The "best" Browning

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gobigorgohome

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I've gotten a lot of flak lately from buddies over this but.... I can't be the only one that doesn't like the X-Bolt! Are they a "decent" gun? I guess so. Are they, "tack driving, shoot the wings off a fly at 1000 yards" great, like a lot of guys think they are? Absolutely not. I feel like Browning slacked in quality after their original A-Bolt and A-Bolt 2 design. Not that the original A-Bolts were flawless, but to me, they seemed stronger, better built and could take more abuse. I can't be the only one who thinks this!

What do you think is the "best" Browning?
 
Having owned rifles in the original A Bolt, and now a X Bolt, I have to admit that I like the Browning rifles.
While many did not like the fact that the A Bolt's magazine clipped to the floor plate, I didn't mind it. What I did like about it was that extra cartridges could be added to the magazine without removing the magazine from the rifle, as must be done with the X Bolt.
My 280 Rem was an accurate rifle and would put 5 handloaded rounds into an inch at 200 yards (162 gr Hdy SP over max charge of IMR4350). The 25 WSSM wasn't as accurate, but would give MOA performance with its preferred load, and had feeding issues from time to time.
My X Bolt is the LH All Weather that has been rebarreled to the 6.5 Creedmoor after announcing that they would not build that configuration in that chambering. It is accurate (sub-MOA) with the factory loads that I have tried to date, and will shoot 3" groups at 400 yards when I do my part. It also shoots the 123 gr ammo as well as the 143 gr ammo.

Is the X Bolt as robust as the A Bolt? Probably not
Is the fit and finish better than the A Bolt? I think it is. As is the stock configuration. IMO
Do both models have their pros and cons? Yes
As to which is better or best; that is a personal opinion based on each individual's needs and desires. I like them both for their own strengths.

Like any other rifle available on the market today, each has its merits and options to choose from. At least you have the option of finding and choosing older A Bolts when and where you can, if that is your preference.
 
Great comments BlackRam.
Brownings clip in magazine system is something I'm not fond of and just
recently sold my BAR because of it.
Replaced it with the BLR and now have a Ruger coming to me as I type
in .358win which may or may not replace the BLR in same bawrill bore.

I guessith cabin fever has'int left me yet...………………………….:sok2
 
I prefer the original A-bolt, the one with the fluted bolt. I also like the clip on mag system, it works fine for me. My rifle is a micro series, factory chambered in 284win.
 
Dont really care for the Xbolt, never really liked them, like the LW BLR lever and the LW Shortrac (which I have one for sale).

For a bolt action, I simply like Sauer, Sako and Tikka, very smooth out of the box, reasonably priced as well, no need to gunsmith up like Rem 700s for instance.....
 
Never had a xbolt, just got my second abolt, the first was a 22 hornet, the second is a 338 wm.

A couple of years ago i had a thread about overvalued/undervalued firearms. The abolt is very undervalued, the xbolt is too recent to call. The abolt typically sells for 5-600, which is really not that much more than a new entry level rifle like a axis or rem 783.

The bbr was heavy, very good, and the stock was very prone to crack in the tang by the safety.
 
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