I’d sent lead downrange with numerous rifle makes in various calibers. I would need to look back at the photos to tell you the brand or names of any of those rifles.
Then 2009, one year after Browning replaced its legendary A-Bolt line with the X-Bolt series, I squeezed the trigger on an X-Bolt and fell in love. I don’t need to look back at pictures or ask a buddy, “Hey, what rifle was that I was shooting that day?”
My first X-Bolt experience is forever cemented in my mind.
Why?
There was nothing too special about the day. A few of my hunting buddies and I were sending lead and punching paper at close and far distances. What made the day stand out was the short, quick 60-degree bolt throw, crisp Three-Lever Feather Trigger, and the fantastic accuracy the rifle produced. I love and remember guns that fill me with shooting confidence, and the X-Bolt is one of those guns.
Offered in various makes and models, Browning’s X-Bolt line expanded rapidly over the years. At each SHOT Show following the 2008 launch, more members joined the team, including the X-Bolt Speed LR, X-Bolt Target Lite Max, and X-Bolt Pro McMillan Long Range SPR. Many of these models have helped fill my freezer and trophy room.
A New X-Bolt Line
Early last October, Browning’s Rafe Nielsen called to tell me a new rifle would arrive at my FFL. He told me the official launch was months away, but wanted me to have Browning’s shiny new-for-2024 penny for my upcoming elk hunt.
He told me nothing else.
When I unboxed Browning’s latest bolt-action marvel, the card inside read X-Bolt 2 Speed. Browning rushes nothing. Aside from adding new X-Bolt models yearly, the original X-Bolt line was Browning’s flagship for the past 16 years.
I always knew that if Browning had developed a line that would trump the X-Bolt, it would have to be remarkable.
Spoiler alert
Browning’s X-Bolt 2 series consists of several bolt-action winners. The X-Bolt 2 Speed has an inside-the-Vari-Tech stock adjustable comb-height system, two grips with rubber over mold to ensure a just-right fit, a slimmer, sleeker receiver and bolt, and so much more.
On the third morning of my Colorado elk hunt, I made a 364-yard one-shot kill on a mature 302-inch bull. Chambered in 300 PRC, the rifle was a tack driver. In the weeks before the hunt, I’d tested its mettle to 700 yards.
The Cadillac
In February, a dream of mine came true. An invite from Leupold, Winchester, and Browning meant I’d be testing another X-Bolt 2 model, this time in the Dark Continent. That hunt is coming fast, and I can’t wait to pen the story for you, but in the meantime, there’s plenty of information to share.
For the past three weeks, I’ve sent 60 rounds downrange from the Cadillac of the new-for-2024 X-Bolt 2 line—the X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber. A standard rifle that looks and shoots like a custom-made rifle, this fancy-to-do bolt-action has a lot going for it.
Stock And Grip On The X-Bolt 2
Whether on the bench or in elk country, I prefer a lightweight stock, and the McMillan Game Warden 2.0 heeds the go-light call. Crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, this stock sports a stylish Urban Carbon Ambush finish, a raised comb for precise eye-to-optic alignment, an ultra-comfortable vertical grip with top thumb rest, and a wide and flat fore-end for precise shooting.
The vertical grip felt remarkable, and I loved the thickness of the gun’s throat; my hand fell into it like a glove, and the top-tang safety was easy to access with the thumb.
The stock features a Pachmayer Decelerator recoil pad (more to come on this), and the fore-end sports an Aluminum Picatinny rail, which easily accepted my Swagger bipod.
Great Features On The X-Bolt 2
I don’t think you can beat Browning’s 60-degree bolt throw. It supports rapid cycling, even in long-action calibers, and ensures optic clearance.
For 2024, the 60-degree bolt lift is back, but it’s better than ever. The bolt is fluted, which saves some weight, the handle got a slight extension, and the knob got a new shape. The system is lightning-quick and silky smooth.
The bolt-release button is located on the left side of the receiver and allows for quick bolt removal for bore sighting and cleaning. I took advantage of Browning’s X-Lock Scope Mounting System atop the receiver. Four screws tightened to the appropriate torque via my Real Avid Torque Driver secured my Leupold bases. After adding Leupold’s VX-6HD 3-18×44, I leveled the scope, set proper eye relief, and tightened the rings. Even with this slightly oversized optic, bolt clearance wasn’t an issue.
