Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Dekker on October 30, 2010, 09:13:02 AM
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Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying a Browning X-Bolt and wondered if anyone has any thoughts on this rifle. Is there a better option around the same price (or a little more like a Sako85)? Also, I'm having trouble deciding on a caliber (7mag, 7wsm, 300mag or 300wsm). Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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-Browning X in 300wsm and you have arguably the best meathammer made! :twocents:
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I would check out the TC Icon weathershield.I just picked up a new one for 500.00 after the 150.00 rebate and they shoot moa or they don't leave the factory. Shot mine for the first time last week and it shot 150s and 165s all under an inch. Tikkas also have a good rep for being accurate as do the new wincheter mdl 70s built by fn in south carolina. Weatherby vanguard submoa is another option. The browning is a good gun but they are not all moa shooters so you take a gamble when you buy one and if your isn't your stuck with it.
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Dekker, I think it would be hard to go wrong with any of the cal's you listed! They are all great! It may help to read a Nosler, Hornaday, or any reloading book to help compare the 4 cartridges you have narrowed it down to. As far as the Browning x bolt, it is hard to beat and you will like it! Let us know what you picked!
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I just bought one in 270 WSM. It has similar ballistics to the 7 WSM with a bit less recoil and a slightly greater factory ammo availability.
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Great stuff guys! I will definitely check out the T/C and look through my reloading data. I'm leaning towards the 7mag right now. I will be using it mainly as a long range deer rifle and an elk gun every so often. I had some concerns about the wsm's causing barrel damage after 1000 or so rounds because of the case design. I don't quite understand the thought here so maybe someone could help me out. I have read that they could do damage to the "throat" of the barrel.
thanks for all the great input,
Dekker
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I've been looking for a new rifle kinda. If I where to go out and buy one today it would be the Browning in 7mm mag.
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I have an Abolt that is Golden.....its just an 06'...but I can still whack deer or elk at long range. Of the calibers you listed, I'd go 7 or 300 short, but...I have not read about the reduced barrel longevity. I'd find out more about that...is it true??? If so, yeah, either of the others would work great! (as would the 06 or 308)
:IBCOOL:
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Unless you shoot A LOT, don't worry about barrel life. Most hunters will never shoot enough to cause a loss of accuracy, and for those that do, few would notice.
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I just got the sythetic stainless X-Bolt 7 Mag about a month ago. I put a vx3 3.5 x 10 on it and it is sweeeet! Awesome rifle!!
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If I were in the market for a new rifle, I would not consider anything but the X-Bolt. I have 2 A-Bolts (.243 & .300 WM) that are absolute tack drivers.
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I'm saving to buy a x bolt stainless stalker in 300 wsm by next season.
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Thanks guys. That is exactly what I wanted to hear. I will let you know how it shoots when I pick one up.
Dekker
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Go with a-bolt in .300wm. Easier ammo to find if you dont reload and being .30 cal alot more options for grains than the short mag. the short mag doesnt offer too much more than the wm as of performance but other options in the availability, grains and price. >300wm is my choice!
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I'm saving up to buy an X bolt in 338. I have the a bolt and I love it.
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Just checked the X-Bolt out...sure is good looking! Going to have to add it to my list of possibilities for my next rifle...seems like so long as my wife says it's "pretty" then it's okay to get :IBCOOL:
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I have one in 300WSM. I Have yet to take it hunting but have shot some rounds through it and it does nice. Contemplated selling it. Already have another 300WSM that I just can't seem to keep my hands off.
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My son got the 325wsm X-bolt when he was 14. Its a very light and small frame gun which is nice ( unless you like a larger gun ) The trigger is adjustable. It did not like the nosler custom ammo but shoots the Winchester XPS stuff fine. The trigger was not as good as we hoped for - not near as good as the Timney's on our other rifles. It also kicks pretty good - with a wood stock it kicks about the same as a 300 or 338 with a synthetic stock due to its light weight. The safety is nice - two position with a 3rd button to open the bolt leaving it on safe. The clip is great for kids and road hunting. Jump out, pop it in and 3 rounds ready to rock.
Once we get the trigger dialed in I think it will be a good gun. My son dropped his cow moose with it like a rock ( not too hard to do).
Has a Cabelas 4-20 scope on it but the reticles are pretty coarse and the dots end at 500 yrds - he misses his Shepherd Scope.
He's looking at moving to a .338-378 for elk as he wants a bigger frame rifle and a new trigger and a turret scope now that the new more affordable Leica rangefinders are out.
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I have one in 300WSM. I Have yet to take it hunting but have shot some rounds through it and it does nice. Contemplated selling it. Already have another 300WSM that I just can't seem to keep my hands off.
If you do decide to sell that...hope to see it in the classifieds here! ;)
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Once we get the trigger dialed in I think it will be a good gun.
You might check this out: http://www.erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i136.html (http://www.erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i136.html)
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Brownings are cheap jap made potmetal that looks like a pimp designed them.
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Not a bad idea sensai, see if I can get one with a gold stock.
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Brownings are cheap jap made potmetal that looks like a pimp designed them.
Is that so?
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Once we get the trigger dialed in I think it will be a good gun.
You might check this out: http://www.erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i136.html (http://www.erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i136.html)
Thank ! I'm going to try it.
