X-Bolt or Model 70?

TexanHunter

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2011
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Hey everyone! I'm new to this forum and fairly new to rifle hunting. I'm looking for a new rifle and have narrowed it down to the Winchester Model 70 and the Browning X-Bolt. Can any of yall shed some light on my decision! Performance? Thanks!
 
Never owned or shot a Browning X-bolt but I have a longtime love affair with the M70. In fact I just snagged a M70, 7MM RM Wally-world gun, took it out yesterday and shot it a few times with factory Winchester 150 grain power points that have been in the ammo stash for at least 10 years. The first shot after wiping out the barrel and mounting a scope landed about 3/4" right of the aiming point, the next 3 went into a .3 cluster with 2 in the same hole. The is the second rifle I have come up with in the last month or so to use for a donor action for a .264WM project. I keep shooting them first and at this rate I'll never get one to tear apart.

Sorry to stray O/T, personally I would get the M70.

Bob
 
Model-70 hands down, in my heavily bias opinion.

More aftermarket parts from just about anywhere, wich translates to easier, & less expensive upgrades not to mention finding a smith who will work on one. Better angle on bolt for caming. Mauser style extractor claw. Not clip fed, so you aren't hampered for long c.o.a.l. (you can load longer-higher b.c. bullets without limmiting magizine length) The old A-bolt triggers absolutely sucked, don't know about X-bolt. I was also warned about horrible threads on action/barrel connection when I was considering building my old a bolt. Don't know if it still holds true with x bolt.
I'm a Model-70 freak, & have a bunch of them already anyway, so I'm heavily bias, but every single one of those factors mentioned convinced me that, while Brownings are nice rifles, I don't need one. If I ever have a problemb with a Model-70 I can always find a smith willing to work on it, & parts availability when I need it.

I'm not bashing Browning here, I'm simply pointing out a few things to consider. If you want to leave your rifle completely as is from factory, & shoot factory ammo, I guess it wouldn't matter.
 
I own examples of both rifles; a Model 70 (extreme weather stainless in 243win and X-bolt (composite stalker) in 7mm-08.

Normally i'd have walked right on by the model 70 as they are known in Europe to have had a ropey history with varying quality control issues but recently they seem to have really up'd their game.

The browning X-Bolt is a fine rifle and will serve you well. It is every bit as accurate as the Win70 but if intending to keep over an extended period of time, getting to know the rifle and perhaps customise it to your tastes and body shape exactly then i'd opt for the Winchester. There's just so much more support, parts, triggers and stocks.

So much more variety at less cost.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with either rifle. I personally liked the X Bolt better which is why I bought one. The Winchester will be easier to find gunsmiths to work on if you ever decide to change anything on it. Pick up both and see which feels better in your hands and buy it.
 
Never owned or shot a Browning X-bolt but I have a longtime love affair with the M70. In fact I just snagged a M70, 7MM RM Wally-world gun, took it out yesterday and shot it a few times with factory Winchester 150 grain power points that have been in the ammo stash for at least 10 years. The first shot after wiping out the barrel and mounting a scope landed about 3/4" right of the aiming point, the next 3 went into a .3 cluster with 2 in the same hole. The is the second rifle I have come up with in the last month or so to use for a donor action for a .264WM project. I keep shooting them first and at this rate I'll never get one to tear apart.

Sorry to stray O/T, personally I would get the M70.

Bob
Thats great! How far away were you?
 
Quality wise I really don't think you'll be disappointed in either. There is always the chance of getting a lemon when you buy a rifle, but all of the 6 or 7 X Bolt owners (including myself) that I've talked to have been really impressed with the way their rifles feel and shoot.

I like the shorter bolt throw, the polymer mag, and the overall feel of the X Bolt better, which is why I bought mine. If I could have bought the Model 70 for a couple hundred less, maybe I would have done it. But I've never once been sad I bought the X Bolt and honestly had I bought the Model 70 I'd probably feel the same way. I truly believe you can buy the one that looks and feels the best to you and you'll be happy.
 
