Question for X-Bolt owners, plus caliber question for westside deer rifle

[Hyde]

Can you give your assessment of the polymer rotary magazine in the X Bolt?  Is it ok, great, excellent?  Do the rounds feed nicely?  How easy is it to remove the magazine?  Is there ANY way that a big thumbed guy could accidentally release the mag without wanting to?

I'm considering one for a new westside deer/bear rifle.  If you had your choice ONLY between the 308 and the 7mm-08, which would you choose, and why.  I know there are plenty of great calibers, but I was leaning towards the 308 for a little more punch if a bear comes along.  I know the 7-08 is an excellent caliber too.  I sure wished they made the left hand X-bolt in stainless.  Oh well, another rifle off for a Rogaurd treatment.

Thanks in advance....

Steve

[thinkingman]

You see that listing on SeattleGuns?
I have no experience with Browning rifles, but it seems attractive.
I do have a Tikka 7-08 and I'd sell my Tikka 300WSM before the 7-08.
Perfect cartridge for anything under 500lbs that doesn't intend to do you harm.
Reloaders dream.

[dannysdaddy]

never had a problem with the magazine on mine.  I would go with the .308 simply for costs and shooting distances. 

[krism83]

You will find that the 7-08 is going to travel flatter and is better for reloading and easy on your brass. It has a touch less recoil and tend to be shooter friendly for everyone from beginners to experienced users. The .308 will offer better punch for bear and larger game at the price of increased recoil and price per round. That being said, I prefer my .308 over the 7mm-08's that I have fired, personal preference I suppose.

[BigGoonTuna]

if you're having trouble deciding then flip a coin.  i went with the 7-08 mainly because i couldn't find the model of rifle i wanted in 308 on any store's racks when i was shopping(of course i found one a couple weeks later but i've since fallen in love with the caliber i picked).

prvi partizan ammo is $16.99 a box of 20 at cabelas, sometimes going on sale even cheaper.  the stuff groups like match ammo out of my rifle

[carpsniperg2]

Don't own a browning rifle so can't help there. Of the 2 guns listed 7mm-08 all day long. They are very close but The 7mm-08 is a little flatter shooting when you figure the avg bullet for it is 140g and the 308 is 165g. What ever the 308 can do the 7mm-08 can do as well.

[landcbeitner]

+1 for 7-08

[RB]

Do not own an X-bolt but when looking at calibers I look at availability of ammo can you walk into a mom and pop gun/tackle shop in a small town in the back woods and get a box of 7mm-08 when you left your ammo at home? 308 is on every shelf in america and several different bullet weights

[Bob33]

I own two X Bolts and have not had a single problem with either.  The magazines are just fine.

[Hyde]

Thanks for the comments.  I am leaning towards the 308, but when it comes to left hand rifles, in most cases you have to take what you can get.  I like the 7-08, it's nearly identical to the 284, which I have used quite a bit. I want that little extra punch the 308 will give.  I don't expect to be shooting more than 300 yards, if that. 

[C-Money]

7mm-08 all the way! If you want a little extra punch, grab some 160's in 7mm-08 and you will have a LOT of punch! The 7mm-08 with a quality 140gr bullet will perfom great on big game and shoot a bit flatter. The 7mm-08 is a Great cartridge!I enjoy the low recoil. My wife and I both killed large body muley bucks this year with the 7mm-08, weighing approx 250lbs each on the hoof. They both fell where they stood, lights out!

[copasj]

My wife has a micro x-bolt in 7mm-08 and I have been highly impressed with it.  I didn't like the magazine at first because it was plastic, but it's not given us any problem at all.  If I remember correctly the release is at the front of the mag so it would be hard to release accidentally.  The rifle is quite light, but a little short for me.  Probably clocks in at about 7 lbs with scope.  This is her do everything rifle, to include elk.

I loaded up quite a few ladder tests first time I took it to the range.  Turned out I wasted my time, the first combo I tried worked out great so I pulled the rest apart.  42 grains of H-4895 under a 120 ttsx is what I have settled on for her.  She shot a three shot group under and inch at 100 and a 1.25" group at 200 this weekend (two were touching) at the range and recoil is minimal.  It also put's 120 ballistic tips at the same POI with the same powder charge, at least to 200 yards.  This coming weekend we want to see how she does at 300, and see if the ballistic tips stay with the barnes at 300. 

This is off a bench but without sandbags, so not much different than a good steady prone.

[JKEEN33]

I have the xbolt in 300wsm and really like the gun. I prefer the clip over the hinged floor plate clip on my a bolt. That said, I like the bolt on the a bolt better, but they are both great guns.

[luteai]

I have the x-bolt in 7mm-08.  Mag is much better than Tikka, Remington or the Interarms Husky I have had.  You'd be hard pressed to accidentally drop the mag as its release is in front of the mag.  Feeds all 4 rounds like a dream.  I'm sold on the 7'08, I load it down for my kids, 120 grain @ 2650, and a 140 grain @ 2850 for me.  You can load hotter, but I haven't the need. Dropped a 3 x 3 (8 point eastern count) whitetail at just shy of 450 yards opening weekend.  Load a 160 partition for bear and you'll not be under gunned! I'd gladly trade my stainless synthetic model 7 with a second stock cut to youth size for a micro x-bolt.  Totally different class of rifle IMHO.

[duckman nale]

i have the x bolt medallion in 270 win the mag is smooth feeding and the accuracy is amazing i would go with the 7mm-08 it a flat shootin caliber