Ok - have seen some previous posts on these, most seem to like them. Well I picked one up at Cabelas this weekend and I was very impressed. For me the fit was great, love the slim stocks and the Dura touch feel, light enough and the trigger felt decent. Now I am a pretty die hard Tikka fan and have great luck with the 3 that I owned. I know the stock itself on the tikka is ok but the feel of it just gets me everytime and unless dishing out $500+ for a manners or mcmillan your left with B&C which just feels to bulky for me...thinking of giving an x bolt stainless stalker a try. Interested to hear a few things regarding accuracy and the durability of the dura touch stock, specifically does is scratch easily when moving through the woods. I know the looks of the x bolt arent for everyone but I kind of favor them over most other rifles. Any thoughts or insights would be much appreciated.

Tough call between an X-Bolt and a Tikka.

Not sure which is more scratch resistant.




Travis

Hogue might be a good option here?

Unfortunately I dont think Hogue makes a model for Tikka, that I am aware of anyway.

Based on recent comments regarding the x-bolt - as long as you don't expose it to saltwater cause the trigger will rust up.... and on and on and on.

I have an X-bolt and have owned A-Bolt II's in the past. The X-bolt is a good rifle, fit and finish is excellent and every Browning I've ever had has been able to do 1" at 100 out of the box with several different factory loads. Interestingly enough, the X-bolt I have now prefers a "dirty" barrel. I have a Sako A7 with the soft touch and it handles abuse very well. If you like the X-bolt - go for it.

From what I see I like the X-bolt. I've handled them a good bit as the LGS is a Browning dealer. I can't convince myself I want one yet but you never know.

Dura touch may cause you problems in the future. It can get real, real sticky. Service center will claim you got a chemical/solvent on it that caused it. I have a shotgun that had it. Had it removed and the stock redipped. Lots of folks have had trouble with it.

Thanks guys, that was exactly the information I was looking for (but not hoping to hear since I like the look and feel of the x bolt). Guess I would need to give it more thought.

Hawk - you mentioned redipping, was this through Browning or an after market company?

Aftermarket

I have both and hunt with both. Total crap about the trigger freezing or rusting up. Also total crap about the dura touch stock melting. browning makes excellent rifles. They shoot lights out right out of the box.

I just bought a secondhand X-bolt in 325WSM, and it shoots like stink! I have limited factory ammo for it at the moment so have only shot a few rounds through it. (I'm waiting for some dies and more factory ammo to show up.)

It shot a 0.75MOA group at 100yards (3 shots) and MOA at 200yards (3 shots). Can't wait to work up some reloads. I can see this rifle being my new favorite hunting rifle (position currently occupied by my 308 Remington 700ADL).

I guess Hawk_Driver is lying?

Browning Gold shotgun, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass. Gun sat in the safe for a year without being used. Pulled it out for dove season, the checkered areas, so sticky it would leave fingerprints.

Not the first case of this. Ask/search around. Browning claims I got chemicals/solvent on it. Wrong! Tried to sell me new ones, with Dura Touch on it. Guy that stripped and dipped it, claimed he did a bunch of these for Browning, and they suddenly stopped sending stocks.

I have nothing against Brownings, own an ABolt, 2 Citoris and the Gold. I would never buy another one with Dura Touch on it again.

http://www.insideoutoutdoors.com/inside-out/brownings-dura-touch-coating-problems-experienced

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/browning-firearms/sticky-stock/

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1835333

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/7438547/Re_Browning_dura_touch_stocks

Could go on all night. WTF do I know tho.

There are three different posters here that have posted within the last 48 hours that hunted with me on Kodiak with an A-Bort that experienced trigger failure within the week. I have seen several others.

Is that what you mean by total crap?

I have seen the rubbery coating get gummy, but I've also seen it last a long time as well. It must be like the run of Sims pads that went gooey, a "bad batch" as they called it. My SX3 DT is holding up well. My Sx2 DT was holding up well too, but I decided to have it removed and dipped in Mathews Lost. Several of the hydrographics folks are coating with the rubbery finish as well as an option. It was explained to me as just being a different type of clear coat after the dipping process unlike the automotive grade clear coat they normally use.

The guy that dipped my SX2 told me the DT was a real bear to remove.

I bought my daughter an X-bolt. Needed a left handed rifle for her. The compact version in 308 with wood stock. It shoots lights out and the trigger breaks like glass. I wouldn't hesitate on another.

Zero problems with my Duro-touch Browning stock and I've had mine for 4 years and hunted in snow, freezing rain and heat. I've never experienced this so called sticky problem. Zero problems with triggers. Browning makes quality firearms.

Thanks Ed - this is good to hear since I bit the bullet last night and picked up a 25-06 from cabelas used as they are having the 10% off used guns sale..looks to be in great shape and no wear on the dura-touch. Was a little dissapointed in the trigger pull even when backing out the adjustment screw all the way. Hope to get to the range this weekend with some loads and give it a shot. I can say when putting it next to the Tikka its head and shoulders as far as fit and finish, the true test will be to see how the accuracy stands vs the tikka, going to be tough to beet the accuracy out of them I have been seeing. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

I have always liked Browning A bolts for their accuracy. My two experiences with X-bolts (owned by a friend that I was helping try to get it to shoot) left me shaking my head. Unacceptable accuracy. Browning replaced the barrel on the one, and then the action, and then it was sold. The other finally shoots reasonably, but is finicky. He is back looking for older A-bolts.

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.