With the detachable rotary magazine removed and the chamber clear, I pointed the rifle downrange to get a feel for the all-new DLX Trigger. Though I would lighten the trigger if a long-range shooting match was on the horizon, I liked the set hunting weight. The trigger is crisp and immediate with zero creep.
The Barrel & More
I don’t mind a shorter-barrelled shooter for the range, and I sure don’t mind one when mountain hunting. The X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber chambered in .300 Win. Mag. sports a 22-inch Preferred Barrels Blanks stainless steel barrel wrapped in carbon fiber. Four inches shorter than standard rifle barrel length (26 inches), weight is reduced, and barrel length is kept in check when using a suppressor.
Each barrel starts as a blank. The barrel is then precision bored and button rifled before being stress-relieved to ensure maximum accuracy and undeniable shot-to-shot consistency.
The carbon-fiber wrapping looks fantastic, and at the muzzle end, there is a Recoil Hawg muzzle brake. The brake works perfectly with the Pachmayer Decelerator recoil pad to reduce shoulder abuse.
100 Yards With The X-Bolt 2
I got lucky. Before Leupold sent me its VX-6HD, custom dial makers shot the rifle I’m taking to Africa, performed a speed test, etc., and sent me CDS-ZL2 Zero Lock elevation dial customized for Winchester’s Expedition Big Game 190-Grain AccuBond LR Long Range ammo. I’ve had fantastic success with AccuBond LR bullets and was thrilled with Winchester’s choice.
After a quick bore-sight to get the rifle on paper, I made elevation adjustments first and windage adjustments second. After a handful of shots, the gun was dead-on at 100 yards.
I was shocked at the lack of recoil. While the .300 Win. Mag. is one of my favorite all-time calibers; I’ve shot models that rock the shoulder and the body. This rifle barely jumps, which is a testimony to the overall design, especially the Recoil Hawg muzzle brake and Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad.
Each shot broke clean and crisp, and the final three rounds touched on Hornady’s Lock-N-Load targets. The rifle is so clean, streamlined, and accurate that shooting confidence proliferates.
I shot an entire box of Winchester ammo from no further than 100 yards. Yes, the rifle was dialed, but I think one of the biggest mistakes shooters make when they get a new gun—it’s the same with archery guys too—is they try and shoot it too far too quickly. I want to get a feel for the rifle I’m shooting. For this reason, I shot the rifle prone from my Bog DeathGrip Infinted Carbon shooting tripod, prone using my Swagger bi-pod, off-hand standing, and kneeling. I punched paper, rang steel, and even blew up a milk jug.
During the first 20 rounds, I cleaned the rifle three times.
Speed Test
Winchester brands the .300 Win. Mag. 190-Grain AccuBond LR with a 2,900 fps muzzle velocity. My three-shot average through a chronograph was 2,902, which is ultra-close to the advertised velocity. I like that kind of consistency.
Stretch The Legs
My first long-range shot was from 500 yards. I applaud the VX6-HD’s edge-to-edge clarity. After dialing my turret, I tightened my BOG tripod, breathed, and squeezed.
My son, Hunter, told me I was just a tick high of the bullseye. I immediately cycled another round, swapped the tripod for my Swagger bi-pod, went prone, and smashed a 6-inch steel plate from the same distance.
I want to point out that the Preferred Barrels carbon-wrapped barrel cooled quickly. The outside temperature on the first day of shooting was 86 degrees—not a scorcher, but still warm—and the barrel cooled quickly.
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Later that afternoon, in a 10-mile-per-hour crosswind, I punched the left side of the bullseye at 650 yards. I gave the rifle only a touch of windage, which is something else I love about a magnum-powered rifle shooting a heavy-grain bullet: bullet drift is reduced.
My furthest tested distance off the bench was from 925 yards. I placed three gallon-sized milk jugs on top of a hill with a high backdrop and exploded two of the three in three shots. The second shot was an operator error. I love the clean break of the DLX trigger.
The further tested distance off my BOG and Swagger bipod was 750 yards. I shot five rounds from this distance, and all five would’ve crushed the vitals of any African animals on my list.
Conclusion
Browning’s X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR is a remarkable long-range rifle. Whether you want to top the podium at a long-range shooting competition or punch lungs on animals close and far, I can’t give this new-for-the-year bolt-action a higher approval rating.
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