Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles pro's/con's on Browning x-bolt 325 WSM stainless stalker

Considering a Browning x-bolt 325 WSM stainless stalker for elk hunting after visiting a local gun shop. Had originally planned on 338WM but the owner thinks highly of the 325 because of the accurracy, lighter wt., and shorter barrel. I tend to agree but I,m a real ROOKIE looking for advice. Anyone out there have one? Reasons I should or shouldn't pull the trigger and buy it. Also is $879 a good price? THANKS!! Rick

Great gun, average price.

Thanks Horseman. I went to school in Lincoln and now my sons in dental school there. Love the town and yah still love the huskers. Have you shoot one of these?

Yes I have one in 270 Win that is now my favorite rifle. I prefer it my other rifles that cost much more like the Sako 85 and Kimber 8400. The X-bolt is lightweight, with a great magazine system, good trigger, tang safety and typical Browning tack driving button rifled barrel. Mine shoots handloads and Federal Fusions .5" to .75" consistently. Great guns.


Go Big Red!

You can find a Kimber for that price. My buddy in Maine has the X-Bolt and I have the Kimber Montana and everyone that has compared the 2 agrees that the Browning does not handle the recoil as well. His is not a stainless version but a wood/blue version which is a great looking rifle. It is also quite accurate. Just my experience if that helps you.

Browning list price $1149. What would you consider a good price

I've not shot an X-bolt but they are getting good reviews. I have picked one up and it feels really good. I really like the stainless/synthetic model; it is a very well balanced rifle, much more so than the Kimbers I have owned IMHO. I hate the A Bolts, but the X-bolt really balances well. I liked it so well that I have been thinking about getting one myself.

Thanks for responses. Any thoughts on a 3x9x40 2-$300 scope for elk hunting

Thats a good price Rick, pull the trigger and let us know how she shoots.............Good luck.........547.

Nikon Primos or spend a little more for a Zeiss Conquest or VX3.

I put a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on my X-Bolt in 270 Winchester. FWIW, several people who have shot my X-Bolt can't believe how little felt recoil there is.....rifle pushes straight back with hardly any rise.

Scheels in Sioux Falls, SD has 3 Winchester Stainless/Synthetic stocked .325's marked down to 699.00 I think? I'm guessing you could easily get another 50.00 off, maybe more?

SS M-70 at that price may be a better buy than the X bolt or Kimber. You need to handle them to see which one suits you best. Sometimes the cheapest isn't the less expensive if you're not satisfied and get into a trading cycle.

Agree with the Zeiss 3-9. You can find some great prices on that scope, possibly less money than a VX-3. And, Zeiss has better glass. Don't know about toughness, etc., as Leupolds do have a good reputation.

DF

I have the xbolt and the extreme weather in 300wsm. Both are great guns but the xbolt will probably hit the road as I just like the Winnie better. My x lot has a bolt that is a bit tight and it has a tendency to fail to feed if run slowly. Accuracy and triggers are about the same but the Winnie feels a little more stout. That said I don't see the reliability issues in the xbolt that many haters site.

I found a Ti on gunbroker, brand new for 799.00
I think it weighs 5.8 pounds. I stuck an old Leupold I had on it and was surprised at the accuracy. You might want to keep a check on gunbroker if weight is an issue for you. The recoil is nothing like what I expected and it has a great trigger, plus the stock is duracoated.

XBolts are very nice rifles, I don't think you'll regret getting one. Just bought a XBolt Stainless Stalker in .280 myself. .325 is also an awesome round, and would be about ideal as an elk rifle in that configuration. Plenty of power, short and lightweight, weather resistant, accurate. What more could you need? Top it with a Bushnell Elite 4200 or Nikon Monarch (to stay at or under your $300 limit) and you'll be good to go! I agree about the Zeiss being better glass, but if you can't afford it, then the two I mentioned would be perfect!