Browning's X-Bolt Micro Midas

Browning has always been a solid manufacturer of classic rifles, shot guns and handguns that works diligently to meet the needs of customers. Subsequently, they offer many model variations within each of their product lines, each refined to fit a more specific application. The Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas is one of these shooter tailored models.

Browning indicates that the X-Bolt Micro Midas is for small stature shooters, youth and women, as well as anyone seeking a compact and lightweight firearm. The Micro Midas length of pull is the shortest of Browning rifles tagged as “Micro”. Other compacts, such as the X-Bolt Micro Hunter, have a 13 5/16″ length of pull, which is just a tad over a 1/4″ shorter than standard length.

The Micro Midas theme of full featured, compact and short pull length firearms carries through to shotguns: Citori Micro Midas Satin Hunter, Silver Hunter Micro Midas, BT-99 Micro Midas and BPS Micro Midas and to the BL-22 Micro Midas 22 rim fire lever action rifle. Within descending pull length context, Browning firearms are labeled standard, micro and micro Midas.

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Sure, I thought the same thing and, apparently, so did Browning. Browning has a nifty Growth Insurance Program where folks who purchase Micro and Micro Midas firearms during the run of the program can receive a 50% discount on a retail price of a full size replacement stock at a later date. I took a quick list at the bolt action parts retail price list and it looks like between $150 and $175 will covert a rifle from compact to full size under this program. Please check the promotion section of the Browning web site for full details of terms & conditions.

Lots of nifty features… Yeah, that’s right, “Nifty”

The Browning Micro Midas is not a low end product… more of a moderate priced product with a lot of high end features. The metal parts have a low luster polished blued finish so they are non-reflective surfaces that wipe down easily but look well finished. The walnut stock has a lot of figure and a satin finish so it also doesn’t reflect hard light and it doesn’t mar easily.

When the striker assembly is cocked, a small tab with red hash marks projects beneath the bolt shroud. It is a good visual and/or tactile reminder.

The bolt unlock system is pretty nifty. If the rifle is cocked, and the safety is on, removing the gun’s magazine and depressing the Bolt Unlock Button will allow the bolt to be cycled to empty the gun’s chamber.

While all of these features are useful for all of us, they are particularly useful while safely training an inexperienced shooter; reliable operation, easy loading and lots of safety indicators.

Is it “Dee-tachable” or “Da-tachachable”?

 

The X-Bolt has a detachable magazine that holds 4 rounds of .308 Winchester, which permits preloading spare magazines with different or same types 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 reliable feed.

With the stock removed…

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.

All those ex’s aren’t in Texas… Sorry George

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.

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 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. The surface is nonslip but it doesn’t grab at clothing. The use of a substantial recoil pad is appropriate.

While its true that the Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas is compact and very lightweight, it is chambered for the 308 Winchester, a round that is a proven big game cartridge, a cartridge Maine moose hunters use with frequency. Because of the rifle’s light weight, it generates approximately 22 ft-lbs of recoil with 150 grain performance ammo.

So what can the Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas do?

Hornady 150 grain SST Superformance is listed by Hornady as having a muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps as measured with a 24″ test barrel. Checked with a chronograph, the round produced 2,915 fps of muzzle velocity even out of the Browning’s 20″ barrel. Down range performance, out to at least 400 yards is as much as anyone needs for anything but the largest and most dangerous game.

A hunter armed with this compact rifle isn’t going to have to deal with rainbow trajectory or a lack of power at a distance. Plopping three shots into an MOA or sub-MOA group with factory ammunition was an easy routine and consistent with an X-Bolt Hunter we had in earlier in the year. An excellent compact firearm at a more than reasonable price. For further information on the X-Bolt Micro Midas and other excellent products, stop by the Browning site.