Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed, 7 PRC Field Evaluation

[Formidilosus]

This is Field Evaluation of the Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed in 7 PRC. This rifle was sent to RS to be evaluated. Browning is aware of the other Field Evaluations and that is what they wanted. This will be a long term/high use annd round count evaluation. Browning wanted this rifle to be evaled in 7 PRC.
The ammo so far is Hornady- a mix of 160gr CX, 180gr ELD-M, and 175gr ELD-X factory ammo.

You can see the specs and info here-

X-Bolt 2 Speed - Bolt-Action Rifle - Browning

2024 SHOT Show Special – Experience Total Accuracy with the X-Bolt 2 Speed. This new bolt-action rifle features the Vari-Tech composite stock with Browning OVIX Camo finish and is adjustable for length of pull, comb height and grip angle for a personalized fit to the rifle. Redesigned receiver...

www.browning.com

The base version is that this model has a specific anti bind bolt, adjustable comb, LOP, and swappable grips. The barrel is 24” and threaded.


First, the action screws had some version of thread locker on them from the factory, and were torqued appropriately-



Second, there are no 1 piece pic rails available for the X-Bolt 2 LA action yet. A two piece for an X-Bolt works-



Thought this was interesting given recent threads-








Mounted the March 1.5-15x as a temporary optic to get shooting some.

Hornady Outfitter ammunition with 160gr CX bullet shot very poorly- around 5 MOA at 100 yards.



This is not the first time I have seen this, so it caused no real concern.


Next was 180gr ELD-M match which shot just fine at just under 1.5 MOA for ten shots.




A bit more shooting was done, without issue. Feed, fire, and function were all correct without drama. The barrel is freefloated acceptably (though too long for me at 24”) the trigger is fine at the factory setting (3.5’ish lbs), the magazine works correctly, etc. So far, no drama.








Update April 26th-


Swapped scopes to a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x


FFP.


Also hogged out the barrel channel as it was too close on the left side.


Before-




After-

 

[Formidilosus]

The Outfitter 160gr still shoots poorly- 2 shots 4 inches apart.

Also, hot-





Chrono data, 24” barrel:


180gr ELD-M. Average 2,776fps MV-





175gr ELD-X. Average 2,818fps MV-



Factory 175gr ELD-X, 1.5moa for 10 rounds.




Funtion at 60 rounds:

Zero issues. Bolt near same/same as Tikka in regards to not binding at all. Trigger is fine, mag is good.






Edit May 6.

Rifle is just over 100 rounds. It’s grouping and POI has settled down.






1st round hit in a 14” target at 760 yards in nasty cross canyon winds, as well as 1st round hit at 1,140 yards on a 24” target. Went 18/20 IRRC at 1,140y in 18-24 mph, multi canyon winds.


1,140 yards-

EDIT: May 7th

Another 51 rounds done today- total, 151 rounds. “No break in”, zero cleaning.

Shot the Hunting Rifle Drill- 12/20. This is the lowest I have scored in a decade plus- since the first time I shot it. The issue seems to be multi-fold: 1st, the rifle is butt heavy, a bit harder to control the front end and whippy. 2nd, is the muzzle blast- it’s needs a suppressor badly. 3rd, the trigger is a bit heavy- using it more it feels like 4’ish pounds maybe a touch more. 4th, is the forend is relatively narrow which means it’s less stable on rests; and finally 5th, is the grip is odd- it’s fat where it shouldn’t be, with the result being it makes you want to torque the rifle. All those add up to it being a bit critical to shoot.




Then shot a Kraft drill with it- one shot from each of four positions- tripod standing/knelling/seated and prone on pack: repeated 3 times for twelve total shots. All shots touched the “2” or in.





Then shot a 10 shot group with factory 175gr ELD-X, it was hot enough that water sizzled on the barrel. 1.00 MOA.

 

[Formidilosus]

Somewhere between 400 and 500 rounds on this rifle- will count boxes when I get home. No barrel maintenance whatsoever.

 

[Formidilosus]

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[Formidilosus]

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[Darryle]

Does it appear to have a pinned recoil lug? The action above the stock lines looks very similar to the Target action Browning introduced a few years ago. Did you notice two screws in front of the trigger like on the DLX trigger in their target models? Did you weigh the stock by itself? Weight of the barreled action?

If they are using the target action for the basis of the X-Bolt 2, I will be swapping out some rifles once someone makes a carbon stock to get rid of that abomination Browning designed.

 

[Castle Rock]

I don’t see a need for a full length rail, those bases with 4 screws each look great, although inclination would be good if it was an option

 

[TxLite]

Is that 10 shot done as multiple 3-4 shot groups or 10 back to back?

 

[DangerRanger]

I like that people can no get this rifle with adjustable cheek and grip.

Browning should produce spacers with variable height so we could do a spacer swap and get that buttpad up

I know a browning fan that I would love to get into a rifle that’s back end actually worked for them.

Aside, browning “people” have to be the most brand loyal of any product on the face of the planet.

 

[Formidilosus]

Does it appear to have a pinned recoil lug? The action above the stock lines looks very similar to the Target action Browning introduced a few years ago. Did you notice two screws in front of the trigger like on the DLX trigger in their target models? Did you weigh the stock by itself? Weight of the barreled action?

If they are using the target action for the basis of the X-Bolt 2, I will be swapping out some rifles once someone makes a carbon stock to get rid of that abomination Browning designed.

I’ll look if I take it apart again.

 

[Formidilosus]

Is that 10 shot done as multiple 3-4 shot groups or 10 back to back?

10 rapid.

 

[Formidilosus]

I like that people can no get this rifle with adjustable cheek and grip.

Browning should produce spacers with variable height so we could do a spacer swap and get that buttpad up

Agreed. It is a pretty decent stock for factory plastic though.

 

[Formidilosus]

I don’t see a need for a full length rail, those bases with 4 screws each look great, although inclination would be good if it was an option

The issue is scope placement. With short tubes scopes that are common now, it is nigh impossible to get them far enough to the rear to use. The scope in the picture is a full 1” too far forward.

 

[DangerRanger]

Agreed. It is a pretty decent stock for factory plastic though.

I doped a 300 win xbolt for my dad and was impressed for a factory plastic stock, glad to see they continue to make it better.

Hope it doesn’t turn into a sticky tacky mess like the older ones with whatever that touch stuff they used was

 

[Formidilosus]

I doped a 300 win xbolt and was impressed for a factory plastic stock, glad to see they continue to make it better.

Hope it doesn’t turn into a sticky tacky mess like the older ones with whatever that touch stuff they used was

Oh yeah. It’s not Dura Touch on this one.

 

[manitou1]

Oh yeah. It’s not Dura Touch on this one.

Duratouch is a thing if the past.
They quit using it some time ago.

 

[nobody]

Excited to see how this one goes. Objectively, my favorite rifle I ever owned was an X Bolt Western Hunter that was the last “non-tikka” I owned. Lots that I loved about it, so I’m anxious to see the outcome.

 

[HighUintas]

When I saw this one in an ad awhile back I looked up the changes from the first xbolt and it almost seems they're targeting Tikka with the improvements. Grip, antibind bolt, there was some type of trigger improvement...

 

[dreamingWest]

Following this. I've always liked the X-bolt.

Speaking of the old Duratouch coating, I've had two guns with it. An A5 Stalker and an X-bolt Stainless Stalker. Y'all have to admit, it's super nice when it's new! But yeah, Browning had to replace my A5 stock.

 

[Formidilosus]

Updated post # 1 and 2.