Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Thoughts On Browning X Bolt...

Got a Winchester super x 3 with duratouch stock that is about 9 years old and beat to hell. Duratouch is great on this gun except where it has rubbed off from rolling around the floor of a duck boat. Have an xbolt stainless stalker that is 5 years old with duratouch that is fantastic and shoots great out of the box with factory ammo.

I have several A-Bolts, only one 'X'. They have worked fine for me.

My x-bolt trigger is not quite as good as my old A-bolt or my Remington, but they've both been fixed by my local gunsmith. My X-bolt trigger is plenty good for a hunting rifle and I had no trouble getting 1/2" to 3/4" groups with the first hand loads I tried. I think I'll save that $70 and spend it on ammo.

Also been through 3 hunting seasons now and no complaints about the duratouch. Still looks like new except for the dirt on it.

I predict you'll be extremely pleased with your x-bolt and great choice in caliber.

Your friend must have the worst luck on the planet. I've never heard of an x-bolt that wouldn't shoot, much less two by the same owner. Some people on this site complain about a lot of things on Brownings, but accuracy has never been one.

It doesn't even have to be Alaska to kill a Browning. One of the wilderness areas I hunt here in North Georgia every year probably has a similar weather profile to what you guys have in SE Ak with cold/wet minus the saltwater of course. The only rifles I've seen fail and fail consistently are Brownings. On the coastal islands here in Georgia I've seen them fail as well due to salt spray. I couldn't care less about brand loyalty. Function trumps all.

I've personally seen a few duratouch stocks peel. Make sure that you don't let DEET come anywhere near it. You could always get a Hunter stock for it. I've also seen A-Bolts that had a 'frozen' trigger, but never on an X-bolt. Enjoy the new toy...

I guess Brownings work in most places except AK. For some reason they don't like it up there.

Country_20boy,

I agree, and browning was good to go as far as taking care of it... The 25-06 went back to them twice. First time was new barrel, and second time the receiver was replaced. They could not get it to shoot either! It dis well on the last trip back... good enough that he could sell it in good conscience.

He is happy with his current 300 WSM, but to be honest, it still is a 1.5 MOA rifle.

A sample of two is not representative, just anecdotal.

Regards

Thanks for the input guys, I loaded up some 110 Accubonds and IMR 4831 this weekend and the best group measured at just shy of 1" for 5-shots, not bad right out of the gate. I am sure a little playing around with seating depth will likely get me a bit smaller (based on the reloading I have done to date). Really happy with the x bolt for the first range trip, the gun fits great and personally I like to duracoat, just hope it lasts. My one and only complaint is the trigger, its good but still lags behind my Tikka trigger.

I like my ss xbolt 3006 and used it last fall. No issues in the northern mn cold. Its my best shooter and I will watch the plastic stock for decay.