The Accurate Reloading Forums
Browning X-Bolt pros vs cons
24 July 2010, 08:25
youngoutdoorsBrowning X-Bolt pros vs cons
Do any of you guys have any experience with the X-bolt. I have a buddy that is thinking about one in 204 and I said that I would ask. I have a A-bolt in 204 and 22 and like them alot but have no experience with the X-bolt. Pro and cons would greatly be appreciated.
God Bless, Louis
24 July 2010, 08:57
BushelerThe worst overpriced junk on the Market and by quite a margin.
24 July 2010, 09:02
rcamugliaHow Dare you!!!

24 July 2010, 09:13
BushelerI'll attempt to feign surprise,at your cluelessness.
Nope...didn't work,I seen it arriving.
24 July 2010, 09:20
rcamugliaquote:
originally posted by you know who:....,I "seen" it arriving
Quit trying to make the double digit IQ holders look like Geniuses!
24 July 2010, 09:26
BushelerI'm no fun to play word games with and my dexterity with Lexicon is Legendary(understatement).
Yes...you are a Vagenius.
24 July 2010, 09:30
rcamugliaYou're a legend in your own mind!
Bring it on.
Is the constant sunshine up there driving you crazy? Get some sleep. Things are always better after sleep.
24 July 2010, 09:49
BushelerShoot the rest of your Life in the ass and find where I'm mistaken.
"Legendary" is perhaps a might too conservative,but humility is something I know well.
24 July 2010, 10:11
rcamugliaquote:
Originally posted by Busheler:
Shoot the rest of your Life in the ass and find where I'm mistaken.
"Legendary" is perhaps a might too conservative,but humility is something I know well.
Easy.
You're mistaken
24 July 2010, 10:18
BushelerWhat's easy,is how adept you are in being wrong.
Impressive,to say the least!
24 July 2010, 10:23
rcamugliaquote:
Originally posted by Busheler:
What's easy,is how adept you are in being wrong.
Impressive,to say the least!
Correctly written:
"What's easy? How adept you are at being wrong?"
Get your money back from your English teacher.
24 July 2010, 10:26
BushelerYou needn't flaunt the ease in which you constantly wade over your head,it is well beyond obvious and beyond refute.
Congratulations?!!?
I do see now why several folks have asked for Busheler to be banned. Might not be a bad idea.
Now to the question. I have several A Bolts and like them very much. I have handled a couple of X Bolts and like them except for one shortcoming that I consider quite significant---the comb is way too low for my tastes.
LWD
25 July 2010, 19:49
youngoutdoorsThanks guys, well; except for Busheler. Any more experience with the X-bolt.
God Bless, Louis
27 July 2010, 22:31
HuntKYquote:
Originally posted by Busheler:
The worst overpriced junk on the Market and by quite a margin.
Like him or not, that statement rings true. I sent my A-bolt down the road several yrs ago. If buying off the rack a guy to do a lot better than an A-Bort.
27 July 2010, 23:25
rcamugliaSorry about my posts to Busheler! It was immediately when he was exposed as a crazy man.
I was having fun chasing him from thread to thread antagonizing him when he was beating up on folks.
About the A-Bolt or the X-Bolt:
I own 3 A-Bolts. They are the most accurate factory rifles I own. My .243 WSSM Varmint Stalker, .300 Win Mag Stainless Stalker, and Medalion .223 with BOSS all are 1/2 MOA rifles with a good handload. I've had no quality issues.
If you want to do a good pillar bedding job on one, get one with a wood stock.
My gunsmith says they are a nighmare to rebarrel if you need to. Hunting rifles usually never get shot that much so this may not be an issue.
28 July 2010, 01:39
sam308I too have a couple of A-bolts that I feel are very good guns. Some objective information on the X-bolt would be nice.
4 screw holes are a pain in the ass to line up with the mount. But the idea is strong. Not sure why they just didn't make bases.
28 July 2010, 06:11
BISCUTquote:
Originally posted by D99:
4 screw holes are a pain in the ass to line up with the mount. But the idea is strong. Not sure why they just didn't make bases.
