Browning X Bolt 2 Accuracy Problem

[Onehorse]

I bought a new Browning X Bolt 2 in 6.5 PRC last November (2025). and am having accuracy problems. First, let me say that I bought his rifle for hunting, not precision shooting - I was expecting groups consistently around 1 inch. I am struggling to get 2 inch groups at 100 yards. So far, I have only used handloads with RL26, H1000, IMR7828SSC, H4831SC, powders; Hornady brass; CCI 200 and Rem 9 1/2 mag primers; Barnes 127 gr LRX, Cutting Edge 125 gr Maximus bullets. I've tried different seating depths and powder charges, etc. I have shot about 200 rounds after doing the Browning recommended barrel break-in. I mounted the scope myself and am meticulous about the process and have done it dozens of times over 70 years of shooting (Yeah, I'm an old fart. I don't consider myself an expert, but I'm not exactly a newbe at this stuff.) So, the next time I go to the range, I plan to put aside the X-Bolt, and shoot my Tikka 270 Win to see if the problem is me instead of the rifle. If I'm still shooting well with that other rifle, then I will strip the scope and rings (Talley) off the X Bolt , and remount the scope, take the barreled action out of the stock and reset it being sure to torque the action screws to the recommended torque (I think it's 35 in/lb.) Basically, starting all over again with this rifle.
So, that's my problem and my plan. I would appreciate any advice or personal experiences anyone has had with Browning X Bolt 2 rifles and accuracy issues. Please don't waste your time or mine telling me I should have bought YOUR favorite rifle or other bullshit. (I'm too old to give up any of my time for that. LOL) Thanks a bunch!

 

[bowrunner81]

I don’t know if I’ve heard of a browning that didn’t shoot well, although I’m sure there are some. Are they torqued to 35in-lb now? Maybe try degreasing everything and a little nail polish on the bottom of the tally rings. I’d also just snag a box of Hornady match ammo. Or try a different bullet like 143eldx or 147eldm in your hand loads. I would think H4831SC would do well. And I know a lot of people on here don’t like cleaning rifles, but after shooting all copper bullets you might do some copper remover and start with a fresh barrel.

 

[Evergreen]

Both my XBolts like the 140 Accubond and 140 Berger , can’t remember the charge I use with RL26.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

Try another scope. I had the same situation with a Weatherby Mark V shooting 2" groups and chased my tail for a few hundred rounds. Put a cheapo scope on it and it shot 1" groups immediately.

 

[Tmac]

Had similar accuracy issues with my son’s x-bolt. There was some bedding compound along the side of the stock contacting the barrel. I relieved that and it helped. But did not solve the issue.

Next I put a couple hand cut washers out of one of those bank mailers with the fake credit card. It was thin material, so used 2 for each action screw. I drilled an undersized hole and cut out a small doughnut with a scissors. Jammed the washers on the screws, they were tight enough to hold the screw in place in the stock, then dropped in action and went to 45 in lbs. That fixed her, shoots well under an inch with multiple loads now.

So I’d check the bedding if you have eliminated scope/ring/base issues. We did not follow Browning’s break in stuff. Cleaned it at home, very lightly oiled it, and went shooting. I wanted to pop it off the stock and put in some better nylon washers, but he won’t let me touch it…

 

[Onehorse]

Try another scope. I had the same situation with a Weatherby Mark V shooting 2" groups and chased my tail for a few hundred rounds. Put a cheapo scope on it and it shot 1" groups immediately.

Thanks. I might try that idea. I currently have a Leupold Freedom Creedmoor 4-12x40 on it.

 

[RocketRob16]

I had to hog out the barrel channel on mine pretty aggressively to eliminate any contact. The best group it ever shot with factory Hornady ammo was 1” for a 10 shot group with most groups averaging around 1.5” or so.

 

[Seeknelk]

Has that scope been proven on another rifle or is it new to you? Have you tried another proven scope? Leupold tend to have issues doing the whole steering- the- bullet thing and are fragile.
Tally rings can work but also have had failure issues and don't tend to be the most solid mounting system.
I would also recommend taking the rifle apart and degreasing, paint pen or locktite and torque all action screws and scope mounting hardware.

 

[Onehorse]

I had to hog out the barrel channel on mine pretty aggressively to eliminate any contact. The best group it ever shot with factory Hornady ammo was 1” for a 10 shot group with most groups averaging around 1.5” or so.

Thanks. No contact here.

