Winchester's XPR Bolt Action Rifle Part 1

Folks who spend time around Browning and Winchester products in recent times will probably noticed a couple of things regarding the Winchester XPR bolt action rifle. The first is that it is stamped as manufactured in Browning’s Viana, Portugal facility rather than as “Assembled in Portugal”. The second is that the XPR bares a striking similarity to the Browning AB3 sans the scalloped receiver and tang safety… All good, just information.

The Winchester M.O.A. trigger operates with increased mechanical advantage, an intermediate actuator to shorten stroke, polished hardened parts, and coil springs to preload the trigger assembly. The result is a light trigger with no take-up, no creep and no over travel. The assembly is adjustable, however, it is preset at the factory to 3.5 Lbs. The M.O.A. trigger is also a very safe trigger. The trigger piece is physically moved away from the actuator when the safety is engaged.

The XPR has a quick detachable self centering box magazine. Capacity is three rounds for both magnum and standard cartridges. The lines of the rifle are angular, but aesthetically pleasing. The forearm is flat bottomed, which makes for a steady and less cant. The gripping surfaces are properly placed and offer a high degree of traction. The proportions are typical for a full size sporter, the drop at comb and heel are modest to facilitate use with a scope.

The XPR’s receiver is machined from a solid chromoly billet. The barrel is made of the same material and button rifled and secured to the receiver with a barrel nut for precise headspace setting. I think Winchester made a good call when they selected a 26″ barrel for the 300 Winchester Magnum XPR. The little bit of barrel length tacks on 100-150 fps, which is meaningful at typical bullet weights; an edge in range and terminal kinetic energy.

The action in secured to the composite stock at two points on pillar bedding. A slot at the front of the Winchester XPR’s action is keyed to a steel insert in the stock that prevents the action from twisting in the stock and acts as reinforcement against fore and aft movement. The barrel floats in the stock.

The full diameter bolt body, the same diameter as the three locking lugs, is made from one piece bar stock and coated with Nickel Teflon for smooth operation and resistance to corrosion. The extractor is a spring loaded slide type, a cartridge case head is recessed into the bolt’s face. The 3 lug configuration keeps bolt lift to a shallow 60º which means plenty of scope clearance.

The XPR comes apart easily for cleaning and maintenance. Two socket head screws hold everything together. The trigger guard is a one piece insert that clamps the barreled action to the stock and holds the magazine catch mechanism.

The stock has lots of internal reinforcement, the external score lines add rigidity and the Inflex pad eats up recoil from the big 300 Winchester Mag. it is a very clean look, one that will hold up over time.

The all around hunting rifle

Having an all around hunting rifle pretty much depends on where you are geographically and what type of game you intend to encounter and “encounter” is an important word. A 223 Remington may well be enough cartridge to hunt 80 – 120 pound black tail deer, but if a 1,100 pound brown bear stops in to congratulate you on your kill, the 223 Remington may not be your best friend. A 300 Winchester Magnum or a 338 Winchester Magnum may be a prudent selection with a life saving margin of safety in exchange for a bit of cost, noise and recoil. Deer, moose or black bear hunting in Maine, where distance might be very short or long, but there is no threat of a 1,100 pound bear, a 270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield would prove to be more than adequate.

In this instance, the 300 Winchester Magnum, pictured left next to the smaller 30-06 Springfield, was selected because of the value found in this package. It is an all weather, durable, powerful, good looking firearm that can serve a hunter anywhere in the Americas. Light loaded for medium size game, heavy loaded for the biggest game, and able to cover distances short and long, it is a rifle that would be at home in many places. Ammunition is readily available, handload components, the same. The round is known for accuracy and Winchester is known for quality. I am sure there are many who would say the same applies for the 270 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield versions as well.

The Winchester XPR is not alone in the market place. There is the Browning AB3, Mossberg Patriot, Remington Model 783, Ruger American, Savage Axis, and Thompson Center Venture that fall into the $449 – $599 MSRP price range, but quality and company customer service within this group varies significantly, as does firearm accuracy and reliability. The Winchester XPR is a nicely made firearm, right down to the details. The XPR is one of the few value priced rifles that does not appear to be punishing the customer for not buying a more expensive product within a manufacturers line up. It appears to be a rifle for the modern hunter who wants a good shooter that won’t fall apart when used in environmental extremes, but has no interest in buying a legacy firearm for generations to come, which means a willingness to forego fancy walnut and spit shined bluing.

We’ll wrap up in Part 2 with accuracy and live fire performance information and some concluding comments on the rifle’s personality.

Winchester’s XPR Bolt Action Rifle Part 1
Winchester’s XPR Bolt Action Rifle Part 2