Browning X Bolt 308

[cmdc]

This is a two-part question. First of all I am left handed, and have for years been adamantly opposed to right handed bolt guns; therefore I have a number of left handed rifles in my collection. I recently purchased a home in FL, and decided I wanted to get a few rifles here, but wanted to get something with synthetic stock at least, due to the higher humidity. So, I go looking for rifles, and can't find anything in left hand that I really wanted. I decided to expand my search and, on a whim, looked at an x-bolt synthetic stock, parkerized 308 right hand. I found that with the 60 degree bolt, it was surprisingly easy to work with my right hand without having to radically change my shooting position, hold, etc.

So, my questions are: How many of you who are left handed shoot right handed bolts in the field and how does it work for you, and most importantly, how is the x-bolt as a rifle? I guess that's three questions.

Thanks, and apologies for the long-winded post.

 

[burrhead]

I'm left handed and have used right hand rifles for more than 40 years. As a properly handed person, I'm sure you know you can overcome the right vs left issue pretty easily. That said, I bought a left handed X-Bolt in .308 a few months ago and I've found it to be superb. I got the wooden stocked hunter version and have found it to be fast pointing due to it's perfect balanced and light weight. As to accuracy, I recently shot a 0.82" ten shot group off of a front bag. The amazing thing about that was I used two completely different loads with two different brands of powder and bullets. I really, really like this rifle.

Oh, one more thing. That skinny barrel heats up FAST. I took about a hour to shoot that sub-inch group to allow things to cool down.

 

[cmdc]

Thanks, Burrhead. Being a properly-handed person, I concur with you. I was going to order a left hand hunter, but they were nowhere to be found, so I decided to break my cardinal rule and try the right-hand version. Haven't even picked it up yet, but I'm glad to hear your results with yours.

 

[Gtscotty]

I can't speak much to a south paw's experience with the x- bolt, but as for the rifle itself, I have one in 30-06 and could not be happier with it. I have gotten several .75" 5 shot groups and a couple .5" three shot groups with mine. In my opinion, that's more than acceptable accuracy from such a light, quick handling, ergonomic rifle. Some folks may not be too impressed with the 60 degree bolt lift, but I love how much space it gives you for mounting low scopes.

 

[93LXRag]

RH X Bolt for Leftys

Hey CDMC,

I have a Browning X-Bolt in .308 (RH) and I love it. I am not an avid hunter but have put 40 or so shots through it either standing or prone.

With the synthetic stock it seems to give your right hand something to grip into with some give, as I just rotate the gun with my right hand on the foreend and use my left to cycle the bolt.

I am tried this with other wood stocked or other hard synthetic stocked guns and it is not as smooth. I think the "give" in the stock makes the difference.

Good Luck, I also would like a LH X Bolt but have not seen any around these parts.

-Steve

 

[adelbridge]

I shoot a savage 516 with a left handed bolt and I am right handed. That's the only way that gun comes for good reason. I have no problems at all with it. I think specific handed guns matter most with cheek combs.

 

[Kachok]

Never owned the X-Bolt but I recently bought a new A-Bolt which is my first Browning ever. While it is a functional rifle I would not recommend it given the exceptional performance I have gotten from some of my other rifles namely my Savages, Tikka and my new Winchester 70 Featherweight.
The trigger on the Browning is not as good as the others, the action is not as smooth and my A-Bolt shoots very poorly with all factory ammo. Working up an accurate handload was by far the most challenging of any rifle I have ever owned, but for what it is worth I do have it shooting very tight groups now.