Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester XPR

What are the pros and cons of the Winchester XPR as a basic entry level bolt action? What's your first hand impression of this rifle?

My first hand impression is junk.

That said, I’ve only handled them in a gun shop.

Guess I dont agree , they seem to me a cut above the Ruger americans and such


fairly stiff stock , decent trigger , smooth feeding , lights out accurate , but then I only have one example

I bought one in 350 legend for a hunt I do in Ohio a few days a year. For what I paid for it I was satisfied. My choices where limited in that chambering at the time. I never purchased a budget rifle before and didn't know what to expect. It functions properly but its no swiss time piece.

I have a bud that owns one in 30-06. He’s owned it for 2 to 3 years and killed both elk and numerous deer. I do know it’s very accurate. He’s well satisfied.

They are certainly no Model 70, but I’d rate them above a Ruger American or Savage Axis. I bought one for my daughter in .243 and it’s been just fine so far. Decent stock, trigger, etc. Feeds perfectly and is more accurate than she is capable of shooting at this point. They’re my favorite of the “budget” rifles.

I used to own 3 XPRS: 6.5 Creedmoor (synthetic), 7mm-08 (walnut/sporter), 30-06 (synthetic). For the price, I consider them an outstanding value. The trigger and barrel are essentially what you're getting in a M70. The synthetic stock wasn't a $500 aftermarket, obviously, but it was fine. I would put it on par with the couple of Tikkas that I've shot (but admittedly don't own). The coated bolt was smooth and I never had any feeding issues. All three rifles were MOA or better with factory ammo (the 6.5cm was better than MOA with 129 Interbonds when Hornady still loaded them from the factory). The sporter had surprisingly decent walnut.

I'm not a huge fan of polymer mags (I know most folks around here prefer them) or the mortis-style recoil lug. Those aren't really cons, just preferences. One thing to consider is that there really aren't aftermarket options for the XPR... but I'm also not sure why you'd be spending lots of money on aftermarket parts for a budget rifle rather than just buying a higher end gun from the start.

Eventually all three got replaced by M70s, not really because there was anything wrong with them, but because the M70 is simply nicer. But if you catch an XPR on the rebate sales that tend to happen a couple times a year (sometimes you're getting a basic model for around $400), I think they're the sleeper of the budget tier.

Just handled in gun shops. Seem better than Ruger American from a fit, feel, smoothness of action standpoint. Not a bad price.

I have a Compact in 350 Legend that shoots bug holes. I like it.