Is the Browning X-Bolt a good rifle?

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HuntingRules

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I am buying my first rifle and i am wondering if the browning x-bolt is a good rifle. Does it have good acuracy? is it of good quality? etc. Any imput would be greatly appreciated!
 
I like my brownings. I have two A-bolts and they are really well made and very accurate. Although I do not own an X-bolt I have handled one and they seem to be a fine Rifle.

I think I would still choose an A-bolt over the x-bolt...but that is just me. I like the fact that the A-bolt has no plastic on it...the X-bolt seems ( to me..in my opinion ) to be a step behind the A-bolts in craftsmanship. I suspect that the A-bolt would be more expensive for browning to manufacture then the X-bolt
 
I handled one at Bass Pro very recently.
IMHO, my only beef is the plastic magazine.
They've gone from the ungainly hinged floorplate/metal mag of the A-Bolt, to this cheap option of a easily removeable plastic magazine.

Everything else looks great.
 
That is what i noticed too. They say it is supposedly to reduce weight, and it is supposed to be made of carbon fiber or something like that so it is durable.
 
You are correct the X-bolt is indeed the replacement for the A-bolt. The x-bolt offers some changes from the A-bolt did not have..such as a different magazine removal system and the ability to open the bolt with the safety engaged...Those are the two primary changes other then the 4 screw method of attaching your bases to the receiver.

Overall the X-bolt is lighter then the A-bolts as well.

I have the duratouch coatings on my stocks and really like it
 
I believe that A-bolt is still being made, and it comes at a higher price than the x-bolt. Not by much, but by a bit, which tells me that it should be a bit better quality. Other than the mag, the x-bolt has a weird 4 hole scope mount system and the stock seems to have less drop in comb
 
They want you to believe that it is better, but ask anyone on this site if they have ever had their scope mounts fall of because of the 2 bolt system
 
I understand that lol. My dads 30-06 only has a 2 bolt system and we've went through many rounds and it's still fine. It's just for added protection
 
I was looking at getting an X-bolt. but then one day I went in and saw the winchester model 70 all weather extreme beside it. I put both guns side by side and in terms of quality fit and finish the winchester stole the show. I am not sure the price difference but I don't believe it was to much. I hated the feel of the plastic rotary mag on the x-bolt as well!
 
I went in and looked at the x bolt with the synthetic stock and the model 70 featherweight and I found the wood did not seem Hugh quality, I did not like the safety, i loved the safety on the x bolt. If my choice was x bolt or model 70, I'd have to go for the x bolt hands down
 
XBolt

Which caliber you order?
Last week I order mine XBOLT Hunter LH special order 338 caliber.Will arrived sometime in April 2011
 
spenom said:
I was looking at getting an X-bolt. but then one day I went in and saw the winchester model 70 all weather extreme beside it. I put both guns side by side and in terms of quality fit and finish the winchester stole the show. I am not sure the price difference but I don't believe it was to much. I hated the feel of the plastic rotary mag on the x-bolt as well!
Click to expand...

Thats funny cause I did the exact opposite, went in and handled both, and went with the x-bolt, for me it just felt better. I do think the all weather extreme is a much better value, but only if you like the way it fits you.
 
I have an x-bolt and an a-bolt, IMO, the x-bolt is definately superior.
-the magazine is a rotary design that is very reliable and tough. The magazine system on the a-bolt is a pita the way that you have to open the floor plate to insert it. On the x-bolt it just pops in.
-the x-bolt has an innovative bolt that allows it to be openned when the safey is still on, thus reducing the chance of AD.
-the scope mounting bolts are greatly improved by the fact that they increased them from 2 to 4 in the front and back.
-the x-bolt has a built in limb saver.

There are other nice features as well like the rubberized stock, however I would say that the magazine system alone makes it worth going with the x-bolt.
 
Others have mentionned some of the improvements in terms of features but in my mind the biggest difference between the X-Bolt and A-Bolt is the new trigger. The triggers on my A-Bolts are pretty bad. This new feathertrigger is much crisper. I have 2 A-Bolts and would probably have a few X-Bolts too if they had more left handed models readilly available in stores.

Unfortunately the industry in general does seem to be moving to more composite parts. They will tell you it is to reduce weight but I am old school and have a hard time with the look and feel of some of these newer models like the X-Bolt and Tikka T3s. Just not as much soul in these newer rifles...

Dan
 
I have one in stainless 30-06 and i love this rifle.Fits nice in my hands and its accurate out of the box.The magazine takes some getting used to but now i love it,but i did buy a spare just in case.Good luck with your search.
 
thanks guys, i totally agree. i love the finish on the gun, the all weather rubber is feels so comfotable in your hands, and i thinbk the magazine is growing on me too!
 
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