Model 70 all the way. Make sure to get a CRF M-70. The CRF M-70 is one of, if not the most, reliable and durable actions ever made. There were some quality issues in the 90s and early 00s, as there were with many brands of rifles, buy the new ones are very well made and have a reputation for great accuracy as well. If you get an M-70 Extreme Weather, you get accuracy, reliability, durability, and light weight--all in a weather resistant package.
 
Winchester just isnt the same. The quality has gone to the $hitter.. and so has their popularity. Back in the day it was a no brainer.. but the browning gets the nod in this situation.
 
Winchester just isnt the same. The quality has gone to the $hitter.. and so has their popularity.

That isn't true with the SC made M-70s. The quality problems were with the Classics made in the mid 90s to the mid 2000s. Of course, lots of American rifle manufacturers had quality problems during that time and the Brownings of that era were no exception.
 
Winchester just isnt the same. The quality has gone to the $hitter.. and so has their popularity. Back in the day it was a no brainer.. but the browning gets the nod in this situation.
Kinda opinionated statements aren't they? I feel the exact opposite. Winchester quality controll is exelent in comparison to many manufacturers. As far as popularity I'd hardly call "the riflemans rifle" unpopular. If you need further convincing, re-read this thread & count up the votes for each, then see wich manufacturers " popularity is in the $hitter" as you so eloquently put it. In the end I'm happy with my choice, & I hope your happy with yours, but be very carefull making generalized statements in a "no brainer" blanket context. That may be your opinion, but its hardly fact.
I'm sure there are awesome, accurate, quality firearms from most major manufacturers out there. I'm equally sure there are a number of poor, inacurate, low quality firearms from those same manufacturers that slipped thru the cracks. Were not dealing with custom guns here. These are production firearms.
Both Winchester, & Browning make beautiful firearms with acceptable accuracy, & many different models to choose from, & so do many other manufacturers. It still comes down to personal taste,(fit/finnish/feel etc.) & intended use. Sometimes $ is a consideration when purchasing a firearm. Take ALL these things into consideration, & different people with different intended use for same firearm, & you eventually get controversy.
So, if you want a factory firearm pick one of "brand x", hope you get a good one, & be happy with your choice. If you get a lemon in any brand your probably not gonna be happy with your purchase.
With some brands, It's nice to know there's a huge array of aftermarket parts incase your intrests change, or incase you want to customize in the future, or if you should ever need a gunsmith to work on your firearm, or incase you are the one in a million who buys a lemon.
I personally cannot afford a custom firearm. I personally like to customize the firearms I do own to -my- style of hunting as I go, or can afford it. I personally own a handfull of Winchesters from most eras & have come to trust them for accuracy, quality, & reliability. So for -me personally- its a "no brainer" but that's kinda opposite of your "no brainer" huh....
Look man I wish you luck, & success with your chosen firearm, & I'm glad your happy with it. I have a Browning ill sell you if you wanna P.M. me. But your no brainer & mine are completely different. Opinions sometimes get riled up a bit when a person has different experiences. I'll gladly respect your opinion, & I meant no disrespect to you. We just disagree.

O.P. you are gonna have to weigh out what options you want/need, or don't want/need. After that buy wichever one fits your tastes, & style. Both Browning & Winchester make great firearms. Both make thier share of exceptionally accurate, acceptably accurate, reasonably a curate, & occasionally no where near accurate firearms. They are production firearms, so its luck of the draw. I have never owned a Winchester I couldn't get to shoot well, & will continue to buy Winchester firearms. It sounds like ishootkittens has never owned a Browning he couldn't get to shoot well. So it looks like you have pretty good odds at getting a good one with either brand.
Best of luck to you with whatever you choose in the end.
 
