Browning’s X-Bolt Pro rifles take the production rifle to an entirely different level. Browning has eliminated the need to spend thousands of dollars to get a lightweight, custom rifle that can shoot sub-MOA accuracy.
This semi-custom rifle is developed from the top-tier X-Bolt family of hunting rifles. Browning has reduced the weight of this rifle significantly by utilizing a full carbon wrapped stock with a compressed foam core. The receiver is made from stainless steel and is glass bedded, drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The barrel is a lightweight Sporter, which is fluted to reduce weight as well.
Browning does a proprietary lapping process, which eliminates the need for a long break-in period, getting you off of the range and ready for the field quicker. It comes with a threaded muzzlebreak as well as a thread protector to shoot with or without the break. It has a spiral fluted bolt and knob. All metal surfaces are covered with an extremely durable burnt orange Cerakote finish.
Currently this rifle is available in ten of the most popular calibers which include, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag, .28 Nosler, .300 WSM, .26 Nosler, 7mm Rem Mag, .270 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor. They range in barrel lengths from 22” all the way up to 26” and weigh in at 6-pounds 1-ounce, up to 6-pounds 10-ounces.
The Sportsman’s News Team has had the pleasure of testing this rifle for the past four months. We have a .300 Win Mag and a 6.5 Creedmoor at our disposal and we have put them to the test. Browning X-Bolt rifles have proven to be extremely accurate since we started shooting them five years ago. Neither of these rifles proved to be any different.
We topped them with top of the line optics and started shooting for groups. Premium ammunition is always the way to go when you are looking to get the most out of your high-end rifles. Although point of impact was different with each different bullet we put through these rifles, one thing was certain; they are extremely accurate. Sub ½” MOA was attained with Accubond bullets out of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the same was found with Barnes LRX from the .300 Win Mag. Regardless of what bullets we shot, we could achieve Sub 1” MOA accuracy. A clean barrel would throw your first two shots array, but each rifle maintained solid accuracy for 40 consecutive shots without cleaning.
Overall, these rifles are extremely accurate, lightweight, dependable and durable. I don’t see the need to spend the additional $3500 to get a custom rifle, which likely won’t deliver better results than these Browning X-Bolt Pro’s.
Dan Kidder
My name is Dan Kidder, I am Managing Editor of Sportsman's News Magazine. I am a former Marine who served with the Fleet Anti Terrorism Security Team Company during Operation Desert Storm. Prior to moving to Utah, I served as communications director for Georgia Congressman Mac Collins in his Washington, DC office. I am the President and CEO of On Target Defensive Training, offering firearms and unarmed combat courses to civilians and law enforcement. My students have included federal agents of the FBI, CIA, Secret Service, Border Patrol, ICE, local and state law enforcement, national celebrities, and the general public. My beat at Sportsman's News includes tactical firearms, personal protection, survival, first aid, camping, and hiking.
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