Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Thoughts on Browning X-bolt

I have a SS 3006 that I found languishing on a hardware store rack and got a smoking deal. Apparently the savages sold better for some reason...

I like it a lot and it shoots very well for me and it has become my go-to gun if weather looks poor. Its slated to be one of 3 deer guns I'll keep when I build my retirement house and sell the rest. The rifle compliments my old ruger 77 tang safety 3006 so I can pick either depending on the rain forecast. Unless the savage 99 is out. ;-)

The only issues I have:
1. Magazine loading - Make sure you have the bolt open and confirm you get front and back "click" when you put the magazine in. I load the magazine one round short just to minimize catch latch force if it didnt fully seat. Never lost a magazine in the woods, but had one drop out on the shooting bench. Not totally sure the sand bags or something caught the latch while recoiling.
2. The stock lacks wood soul. I like the shape, but I admit I like the wood feel and looks better. But I bought it for rainy day duty.

Tell us if you decide to get one. I don't regret my purchase.

I have heard of Remington triggers going off when you close the bolt, mostly after the owner had been "adjusting" his trigger.....Ha!.....very dangerous though........Hb

I have owned alnost every popular bolt action brand/model over the years and most have good and bad points, im not a big fan of the X-Bolt trigger (a little to complicated for me) and the bolt handle is not My favorite either....I guess at the moment My favorite rifles are the Tikka T3x line, even though im not crazy about the new modular stock.........Hb

Wow, sorry folks! I had changed a few things in my post and some how deleated the part about the Remington 700 trigger failing. I apologize for that, I can see how that would be very confusing!

My trigger was never modified by me. It went off dry fire as I released the safety.
The design is suspect enough after it showed up on 20/20 type news shows.

I see a lot of love for Tikka which is the other rifle I'm considering, I just can get over the polymer magazine

Get a Tikka CTR, no polymer mag, and an awesome shooting rifle. Them Socko people know how to make some barrels

X bolt has a polymer magazine as well, so don't let that be a factor. I personally love the x bolt, but I know I'm in the minority on this forum.
I've shot or seen shot at least 10 x-bolts and every one has been sub moa with very little fuss.

Don't worry about the magazines and get a T3 while they are on close out. I know Eurooptic has some at great prices right now and I would think Whittakers would too.

I use to feel the same way about the Plastic mags but 3 Sako's later I am beginning to like the Tikka a lot more. The Tikka has the same barrel as a Sako and potentially a stiffer receiver that has better scope mounting options. Plus it's cheaper. There are also a ton of after market stocks and metal bolt shrouds and such for it.

BUY THE TIKKA!!!

For all I know, they might be the most wonderfullest rifles in the whole wide world, but I simply don't like how they look. I think the same metro-sexuals that created the Cynergy look designed the X-Bolts as well. I find the big hunk of metal around the opening for the detachable magazine (another "feature" I detest on hunting rifles) especially oogly.

That's just personal preference of course and I'm sure there's somebody that thinks they're just beautiful.

Yes! ditto on the UA bullcrap.

I inherited one from my Dad. Maple stock. Never even put the bolt in. Whats up with all the screws needed for scope mounts?

My family has 3 x-bolt stainless rifles. Wooden and synthetic stocks. 7mm, .308, and 30-06. All are tack drivers and have smooth actions. I actually sort of like the plastic magazine boxes. The freezer if full of deer from all 3 guns this year. I have Remingtons and Sakos also but I have no problems with the Browning X-bolts. I think you'll be happy with one.

I must admit, the Hells Canyon Speed X-Bolt looks like a heckuva rifle

BEAT ME TO IT...

I just had one of those pos rifles in the shop last week.. It was brand-new, but that trigger was simply NOT SAFE and nothing I could do about it.. I got it working, mostly...but specifically informed the owner that he should NOT use it in the cold and to send it in to Browning for a new trigger - STAT...

Browning rifles are, for the most part, OK - but that company can screw up a trigger like NO OTHER...

The receiver is thinner then most, there is not enough meat for just 4 screws to hold . I had an Xbolt and the receiver bridge is thin.

The magazine works very well, they are very very well finished and made. The trigger is well complicated but it worked for me. In rugged conditions with a lot of snow and ice would not be my first choice for sure.

Know a fella that got rid of one of the synthetic stocked ones because sitting out in the heat left the forearm touching the barrel. Putting it inside to cool off returned it to free floating. Might not be an issue for most, but it gets right hot where he hunts.

If I see a stainless/laminate 270 WSM in LH, I'll have to have it. Rather have an A-Bolt, though. Never had a Browning that wouldn't print good groups.

Just back from breaking mine in on the range. To refresh everyone, it is a Browning X Bolt Hells Canyon Speed in 6.5 Creedmoor. With Hornady ELDX Factory ammo it was about a 1 to 1.5 MOA shooter. Nice and light and very little recoil although there is a tad of muzzle jump. Everything ran the way it was supposed to with no failures. Not a bad hunting rifle at all.

I have yet to understand why Browning felt the need for 4 screws to secure each ring base on the X-Bolt.

Not sure if you have seen one up close but the receiver is very very thin. They probably need the extra threads to keep the bases on .