Browning X-bolt Max Long Range?

[tstith]

Hey all, first post here.

I am looking to put together a general purpose rifle for deer/elk/long range shooting. I have settled on a 300 WM. I have never owned a Browning before but I like the look of the X-Bolt Max Long Range. Its threaded so I can suppress it, its lighter than the Savage 110 High Country (close second place) and the Bergara HMR, I like the stock and 26" barrel. One thing I find curious about it is that it is a 1:8 as opposed to the standard 1:10 twist. I can't find anyone else offering such a fast twist rate.

Related to the length and twist rate, I am thinking of a load consisting of:
212 ELD-X
Federal 215M Primers
Hornady Brass
H1000/RL26 Powder

I will put a Vortex 5-25x50 PST gen II on it.

Has anyone had any experience with this twist rate or this particular rifle? Within that same price range, are there any other rifles that you would suggest?

@jwknutson17 I see you still have an active thread for a 20 MOA EGW rail that fits this rifle and you're also in Colorado. DM me about it please. I am too new here to reply to that thread or DM you.

 

[Spoonman]

I have a xbolt pro long range in 300wm and it has the 1:8 twist. I shoot 215’s out of it and it shoots really well, 1/2moa. If you are going to shoot 200+ grain pills the 1:8 is better suited.

 

[tstith]

care to share your load data?

Any thoughts or suggestions on the setup I have above?

 

[Spoonman]

I have a Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 on it and I honestly am shooting factory Berger ammunition. It shoots well enough for me that I’m not loading for this rifle. This ammo just barely fits in the mag and I mean just barely!


This is what I’m shooting.

Berger Match Grade 300 Winchester Magnum Ammo 215 Gr Hybrid Target - Ammo Deals

Berger Match Grade 300 Winchester Magnum Ammo 215 Grain Hybrid Target at Target Sports USA. Enjoy free shipping on bulk 300 Win Mag ammo for sale onl

www.targetsportsusa.com

 

[Jwknutson17]

There is zero reason to get a 1-8 twist in a win mag. Unless your shooting 250gr pills. 10 twist work perfect for the 215s. Even the 230s in most conditions. 9 twist is about the fastest I would ever run a WM or even a 300 PRC or a Norma. 8 twist if your only shooting the new 250 Atips. Absolutely zero reason to spin those light of pills out of an 8.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I have that rifle and love it, except for the trigger! I'm testing the Mcarbo spring vs the Timney trigger as soon as the parts come in. I took it out this past weekend and shot Federal 180 TBT's, 200 TLR's, Nosler 180 and 200 accubonds. All were 1" or less MOA at 100 yards. It shot the Federal 180 TBT's just about 1 hole for 3 shots!!!!!!!! Going to try the new Federal 200 grain when it comes out. This is going to be my go to elk rifle. The adjustable cheek rest and LOP are what sold me. I also picked up some HSM 180 ammo on sale as a practice load. Wow it's aweful!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also have an XBolt Hells Canyon Speed in 30 06 that is also sweet shooting. I really likes the Federal 180 TBT's. So now I have the perfect deer and backup elk gun. It has the MCarbo spring and fixed the heavy trigger.

 

[Fonkie]

My new 300 wsm build for 215’s will have a 9 1/2 twist. Can’t imagine it necessary for an 8 except for the heaviest bullets for class.

 

[ericF]

There is zero reason to get a 1-8 twist in a win mag. Unless your shooting 250gr pills. 10 twist work perfect for the 215s. Even the 230s in most conditions. 9 twist is about the fastest I would ever run a WM or even a 300 PRC or a Norma. 8 twist if your only shooting the new 250 Atips. Absolutely zero reason to spin those light of pills out of an 8.

Umm, this looks like a compelling reason for a 1/8 twist. .705 Ballistic Coefficient in a Barnes LRX.

 

[Nealm66]

What does a faster twist hurt ?

 

[JeffRaines]

215s and 230s are only marginally stable in a 10 twist at sea level. Yes, they’ll shoot and group fine. I’d just hate to spend all that time working up a load only to discover that it falls apart at 600-800 yards.

Besides, the faster twist isn’t hurting the lighter bullets. You say there’s zero reason to run faster than 10, and you’re incorrect. There’s zero reason to run it slower than 8.

 

[tstith]

@TNKnoxville can you give a range report on the trigger spring/Timney? Thank you for the range report on the accuracy!

