Last year, I got my first experience with the Browning X-Bolt, using a Hell’s Canyon model in 6.5 Creedmore. I came away very impressed, my respect for the Browning name rekindled. They got a lot right with this model, from the trigger to the muzzle brake. So when the chance popped up to take a look at the X-bolt Pro in 300 Winchester Magnum, I hopped on it.
300 WM might not be the sexiest new round on the block, but it is hard to argue with it’s 55 year proven track record. It will kill anything in North America, and probably dinosaurs if you find yourself in that position. I also like it because no other cartridge, to me at least, personifies America more. We could make a more aerodynamic bullet, but that is for nerds. We will just make our 30 caliber bullet go faster! Ballisticians- fit more powder behind this. Go!
As much as I like 300 WM, I was a little concerned about sparking it off in a 6 pound, 9 ounce gun. I have shot well over 100 rounds in this caliber in a day, but that was behind a not light AI chassis on a MK13. Sub 7 pounds is great for carrying around the mountains, but it can make for a very long day of testing. I am very happy to report that the Browning muzzle brake works OUTSTANDING for this caliber. I was so amazed, I actually wondered for a minute if Hornady sent me powder puff loads.
Muzzle brake is threaded on, also suppressor capable
The gun itself is a thing of beauty, something sorely missing in hunting rifles today. The stock is carbon fiber, which gives it a snakeskin-like appearance. It is also responsible for some of the weight cut from the rifle. The stock is slightly darker bronze than the action and barrel, which gives a nice two-tone look. The barrel is a light profile, but accuracy didn’t suffer on this rifle, much like it’s smaller 6.5 Creedmore sister. Using Hornady 200 grain ELD-X, the X-bolt turned in groups at just over 1 MOA at 100 meters. While that is not as good as the Creedmore, it is still P for plenty on a hunting rifle.
Many of the features that I liked on the original are shared with the X-Bolt Pro. The magazine is still a detachable rotary, with a capacity of 3+1 in this caliber. The trigger is fantastic, named the Feather Trigger by Browning. It is on par with the best I have seen in this class of rifle and is user adjustable. Mine came out of the box at 3.75 pounds but is adjustable between 3 and 5. The same 60-degree throw makes a follow-up shot a snap, with some added aesthetics. The bolt on the pro model is fluted, which if nothing else adds to the visual appeal.
When I talked about the original X-bolt, one thing I was sure to point out is don’t leave the store without rings. The X-bolt requires a unique ring set, which severely limits your scope choices. This is one of the only things I would put in the negative column. This time I had enough advanced notice to test the optimal fix for this.
EGW is one of my favorite accessory companies. I have used them for years, primarily for the Picatinny or weaver scope bases they make. From 10/22’s to, well, Browning X-bolts, they make a Picatinny top rail section for almost everything. This allowed me to use a grown-up scope with a Picatinny base, which is much more to my liking. EGW makes the base in short or long action and with a 0 or 20 MOA cant. If you are possibly taking the X-bolt long range hunting, you are going to need one of these. Out of the box, the rail section bolted right on with a perfect fit.
The Browning X-bolt Pro has an MSRP of $2099, which certainly isn’t cheap. But as soon as you pick one up, you know where the extra money went. As hunting rifles go, this is one of the best I have seen to date. If you are in the market for the fall season, the X-bolt family should be on your radar.
For more information on the Browning X-Bolt visit Browning by clicking here.
***Shop GunsAmerica for your next Browning X-Bolt Rifle***
Horrible! My friend and I each bought a Hell’s canyon in .300 Win Mag. Neither of the magazines would feed rounds. You had to remove the mags and bang them in something to get the round to pop up. Accuracy was poor and these had the new 1in 8” twist. Neither Gun could shoot anything lass than 2” groups. 5 shot groups were out to 4” with a variety of factory and hand loads. I sent them back to Browning. They didn’t fix the Mag problem and they sent back a target. It had 3 shots at .86 inches that was shot from 50 yards!!! When I called them they said that was a pretty good group. I pointed out that would make a 1 3/4” group at 100 yards. That’s all they would do. I could buy 3 Savage rifles for that price and they shoot dimes.
