Browning X bolt experience?

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah theres a couple companies that claim their rifles are bedded. Browning has always been one of them. But when you look at it, you notice the work is complete garbage compared to what most experienced shooters and rifle smiths would consider a good bedding job. Good luck josh.

 

[joshb]

Re-beded the Browning, this morning. She's going to the range on Saturday.. Along with the Swedish Mauser. We'll see if the Browning can outshoot a 75 year old military collectable! Just might have a "Story" for Guns and Ammo.

 

[joshb]

So glad this thread was posted ! Hope your next report is about you turning it into a tac driver.

.........without spending a ton of money!😉

 

[K22]

Yeah theres a couple companies that claim their rifles are bedded. Browning has always been one of them. But when you look at it, you notice the work is complete garbage compared to what most experienced shooters and rifle smiths would consider a good bedding job. Good luck josh.

Yep, it's a poor job at best - mine looks like someone spread peanut butter on the stock and called it bedding. A good start would be to remove this junk and pillar bed the action leaving the barrel free floated.

 

[joshb]

Took the Browning out to the range, today. Results: Crap. Crap. Crap. More crap, and crap, again. Think I have an action screw torque problem now. Set both at 40 in. Lbs. Left tools at home. Big mistake. Shot a bunch of 4-5 in. Groups.

 

[stacy]

START AT 20 IN/LB ON THE ACTION SCREWS GO UP ONLY ON THE FRONT ACTION SCREW THATS WORKED THE BEST FOR ME GOOD LUCK

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Took the Browning out to the range, today. Results: Crap. Crap. Crap. More crap, and crap, again. Think I have an action screw torque problem now. Set both at 40 in. Lbs. Left tools at home. Big mistake. Shot a bunch of 4-5 in. Groups.

That sucks. Send it to Browning, rebarrel, or sell I suppose.

 

[eww1350]

I bought an X bolt Varmint Special in .223. Stainless with laminate stock. 1/9 twist. Has any one owned one? Mine won't shoot under an inch at 100. I've tried various powders and bullets. I think I have a bum barrel. My question is about the action. Would it be good for a rebarrel or not worth the effort and expense?

Josh...if you are using junk brass (like bulk military or range pick-ups) you will never get it to shoot...buy some quality brass and look up a most popular load for the caliber and twist you are shooting and go try again....BRASS quality can make a HUGH difference..

 

[joshb]

START AT 20 IN/LB ON THE ACTION SCREWS GO UP ONLY ON THE FRONT ACTION SCREW THATS WORKED THE BEST FOR ME GOOD LUCK

Thanks for that info. I did a "quick search" for the torque values when I put it back together and ran with that. I have since read a lot of info on differing techniques. Yours sounded like a few others, and promising.

Brass: I've been using a batch of Remington and PMC once fired. Might get some Lapua if I get it moving in the right direction.

Sell? Not in good conscience, now.

New barrel by good smith: last resort. Besides, if this action is this sensitive, would it be a smart thing to do a new barrel?

I've got my teeth into this one. Gonna figure it out, if I can. Heck, I did load workup for an old Savage 110v 223 and can get some 1/2 in groups out of that gun.😳 i don't mind a good challenge. It' a learning experience. I'm retired and have some time.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Glad to hear you say that actually. Thats the way i am. ive never given up on a rifle. I'll make a gun shoot one way or the other. Every gun has preferred recipes. Unfortunately some guns have very few recipes and they can be hard to find. Keep us posted if you find it. Good luck

 

[joshb]

I have a few guns like this. I pull them out and try to get them to shoot. I picked up some extra .223s, for when I take new shooters or kids out to the range. Not wanting to pay for customs for that group. I have a few guns, I haven't shot yet that are future projects. Nice to have something else to work on while my main gun cools down.

 

[Ironworker]

I think my Browning X Bolt Max long range is a lemon . Did you JoshB discover and fix the problem ? My X bolt is being examined at the gunsmith now.

 

[Bc'z]

I think my Browning X Bolt Max long range is a lemon . Did you JoshB discover and fix the problem ? My X bolt is being examined at the gunsmith now.

I'm curious also.
It might be a few days before @joshb responds, he's driving to his new homestead.

 

[Ironworker]

I'm curious also.
It might be a few days before @joshb responds, he's driving to his new homestead.

He responded He said " Hey! No. I haven’t fixed it yet. I played with it again, last year. I rebedded the action and did some more load work. The results weren’t much better so I put it away. I’ll try again next summer. It’s my “project gun”!

 

[joshb]

I'm curious also.
It might be a few days before @joshb responds, he's driving to his new homestead.

Shhh! Don’t tip off the coppers! Wytheville, this morning. Going for Memphis, today. Dang wife and dogs “gotta pee” and think that stopping for lunch is a necessity! I shoulda put’em on a plane!

 

[Ironworker]

Shhh! Don’t tip off the coppers! Wytheville, this morning. Going for Memphis, today. Dang wife and dogs “gotta pee” and think that stopping for lunch is a necessity! I shoulda put’em on a plane!

Just curious where ya moving to ?

 

[Tommie]

You’d think that gold trigger would make it shoot great.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

If you fellas like Tikka, you should try out the Sako A7. Its the next step up that fills the price gap between Tikka and the real nice Sako $1500-$2000 rifles. The A7 is all around a better action than the Tikka in my opinion. Its smoother, good trigger, and better features.

Wrong! I had an a7 and it was great but not better than a tikka. Shorter bolt lift but much rougher action . not worth extra $.

 

[joshb]

Just curious where ya moving to ?

Kerrville, Texas. I made it to Memphis, today. Looks like two more days of driving.

 

[Spike A]

just my 2 cents... i have several brownings.... i have an older A-bolt 308.... i will not lie and say it was a piece of cake... but after several bullet powder primer combos... it is an honest to god 3/8'' gun and tighter on some days... ... it was a little over whelming getting it figured out... just about hexed all brownings... than i had my grandpas old bar hunting rifle given to me... does very well for an older semi auto... so i knew i could get the a bolt to shoot.... i know many people do complain about the triggers... but i personally love the action and the short bolt lift....