 

[excaliber]

I shoot 200 Gr ELD-X's out of my 1: 10 barrel on my 300 Win Mag with no wishes I had a faster twist. If I were to do it again I'd stick with the same twist.

 

[TNKnoxville]

Ok the spring comes in Saturday and the trigger Monday. I installed an MCarbo in the Max but I could only get the trigger pull to 3.5 lb, so I assume its bad and ordered another. Hope to start testing again Saturday.

 

[Spoonman]

1:8 is just fine. It won’t hurt anything. I’m shooting 215’s out of my 300wm and they shoot awesome at all distances so far from 100-800. And if you shoot anything 185 and up For the most part the 1:8 will stabilize the bullet better.

 

[Nealm66]

I really like the feel of that gun and have always had extremely good luck with brownings. I like that they put the faster twist in they’re long range version. I do like a heavier gun though for plinking but I suppose with enough rounds down the barrel I might be able to control it

 

[TNKnoxville]

I had a MCarbo spring in my X Bolt Max Long Range trigger but it would only get down to 3.5 lb . It was also a bit inconsistent. It would lock the trigger up if I got much less than the 3.5 lb. Ordered another spring and a Timney trigger this week. This morning swapped out the MCarbo spring and now it would not go below 4 lb without locking up the trigger. This must be a bad Browning trigger as my X Bolt Speed with a MCarbo spring got down to 2.5 lbs and has never locked up.

Next up the Timney. Had to sand off a bit of the surface of the inside of the front ears of the trigger as they would not fit into the Max recess. This was not the case when I tried it on my Speed, it fit perfect. The Max seemed to have a small ledge on the ear recess. Didn't want to sand the rifle. After a bit of work it fit perfect. I used my dremel and put a small round emory cloth upside down on the attachment. This let me easily grind the inside of the trigger ears.

Without putting it back into the stock I got a very consistent and crisp 2 lbs. When in the stock and torqued down the safety locked up. If I loosened the stock screws I could get the safety to work. But it was no where near tight. So I took my dremel and ground out some of the stock so that the safety rod would move smoothly. I used a bell shaped grinding stone. I had to take out some along the entire length of the rod. It wasn't hard, just did a little at a time. I put some white out on the rod every so often to see where it was hitting. Not sure why this happens as to my eye both the Browning and Timney look about the same width. I did not measure. I probably took out at least a 1/16".

Now it is at 2 lbs and the stock is torqued down! The feel of the Timney is much better in my opinion. Just ordered another Timney for my Speed. They are on sale at Midway and have free shipping. Came to $170 with TN tax and standard delivery.

Going to chrono some ammo tomorrow if the weather is okay.

 

[260madman]

Mag constraints are the drawback on these. I emailed Browning about their mags and got some lame answer about working with factory ammo. I skipped the 7RM because of this. It makes no sense to put an 8 twist on a 7mm or 30 cal and then handicap it with SAAMI mag constraints. Fast twists and long bullets need a long mag. One of these days a major riflemaker will get it right. Maybe. Barrett was getting there but halted production for .gov contracts.

 

[Nealm66]

I saw they are offering a 300 prc. It might be a limited run. Not sure if it’s 8 or 8.5

 

[Forest]

I finally got my hands on one last week, it felt a lot better then I expected. I held a max long range and Remington sendero back to back, both advertised at 8.5 lbs, but the browning felt a fair bit lighter. Maybe its just balanced better, but liked it a lot. Only somewhat questionable thing I had with it was the front end of the stock felt a little bit flimsy. Kinda doubt its enough to affect accuracy, but its possible.
As to the twist rate I agree it is likely faster than necessary, but apparently it doesn't affect lighter bullets much so good on them for being one of the very few offering it in a factory rifle. Can always single load if they don't fit in the mag if had to, but a longer magazine would be ideal.

 

[Nealm66]

I’m not an expert by no means but for myself, I wouldn’t run lighter bullets at close range hunting situations unless I just wanted to watch things explode lol. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that can happen. I’d also be mindful if I was handloading, to use good design lighter bullets even at long distances as I’ve heard they can come apart. Lord only knows what’s myth or reality. I’ve also heard barrel life can be slightly shortened with faster twist but I’ve watched guys at the range shooting barrel burning calibers rapidly like they didn’t know or care so...