Browning x bolt/Winchester M70

C

colburn

Inactive
I currently have 2 30-06s, a ruger M77 MKII stainless synthetic and a remington 1903. One for accuracy one for weather resistance and light weight. I would like to sell them and consolidate my '06 collection into either an X-bolt stainless stalker or the model 70 extreme weather. Id love to hear from anyone who owns either of these rifles in 30-06 about their accuracy beyond 100 yds, and any weaknesses they might have. I read a posting about the browning tumbling bullets at 300 yds, has anyone experienced this? Is the winchesters safety underbuilt? is the plastic magazine of the browning built to last?
 
I've owned a couple of Brownings (A-bolts) and a post-64 (1995?) model 70. All grouped decently but the model 70 was a tack hammer. I think the same (FN) company makes both rifles so the barrels now are probably very similar. Horse a piece?
 
The Browning magazine on the x-bolt is "plastic" like a Glock is "plastic". It is built to withstand anything you'll likely do to it and is as durable as a typical steel one, maybe more so. As for the x-bolt rifle, I have fired one at a range and a brother in-law has one in .308, with the synthetic rubberized stock which is his deer gun. He loves it. Accurate, rugged, and the stock gives him great no-slip grip and weather resistance (which here in upstate ny is a big plus). I can't comment on the Winchester as I don't know anyone who owns one.
 
I have a Winchester Model 70 in Wood and Blue Steel that is a great gun. It is for sale if interested I have two 30-06 myself only need one.
roc1
 
Colburn:

I shoot 5 Model 70's: a 223, a 22-250, a 264 Win mag, a 30/06 and a 375 H&H. All are tack drivers. I purchased the 30/06 in 1956 and after many thousands of rounds it still shoots 165 grain Nosler Ballistic tips into 3/4 inch at 100 yards.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
Thank you all for your input. These rifles both sound great, think im leaning toward the model 70 in some variation.
 
I guess you read the post over on Nodak about the 7mm mag tumbling them at 300yds, that is the only report I have seen about it.

I have 4 X-Bolts, 2 in '06, 1 in 223 and 1 in 325. The last '06 I sighted in did this at 100yds with cheap Fiocchi 165gr Game Kings:

DSCI0006.JPG


I later went to the range with my cousin and was hitting 8" plates at 300-500yds consistently with Fiocchi 150gr FMJ. If I was in the market again for a new rifle it would be another X-Bolt period.

The 223 did this with Fiocchi 55gr PSP:

DSCI0005.JPG


same zero with Barnes Vortex TSX:

DSCI0007.JPG


and I can ring the plates out to 300 consistently with it on days the wind isn't swirling like mad

I like the magazine designs, they offer a ton of room to seat bullets as long as needed and so far they have been flawless.
 
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Yeah thats where i read it, it was the only negative thing i have read about the x bolt and i found it troubling that i couldnt find postings of anyone shooting paper targets at extended ranges.
 
I have nothing to back this up, but I think you'll find x-bolt owners are hunters and not so much range shooters. Not that the two groups don't overlap, but the only time I see them at ranges is at the start of the season when guys pull them out of the cabinet to get ready for deer.
 
I currently got 3 of the new mod 70 and 1 x-bolt.These 4 rifle are accurate and they never give me any trouble.If I would have to choose only one for hunting it would be the x-bolt because I prefer the dbm and tang safety when hunting.
 
the only time I see them at ranges is at the start of the season when guys pull them out of the cabinet to get ready for deer.
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That's about right. My wife and I both use X-bolts. Hers is a .308 and mine a .270 About two weeks before the season is open, we'd go to the range and shoot 100, 200, 260, and 340 yards. We use the deer targets.

This is her shooting at 260 yards (the heart). The three on the head were from me as well as the two on the diamond above.
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Warbird, Browning rifles are made in Japan. New Winchesters are made in SC by Fabrique Nationale under license. From everything I have read, the Model 70s coming out of SC are even better than the pre-64 Model 70s.
 
marquezj16, those are the sort of stats i was hoping to find. I am pleased to see clean round holes through paper at that range, im a little frustrated to see that your wife is a better shot than me. The phrase "pretty good for a girl" has no place here. More like "damn good shooting". Thanks for the reply

and to the above post; thank you for confirming that for me. i thought they were made in separate facilities these days.
 
If I were going to buy 1 rifle to use anywhere, for anything I'm likely to ever hunt it would be the Winchester EW in either 30-06 or 300 WSM. Mine is in 308 because that is what I found used. Since I already own several calibers and don't need 1 do-it-all rifle the 308 is close enough for 99% of what I'll ever hunt.

The new FN produced rifles are probably the best USA made rifles in decades, maybe ever. Mine is a tack driver as are all I've seen or read about. The stainless CRF action is bulletproof and dependable. They feed slick and have the best factory triggers I've tried in 30 years.
 
Colburn - glad I could provide the information you were looking for. Yeah the wife is pretty much dead on with any of her firearms. I'd like to say I taught her everything but she's just a natural shooter. Damn makes me proud every time we shoot. :D

Good luck with your next rifle.
 
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