Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browning quality?

I own, and shoot, 4 Browning shotguns. Quality and reliability of all of them has been absolutely top notch.
Based upon my experience with those guns, I'm considering the purchase of an X-Bolt rifle. I worked up some handloads for a friend's A-Bolt, and was impressed with the rifle's workmanship and it's accuracy.
Any X-Bolt shooters out there?

From what I have seen on the fire, the browning rifles do not get a lot of love.....I would much rather own a Remington seven or 700, just my opinion.

Just curious- have you ever owned, or fired, a Browning X Bolt?

Because?

I think the A/X-bolt are great rifles. My brother had an A-bolt for a short while. His was a very accurate gun and I hear the X-bolt is carrying a similar reputation. If you like the 60� bolt lift and a tang safety it would be a great gun to own. I'm not sure why someone would sing praises for a Sako but not a Browning as they are very similar rifles to me.

I have three ABolt and five XBolt rifles. They are very accurate out of the box rifles you will ever own. No trigger adjustment required, no floating of the barrel needed, no glass bedding required, no pillar bedding. Just scope it and shoot. Quality is above average.

Every XBolt I have is under 1" for five shots at 100 yds. I have 308 win, 25-06 Rem, 270, 7WSM, and 22-250. ABolts in 30-06, 300 WSM and a rare 358 Win. Forgot to mention a rare laminated varnmint model in 7-08 with heavy barrel and cutout contoured stock.

There are lots of folks here that like a shoot Brownings. We do a lot of shooting and no complaining.

I've owned an A-bolt (270) and currently an X-bolt (243). Both guns have been top notch. My X-bolt has been my favorite rifle.

Like stated Browning doesn't get much love on here, but then again neither does the 270 winchester lol.

I have owned a half dozen or so X-Bolts in various calibers and every one shot MOA right out of the box, I love the light weight and sleek feel of these rifles also fit and finish has been top notch. I don't think you can go wrong with an X-bolt rifle................Good luck...........Hb

I know X-Bolts shoot well. But there are many aspects to them I dislike. I don't like the "bolt button" to work the action on safe. I don't like the plastic magazines. I don't like the 60* bolt throw. There are very few options for scope mount bases. And no aftermarket support. But they do shoot, well...



It's purely a preference thing.

Browning A/X bolts are accurate, servicable rifles, but they aren't your father's Brownings. I have owned 3 or 4 A Bolts that all shot very well...they just didn't have that feel of quality or je ne sais qua. I won't buy another, especially an X Bolt. Their looks just don't float my boat.

When talking with my Gunsmith Mr William Haines whom builds several rifles a month for Cabelas, builds parts for Nasa, and nuclear reactors because he is one of 2 machine shops in the United States that can meet the required tolerances of some of the highly critical parts that Nasal and Nuclear Reactors can require had to say. The browning actions are machined to near perfect tolerances: quote. Interestingly enouph William claims the Remington action though a very solid action have tolerances that in Bills words are are somewhat surprising and not in a good way. However Bill claims they still are a great action they just require a heck of a lot of work.Bill said and I quote: There is no way an off the shelf Remington is going to shoot like an off the shelf Browning bolt action rifle.. This advise came from a man who inspects everything he works on with a million power microscope and machines part in the millionths not hundredths of thousands. All in all even if isn't a lot of love for the Browning on the fire then it must be one he'll of a well kept secret.

Shod

I have owned a SS A Bolt in 270 Stainess stalker and the same in 7 Mag. Dad had a Blued 7 Mag abolt and A stainless stalker 270, both shot less than 1/2" three shot groups. Nephew and brother in law have 7 Mag Safari II's. I worked up loads for both of them and they both shoot 1" or less 3 shot groups.

A freind just passed away. He wife has his A bolt 270 Gold White Medallion SS that had been bedded, barrel freefloated, with trigger job, and that rifle shoots the 130g Noslers into a single ragged hole with R#22(she is going to sale the rifle).

The triggers on the A bolts are easy to get lighter just by changing out the spring.

I am not familiar with the X bolts...can't help you there.

I own a X-bolt in 300 wsm and I only have good thing to say about it.The rifle is really accurate,the trigger is real good,its lightweight and it handle nicely.

I think they are some of the best rifle in their price range out of the box.

My Remington actions haven't required any work to shoot well below MOA. I just don't like Japanese Brownings.....the older Brownings are fine.

Bighorn

I've owned A-Bolt's, Abolt II's and X-Bolt's.They have all been exceptional rifles for fit/finish, accuracy and I have never had a problem of any kind with a Browning. Currently have an X-bolt in 7mm-08 that delivers 1" or less groups at 100 yds with 4 or 5 different factory loads. If it fits ya - go for it.

I've owned a pile of them. With a little trigger work all have been good shooters, reliable and aren't picky about what you feed 'em. The X-Bolt comes with a much better trigger, recoil pad and stock IMO.

I've had Model 81's. A-Bolts and X-bolts and if they didn't perform, I wouldn't continue to buy them.

The only problem I've ever encountered -(A-Bolt) is the front action screws working loose over time and a little lock tite fixed that.

That's happened on two that I've owned.

You, and John Moses Browning- any coincidence?

Actually, I picked that name because my favorite gun of all time is the Auto 5.

I love duck hunting.

I have a 300 win mag x-bolt in stainless stalker its a nice rifle accurate handles nicely shoots everything well, I will be using it on my first guided trip next year.

All Medallions were bedded and free floated at the factory. I think the X Bolts might just be some of the ugliest firearms ever made, but I'm sure they are accurate. I own a few Abolts and an Abolt II, very nice rifles and extrememly accurate. Not sure why Browning has chosen to make their firearms look all "space age" lately, but it certainly doesn't make me want to buy one.