Never owned an X-Bolt but I do have an A-Bolt II, absolutly no mechanical issues with the rifle and I like the features, but I had FITS trying to get the thing to group, it hated all four brands of factory ammo I ran through it and took twenty or so trys to find a handload it could hold better then 1.5" with. Sadly the least accurate rifle I have owned in years though it does give me acceptable (not great) accuracy now with my Serria Game King/Big Game loads. Like the feel of the rifle, but a Savage or Tikka is a whole lot easier to work with at the range.