|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Campfire Greenhorn
|
OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27 |
My local gun shop has an X-Bolt for an attractive price. The rifle fits me well and initial impression is that fit/finish is good.
Any reason why I shouldn't buy an X-Bolt? I've heard the trigger mechanism is overly complicated and some question its reliability? Also, heard others say the quality of the action/barrel is not as good as other rifles in a similar price bracket (Tikka T3)?
Rifle will be used hard - cold conditions, backcountry/backpack hunts common, etc.
Any thoughts/input welcome.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,807
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,807 |
Browning has closed the Winchester factory in New Haven, Ct and has the rifle being made by the Japs who started World War Two!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,317 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,317 Likes: 7 |
Laffin...+1. I know that are fine guns but stay away from the Japanese stuff for this very reason. The pro Japanese crowd will be along soon to bitch.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,249
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,249 |
We surrendered the trade deficit to Japan about the time the last Ashigaru crawled out of his cave in the 70s. Another 500 bucks ain't gonna change much.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,687 Likes: 41
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,687 Likes: 41 |
I am MAGA.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,602
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,602 |
If you like it buy it. No validation needed.
Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,183 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,183 Likes: 1 |
Browning has closed the Winchester factory in New Haven, Ct and has the rifle being made by the Japs who started World War Two! Japan didn't start WWII, Germany did that. Japan just got us into WWII. Our government was the one that made it attractive to move production overseas not Japan. Besides how many Browning rifles were ever made in America? How many German designed or German made Mauser rifles do you own?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,082
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,082 |
I borrowed a friends X-Bolt to take a doe last season. Seemed like a well made rifle to me. I only own one Browning bolt rifle, an A-Bolt II, but it is one of the most accurate rifles I own.
I say if you like the fit and feel of the rifle, go for it.
Those who must raise their voice to get their point across are generally not intelligent enough to do so in any other way.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,770 Likes: 7
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,770 Likes: 7 |
All I have read is that they tend to be very accurate and function well. As above, if it fits well, do it.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,911 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,911 Likes: 16 |
Not if it winds your crank.
I don't care for the styling, but my taste dates back to the Johnson administration.
If you buy one in .270, you will however, be required to divest yourself of any Subarus you own or begin working at a Cheesecake Factory.
And you'll make your mother cry.....
What fresh Hell is this?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,760
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,760 |
I have owned a dozen or so Browning A-Bolt snd X-Bolt rifle's over the years in various calibers and every one would shoot MOA right out of the box, fit and finish was excellent and they all functioned fine.....I like the rifles for the most part but the bolt handle turns me off plus the triggers seem made a little too complicated for My taste........Good luck in your purchase.....Hb
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,488
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,488 |
Own a couple of Browning shotguns that are extremely reliable. I've wanted to try a bolt action based on their look feel and safety location as well as friends experiences - all positive, But it never made it to the top of the need to spend money on this list or too good a deal to pass up list.
Tikka is probably next on my rifle wish list but if I found a good deal i'd buy a Browning in a heartbeat.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I owned a SS stalker in 7mm-08 beautifully made with very nice fit and finish. i sold it for something else and now am looking at one of their long range versions.
No issues buying another one
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,563
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,563 |
I'd say buy it if you like it. Was not a huge fan of the A-Bolts in the past, but found an X-Bolt Micro LH in 7-08 this year and it just felt right. Still working load development (just haven't had a lot of time). Put a Swarovski PH 1.5-6 on it and it will be my woods gun. I just wish they had more chambering options for lefties as they did many years ago...
Last edited by ghostrider272; 09/30/16.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,201 Likes: 9
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,201 Likes: 9 |
... As above, if it fits well, do it. ... +1 ...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 407
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 407 |
Just purchased the Stainless Stalker version approximately 1 month ago. Currently own 70's and 700's and have had 77's in the past. Wanted to try something a bit different and took a chance. Here's what I have noticed with mine;
Fit and finish are very good. I can usually find small manufacturing spots on any of my firearms but the attention to detail on my XBolt is very good. it even slightly edges out my Super Grade in this category.
The rifle is a long action and you have plenty of room to play with in the box magazine as far as COL is concerned. A short throat will make chasing the lands easy.
Ergonomics fit. It is one of the only rifles that I own that when shouldered I don't cant. The silly thing just feels good, can't explain it.
Functioning has been excellent. Loaded 4 dummy rounds in the box,dry fired and cycled as fast as I could with the intention of seeing if it would bobble. Repeated this for 80 cycles and it never even hiccuped.....not even once. Once again this is superior to both my long and short action 700's and my Super Grade. Dead heat with the Featherweight.
Shoots pretty well. Slim barrel heats up fast but if I pace myself it will keep 5 (not 3) 150 Sierra Gamekings within 1 MOA at 100 if i haven't had too much coffee. The only rifle I have that will consistently beat it is a 700 VSSF.
Trigger is very good out of the box. Haven't even had it apart yet and I usually take everything apart just to see how it works. Don't know about the long term reliability yet.
All in all very pleasantly surprised by what many consider the Rodney Dangerfield of rifles.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845 |
I'd say buy it if you like it. Was not a huge fan of the A-Bolts in e past, but found a Micro LH in 7-08 this year and it just felt right. Still working load development (just haven't had a lot of time). I bought this exact rifle for my daughter. I have and have had some very accurate rifles. For some reason, this is the most accurate rifle I own AND it likes pretty much all ammo.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,970 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,970 Likes: 4 |
I'd buy one no matter what dumb shidt Savage_99 says.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,560
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,560 |
If you can get pass the ray-gun look, I think they are decent enough rifle. My 280 X bolt functions extremely well and shoots on par with any of the Tikkas that I have owned. CP.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 348
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 348 |
After shouldering one, I immediately sold my Remington 700 7mm and bought a x-bolt in 30-06. It shoots serrrias into itty bitty groups. I have no regrets.
|
|
|
|
179 members (338reddog, 2500HD, 204guy, 1lessdog, 2ndwind, 280shooter, 25 invisible),
1,961
guests, and
855
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,446
Posts18,507,893
Members74,002
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|