Browning's New X-Bolt 2 Hunting Rifle Tested on Texas Whitetails

Since its introduction in 2008, the Browning X-Bolt has proven itself as a leading big-game hunting rifle and garnered legions of fans from coast to coast. Sixteen years on, the new X-Bolt 2 builds upon the success of its predecessor with 14 different versions ranging in price from $1,100 to $4,000. Last December, I took the moderately priced X-Bolt 2 Speed on a hunt for Carmen Mountain whitetails in South Texas, and since then have spent some time with it at the range. The rifle’s design characteristics and performance have impressed me both in the field and at the bench.

At the heart of the X-Bolt 2 Speed is the highly customizable Vari-Tech composite stock, with its adjustable comb height, length of pull and grip styles. To adjust the comb height, the user inserts an included hex wrench into a small hole at the top of the recoil pad, engages the internal screw and loosens it to free the comb. The comb has six adjustment positions that cover a range of approximately 1 inch. The stock’s length of pull is adjusted by removing the recoil pad and rear part of the buttstock, and adding or removing one or more of the four included spacers. The X-Bolt 2 Speed comes with two grip modules with rubber overmolding—an angled sporter option and a vertical option—that are easily interchangeable depending on user preference.

The rifle is available in 12 different chamberings ranging from .243 Win. to .300 PRC. The included radial muzzle brake and a 1 1/4-inch Inflex recoil pad work together to minimize felt recoil and allow for fast follow-up shots.

As its moniker suggests, the X-Bolt 2 Speed is built with the mobile hunter in mind; the weight of the 6.8 Western-chambered version tips the scales at just over 6 1/2 pounds. This low weight is achieved in part through a fluted sporter-contour barrel (with an M13x0.75-threaded muzzle) and a spiral-fluted bolt. The bolt features a 60-degree lift for fast cycling and to provide clearance for oversized optics. A bolt-unlock button positioned at the junction of the bolt’s body and its handle allows the user to open the bolt with the safety on.

Unlike many centerfire rifles, the X-Bolt 2 Speed features four screw holes per base, rather than two, for rock-solid optics mounting. Browning calls these “X-Lock mounts.” An excellent, gold-plated DLX trigger, preset at the factory at 3 1/2 pounds and adjustable down to 3 pounds, breaks like glass with no discernable creep, take-up or overtravel.

The X-Bolt 2 Speed is as attractive as it is functional. Browning’s proprietary and versatile Ovix camouflage adorns the stock, and a Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish protects the barrel, bolt and bottom metal.

When in Texas, I didn’t have much of an opportunity to get to know the X-Bolt 2 Speed. I used it to dispatch a great buck at 177 yards with a single shot approximately 20 minutes into my hunt.

As such, I was eager to get it to the range to see just what kind of accuracy I could wring out of it. As you can see from the Accuracy Results box, this new X-Bolt is a shooter. If you’re in the market for a new big-game rifle that could be used by multiple hunters thanks to its customizability, look no further.

ACCURACY RESULTS

Load: Winchester ExpeditionBig Game Long-Range

• Bullet weight: 165 grain
• Muzzle velocity: 2,855 feet per second
• Average Group: .761 inches

Load: Browning Silver Series

• Bullet weight: 170 gr.
• Muzzle velocity: 2,808 fps
• Average Group: 1.17”

Load: Winchester Ballistic Silvertip

• Bullet weight: 170 gr.
• Muzzle velocity: 2,829 fps
• Average group: .743”

Note: Muzzle velocity is the average of 10 consecutive shots as measured by a Garmin Xero chronograph. Accuracy is the average of three, three-shot groups fired from a Caldwell Lead Sled at 100 yards.

SPECIFICATIONS: BROWNING X-BOLT 2

• Type: bolt-action centerfire rifle
• Caliber: 6.8 Western (tested)
• Barrel: 24 inches; button-rifled; sporter contour with fluting; threaded muzzle with brake
• Trigger: DLX; factory set at 3 1/2-pound pull weight; adjustable to 3 pounds
• Safety: two-position tang-mounted
• Magazine: rotary, detachable box; 3-round capacity
• Sights: none; drilled and tapped for X-Lock bases
• Stock: Vari-Tech composite; adjustable LOP, comb and grip
• Finish: Ovix camo, Smoked Bronze Cerakote
• Overall length: 44”
• Weight: 6.63 pounds
• MSRP: $1,499.99

---

---