I have a 6.5 CM X-Bolt Pro in burnt bronze Cerakote, like yours. But Unlike yours my stock is bronze. I think you have a rare “Tungsten” color Cerakoated stock on a burnt bronze Cerakoted barreled action!! Gotta be a collector’s item.
However… I am selling my beautiful, and beautifully accurate 6.5 CM Pro and buying a 6.5 PRC bronze Cerakote Pro B/C living in Nevada I feel I could use the extra ft. lbs. of energy at longer ranges. A “6.5 CM magnum”! Oh Boy!
Don’t think you were testing the long range version if it only weighed 6lb9oz, that’s the weight of the regular xbolt pro.
Good read but I can’t see spending $2000 on a rifle that barely shoots MOA groups. I recently purchased a Mossberg for $400, put a Zeiss scope on it and it shoots sub-moa groups at 100 yards, plus It’s not too pretty to take hunting
One thing that I see wrong with the setup. If that scope was any higher above the barrel, I would need a ladder to see my target. EGW does make great mounts and it looks like you got the lowest rings,, but my daddy said get that scope as close as you can to the barrel.. It helps with accuracy at all distances.
Great review!
Thanks
I bought a savage 111 long barrel 300wm years ago for around $400, put a Khantrol brake on it and it has shot Hornady’s budget American whitetail well under MOA at 475 yds, amazing since that’s a low BC spire point bullet. I do have a browning 7-08; but it’s so pretty I’m reluctant to take it into the woods.
Wouldn’t it be cool if the author could spell ‘Creedmoor?’
Seriously Mr spellcheck?
What, he misspelled Creedmoor!? I’m never going to read his reviews again.!
If this rifle is 6lb 9oz then it’s not the long range model, it’s just the pro model. The long range has a heavy sporter barrel and weighs in around 7 1/2lbs.
Over 2k for a rifle that manages 1 MOA with match grade factory ammo? Might as well have led with that and saved me the trouble of reading the rest. I jest, but, honestly…I’d have accepted 1 MOA in the 90s, back in an era before a $500 dollar rack grade rifle would guarantee better than 1 MOA.
Could not agree more. I can get that accuracy out of a Savage Axis II. Save $1500.00 and buy a quality scope. That’s a fact jack.
I have always been a Browning freak! The x-bolts are just awesome. Browning does not get the recognition it deserves due to lack of aftermarket options. Thanks.for the great review!
Impressed with the muzzle brake on a “6.5 Creed”??? ROTFLMAO! What a country full of pussies we have become.
While ur getting back on target, I’ll be pulling the trigger again with a muzzle brake
it’s called a follow up shot, genius. or a multiple target engagement.
You my friend are an idiot for trying to school a special forces pipe hitter who knows what the fuck he is talking about, please go the minor leagues.
Maybe you didn’t read the author bio, but dude’s a green beret… so unless you’re CAG or something in that tier, you might reconsider the “pussy” comment…. While you’re at it, maybe consider that he knows what he’s talking about.
Muzzle brakes, don’t leave home without one…………
I bought this gun 6 months ago and mounted my Mark 4, Leopold, LR Tactical scope, and my Rugged, 7.62 Razor, shooting Hornady 180 GMX Superformance, 3280 fps, right out of the box, at sea level, Homestead, FL, and it shoots a tennis ball group, at the 500 yard range, suppressed!!!
Amazingly good fun and ammo.
I expect Elk for Christmas dinner this year.
We were so impressed with the performance of this gun and ammo, two of my hunting partners for this year bought them, and using the factory brakes, got the same results, one with a Vortex, and the other with his Sig, Tango 6.