doesn't anyone here like browning rifles??

fieldsj66

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dont see a lot mentioned here...

i was looking at a good looking xbolt on gunbroker. do they not shoot good enough to compare to savages and remingtons and tikkas?
 
dont see a lot mentioned here...

i was looking at a good looking xbolt on gunbroker. do they not shoot good enough to compare to savages and remingtons and tikkas?

Nope, just not a lot of after market to build on. Tikka, Savage, Howa, Remington, Winchester, and Weatherby are the standard for long range builds. Tikka is a relatively new fad along with Howa. Remington and Winchester probably have the longest reputation for long range builds, with the Mauser action falling right in with the 2. Savage's following has grown by leaps and bounds and there is a pretty good aftermarket out there for them now. I am a Savage fan for the fact I can build my own rifles without a lathe or a mill.

Tank
 
ITS ABOUT **** TIME SOMEONE SAID IT! I just put in an order for a browning x-bolt which i plan on adding on too..

you see im not a "Long ranger" like most of these guys. I just think its a cool concept and its cool to practice long range shooting. I live in SW virginia and the longest shot ive ever heard of here is a little over 350. I think its cool that everyone can make these 1000 yard shots.. BUT.. Ill never have to take one unless I go out west somewhere. Which is why I ordered a .300wsm.. just incase I have to push past 600...But browning makes a great rifle and Im glad someone finally noticed! lol
 
I agree with Tank. I think that Browning makes a nice product, but try to find aftermarket parts for them. Aftermarket triggers, stocks, 20 MOA bases, and DBM systems seem to be part of this game and those for Brownings will be harder to come by than the above mentioned brands. If you plan on buying the gun and shooting it stock, and there's nothing wrong with that, I see no reason not to buy it. I will say that if you decide down the road to "customize" your Browning, you will be able to, but it will just cost a little more and take longer.
 
I have loved every A Bolt and X Bolt I've ever shot. They shoulder quick, are easy to get on target, don't seem to be picky about what type of loads you shoot down them, have an excellent bolt throw, have a great "factory" trigger, easy to use magazine system, and for really light guns they flat out shoot!

However these things don't necessarily make them the most desirable dedicated long range rig. Although my X Bolt has shot it's fair share of .5 MOA groups it takes a lot of concentration to keep that light of a rifle right on target due to it's lack of weight. Groups also open up during extended shooting sessions because the barrel is just too thin to handle lots of rounds in a short period of time.

The Remingtons are so popular to build off of because they are so easy to work on for most smiths and they're cheaper guns to begin with. The Savages are really awesome rifles too. However, it always makes me laugh when people talk about how well their Remingtons shoot but when I look at them they've added an aftermarket stock, a new barrel, a new trigger, paid to have the action tuned up and I can still outshoot lots of them with my stock Browning.

I'm not dissing any other gun manufacturer. I have a Remington 700 VLS that shoots freaking awesome and it's bone stock other than a cheap bedding and trigger job. I've seen some Tikka's and Weatherby's that shoot a hell of a lot better than they should for how cheap you can pick them up for; and Savage never ceases to amaze me at how they can be the ugliest **** guns you've ever laid eyes on and then shoot little bug hole groups on the range all day long.

One day I hope to have enough money to build a dedicated long range rig (probably off a savage action cause the wife probably won't let me go full up custom) but until then I'll stick with my Brownings. For those people who don't like them they should try one, they are a whole lot of gun for the money.

The best thing to remember though is that all the different manufacturers make this whole thing so fun. It lets everybody kind of do their own thing as we all have a great time doing what we love best.... throwing lots of lead downrange.
 
Like its been said already, no aftermarket parts. I actually think that for the money that browning makes one of the nicest firearms out there. there machining is great and i love the short bolt throw. but as far as accuracy goes i think that most manufacturers are in the same boat, gems and lemons in every batch.
 
Well said Browninglover. As a Savage owner, I almost had to apologize for my gun, the way owners of other guns looked down at me. I would never put anyone down for thier gun choice. Everybody has reasons for making decisions, and they may be able to shoot circles around me with that decision.:D
 
I to love my Browning's be it rifles , shotguns or pistols. My A-bolt Stalker 270wsm is perfect for on a hillside in PA, mountain out west or miles of pronghorn hunting. Shoots under MOA @ 100yds and is bone stock.And the as mentioned earlier it will shot 110's through 160's all well just some are more impressive groups. I bought it on sale about year after release for $400 plus tax. I put a Cabelas alaskan guide w/duplex 4.5 x14 for $299. clearence. It's my best Rifle for carrying/shooting/looking I have for under $800. If I aim it at game it's not going to be a good day for the critter:)
But as stated it's way easier to custom build "mild to wild" with Rems or Savage actions and others. Therefore more to talk about with combinations of "I did this" or "will this work" or "why is it " in threads IMO. Nothing wrong with builds or stock guns, just so we"re all enjoying and sharing what we're doing/building.

Gene R.
 
Gene,

Have you had any feeding problems with the .270wsm? I heard the short mags can be a bit finicky especially with the Brownings. Ive heard of a lot of people who had feeding problems with the short mags. I was just wondering if you have had any problems. Thanks
 
I have an X bolt in .243. The most accurate gun in my cabnet 1/4" to 1/2" at 100. Trigger is awesome, could stand to be 1 lbs lighter.

Compared to my Tikka T3 lite in 7mm mag the X bolt wins all catagories exept action smoothness and weight. Oh yeah lol and price!

I have a Remington and Ruger both in .243 neither can compete with the X bolt or Tikka.
 
Gene,

Have you had any feeding problems with the .270wsm? I heard the short mags can be a bit finicky especially with the Brownings. Ive heard of a lot of people who had feeding problems with the short mags. I was just wondering if you have had any problems. Thanks
I had a Browning A bolt 270 WSM. Never had any issue with feeding. It was a great rifle. It would just cost to much to build it the way I wanted. I wish Browning would get into the aftermarket buisness. I think they could sale alot more rifles if they did.
 
Gene,

Have you had any feeding problems with the .270wsm? I heard the short mags can be a bit finicky especially with the Brownings. Ive heard of a lot of people who had feeding problems with the short mags. I was just wondering if you have had any problems. Thanks

Only when at the bench from not working it (once maybe twice). I think i just short stroked it but maybe there is a hiccup in design. Never while hunting . Don't know if that helps ya any. In my early twenties I learn my lesson not to watching shell feed from mag on my Ruger RSI 270 on a nice buck in Pa.

Gene
 
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well being 21 I am still learning too. I plan on putting in an order for a new x-bolt later this week and I am just making sure this is the gun for me. I love the feel and I have always been a big fan of browning... All of the other guns I picked up just didnt feel right to me. I did love the sake 85 but it was a bit out of my price range and it felt "rubbery" in my hands from the weird inserts. EVERYONE and their brother have remingtons around here and I just want something a bit different from the norm. Around here its like blasphemy to have anything but a 700 with a bushnell scope! haha I plan on putting a nikon/leupold/or sightron on top of my browning. It will be nice to be different.. I just hope they dont hang me in the mountains somewhere!:D
 
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