Kinda opinionated statements aren't they? I feel the exact opposite. Winchester quality controll is exelent in comparison to many manufacturers. As far as popularity I'd hardly call "the riflemans rifle" unpopular. If you need further convincing, re-read this thread & count up the votes for each, then see wich manufacturers " popularity is in the $hitter" as you so eloquently put it. In the end I'm happy with my choice, & I hope your happy with yours, but be very carefull making generalized statements in a "no brainer" blanket context. That may be your opinion, but its hardly fact.
I'm sure there are awesome, accurate, quality firearms from most major manufacturers out there. I'm equally sure there are a number of poor, inacurate, low quality firearms from those same manufacturers that slipped thru the cracks. Were not dealing with custom guns here. These are production firearms.
Both Winchester, & Browning make beautiful firearms with acceptable accuracy, & many different models to choose from, & so do many other manufacturers. It still comes down to personal taste,(fit/finnish/feel etc.) & intended use. Sometimes $ is a consideration when purchasing a firearm. Take ALL these things into consideration, & different people with different intended use for same firearm, & you eventually get controversy.
So, if you want a factory firearm pick one of "brand x", hope you get a good one, & be happy with your choice. If you get a lemon in any brand your probably not gonna be happy with your purchase.
With some brands, It's nice to know there's a huge array of aftermarket parts incase your intrests change, or incase you want to customize in the future, or if you should ever need a gunsmith to work on your firearm, or incase you are the one in a million who buys a lemon.
I personally cannot afford a custom firearm. I personally like to customize the firearms I do own to -my- style of hunting as I go, or can afford it. I personally own a handfull of Winchesters from most eras & have come to trust them for accuracy, quality, & reliability. So for -me personally- its a "no brainer" but that's kinda opposite of your "no brainer" huh....
Look man I wish you luck, & success with your chosen firearm, & I'm glad your happy with it. I have a Browning ill sell you if you wanna P.M. me. But your no brainer & mine are completely different. Opinions sometimes get riled up a bit when a person has different experiences. I'll gladly respect your opinion, & I meant no disrespect to you. We just disagree.

O.P. you are gonna have to weigh out what options you want/need, or don't want/need. After that buy wichever one fits your tastes, & style. Both Browning & Winchester make great firearms. Both make thier share of exceptionally accurate, acceptably accurate, reasonably a curate, & occasionally no where near accurate firearms. They are production firearms, so its luck of the draw. I have never owned a Winchester I couldn't get to shoot well, & will continue to buy Winchester firearms. It sounds like ishootkittens has never owned a Browning he couldn't get to shoot well. So it looks like you have pretty good odds at getting a good one with either brand.
Best of luck to you with whatever you choose in the end.

Wait.. you do realize this is a forum...95% of the **** we blabber about on here is "opinionated". Realize that this guy is a beginner. We have been Pming for a couple of days and hes looking to get started in the obsession we all share. He is like me, hes a hunter. Not a fancy target shooter or competition junky. Hes a hunter. He's looking to get a .270wsm or a .270win. I told him that the .270wsm would be great and offer him alot more benefits over the .270win. I dont think he would have posted this thread if he wanted answers like "Goodluck and sometimes you get good guns and sometimes you get bad ones by going for production rifles."

When I post a thread I want people to give me their opinion! The more biased the BETTER! I think the guy knows that factory rifles are not as "wonderful" as custom rifles. But hes an average hunter trying to get started with shooting. In my OPINION..it comes down to features and feel. As you said they are both pretty good rifles.. but I just think browning is in another class than the winchesters. Maybe not 20 years ago, but today I will GLADLY stand up and say that winchester has gone down hill from what they used to be. Once again.. caution.. this is my opinion only. The Pre-64 models... were okay. But M70's are junk.. FROM MY EXPERIENCE with my buddies who have model 70's. Just as I think remingtons are rust buckets just the same. I think the best factory rifles are Browning/savage/tikka (as far as bolt guns).. I wouldnt call winchester the worst by any means.....BUT.. in this situation.. in this comparison.. once again. MY..(opinionated *caution*).. MY nod.. goes to the browning X-bolt. Its not just the browning name. I think the A-bolt feels cheaper and more awkward than the M70 AND Remmy700's, and the bolt feels like sandpaper. But Browning got it right with the X-bolt.

But who knows.. the Sc winchesters may be the NEW WONDERFUL MAGICAL AMAZING GUN OF THE FUTURE...I can tell you my opinion from my experiences with both firearms... *caution here it comes again* MY OPINION IS GO WITH THE BROWNING...sir.
 
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