiple | 3+1 | N/A |
Features / Specs
• Model: Browning X-Bolt
• Caliber: 22-250 Rem,223 Rem,6mm Creedmoor,308 Win,7mm-08 Rem, 243 Win, 270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 308 Win, 30-06 Sprg
• Barrel Length: 20" & 24"
• Magazine Capacity: 4 Rounds
• Stock: Walnut, Satin Finish with Gloss Finish Cheekpiece
• Optics Mount: Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Trigger: Adjustable, Feather Trigger
• Safety: Top Tang Safety
• Length of Pull: 13-3/4"
• Weight: 6lbs 6oz (vary depending on caliber)
Popular Accessories
- Scope: Many shooters choose to equip their Browning X-Bolt with an upgraded scope such as the Nikon Monarch or Leupold VX-III.
- Trigger Assembly: An upgraded trigger assembly can help to improve accuracy and consistency when shooting. Popular selections include Timney, Rifle Basix, and Rifle Classic.
- Bipod: A bipod provides stability and makes shooting prone or from a bench a much easier task.
- Rifle Sling: A good quality rifle sling helps to provide added comfort and convenience while shooting with the X-Bolt.
- Case Cleaning Kit: A thorough cleaning is essential to keeping your Browning X-Bolt in top condition. Consider purchasing a case cleaning kit to make sure your barrel is always in top condition.
- Ammunition: Always keep a good supply of quality ammunition on hand as quality ammunition will ensure maximum accuracy and performance.
Accuracy
The Browning X-Bolt is renowned for its superb accuracy and precision. With its deeply-knurled hammer-forged barrel and free-floated barrel design, the Browning X-Bolt is capable of producing incredible accuracy. Additionally, the adjustable trigger and accuracy enhancing design design help add to the precision and accuracy. It is not uncommon for many marksmen and hunters to achieve sub-MOA accuracy with this rifle out of the box. Ultimately, the X-Bolt is a very accurate and reliable firearm that will not disappoint.
