I'm going to skip the "is 6.5 PRC worth it" discussion, since for me it is... I don't reload.
So for those of us looking for magazine-fed options, rather than BDL-style floorplates, here's one.
I have two X-Bolts in 6.5 Creedmoor, and love them. I've never had any of the magazine-related issues that some report. I like the rotary design, and despite hunting in the cold the polymer has always been smooth, robust and reliable.
I'd called Browning, and their oh-so-wonderful customer service couldn't tell me the internal length of their magazine, other than that it was meant to fit short-action cartridges, so ~2.86" COAL. So I went out on a limb and bought a 300 WSM magazine, and what do you know? It works!
Image #1 (below): The perspective in this view is a little odd, and it looks like the top cartridge won't fit, but since you can see the one below it, obviously it does.
Image #2 (below): This one's a little better. There isn't a whole lot of space in front of the meplat, but it's sufficient.
Image #3 (below): As you can see, the COAL of a loaded Hornady Precision Hunter (this is representative of the 5 different loaded rounds I checked, is right at 2.950".
So the trick would be adapting the Browning DBM to another action's screw holes, since the trigger guard is integral to the DBM. But other than that this is a really nice flush-f itting option with a rounded profile that makes for a super-comfortable-carrying hunting rifle. And for those wondering if they can re-barrel any X-Bolt, you can, and get a 3000 fps 6.5 option with factory-loaded ammo.
By the by, I just had Pierce re-barrel my old X-Bolt Hunter in .308 Win to 6.5 Creedmoor. The threads were pretty fine and they had to put some elbow grease to get it off because apparently Browning/Miroku is still using the thread locker on them, but it came off just fine without inordinate force and didn't mess anything up.
So for those of us looking for magazine-fed options, rather than BDL-style floorplates, here's one.
I have two X-Bolts in 6.5 Creedmoor, and love them. I've never had any of the magazine-related issues that some report. I like the rotary design, and despite hunting in the cold the polymer has always been smooth, robust and reliable.
I'd called Browning, and their oh-so-wonderful customer service couldn't tell me the internal length of their magazine, other than that it was meant to fit short-action cartridges, so ~2.86" COAL. So I went out on a limb and bought a 300 WSM magazine, and what do you know? It works!
Image #1 (below): The perspective in this view is a little odd, and it looks like the top cartridge won't fit, but since you can see the one below it, obviously it does.
Image #2 (below): This one's a little better. There isn't a whole lot of space in front of the meplat, but it's sufficient.
Image #3 (below): As you can see, the COAL of a loaded Hornady Precision Hunter (this is representative of the 5 different loaded rounds I checked, is right at 2.950".
So the trick would be adapting the Browning DBM to another action's screw holes, since the trigger guard is integral to the DBM. But other than that this is a really nice flush-f itting option with a rounded profile that makes for a super-comfortable-carrying hunting rifle. And for those wondering if they can re-barrel any X-Bolt, you can, and get a 3000 fps 6.5 option with factory-loaded ammo.
By the by, I just had Pierce re-barrel my old X-Bolt Hunter in .308 Win to 6.5 Creedmoor. The threads were pretty fine and they had to put some elbow grease to get it off because apparently Browning/Miroku is still using the thread locker on them, but it came off just fine without inordinate force and didn't mess anything up.
