Browning XBolt .223 Rem -- 55s?

[Hurst1324]

My father has a XBlot .223 with 1:8 twist. Has anyone have any experience with 55 grain projectiles not grouping? The barrle is free floating tried two different scopes all lapped and levelled. Is there by any chance it will not shoot 55 grain ?

 

[ben lurkin]

I bet it does just fine. I’ve shot 40 gr Noslers out of my 1:9 twist barrel with no issues. Give it a go.

 

[K22]

I have an older X Bolt 223 but it has a 12" twist. The good news is that the X Bolt's are factory bedded and in my experience very accurate rifles. Both my 223 and 243 X bolts are sub 1/2 moa rifles with tailored reloads. So you have something good to work with. Now for your question about 8" twist and 55 grain bullets.

I have two Tikka 223 Rem's with 8" twists, one the T3X Lite model the other the T3X heavy varmint. Both shoot the 55 Nosler in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa range but I had to lower the powder charge about a grain compared to my 12" twist 223's thus the velocity to get them to group with 55 grain bullet. I'm running about 2850 to 2900 f/s w/ the 55's. So they should work fine in the 8" twist X Bolt. I'm using 55 Nosler BT's. The 55 Vmax with the flat base might work better with the 8" twist since it may have a longer shank as opposed to the BT Nosler's.

The 60 Vmax's shoot significantly better in my 8" twist 223's. These have a flat base and a long shank.

 

[Hurst1324]

I bet it does just fine. I’ve shot 40 gr Noslers out of my 1:9 twist barrel with no issues. Give it a go.

I did it it wasn’t great. A spread of 3” at 100’

 

[Hurst1324]

I have an older X Bolt 223 but it has a 12" twist. The good news is that the X Bolt's are factory bedded and in my experience very accurate rifles. Both my 223 and 243 X bolts are sub 1/2 moa rifles with tailored reloads. So you have something good to work with. Now for your question about 8" twist and 55 grain bullets.

I have two Tikka 223 Rem's with 8" twists, one the T3X Lite model the other the T3X heavy varmint. Both shoot the 55 Nosler in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa range but I had to lower the powder charge about a grain compared to my 12" twist 223's thus the velocity to get them to group with 55 grain bullet. I'm running about 2850 to 2900 f/s w/ the 55's. So they should work fine in the 8" twist X Bolt. I'm using 55 Nosler BT's. The 55 Vmax with the flat base might work better with the 8" twist since it may have a longer shank as opposed to the BT Nosler's.

The 60 Vmax's shoot significantly better in my 8" twist 223's. These have a flat base and a long shank.

Ok maybe I’ll order some 60 G VMax and do a load development for them to see. I went over the whole rifle and everything seems right so I don’t think it’s the rifle.

 

[K22]

Ok maybe I’ll order some 60 G VMax and do a load development for them to see. I went over the whole rifle and everything seems right so I don’t think it’s the rifle.

Miss the part of 3" at 100 yards. That's obviously way too much even for the 55's. Something else might be going on - it shouldn't be that far off.

What specific load were you testing with the 55's, i.e. powder / charge / bullet / primer / seating depth from lands.

How were you testing the loads, i.e. rests, time between shots, wind conditions, etc.

 

[Hurst1324]

Miss the part of 3" at 100 yards. That's obviously way too much even for the 55's. Something else might be going on - it shouldn't be that far off.

What specific load were you testing with the 55's, i.e. powder / charge / bullet / primer / seating depth from lands.

How were you testing the loads, i.e. rests, time between shots, wind conditions, etc.

It was factory hornady varmint express and Remington 55 grain ammo

 

[Hurst1324]

Miss the part of 3" at 100 yards. That's obviously way too much even for the 55's. Something else might be going on - it shouldn't be that far off.

What specific load were you testing with the 55's, i.e. powder / charge / bullet / primer / seating depth from lands.

How were you testing the loads, i.e. rests, time between shots, wind conditions, etc.

Yes I’d shoot three and let it cool off. There was a NW wind at 8 km/ph is get a couple times where two or three were touching but most part they were all over the place.

