Custom X-Bolt

[Aklin458]

My 30-06 x bolt is currently suffering from duratouch issues, it is peeling and very sticky. I really love this rifle, it was my first hunting rifle and I want to custom build it. My current thoughts are:
MPI Ultralight Mountain Rifle stock (with an embedded spartan mount for a javelin bipod)
Swaro Z5 scope 2.4-12 with the turrets
Cerakote


I have been throwing around rebarreling and rechambering to 6.5-06AI. I love the idea of this, it's unique and a very capable cartridge but I'm not sure if I want to give up the versatility of the .30-06 for the better long range performance of the 6.5. Also I don't have much experience with handloading but I am open to the idea. Does anyone have experience with this cartridge? Also are there any gunsmiths that work with brownings?

 

[Marty]

For your awareness, the Duratouch issue is being warrantied by Browning. Contact their customer support and they'll replace and re-bed your stock at no cost to you.

 

[JohnyRingo]

I've heard that rebarreling an xbolt is challenging because of the very small threads and locktite put on the xbolt actions. Very few gunsmiths will touch this job. I have checked into this because I kicked around putting either a new Bartlein steel barrel or Proof carbon barrel on mine.

Putting a new stock on it is no problem. I put a McMillen GameScout on mine.

 

[Trogon]

Id send it back to browning to get recoated and leave it at that.

Building a custom off an x-bolt is unconventional, at best. If you want to build/tinker I’d recommend starting with a tikka or Remington clone.

 

[Marty]

I've heard that rebarreling an xbolt is challenging because of the very small threads and locktite put on the xbolt actions. Very few gunsmiths will touch this job. I have checked into this because I kicked around putting either a new Bartlein steel barrel or Proof carbon barrel on mine.

Putting a new stock on it is no problem. I put a McMillen GameScout on mine.

Mind sharing a picture or two of your X bolt in the McMillan Game Scout stock? I'm considering this or just outright selling my X Bolt SS .300 WSM. Thanks!

 

[JohnyRingo]

Mind sharing a picture or two of your X bolt in the McMillan Game Scout stock? I'm considering this or just outright selling my X Bolt SS .300 WSM. Thanks!

Here you go. I really like the rifle. I just can't get it to shoot much under 1MOA. I am still messing with some loads.

 

[Marty]

Here you go. I really like the rifle. I just can't get it to shoot much under 1MOA. I am still messing with some loads.

Great looking rifle man! My X bolt SS in .300 WSM has similar symptoms in the factory stock: around 1MOA groups. She doesn't shoot much better but she also doesn't shoot much worse either.

Any feedback on the new weight, balance, and shooting experience with your X Bolt in the McMillan Game Scout?

 

[OpenCountry]

Great looking rifle man! My X bolt SS in .300 WSM has similar symptoms in the factory stock: around 1MOA groups. She doesn't shoot much better but she also doesn't shoot much worse either.

Any feedback on the new weight, balance, and shooting experience with your X Bolt in the McMillan Game Scout?

Also interested in the total weight of the setup if possible

 

[JohnyRingo]

It is the Carbon Edge version and I am not exactly sure of the weight. I would say that it dropped the overall weight by about 1/2 lb because the original stock was also pretty light too, but way too flexible and not very durable. I would guess about 8.5-9 lbs. I will see if I can get an exact weight sometime.

I love the way it balances and feels. Everyone of my buddies who have handled it love the way it feels and to them, if feels really light. I had it glass bedded, even though McMillen says you don't have to. It fit pretty tight without the glass but I was hoping for a little better groups with a bedding job. If I could afford it and be patient enough with the order delays, I would put the Game Scout on all my rifles.

 

[JohnyRingo]

Also interested in the total weight of the setup if possible

It's 8.2 lbs rifle and scope and unloaded.

9.3 lbs, loaded, sling and scopekote.

 

[Marty]

It's 8.2 lbs rifle and scope only and unloaded. 9.3 lbs, loaded, sling and scopekote.

Thanks!

 

[JohnyRingo]

Thanks!

It's a good rifle, but not great. I am going to mess with seating depths next summer and maybe try some different bullets. If I can't get it under 1 MOA, I'll be moving on from it.

The rifle I really have my eye on now is the Fierce Carbon Rival. The only problem is that I'll have to try something other than a 300 H&H. My big rifles have all been H&H's for the last 20 years. 300 WinMag, UltraMag or PRC?

 

[Marty]

It's a good rifle, but not great. I am going to mess with seating depths next summer and maybe try some different bullets. If I can't get it under 1 MOA, I'll be moving on from it.

The rifle I really have my eye on now is the Fierce Carbon Rival. The only problem is that I'll have to try something other than a 300 H&H. My big rifles have all been H&H's for the last 20 years. 300 WinMag, UltraMag or PRC?

I feel the same: perhaps ready to move onto a different .30 cal do-it-all hunting rifle. I've been nailing that search function for recommendations.