Local Sportsmans warehouse had a sale on the Browning X Bolt Max long range .I shot another shooters max at the range,his was 6.5 Creedmoor. I hit a bullseye easily. So I bought one ,with book accuracy loads and using powders that other shooters are saying is the stuff. Hornady 140gr ELD and Sierra 150gr MK I found I could place 5 shots within a 5" circle at 100 yds and that was the best with VLD and about 3" with Hornady ELD . I seated bullets to book recommendations for both bullets . The sierra bullet is a VLD so it was just a few thousands off the lands . My Savage A17 shoots better at a 100yds than this rifle !Gunsmith thinks it's the poor factory bedding. Another shooter has the more expensive X bolt long range in a Carbon stock and he's getting same results . He places the action in another stock that was known for 1/2 MOA and he said its decreased the groups sizes marginally ,he notices it was a few 3 shot groups spread in a larger circle ,so it was a wandering zero ??? Browning doesn't guarantee MOA with this gun . Do you think a new bbl would fix this ?
Browning X Bolt Max long range 6.5 prc
- Thread starter Worker
- Start date
This is MY OPINION..... I've only worked with a few X-Bolts........ but my short answer is NO, they are neither an accurate nor an easily upgraded platform.
Browning X bolt Max long range 6.5 PRC
But why is that ? Most people say their X bolts are awesome . But a few of us think we bought lemons . Do their actions need truing ? What about placing the rifle in a chassis ? I'm talking with a guy that has a carbon fiber Xbolt long range in same caliber and he's having the same problem,but his dad has a different model X bolt and its producing 1/2 MOA ! Were living in the 21st century ,how is it this problem can't be identified ?
But why is that ? Most people say their X bolts are awesome . But a few of us think we bought lemons . Do their actions need truing ? What about placing the rifle in a chassis ? I'm talking with a guy that has a carbon fiber Xbolt long range in same caliber and he's having the same problem,but his dad has a different model X bolt and its producing 1/2 MOA ! Were living in the 21st century ,how is it this problem can't be identified ?
I didn't say that.
It has all sorts of issues, it's just been ruled as bad form to point them out so instead of "badmouthing Browning" I'll just say that I recently bought a dollar-2.98 (Mossberg? Marlin?) from some chain store only because it looked like it WAS built for accuracy..... and it easily aggs quarter minnit with a Shilen barrel
Browning X bolt Max long range 6.5 PRC
Ok I just got off the phone with Browning tech guy. He said they shoot at 50yds. Also that most of the time the problem with my specific model is the bedding,the crown and a good scrubbing of the bbl. I installed an aftermarket trigger spring and they said they will not shoot it with any aftermarket parts for safety reasons,but would install a factory spring to bring it back up to specs and charge me for the installation of factory trigger spring, and then test fire with factory loads at 50yds. They said they had another exact rifle in and examined it,shot factory ammo and produced a 3 shot group that a quarter would fit over . The tech I spoke with was very helpful and I'm glad I called. If they said a 3 shot group at 50yds covered by a dime that's acceptable ,but a quarter at 50yds "No way".He was ready to give me a shipping label at no cost. But factory trigger was to heavy and aftermarket trigger made it just right. So having to remove they're trigger and re-order and reinstall my aftermarket in it again is a hassle and costly. My gunsmith will do all that plus do a chamber cast and test fire because I'm a regular customer his prices will be reasonable.
Ok I just got off the phone with Browning tech guy. He said they shoot at 50yds. Also that most of the time the problem with my specific model is the bedding,the crown and a good scrubbing of the bbl. I installed an aftermarket trigger spring and they said they will not shoot it with any aftermarket parts for safety reasons,but would install a factory spring to bring it back up to specs and charge me for the installation of factory trigger spring, and then test fire with factory loads at 50yds. They said they had another exact rifle in and examined it,shot factory ammo and produced a 3 shot group that a quarter would fit over . The tech I spoke with was very helpful and I'm glad I called. If they said a 3 shot group at 50yds covered by a dime that's acceptable ,but a quarter at 50yds "No way".He was ready to give me a shipping label at no cost. But factory trigger was to heavy and aftermarket trigger made it just right. So having to remove they're trigger and re-order and reinstall my aftermarket in it again is a hassle and costly. My gunsmith will do all that plus do a chamber cast and test fire because I'm a regular customer his prices will be reasonable.
mike cockcroft
New member
ship it back and ask for a full refund. problem solved
maybe if you cry long and hard enough
ask why a rifle marketed as long range is tested as satisfactory at 50 yards ??
pure marketing bs to claim 3 shots as "small"
make noise and they may refund
ask why a rifle marketed as long range is tested as satisfactory at 50 yards ??
pure marketing bs to claim 3 shots as "small"
make noise and they may refund
Browning X bolt Max long range 6.5 PRC
Yes you were right,rifle had all sorts of issues. Its history now. Now I have a Bergara Premier Ridgeback ,this rifle is a beautiful piece of engineering ,plus comes with a sub MOA guarantee .
Yes you were right,rifle had all sorts of issues. Its history now. Now I have a Bergara Premier Ridgeback ,this rifle is a beautiful piece of engineering ,plus comes with a sub MOA guarantee .
