Browning x bolt 223 accuracy issue's.

[Tikka_prs]

Looking for suggestions on what to try next on a friend's 223 X Bolt. It just doesn't seem to want to shoot accurately. We have tried Hornady, Norma and Nato ammo through it. He has put a lighter trigger spring in it. I made sure the barrel was completely free floating and fitted a cheek riser to try and help with a consistent cheek weld. He bought it with a very small Hausken moderator which isn't very quiet compared to trying my wildcat evolution on it. The groups tightened up a bit with the wildcat on it but was still just over 1 inch at 100 yards. I don't think thats quite acceptable with a brand new rifle or am I being a bit optimistic?

 

[andyk]

what's the bullet weight? Most of the NATO stuff is quite heavy which might explain poor groups as, if it's like my .223 X-bolt, it will have a 1:12 twist (so good up to 55-60gr depending on whether they're long or stubby bullets).

Mine manages about 0.5"-0.75" @ 100m with 5 shots using handloads but where I shoot is windy, so I wouldn't be surprised if it could do better somewhere calmer. I've been using 50-55gr bullets and haven't had an issue with the twist rate.

I'd expect it to do better but it may be a case of finding a bullet it likes.

 

[Tikka_prs]

It has a 1-8 twist barrel.

 

[Bear1cat]

Have you made sure everything is tightened properly?
Action snug in stock and correctly torqued.
Bases tight and rings tight.
Then try a different scope in case that is knackered.

 

[Muir]

Try bedding the first three inches of the barrel channel ahead of the action. Full contact.
How many rounds does this brand new rifle have through it so far?? ~Muir

 

[MACKY]

Not a .223 but I had the same issue with an X- bolt in .270.
It took me weeks to get it to shoot. Finally found out it liked Federal ammo and had to clean the barrel every 20 or so shots.

 

[Sampo]

Had the same issue with my xbolt in .308. With the longer bullets in a shorter barrel with a high twist rate, it wasn't stabilising. Finally it was found to be bullet length than weight. Started using shorter bullet heads and it stabilised.

Use the tool to check if your bullet is stabilising -Bullet Stability with your barrel length, twist rate, bullet length, weight etc.

 

[8x57]

If as stated it's a brand new rifle resist any temptation to try and resolve any perceived issues yourself. Test it with Winchester ammunition which is the brand recommended by Browning (same company) if it still doesn't shoot to a satisfactory standard take it back to where you bought it from, reject it and get it replaced.

P.S. I'm fairly sure that Browning have some sort of guaranteed accuracy mentioned in their sales pitch when using Winchester ammunition. I've tested Winchester Varmint X ammunition on a try day with the NGO a few years ago and it shot superbly in every rifle used.

 

[Cyres]

In that case if it is 1:8 it is highly unlikely to shoot accurately with anything under 60 grn. Bullet of choice wouid be 69 gn TMK. Whilst designated a match bullet it is
very effective on vermin and foxs, acts more like a V max or Blitz king. My 1:8 would only shoot hand loaded 60 gn v max with any degree of accuracy but when the 69 TMK arrived it was a game changer. It should shoot sub MOA with correct bullet.
D

 

[Muir]

In that case if it is 1:8 it is highly unlikely to shoot accurately with anything under 60 grn. Bullet of choice wouid be 69 gn TMK. Whilst designated a match bullet it is
very effective on vermin and foxs, acts more like a V max or Blitz king. My 1:8 would only shoot hand loaded 60 gn v max with any degree of accuracy but when the 69 TMK arrived it was a game changer. It should shoot sub MOA with correct bullet.
D

I have several 1-8 guns that shoot Nosler 50 grain BTs quite well when seated to the Nosler recommended OAL.~Muir

 

[Coddy]

It has a 1-8 twist barrel.

Is it definately 1-8?
I had a .223 X Bolt but it was 1-10.
I bought 55gr Sako Gameheads for it and they would not group.
Changed to 50gr Norma V Max and they were ok.
Got rid of the gun though not long after.

 

[Hales Smut]

The Browning's I had and shot the last 10-20 years were all accurate.
Like 8x57 suggests, maybe try Winchester ammo and RWS 55gr TMS is mostly O.K.
Just over an inch is not "that" bad.
Same result with different shooters ?

 

[Tulloch]

the quality control on Browning are 1 MOA so expect that , it might be worth tying reloading I know it was the only way I could find out what was wrong with my .243 , I found with the 1-10 twist that it needed a flat back bullet if using higher grain weights such as 100gr, now mine shoots sub quarter MOA verytime with 100gr prohunter.

The lighter trigger does help a lot, but I think the rifle is needing to find its sweet load . what length is the barrel?

try cheaper ammo also and a mix of ammo one will work .

 

[Sampo]

the quality control on Browning are 1 MOA so expect that , it might be worth tying reloading I know it was the only way I could find out what was wrong with my .243 , I found with the 1-10 twist that it needed a flat back bullet if using higher grain weights such as 100gr, now mine shoots sub quarter MOA verytime with 100gr prohunter.

The lighter trigger does help a lot, but I think the rifle is needing to find its sweet load . what length is the barrel?

try cheaper ammo also and a mix of ammo one will work .

I second that, same issue with me but on .308. Was in depair with the factory rounds as they had longer BT bullet heads and switching to shorter flat back bullets made an unbelievable difference. The longer bullets weren't stabilising in my shorter barrel with a 1:13 twist.

 

[James0586]

I have an xbolt in a 6.5x55 and have never had any issues with its accuracy. As said above it is a 1MOA rifle... take it back to the Gunshop and ask the question I would. It should be Covered by warranty.

 

[maxtheflyinghorse]

My .223 a Winchester mod 70 has 1:12 twist I’ve been using 55gr factory loads but they don’t group that great. So I’m waiting for the shops to open and try some 50gr. Any one got any experience with 1:12 twist barrels ?