x bolt rail vs two piece mounts

[the_blacksmith]

Im building an Xbolt into a target gun, and Im wondering if there is going to be any advantage to a rail over just 2 piece mounts (Im doing picatinny either way, Im tired of proprietary mounts/bases on EVERY.BLOODY.GUN). Im not planning to do any extreme range shooting where I would need more adjustment that the scope can provide, might stretch out to 700yds at the most I think. I know the x bolt has excellent alignment (or, Browning says they have, at very least), and I will lap the rings anyway, but Im looking for opinions on if the rail is too much of a pain (especially if I dont use the magazine to chamber rounds and just single feed to load out longer), or if there is some benefit that I perhaps havent thought of to the rail. Experiences and advantages of either would be helpful insight.

 

[SuperCub]

Why use a platform with limited options? Using a 700 would make life a lot easier?

 

[lone-wolf]

I went with the scope rings that attach directly to the receiver. Gets the scope nice and low.

 

[RangerPark]

I say go with a solid one piece rail. I've used the Burris XTR 2 piece bases before, they make one for the A-Bolt, not sure if it will fit an X-Bolt.

2 issues with those:
- They're not true picatinny rail spacing, meaning if you take a scope from a pic rail on a different rifle it won't fit on the 2 piece bases.
- The bases might not align correctly, you will likely need scope alignment bars and ring lapping.

I've been using NEAR rails and ATRS rings. I can mount any scope I own on any rifle with a rail. They will keep zero when you switch them, you just have to remember the differences in zero between the rifles. Also, no lapping necessary with those components.

 

[Lead hammer]

I have a one piece rail on my A-bolt. Would never go back.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

A 1 pc rail allows you far more mounting room for your scope. This allows you to mount the scope where YOU need it not necessarily where the rings dictate the scope sits.
We manufacture a steel rail for the short action and long action X bolts both with and without inclination.

 

[Cold Cuts]

Depending on the calibre you could try Alberta Tactical Rifle. They make a rail for the X-bolt.

https://www.albertatacticalrifle.co...isting/product/152-atrs-1913-picatinny-rails/

 

[the_blacksmith]

I got the x bolt for a song; it needed a stock and a few other parts when I got it. price was right though.

 

[the_blacksmith]

A 1 pc rail allows you far more mounting room for your scope. This allows you to mount the scope where YOU need it not necessarily where the rings dictate the scope sits.
We manufacture a steel rail for the short action and long action X bolts both with and without inclination.

Thanks for your input; I think that a rail might be the way to go for me on this build. My main concern with a rail is access/ejection issues from the chamber. Seems that it limits ease of access quite alot. But in a gun that wont really ever be used in a hurry thats probably not really a concern.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Thanks for your input; I think that a rail might be the way to go for me on this build. My main concern with a rail is access/ejection issues from the chamber. Seems that it limits ease of access quite alot. But in a gun that wont really ever be used in a hurry thats probably not really a concern.

A properly designed rail may not interfere with top loading as badly as you think. Certainly top loading is not as easy as with a fully open port, but not too much of the port is covered by the rail.