Browning X bolt or Win 70 in 7RM

[ardenne]

Hi all,

A friend of mine wants replace his Rem700 308 with a 7 mm RM.
Choices are Browning X bolt and Win 70 hunter (strictly), and does not want another 700 in any cal.
he wants it to be the most accurate and the rugged one, I'd recommend the win 70 hunter but have not used any so far, so no idea aside from some internet reviews which are generally positive for new FN made win70s.
He is not gonna reload, so, which ammo you think suits the best for each one?
And of course, which one would be the best choice for deer hunting at long ranges (600-800yrds)

Thanks a lot guys...

 

[7stw]

Hi all,

A friend of mine wants replace his Rem700 308 with a 7 mm RM.
Choices are Browning X bolt and Win 70 hunter (strictly), and does not want another 700 in any cal.
he wants it to be the most accurate and the rugged one, I'd recommend the win 70 hunter but have not used any so far, so no idea aside from some internet reviews which are generally positive for new FN made win70s.
He is not gonna reload, so, which ammo you think suits the best for each one?
And of course, which one would be the best choice for deer hunting at long ranges (600-800yrds)

Thanks a lot guys...

Both have a lot of good points, but of the two, the Winchester rises to the top. The new FN's are nothing to sneeze at as far as quality goes. Barrels and triggers are excellent. The Browning is a beautiful rifle, and they shoot very well as well. I have owned one, and it shot very well, but the only thing is that there are little to nothing available as far as aftermarket stocks and triggers. That is truly the ONLY thing wrong about the Brownings.

 

[varmintH8R]

I can't speak to the Browning but I have an M70 and like it a lot. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

M70 definitely

 

[MudRunner2005]

It's a shame he's dumping the 700, b/c he could make it just as accurate than either of the other two, for alot less money. And parts are everywhere for 700's.

I have Brownings, 700's, older Ruger 77's (tang safety), and Weatherby Mark V's. and those are the only brands of bolt guns I'll buy for a reason.

Nothing wrong with the others, these just happen to be my preferences.

I say keep the 700 and have it worked by a competent gunsmith and stick a 5R heavy barrel on it with an 11.25" twist. It will shoot 168's & 175's in 1 ragged one. I am fixing to try out some Berger 210's in my 700 5R .308 to see if it likes them.

If he is insistant on ditching the 700, I say go Browning A-Bolt II.

Why not work the 700 and buy a A-Bolt II 7Mag. I love my mine. Had 2 of them, and still have one of them.

 

[jt183]

I've shot a Browning X-Bolt .243 almost exclusively for the last three years and I love it. Accuracy is excellent even after firing over 1200 rounds. It has accounted for many rockchucks and coyotes at 500 yards +. I agree that the only down side to a Browning is the lack of aftermarket parts. There are a few things showing up for the A-Bolt (stocks, triggers, ect...) but nothing yet for the X-Bolt.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Man, it took long enough for them to make stuff for us A-Bolt guys. I feel bad for yall X-Bolters... LOL

I think that 1.25 lb Rifle Basix trigger spring might also fit the X-Bolts... I know it fits A-Bolts & A-Bolt II's. It has been the best mod for my A-Bolt II 7Mag so far. Next is to ditch the Leupold rings and bases, and get a EGW base and some TPS rings. Might even put a higher magnification wcope on it.

 

[ardenne]

Thank you all guys for your comments, which are really appreciated.

I guess he experienced some bad luck & quality issues using that 700, and he will sell it soon

He just wants a high quality rifle which wont break easily so that he never needs a smith.

BTW, can someone tell if japanese miroku-made browning barrels really differ from those "manufactured to the same army standards" in SC along with M4s? (quoting winchester site)

 

[MudRunner2005]

Mine has the Jap made barrel on it w/ the BOSS, and it's a tack-driver. It has the 9.5" twist, and loves the 160's and 168's. i haven't tried any 180's yet....But it won't be long before I try some. Might go load some up now, before I go to the range, just to try them out.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

He just wants a high quality rifle which wont break easily so that he never needs a smith.

With any factory production rifle you stand a chance of having issues... some more than others as your friend has found out.

If you take a good look at the guts and the histories of the M70 vs the Browning you will see the M70 is a better choice.