With the X-Bolt entering its fourth year of production, and an A-Bolt III on the way, I got to thinking about how well Browning introduces major innovation in a very subtle way. The notion dawned on me when I had both an A-Bolt and X-Bolt on the shooting bench. On cursory examination, both rifle appear very similar, but shooting one, then the other, they felt different. Taking a closer look, it became apparent that while they are both distinctly Browning, they are quite different firearms.
The Browning X-Bolt (top) differentiates itself from the A-Bolt in a number of ways. (1) The X-Bolt’s bolt shroud and sear are shorter; more compact and reduced weight means faster lock time and improved accuracy. (2) The X-Bolt’s bolt release button unlocks the bolt to facilitate loading/unloading with the safety “On” position. (3) The X-Bolt’s receiver is approximately 0.175″ more narrow and 0.200″ lower at the aft receiver ring; lighter weight and a scope is located closer to the bore centerline. There is a more natural alignment of a shooter’s line of sight to a scope’s optical centerline for reduced incidence of parallax error and the reduced angle of incidence between optical and bore centerline means no exaggerated scope increments of adjustment.
The X-Bolt, like the A-Bolt, has three locking lugs at the bolt head, which result in a shallow 60º lift; relatively short throw and good large eyepiece scope clearance. The X-Bolt lug radius is actually a little larger than the A-Bolt; 0.875″ compared to 0.870″. The X-Bolt’s bolt body is approximately 0.700″ in diameter with three full length scallop cut flutes. The A-Bolt’s bolt body is 0.840″ in diameter with three evenly spaced 0.450″ longitudinal grooves. Since the bulk of pressure and bolt thrust is borne by the lugs, not the bolt body, the result of the X-Bolt changes is loss of weight and no loss of strength. The flutes, like the grooves on the A-Bolt cut surface friction and make for lighter, smoother bolt travel. The X-Bolt has a larger and longer extractor that fits between two lugs for increased strength and leverage. The A-Bolt’s extractor is embedded on one of the lugs and has a more narrow rim gripping surface.
Consistent accuracy is assured with a full floating barrel and action glass bedded from recoil lug to tang. The interior of the stock is as sealed as the outside to reduce the effect of humidity on the walnut. The X-Bolt action is round bottomed for strength and even mounting pressure.
The X-Bolt Feather Trigger is modular in construction. It has a rigid aluminum housing, hard chromed moving parts with highly polished contact surfaces. The three lever geometry yields consistent feel and operation. Adjustment range is 3 – 5 lbs and the trigger is creep free, crisp on release, minimal in take up and overtravel.
I do not miss the second sear staging that some manufacturers have adopted with setting levers or embedded levers in the face of the trigger. They seem like a design afterthought and a less then elegant implementation of a single set trigger. Besides, I can’t think of a hunting situation that requires trigger pull measured as a handful of ounces.
Unlike the A-Bolt’s hinged floor plate feature, the X-Bolt has a detachable magazine. Both types hold three rounds of 300 Winchester Magnum ammo, but the detachable version permits preloading spare magazines with different or same type ammo for faster changeover or reloading. The detachable magazine is rotary type, meaning as rounds are loaded in they rotate down and around to maximize magazine volume and the top round is always centered for the most reliable feed.
The Inflex Technology Recoil Pad Is interesting in function. It provides a soft cushion to dampen felt recoil, but it also provides directional deflection by pulling the comb slightly away from a shooter’s face under recoil. A little bit like the effects of castoff. It also has a well thought out non-slip surface that won’t hang up on clothing.
The X-Bolt Hunter has a 13 5/8″ pull, which is about standard these days and a good length for rifles with an attention getting about of recoil. Drop is only 11/16th” at the comb and 1/2″ at the heel; all excellent geometry for a scoped rifle. Overall length is 46 3/4″, longish, but not considering the 26″ barrel.
The X-Lock™ Scope Mounting System is an interesting design and one that is appropriate as optics grow larger and heavier and their mass works against scope rings and bases. The use of four fasteners per base spreads the contact footprint between base and receiver and adds additional resistance to torsional and longitudinal forces.
Securely mounted optics are essential for accuracy and precision on any rifle. To ensure the new X-Bolt has the most stable scope mounting system possible, the X-Lock mounts feature an all new four screw per base design that replaces the traditional two screw system. The benefits are obvious, with the bases being secured at all four corners, rather than only attached at the center of the base for more accurate placement on the receiver. Bases are widely available for Leupold type rotary dovetail and Weaver type rings through brick and mortar and online retailers.
The encapsulated Browning X-Bolt
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The Browning X-Bolt Hunter has a very pleasant traditional, almost European appearance. The walnut is on the dark side, the laser cut checkering is dense and clean. The forearm is a… slender sporter type and comfortable when shooting from the bench or any field position.
Walnut is warm. Even on a -5ºF shooting day, my hands didn’t stick to the stock and the checkering didn’t grate on my hands even under recoil. I appreciate the selection of low luster bluing that didn’t shine like a mirror. The proportions of the stock and its geometry presented a comfortable hold.
Recoil… This particular rifle is a 300 Winchester Magnum and the rifle came in at 8 lbs with the Bushnell 6500 Elite scope. Recoil was brisk with very authoritative report and it should be. If you pay for a magnum, you expect some additional recoil to accompany the additional power as dictated by the laws of physics, but it certainly isn’t severe or unmanageable. The recoil pad is outstanding.
Feed is slick, loading a round or just cycling the bolt. The magazine is easy to load and not finicky in the least. Empties are ejected away from the shooter at a good distance, but not so far as to lose valuable brass in the grass or snow. Line of sight with medium height rings is excellent, with lots of support at the cheek and no craning of the neck required. All that is required now is to clock some rounds and see what sort of accuracy can be expected. We’ll be back with Part 2, shortly.
Browning’s X-Bolt Hunter in 300 Winchester Magnum Part 1
Browning’s X-Bolt Hunter in 300 Winchester Magnum Part 2
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