26 nosler = throat erosion. Lots of powder burning down a narrow hole.
Bonded or monolithic bullets a must, cup and core WAY out of the question, in my opinion. Unless lead and copper fragments spread completely through your game is your game.
Mcarbo trigger springs are said by some to be helpful in bringing the pull weight down. I haven’t tried them, would like to though. I have found improvised springs that work for now, may look into mcarbo springs in the future. There are also complete aftermarket triggers available, haven’t tried those either, I like the gold trigger too much, haha.
I have two x bolts, a hells canyon speed and a micro composite, both in 6.5cm (what is this variety people speak of??). Both are 0.75” 5 shot groups at 100 yards, and I’m not what I’d call exceptional at shooting groups. That’s with handloads, with Hornady precision hunter they’ll both do 0.75” 3 shot groups at 100 yards, 5 shots are around 1”. Cold bore shots at 320 and 430 yards are bang on every time. I am completely confident in both of them. This is prone off of a pack using a rear bag. I didn’t do very extensive load development. I developed the load for the HCS, got it to shoot to where I was happy with it and called it good. I just tried the exact same load in the micro and it liked it too. Keeps things simple. They might have more accuracy in them, but I’m very happy with them as is.
The cerakote on my hells canyon speed chipped where the bolt lever contacts the receiver. I run my bolt like I mean it, I could not foresee any coating surviving at that metal to metal contact point. It has not chipped anywhere else. The bolt release button on my micro is not the same shade of blueing as the rest of it, nice, on a $1100 rifle. I don’t really care though because I like the rifle so much. I have never had a single issue with either of mine, they’ve both seen around 300-400 rounds, almost entirely handloads.
I don’t own a McMillan, but x bolts are pretty much the only bolt actions I’ll buy going foreword. I find the fit and ergonomics perfect for me, might be different for others though.
Only real complains I have is I find the plastic mag cheesy. Not that they aren’t functional or durable, I just feel like on what I consider a premium rifle a metal mag should be supplied. Heck, my savage 10 with the accustock has an all metal mag, it just feels better. Granted, the shoulder supporting design of the polymer x bolt mag would be next to impossible to achieve with a metal mag, and I think that is a great idea for a mag, especially for heavy kickers. And, no short barrelled offerings! That’s a personal preference and fairly irrelevant for your cartridge of consideration.
Other than that I love mine, will likely get more x bolts moving foreword, especially if they offer an 18” barrelled version with iron sights, chambered in standard short action cartridges (6.5cm, 7-08, 308, maybe even 338 federal).
You asked, I delivered. Hopefully others will jump in.
I've already got 2 of them.
