Browning 270 WIN X Bolt

[Eddie Davis]

Hi All,
I would like to hear from owners of the Browning 270WIN X bolt rifle. I'm very close to buying one to hunt deer and also to be able to 'tune it down' to hunt varmit such as foxes and pigs.
I was originally looking at buying the same rifle in 30/06 but have turned to the 270 WIN after reading a number of favourable reports about the 270 WIN over the 30/06 and other calibres.
If you have strong views about an alternative brand to (my favourite brand) Browning I would like to hear from you. Equally so, if you think that there is a better alternative calibre to the 270 WIN for deer hunting out to 150-200 metres and varmit hunting out to 300-400 metres I would really like to hear from you.
I can't afford to own several rifles so I am trying to find a good compromise between a quality rifle (al la Browning!!) potential all-round performance, comfortable recoil, cost of ammunition, etc..
Finally, can you please comment about the brand / type of scope that you have on your rifle that fits this category.
Much appreciated,
Eddie

 

[JimKirk]

Browning A-Bolt in 25/06. It is a fine long range deer rifle and a long range varmint gun.
My guess is that the 270 win may be easier for you to find in Australia though.
Is the 25/06 available there?
The 25/06 has a 120 gr bullet which is just about equal to the 130 gr .270 bullet and there are also 75-87 grain varmint bullets available for the 25/06 too.

Jimmy K

 

[Horsemany]

I have a 270 Win X-Bolt Medallion. It's my favorite rifle even though I own several others that cost much more. The Sako 85, Kimber 8400, Tikka T3, 700's, Ruger 77 and Win. m70's I own are nice but I prefer the Browning to them.

The X-Bolt is lightweight, smooth and deadly accurate. Mine shoots handload 130gr Nosler Ballistic tips and Federal Fusion 130grains to .5" @100yds off a concrete bench. The trigger is excellent and adjusts easily. The recoil pad is as soft as any. IMO Browning's got the rifle to beat right now.

 

[MGA 1028]

Very Happy With The X Bolt

I purchased a new X Bolt in a .270 Win this past season and i'm very happy with it. I purchased the Varmit Stalker, which is blued with the composite stock. I'm wishing now I had gone the extra $$ for stainless. Using the Remington Accutip in 130 grain, i'm grouping 3/4" at 100 yards. That is shooting across my pack, just like I hunt. I killed one doe @ 160 yds and a 6 point @ 220 yds. The devastation cause by that accutip was unbelievable, both deer dropped on the spot. I've never really believed in barrel break in procedures. I shoot 20 to 40 rounds each time out, then I clean thoroughly. At first I had substantial copper fouling. Each time a cleaned with KG-12, very patiently. I went to the range last week, the gun has just fired it's 140th round and it came home with a burnished barrel and no fouling. I am very happy with my X Bolt. Both with the quality and performance of the Browning and my decision to go .270 Win for whitetail. Also, I will be using it for coyote and I'm sure I'll be happy with it's performance.
Hope this helps !!!

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Eddie Davis.

I think most everyone knows that Browning makes quality firearms, and the 270 Win is still a favorite caliber world wide. IMO, it is slightly better for long range big game than a 30'06 due to it's trajectory, but marginally, and loaded with 90-100gr, it is a devastating varmint killer.
The 25'06 is a better varmint round than the 270, but the heavier bullet 270 beats the 25'06 for big game. The 270 is a good common sense choice, that sits firmly between the 30'06 and the 25'06.



NCsmitty

 

[rodensouth]

I have 2 x-bolts in 270 and 300 wsm. They have both been accurate out of the box, and have nice fit and finish. I really like the detachable magazines, very tough and makes load/unload easy. You will find many on this board who dislike them and suggest Winchester mod 70, but I did not understand why after handling both repeatedly, and I am very happy with them.

Welcome to THR

 

[Eddie Davis]

Hi All,
Thanks for your feedback on the Browning X Bolt and also the 270 WIN & 25/06 calibres. Thanks also for the welcome to THR.
The 25/06 X Bolt is available in Australia (Jimmy K) but from talking to my local gun-shop the 270 WIN is far more popular as a general all purpose rifle. As you would expect, he regards the 25/06 to be a better calibre as a long range hard hitting varmit rifle.
Also as you would expect, my gunsmith strongly recommends the Browning brand. Apparently the only problem we have is getting supply from Browning to Australia as your local (USA) demand for this brand very much limits the number of rifles available for export. He said that he would love a dollar for every time a buyer has opted to buy another brand of rifle as the wait for a Browning is just too long. Guess I better make up my mind and get an order in for a Browning shortly!
Thanks again Eddie

 

[Horsemany]

Browning's are sometimes tough to find here too. Browning makes seasonal runs in production and sometimes availability will dry up til the next cycle. About a year ago the after the first round of X-bolts thinnned out they were hard to find for a while unless you wanted one of the less desireable calibers.

Good luck with your purchase. I think you'll be pleased. And welcome to THR.

 

[Eddie Davis]

Thanks for the X -bolt confidence boost and the welcome to THR. It's a great site. Eddie