 

[Onehorse]

Has that scope been proven on another rifle or is it new to you? Have you tried another proven scope? Leupold tend to have issues doing the whole steering- the- bullet thing and are fragile.
Tally rings can work but also have had failure issues and don't tend to be the most solid mounting system.
I would also recommend taking the rifle apart and degreasing, paint pen or locktite and torque all action screws and scope mounting hardware.

Thanks. I have a new scope on it and I will replace it with a proven scope as you suggest.

 

[grfox92]

Im betting its a scope issues. Like others have said Brownings typically shoot. I would put their barrels a close second behind Tikka / Sako for consistency and quality.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[CMP70306]

I did have one browning with accuracy issues, it would group 2 then throw a flier almost 2” away consistently. I sent it back, they returned it with a target saying it met their standard of 3/4” at 50 yards.

I did a full dive, Nightforce scope, McMillan stock off another browning, shot both that rifle and another xbolt on the same target to show I could shoot an X-Bolt, documented everything then sent it back and told them to shoot a 10 shot group. They did and promptly replaced the rifle, the new one shot way better.

 

[Onehorse]

I did have one browning with accuracy issues, it would group 2 then throw a flier almost 2” away consistently. I sent it back, they returned it with a target saying it met their standard of 3/4” at 50 yards.

I did a full dive, Nightforce scope, McMillan stock off another browning, shot both that rifle and another xbolt on the same target to show I could shoot an X-Bolt, documented everything then sent it back and told them to shoot a 10 shot group. They did and promptly replaced the rifle, the new one shot way better.

Thanks. Wow! You're a patient dude. Looks like Browning doesn't check returned rifles very well.

 

[bigunit]

Ive had some very accurate barrels that just wouldnt shoot monos. I would try different bullets first. Maybe try a box of barnes harvest 145 tgk? That seems to be a pretty good option for factory.

 

[Onehorse]

I bought a new Browning X Bolt 2 in 6.5 PRC last November (2025). and am having accuracy problems. First, let me say that I bought his rifle for hunting, not precision shooting - I was expecting groups consistently around 1 inch. I am struggling to get 2 inch groups at 100 yards. So far, I have only used handloads with RL26, H1000, IMR7828SSC, H4831SC, powders; Hornady brass; CCI 200 and Rem 9 1/2 mag primers; Barnes 127 gr LRX, Cutting Edge 125 gr Maximus bullets. I've tried different seating depths and powder charges, etc. I have shot about 200 rounds after doing the Browning recommended barrel break-in. I mounted the scope myself and am meticulous about the process and have done it dozens of times over 70 years of shooting (Yeah, I'm an old fart. I don't consider myself an expert, but I'm not exactly a newbe at this stuff.) So, the next time I go to the range, I plan to put aside the X-Bolt, and shoot my Tikka 270 Win to see if the problem is me instead of the rifle. If I'm still shooting well with that other rifle, then I will strip the scope and rings (Talley) off the X Bolt , and remount the scope, take the barreled action out of the stock and reset it being sure to torque the action screws to the recommended torque (I think it's 35 in/lb.) Basically, starting all over again with this rifle.
So, that's my problem and my plan. I would appreciate any advice or personal experiences anyone has had with Browning X Bolt 2 rifles and accuracy issues. Please don't waste your time or mine telling me I should have bought YOUR favorite rifle or other bullshit. (I'm too old to give up any of my time for that. LOL) Thanks a bunch!

So, I tried switching scopes, like several folks here have suggested (THANKS) - put my Leupold VX-3, 4.5-15x40 on my Browning X-Bolt 2 and, this morning, I shot THREE CONSECUTIVE .5 MOA groups! It was the scope all along, and it's on its way back to Leupold!
POINT OF INTEREST: When I brought the scope to UPS to ship it, they told me they don't ship rifle scopes "because they are attached to rifles." I told them it wasn't attached to a rifle, but that didn't seem to matter. I don't plan on using UPS for anything anymore. Has anyone else had this problem with them?

 

[AstroVic]

I ran into a similar problem with a local UPS store one time when I tried to ship a rifle bolt to get jeweled. The lady at the counter told me they weren't allowed to ship "anything" that has to do with firearms and that it was "illegal." I told her that was odd because many of the firearms I've purchased online were in fact shipped via UPS. She got snippy with me and basically accused me of being full of sh!t, so I thanked her for her time and walked out.

I drove to another UPS store, and when they asked what I was shipping, I told them, "Parts." Bingo. Shipped without hassle.

I now know which UPS store to avoid. I also know to keep the item description very vague.