 

[K22]

It was factory hornady varmint express and Remington 55 grain ammo

Unfortunately, shooting factory ammo can be an hit or miss proposition and with the current environment of shortages testing different options may not be possible due to availability issues.

If you can obtain some Federal Premium ammo I'd give that a try. I still believe that your 8" twist X bolt is very capable of shooting at least 1 moa groups with a 55 grain bullet load that your rifle likes.

However I'd consider some heavier factory ammo bullet options in the 60 to 65 grain range to enhance my chances of finding a factory option that works. But here again, factory ammo can be a hit or miss proposition but I would expect the better quality factory ammo to group at least in the 1 1/2 moa range especially with a high quality rifle the X Bolt.

I haven't shot center fire factory ammo in over 40 years but I've observed a number of shooters at the range obtaining excellent groups with factory ammo, mainly the Federal Premium brand in various calibers, especially the 6.5 Creedmore.

 

[skeeljc]

55's work best in 12 to 14 twist. Your 1 in 8 is probably better off with 75's.

 

[mills braswell]

When I hear the words "x-bolt", all I can think of is "pull out that factory trigger". Also, if the gun has been shot a good bit make sure you don't have copper fouling in the bore. 1:8 and 55gr. should be great. Wasn't that basically what the gun was designed and manufactured to shoot?

 

[joshb]

I did it it wasn’t great. A spread of 3” at 100’

You must have the gun made right after mine. I can’t get under an inch with anything!

 

[Hurst1324]

You must have the gun made right after mine. I can’t get under an inch with anything!

XBolt also?

 

[Hurst1324]

When I hear the words "x-bolt", all I can think of is "pull out that factory trigger". Also, if the gun has been shot a good bit make sure you don't have copper fouling in the bore. 1:8 and 55gr. should be great. Wasn't that basically what the gun was designed and manufactured to shoot?

I have read a lot of guys shooting 55’s but some other are shooting heavier but they never said if it was because it wouldn’t shoot 55’s. 55 to 80 I have read.

 

[mills braswell]

I have read a lot of guys shooting 55’s but some other are shooting heavier but they never said if it was because it wouldn’t shoot 55’s. 55 to 80 I have read.

Reading this thread, first you replied that you might order some 60 gr. for load develpement. Then you said you only shot factory 55 gr.. If you are just making brass to load and haven't loaded for it yet, why not try a 62 gr. fmj.. Less expensive until you get the kinks out. BTW, is this a new gun or does it have some use?

 

[Hurst1324]

Reading this thread, first you replied that you might order some 60 gr. for load develpement. Then you said you only shot factory 55 gr.. If you are just making brass to load and haven't loaded for it yet, why not try a 62 gr. fmj.. Less expensive until you get the kinks out. BTW, is this a new gun or does it have some use?

It’s new broke in but new prob 50 down the tube. I have loaded for it 55’s only by book COAL I have ordered 60gr VMax. Wants it as a varmint rifle and FMJ we can not hunt with here in Canada will get into some deep water. Lol.

 

[joshb]

XBolt also?

Yeah, it’s an x-bolt “Varmint Special” 223. I’ve tried every bullet from 40’s to 77’s. 4-5 different powders, Sierras, Noslers, Barnes, Bergers.....etc. Every once in a while, I pull it out and try again.

 

[Fern]

I would think it would group good. I have a tikka t3 223 varmint and shot just factory American eagle fmj into a 3 shot clover.
I think the x bolt may be higher quality rifle so should but there’s always that possibility of a dud

 

[Hurst1324]

Yeah, it’s an x-bolt “Varmint Special” 223. I’ve tried every bullet from 40’s to 77’s. 4-5 different powders, Sierras, Noslers, Barnes, Bergers.....etc. Every once in a while, I pull it out and try again.

That isn’t what I wanted to hear. Lol.

 

[joshb]

I would think it would group good. I have a tikka t3 223 varmint and shot just factory American eagle fmj into a 3 shot clover.
I think the x bolt may be higher quality rifle so should but there’s always that possibility of a dud

That’s why I bought it. Some guys said they shot well and were well made guns. It does look good! I’m a Tikka guy, now......or custom.