Browning X-Bolt - convince me

1

1bighead

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Alberta
Hlads;
I find myself in the odd, albeit enviable, position of looking for a second hunting rifle. Last year I upgraded from my venerable .303 Brit to a Ruger M77 Hawkeye. This is an awesome rifle, and I think that .308 is the go-to caliber for anything I'm hunting now in Eastern Ontario which is primarily whitetail deer and hopefully moose. Once I get some decent glass ( Leopold) this will remain my go-to big game rifle for these parts. Despite some original misgivings about the "hinge-plate" design I don’t find it that bad for the type of hunting we do round here which is primarily spot-and-stalk ( through fairly dense bush) and from tree stands. Once is loaded it stays so all day, never see's the inside of a vehicle, and gets unloaded at last light.

In a few years I'm likely moving back out west to Alberta and will be doing some "truck" hunting, for Mule/ White Tails, hopefully sheep, antelope, and moose. After reading Craig Boddingtons article in the recent Guns & Ammo – a good read BTW - I’m considering a Browning X-Bolt chambered in either .243 ( or maybe even a .270) to augment my hinge-plate, Mauser action, Ruger .308.

I'd like my second rifle to have a magazine, for quick loading in-and-out of a vehicle, and think that a .243 - .270 would be ideal for what Alberta offers in sheep/goats/ and antelope. My Ruger also has a wooden stock, and is slightly on the heavy side, so I'd also consider getting a synthetic stock with it.

1. I'd love some opinions on this;
2. I'd like to know who out there owns an X-bolt, and what they think of it;
3. While I don’t want to open a debate about .30-06 vs .308 etc ( please) I would like to know if going with a flatter shooting round like a .243 / .270 would be good to back-up my .308 ?

cheers lads
 
If you plan on hunting in Alberta, you may want to consider something with a little more whack. maybe a WSM or the like, for either Elk or reaching out into the grain fields for a Muley. I don't own an Xbolt, but I've shot 2 and really like them, especially the synthetic stock, nice and grippy.
 
Well I'll still have the Ruger .308 that , when using Hornady 165 grain SST ammo, packs a pretty good punch. What calibers do you favour ? Like I said, I'm thinking .243
 
Stainless Stalker in .300 WSM - its a keeper. More quality and less weight than its competition. The factory bedding can be improved but its an honest (repeatable group to group) 1 MOA so non-critical.
 
1bighead said:
Well I'll still have the Ruger .308 that , when using Hornady 165 grain SST ammo, packs a pretty good punch. What calibers do you favour ? Like I said, I'm thinking .243
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Honestly, Pick the one which "speaks" to you. all calibers kill if the bullet is put in the right spot.

A 308 will definitely do everything you need, but a 300 win mag will do it with more authority. I've not done as much elk hunting as some, but they are tough critters. I'm a belt and suspenders type of guy, so in my mind a little insurance never hurts. If I already had a .308 and was looking for another gun, for alberta i'd buy a magnum. For flat shooting a .264win. For big a .300 or .338win. That way I'd have an all rounder in the .308 and a second gun which is more specialized.

Nothing wrong with a .243, great close range deer gun that will not have much kick, which tends to add to accuracy. However, it may leave you under gunned beyond 200yrds for anything other than a coyote. For the variety of game you will see in Alberta and the distances which shots are possible (assuming you are comfortable taking them), I'd go with something bigger.
 
All great advice lads. Anyone have any experience with a .270 ? I remember before I got in the army - 25 years ago - my uncle talking about the .270 for antelope. Certainly more punch than a .243
 
I do alot of hunting for the species you listed here in Sask and have a .243 but its only used for coyotes. During the big game season I've always used a .270 or 270 wsm. Its nothing to get a 400 yard shot and have the time to get set up. Having a flat shooting, low recoiling gun is nice.
I never trust any review of rifles in gun mags, they're all paid by the companies to say nothing but good things. I do however think the X-Bolt is a nice gun. I handled one before I bought my M70 Featherweight a few weeks back and the only thing I didn't like was the plastic mag. The X-Bolts also have some really nice lines, it just looks plain cool.

Cheers!!
 
what he says ..actually still have a m65 tikka if anyone interested..
the x-bolt is much more advanced..light wieght, handy short , and super action


NSRA Member said:
I had both a Tika and and X-bolt. I sold the Tika to buy another X-bolt. I've never regretted it.

Cheers
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So far I have owned Rem 600's, 700's 788's and 7's, Ruger I & II's, lots of Mausers / Parker Hales, Howa's, a couple of Win 70's, Savages, and the list goes on. When the X bolt stalker first came out, I made the mistake of handling it, and that was it, I had to have one. It is now my main hunting rifle, smooth, balanced, a feeling of Quality to it, the list goes on. I kept a Rem 700 for playing benchrest, mainly because of ease of modification, and a Rem 7 in 223, just because the thing is a bloody laser out to 400 yards. Otherwise, that X bolt is an absolute sweetheart of a rifle.
 
Sounds like you are looking for an excuse to buy a new rifle;)
I have no experience with the 270 or 270 wsm but here great things. Remember it's all about shot placement and bullet energy down range.
243 is lots for pronghorn, deer with the right bullet.
My personal opinion is that your 308 with 165 gr's is lots for most of alberta game. Even out to 500+ yards.
I will let you know in a couple days how my new camp gun, an x-bolt stainless stalker in 325 wsm looks and feels.:D
 
Well, this is some good advice guys. Thanks also for the advice on the caliber. I think that my thoughts on the .243 can be put aside in favour of a .270 or larger magnum caliber. Now, I just gotta go kick some tires at the gun store and then hope someone puts one on the EE.
 
Went to LeBarons today to check out the XBolts. Had a look at the stalker, and the hunter, models. Very, Very nice rifles. I looked at a .270 short magnum and a .300 Win Mag ( I think) and the composite stocked models are around 800.00 with taxes and a current sale. My 6 year old really liked the Leupold VR scopes that I also had out on the counter but I told him to save his pennies for that ! The XBolt is super light, points great, and the synthetic stock is "super grippy." I dont really care for the gold trigger - although it matches my front gold teeth Yo ! - but that can get replaced, and I really like that it has a highly accessable, detachable, polymer magazine. I think I found my next toy. Thanks to all for the advice. If I get my hands on one I'll take it out to the range, punch some paper, and do a write up.
 
.308 should do for anything you are wanting but if you want something with more snot, I would skip the 30 cal's and go 7mm Rem Mag. My vote is for Tikka over X-bolt.....
 
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