I only own 2 A-Bolt Medallions in the much maligned 25WSSm and 223WSSM. Call them Impulse buys. Price was right and I imagine it was hard for the seller to move lefty WSSM's. I guess I'm a sucker for really nice wood -- they have great wood!
Both of mine have been damn good shooters. Kept factory. I'm about 600 rounds in the 25WSSM and accuracy is really good.
While I've only fingered a few of the X-Bolts I have to agree w. why would you design the base holes like that? Seems like a glut for punishment. And the ones I played with seemed like the aluminum was a bit on the cheesier side. But proof is in the puddin and my opinion is worth what u paid.
28 July 2010, 08:00
youngoutdoorsrcamuglia, No problem here I new what you were doing and had already read enough of Busheler's ranting to know he had it coming.
I haven't shot an A-bolt that wouldn't shoot handloads good. Some really shot good. But have absolutely no experience with the X-bolts.
Thanks and God Bless, Louis
31 July 2010, 18:03
Ed ScarboroMy brother has an A bolt in 375H&H that he has used in Alaska for years and it shoots very well. He has never had a problem with it. I picked up an A bolt the other day from an individual that needed a little money. The first test loads I loaded all shot under 1" at 100yds. This is a little 7/08 that is right out of the box with nothing done to it. The trigger is about 4lbs with no creep and seems to just shoot.
I have mostly Winchester 70's and Weatherbys with a few Merkels thrown in, but this may become my favorite deer rifle.
02 August 2010, 08:02
Ken in VAI've owned several A-Bolts, but never an X-Bolt since Browning refuses to offer a lefty version. The A-Bolts are good decent production rifles. Accuracy has been exceptional with all the one's I've owned.
If I were your friend, I'd try every bolt gun I could and get the one that fits him the best. If its an X-bolt then great.
Brownings use to cost substantially more than Remington and Winchester, but that's not as true these days.
Ken
02 August 2010, 08:27
youngoutdoorsThats good sound advice; thanks Ken!
Where in the Mountains of Va are you. I can see Va from my house, and Tenn.
God Bless, Louis
02 August 2010, 20:21
Ken in VAI'm from a little town called Clintwood.
04 August 2010, 04:13
Dr. LouI have had three A Bolts: 2 in 375 H&H and one 270 Win. All three shots sub MOA, but they just didn't feel very robust, especially compared to the older Brownings, Sakos, etc.
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NRA Life Benefactor Member
09 August 2010, 08:39
Rub LineI had a Browning A-bolt for about six years. It was a great shooter, 7mm RM, would shoot sub-moa all day long. I've killed lot's of game with it, but one day it just wasn't doing it for me anymore. So down the road it went. It just felt chinsey or phoney to me, like they tried way too hard to be different or something. I can't really put a finger on it, but I like my sako's and mausers much better. As far as the Xbolt goes, I at first agreed with bushler, but I actually like the shape of the forend, round fits your hand much better than square. I still don't like the looks or feel of a browning action, but they shoot (at least mine did) like match rifle, and I've never had a problem with it.
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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Proverbs 26-4
National Rifle Association Life Member
10 August 2010, 08:13
Big BirdI have 3 a-bolts and all are great hunting guns, easy to carry and more accurate under field conditions than I'm capable of achieving.
Most people poo-poo on them because these reasons
1) Because of the clip type magazine you limit max OAL on reloads which possibly prevents achieving the guns best potential accuracy. Cartridges must have an OAL to fucntion in the mag.
2) Trigger isn't replaceable with after market one. Timney makes a replacement spring which helps a LOT! But for bench guys use to a "glass triggers" you can NEVER get a browning trigger to the same level.
3) Barrel profile,..is thin in some people's opinion and will heat up quickly,...again not an issue in a hunting rifle,...but for competion it can be.
4) It is made in Japan,...Some people still have a grudge that they moved. If it meets one's needs does it matter where it is made?
I don't have experience with the X-bolt but held a few and read some reviews. The x-bolt isn't replacing the A-bolt both are still being made,...Browing is trying to capture another part of the market with the x-bolt. But I would assume all of the above "drawbacks" of the A-bolt would apply to the X-bolt also