X-bolt or BAR?

M

menton

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Hey everyone, I'm looking into purchasing a modern firearm for hunting deer this season. I have previously been shooting deer with my SMLE No. 4 and 5.
I am torn between choosing a Browning X-Bolt or BAR Lightweight Stalker in .270 WSM. I know a single action should have better accuracy, but would the difference really be that noticeable? I really like the idea of an automatic. If anyone who has experience with these rifles in this caliber could give me a review that would be much appreciated. The other bolt action rifle I have in mind is a Tikka T3. Anyways, what would be my best option?
 
The X-Bolt will probably make you place your shots where they need to be.
Semi's may gain you over confidence and make your shots too quick with the
assumption that there is another round just waiting.
 
Get whatever you like and can shoot well. Never seen the need for a semi auto big game rifle that is a similar configuration to a bolt action, but whatever floats yoru boat. Just remember there is no substitute for a well placed 1st shot.
 
I hand load for a buddies X-bolt Stainless Stalker in 270WSM and it is a beauty to shoot, love the tang safety & dura-touch stock.

I have a couple of Browning Semi's and I love them. I would steer you towards the Shorttrac though instead of the Lightweight stalker. They are made on Shortaction receiver and have grip panels in the stock that are really nice. Also the Lightweight Stalker will only hold 2 cartridges in the magazine(clip) while the ShortTrac holds 3 cartridges. The ShortTrac is also a 1/4lb lighter than the Lightweight.

Both are great guns, I really like the semi's in the magnum calibers as they really reduce the felt recoil and I grew up with remington pumps so the cross bolt safety is in the same place for me.

You won't go wrong with either gun, so go to a gun shop and try shouldering both and see which one feels the best to you and take it home!
 
If you "like the idea" of a gas gun, there's little point in considering a bolt gun, and the only "sporting" gas gun which passes muster for reliability in the field is the BAR. While either action is suitable for hunting, the advantage of the bolt gun's better trigger can't be appreciated when your fingers are cold. Besides, not every bolt gun has a better trigger than a BAR. The BAR has served hunters faithfully since it first appeared in 1967, and I haven't heard of many negative comments concerning the new ones.
 
Have both,a matter of trying the fit ,to your shoulder.I purchaced x bolt for last hunting season.Very accurate,but could not get used to bolt action.Used levers for to long.Got an Benelli r1,and a longtrack for this year..
 
depends on how you will be hunting, if you are just sitting on stand the xbolt is the way to go but if you are dogging (chaseing/blocking) when you deer hunt then the lightweight stalker is the way to go they are both excellent choices you cant go wrong with either
 
I purchased the X-bolt stainless stalker with fluted barrel and I am very happy with it. It is also lightweight .. just over 6 lbs, and the wife is comfortably able to handle it. Know very little about the BAR's so my words may be one sided.
 
I know your dilemma.

I owned a beautiful BAR Lightweight Stalker in 30-06. At the range, I sighted it in and it was so-so, even with handloads. The magazine was awkward but the action was smooth. I am a safe hunter and under no circumstances will I rely on a safety. This means that I do not walk around with round in the chamber with a semi. A bolt, yes, with the bolt completely open or nothing at all.

The semi is noisy to chamber....ears perk up when a round is chambered, especially when all is quiet and you are not even breathing when that buck is in sight. All my other hunting rifles are bolt. I bought a savage 30-06 bolt and it is quiet to chamber a round. I sold the BAR and bought a bolt in 257 magnum.

The other thing about a semi is that it will ALWAYS reload. Again, because I am anal that way, I always have to unload it, remove the clip, put the round back in the clip, insert the clip and safe the rifle before I get up to walk around or leave. It is a pain in the butt.

Go with the X-Bolt.
 
New semi rifles are more accurate than most guys can fire them, even from prone with a bipod, and if you clean it regularly there won't be jamming issues. Reduced recoil and muzzle jump make followups video-game easy, and the BAR is a classy gun to hunt with. BAR all the way.
 
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