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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3 |
What's the good, bad, and ugly on these rifles? I'm a long time M70, Kimber snob but curious on the newer X bolt. I'm really interested in how it performs over the long haul in rough conditions - elk pack pack, mountain hunting in general.
Thanks.
Last edited by bwinters; 02/23/19.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,579 Likes: 23
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,579 Likes: 23 |
I am curious too. Good looking rifles.
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 518
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 518 |
I too really like kimbers and model 70s. I just picked up a hells canyon long range, and am pretty excited about it. The quality seems pretty damn good, but I havnt scoped it yet. I would recommend getting one and seeing how it performs yourself, I already want another one in a heavier cartridge.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3 |
BTW, anyone know the max COAL in the SA Hells Canyon?
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,417
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,417 |
The one thing I really don’t like about then is the Duratouch coating on their regular stocks. I hunt with a bunch of guys from AL, which seems to be the epicenter of Browning rifle/shotgun ownership, and all of them have had problems with the coating getting sticky or peeling of their stocks. Until Browning/Winchester stops using it, I know I’ll have a project to work on them to remove the Duratouch eventuallly. The Long Range McMillan and Pro stocks dont have this issue.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,490
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,490 |
I bought one before Christmas when Browning was running a rebate. I got the Hells Canyon Speed Long Range model with the McMillan stock in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have only shot it at the range, but so far I like it. I have not started to hand load for it yet. It shoots the 147 ELD M and 143 ELD X about .75 MOA. I think I can shrink that group with a better trigger and maybe hand loads. We were hitting 10" plates at 550 yards ths first day after sighting it in. The 26" barrel balances OK. I have a Nightforce NXS on it so it's no lightweight but fine for how I am going to use it. Timney is supposedly making triggers for it and that's what I plan on using after I shoot it a lot more. Going to try other factory loads too.
It seems to be well put together and have had no feeding problems with the plastic magazine. Mine came with a rail. I have another rifle with the game scout stock so I knew that I would like it. I dig how you can open the bolt on safe by pushing a button down on the bolt handle.
It's pricey but I got a good deal on it with the rebate. The McM stock is pricey in itself out of the gate. I like the finish a lot.
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is. dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 822
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 822 |
I really like XBolts. Have two. My only wish for the Hells Canyon guns was that they used stainless under the cerakote.
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 308
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 308 |
I bought one before Christmas when Browning was running a rebate. I got the Hells Canyon Speed Long Range model with the McMillan stock in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have only shot it at the range, but so far I like it. I have not started to hand load for it yet. It shoots the 147 ELD M and 143 ELD X about .75 MOA. I think I can shrink that group with a better trigger and maybe hand loads. We were hitting 10" plates at 550 yards ths first day after sighting it in. The 26" barrel balances OK. I have a Nightforce NXS on it so it's no lightweight but fine for how I am going to use it. Timney is supposedly making triggers for it and that's what I plan on using after I shoot it a lot more. Going to try other factory loads too.
It seems to be well put together and have had no feeding problems with the plastic magazine. Mine came with a rail. I have another rifle with the game scout stock so I knew that I would like it. I dig how you can open the bolt on safe by pushing a button down on the bolt handle.
It's pricey but I got a good deal on it with the rebate. The McM stock is pricey in itself out of the gate. I like the finish a lot.
I haven't found anyone that makes after market triggers for Browning yet. Just springs. I have a couple of A Bolts that I would like to have really good triggers on.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,763
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,763 |
Yeah Timney makes a trigger for the X-bolt but i dont think it fits the A-bolt model.......Hb
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,533 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,533 Likes: 2 |
The one thing I really don’t like about then is the Duratouch coating on their regular stocks. I hunt with a bunch of guys from AL, which seems to be the epicenter of Browning rifle/shotgun ownership, and all of them have had problems with the coating getting sticky or peeling of their stocks. Until Browning/Winchester stops using it, I know I’ll have a project to work on them to remove the Duratouch eventuallly. The Long Range McMillan and Pro stocks dont have this issue. ANYTHING with the Duratouch finish is a non-starter for me. My Super X3 with Duratouch ended up feeling like used bubble gum on a hot city sidewalk. Sent it back to Browning/Winchester Service and waited over 10 MONTHS for them to fix it. No more Duratouch ANYTHING for this boy.
Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 348
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 348 |
Mcarbo spring is the stuff, I can't imagine the trigger on my xbolt being any better now.
Last edited by Bisley; 02/24/19.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 154
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 154 |
Timney has a trigger available. It may require slight shaving on the stock for the safety to work well. Unfortunately, it does disable the bolt lock. I picked one up, but will probably go with the spring mod instead, rather than lose the bolt lock.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,211 Likes: 27
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,211 Likes: 27 |
WTF, why make the perfect, the enemy of the good. For gawd sakes its a $1,100 to $1,900 rifle, MSRP, depending on the flavor Buy it! scope it! then, Carry it, shoot it, kill schit with it, How hard does it have to be! If you don't like it, blow it out. It's not like you've invested your life savings. Do that ,and you won't have to ask others their opinion. You'll have your own.! ya! GWB
Last edited by geedubya; 03/01/19.
A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 90
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 90 |
Timney has a trigger available. It may require slight shaving on the stock for the safety to work well. Unfortunately, it does disable the bolt lock. I picked one up, but will probably go with the spring mod instead, rather than lose the bolt lock. Before I went and modified the stock I decided to just shave some material off the safety “bar” or connector that was causing the issue. It works perfect, save for the bolt lock not working, but I knew that was the case when I bought it. I tried the mcarbo spring to begin with but mine was pretty inconsistent with the pull, sometimes it would have creep, sometimes crisp, etc. it needed a new trigger.
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