KoolBreeze
WKR
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2016
- Messages
- 408
I’ve been wanting a 280 Ackley Improved for several years. Walked into my local LGS a couple weeks ago and he had a couple xbolts on the rack in it. Couldn’t pass it up. Sighted it in yesterday and shot a sub-MOA group with Federal 155 grain terminal ascents. I also tried Nosler 140 grain accubond ammo but best I could do with them was 1.5”. Probably likes the longer, heavier bullets due to the 8:1 twist. Will try something else when get a chance.
I had a Meopro 3.5-10x44 on hand, so I used it. I’ll probably upgrade the scope next year, with something with illumination. I decided to go with a picatinny rail and rings so swapping the scope would be easier and I’d have more flexibility adjusting the eye relief. I looked at several rails but ended up with Murphy Precision stainless steel rail with a cerkote burnt bronze finish to match the rifle. I’m just blown away with the quality, craftsmanship, and customer service of Murphy Precision. The finish looks like it came from the Browning factory, absolutely perfect. I ordered it on a Saturday and had it in my hands 6 days later. I reached out to the owner, Cameron, couple times during the process, he went above and beyond, and was very helpful. If you’re looking for a quality rail, look no further.
I went with Seekins low rings and they too are high quality. They worked out very well for me but the scope is back as far as they will allow to get correct eye relief.
I’d read some horror stories of stripped mounting holes on the xbolt so I was extra cautious when mounting the rail. I had 2 full turns on the 2 front screws, 3-3/4 turns on the 2 back front screws, and 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 on the 4 back screws. I went 10 in lb on the front 2 and 15 in lb on the other 6. I ended up having to shorten the 4 rear screws a tad to keep them from bottoming out. Not a big deal and quick work with a belt sander. Cameron was surprised by that and said he’d look into it further on his end. At any rate, I’m not a fan of the xbolt’s mounting system. I like having twice as many screws but it seems to me that it would work much better if the receiver was a little thicker.
I had a Meopro 3.5-10x44 on hand, so I used it. I’ll probably upgrade the scope next year, with something with illumination. I decided to go with a picatinny rail and rings so swapping the scope would be easier and I’d have more flexibility adjusting the eye relief. I looked at several rails but ended up with Murphy Precision stainless steel rail with a cerkote burnt bronze finish to match the rifle. I’m just blown away with the quality, craftsmanship, and customer service of Murphy Precision. The finish looks like it came from the Browning factory, absolutely perfect. I ordered it on a Saturday and had it in my hands 6 days later. I reached out to the owner, Cameron, couple times during the process, he went above and beyond, and was very helpful. If you’re looking for a quality rail, look no further.
I went with Seekins low rings and they too are high quality. They worked out very well for me but the scope is back as far as they will allow to get correct eye relief.
I’d read some horror stories of stripped mounting holes on the xbolt so I was extra cautious when mounting the rail. I had 2 full turns on the 2 front screws, 3-3/4 turns on the 2 back front screws, and 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 on the 4 back screws. I went 10 in lb on the front 2 and 15 in lb on the other 6. I ended up having to shorten the 4 rear screws a tad to keep them from bottoming out. Not a big deal and quick work with a belt sander. Cameron was surprised by that and said he’d look into it further on his end. At any rate, I’m not a fan of the xbolt’s mounting system. I like having twice as many screws but it seems to me that it would work much better if the receiver was a little thicker.
