The X-Bolt retains the A-Bolt's tang safety and cocking indicator.

The X-Bolt's barrel is a standard Browning tube. That is to say it is hammer-forged and has a recessed target crown. Barrels chambered for WSM cartridges are 23 inches, standard cartridges have 22-inch barrels, and magnums sport 26-inch tubes. The sporter-weight barrel on my test .270 WSM X-Bolt measured 0.6 inch at the muzzle.

The X-Bolt Hunter's oil-finished stock is the most obvious departure from the A-Bolt line. The sleek, modern design reminds me of Browning's Cynergy line, in that you either love it or you hate it. The relatively straight design has a trim fore-end with an interesting shadow-line accent, a checkered pistol grip and fore-end, and a shadow line on either side of the butt. That shadow line and a long, sweeping grip combine to give the stock a lithe, lean look. Browning's new super-squishy Inflex recoil pad uses a combination of recoil-dampening rubber and a new design that causes the rifle to recoil away from your face, rather than into it, to reduce felt recoil.

The action is bedded into the new stock with bedding compound at the front and rear for increased accuracy and stability. The barrel is free-floated. Two screws at the bottom of the stock--one fore and one aft of the magazine--secure the bottom metal, stock, and barreled action. The action sits very low in the stock, which looks good and feels great in the hands.

Browning X-Bolt:
Model:	X-Bolt Hunter
Purpose:	Big game
Manufacturer:	Browning 1 Browning Place Morgan, UT 84050 801-876-2711
Action type:	Bolt-action
Operation:	Turn-bolt
Magazine type/ capacity:	Detachable, rotary magazine. Three rounds:WSM calibers; four rounds: standard calibers
Reciever material:	Steel
Caliber:	.270 WSM (tested), .243, 7mm-08, .308, .25-06, .270 Win., .280 Rem., .30-06, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .338 Win. Mag., .300 WSM, 7mm WSM, .325 WSM
Barrel length:	22 in. (standard), 23 in. (WSM), 26 in. (magnum)
Rifling:	Four grooves; 1:10 RH twist
Sights:	None; drilled and tapped for scope bases
Metal finish:	Matte blue (as tested); polished blue; matte stainless
Safety:	Mechanical trigger disconnect
Trigger type:	User adjustable, Browning Feather
Pull weight:	3 lbs. 8 oz. (tested)
Stock material:	Turkish walnut (tested); synthetic
Stock finish:	Satin
Drop at heel:	1/2 in.
Drop at comb:	5/8 in.
Length of pull:	13.625 in.
Checkering:	Cut checkering
Recoil pad:	Black, 1 inch, Inflex pad
Sling studs/swivel:	Fixed sling studs
Weight, empty:	6 lbs, 11 oz.
Overall length:	42 3/4 in. (23-inch barrel)
Accessories:	Owner's manual, security lock
MSRP:	$799- $1,049 ($849 as tested)

X-Bolt Hits The X-Ring
I didn't have much of a choice when it came to scoping my X-Bolt, but that's okay. The 4-12X 40mm Cabela's Alaskan Guide Premium scope that came on my test rifle worked just fine. I had never used a Cabela's scope before, so I was anxious to see how the new optic measured up.

At home, the scope was bright and clear. It was also a nice match, size-wise, for the new Browning. Since the gun was shipped to me for a hunt, the scope was already mounted in a set of Talley's excellent lightweight mounts, and it had been bore-sighted.

At the range, the scope tracked well, with adjustments moving the scope a quarter-inch per click at 100 yards. After only four shots, I had the gun dialed in and ready for some serious accuracy testing.

I only had three loads on hand, but they proved to be all I needed to see just how accurate the new Browning X-Bolt was. With Federal's 130-grain TSX load, it shot well under an inch at 100 yards for three shots, and five-shot groups averaged right at 1.24 inches. Average velocity was 3,193 fps. Federal's new 130-grain Tipped Trophy Bonded load shot almost as well, with an average of 1.38 inches for five, five-shot groups and an average velocity of 3,187 fps. Winchester's 150-grain Supreme Elite XP3 load clocked 3,039 fps and averaged 1.86 inches.

It took the better part of a day and 79 rounds to wring out the lightweight .270 WSM. I was quite impressed with the rifle overall, but several features stood out. The new Feather Trigger made the biggest impression. It was light and crisp for sure, but it was also the cleanest rifle trigger I've ever tried. The mechanical advantage imparted by that third lever makes it feel as if there is absolutely no creep. In fact, the trigger is so crisp and clean, I didn't feel like I was shooting my best until after I'd fired about 30 rounds through the rifle.