Browning X-Bolt in 223, worth considering?

[slider]

every bit as good as the tikka, i have had one in .270 since new 7 years ago. I lookes at the t3but prefered the x bolt. No regrets

 

[slider]

When was the change over? Easy to spot the difference? I am not sure which he has.

8 0r 9 years ago

 

[slider]

My only issue with the x bolt is the trigger. I shoot with the trigger at 2lb. I think like most American rifles you will be looking at 3 to 3.5lbs. If you are happy with that then good to go.
I would buy the tika, because of the trigger.

horses for courses, t3 is too light imho

 

[kenbro]

Not many aftermarket ‘bits’ about for X Bolts if that mattters to you.
Ken.

 

[VonBlitz]

Not many aftermarket ‘bits’ about for X Bolts if that mattters to you.
Ken.

Scopes, Bipods and slings are all I buy. I don't go for tacticool and so on.

 

[MarinePMI]

Browning X-bolts are nice. They tend to be fairly accurate, and the higher grade ones have some nice wood stocks. Triggers are decent, but not stellar.

Now the bad news...

Not much aftermarket support, largely because they really don't need much out of the box (maybe a trigger grade?), but also because they just aren't that popular here compared to Tikkas, Howas and (egads) Savages.

Rebarreling one is...a chore. Getting the barrel off is the first chore (try finding an action wrench for a Browning Micro-medallion!; Medallions were the predecessor to the Xbolt, but share the same receiver). Then there is the breech face. If it's like the Hornet one I have, they have a protruding half circle on the breech face that mates to the bolt face. Part of the extraction design. Then there's the oddball tpi threading (I forget off the top of my head, but I recall it being a strange one; not the standard 16tpi V thread)

Replacement parts can be scarce at times.

And (again) I'm not sure if they still use that internally mounted magazine that attaches to the inside of the floor plate or not. I know the Hornet does/did.

Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful rifles, that come to the shoulder well, and are accurate enough. But they can be a bit of an odd duck if you intend, or need, to do anything extra to them.

 

[8x57]

And (again) I'm not sure if they still use that internally mounted magazine that attaches to the inside of the floor plate or not. I know the Hornet does/did.

You're thinking of the A-Bolt where the steel detachable magazine snaps into a hinged floorplate. The X-Bolt has a totally detachable polymer magazine that simply falls away when released.

 

[Ttocs]

Can you get your hands on a Mauser M18? I’ve got one in 243W and I’m very impressed. I have Tikka and Sako which are great but, for the money, the Mauser gets a big thumbs up from me - it has a very nice crisp trigger, double stack mag, comes to the shoulder nicely, is light weight and unbelievably accurate.
I busy working up a load with 58gr VMax - I’ve settled on a load that put 4 rounds through a single 7mm hole at 100 yards; the groups .1gr either side were both less than 1/4” - I still can’t quite believe it for a “bargain basement” factory rifle.
Definitely with a look in 223
N

 

[Danny25790]

I've got a browning x-bolt eclipse, stainless, fluted in .243 and It's probably one of my favourite rifles that I've owned

 

[VonBlitz]

Hello everyone that contributed, today I ordered a Tikka T3x Lite stainless from my local RFD with a Stalon moderator. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Taff]

X bolt is a nicer rifle than the Tikka, the trigger spring is replaceable brings it down to 2lbs , as to more after market parts for tikkas that’s because you need them to make a decent rifle

 

[Doric]

So as many of you know my rifle died.

I had my eye on a Tikka T3x lite stainless. But stock is an issue now and it looks like I would be waiting into April for a rifle. Lambs come soon and my shooting is focused around protecting them.

My local RFD holds stock of a Browning X-Bolt. What are they like? Worth considering?

I did hold one before and it was very light and the stock felt very hollow.

How does it compare to a Tikka? Should I wait?

The Xbolt is a fine rifle, I have the stainless fluted in 243. Very accurate, very light, well finnished and a lovely synthetic stock. My only complaint is the not so feather trigger. Lowest pull weight was just over 3 lb which for me is way to heavy. I fitted a jard unit and adjusted the pull weight to under 2lb. Very happy with it now. So the answer to your question is yes the Xbolt is an excellent choise.

 

[neillfrbs]

got rid of my tikka t3 in 223 ,and brought a xbolt stainless stalker fluted barrel ,lovely accurate rifle and feels really nice in your hands .tikka big bulky thing .