Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Anyone tried a Winchester XPR?

I stopped by the local Gander Mountain today, killing some time so I fondled a few rifles. I hadn't seen the new XPR in person but if they shoot, they appear to be a decent option to Tikka. The stock seemed much stiffer than the RAR, Axis and other bargain rifles. From what I've read they only come in 270, 30-06, 300 win mag and 338 win mag at the moment. If they'd come out with them in 260, 7-08 or 308 I may be interested. Price was 499 but Gander is always about 20% high.

Just wondering if anyone had given one a workout yet.

FWIW, the small dealer wholesale price for the XPRs is $399+/- or $529+/- when packaged with a Vortex 3-9x40.

That's good to know. I see where BPS has them for $450. The 270 and 30-06 come in 24" bbls, I hope they come out with some SA versions with 22". The one I handled felt similar in smoothness and construction as a Tikka. The short bolt throw, smooth bolt, position of the safety, plastic magazine...all felt Tikka-esque, for about $100-150 less. To me it definitely felt like an upgrade over a Ruger American. As much as everyone raves about the RAR, I just can't stand the flimsy forend and cheap feeling magazine.

The RAR-Predators that I've shot have all been very accurate. Of all of the recent production entry-level CF rifles, I really like the Marlin X guns and don't understand the logic of the decision to drop it from the Marlin line and morph it into the Remington 783.

+1000!

RIGHT!?!?!?!?

I shot most of the recent CF offerings except the XPR. When the Marlin X rifles came out I shot an early model. At the time, I thought the bolt could have been smoother. Later production models did have smoother bolts. I shot an early version of the 783 and I thought, "hum? the bolt could be smoother" The Remlin rep said "What were you expecting a 700?" I have a theory. Unlike Ruger who is interested in putting forth a good solid product, I believe the big R folks are holding back to keep the sales of the 700 up. I will say this, I liked the trigger on the 783 a lot more than that of a recent 700 I've shot.

Even Savage is putting an AccuTrigger in their Axis product to put a better product on the shelves. I've shot a few RAR, Axis, and other models at my local range while helping folks sight in their rifles. The XPR has still eluded me. I'm thinking I may need a new 338 soon :-)

Late in last hunting season (in Montana), Bob Foulkrod from Winchester Legends TV used a .270 Winchester version of the XPR on a mule deer hunt with a good friend's brother. The feedback I got was that it was an impressive weapon for such a modest price. Accuracy was stellar and it operated smoothly. If it sells well, I bet you'll see short actions and stainless versions soon. I hope so. We can use more variety in the rifle market, especially at working folks' prices.