Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Browning’s X-Bolt 2 series has something to offer for various shooting styles. The action is smoother and bedded, the new stock is completely customizable, and the new magazine options keep your bullets’ precision unmarred.
Check out this review of the former model.
Bedded Action
This action was already smooth, but Browning added a little more surface area to help guide the bolt more smoothly. Plus, the action is now bedded at the recoil lug and the action screws, which also free-floats the barrel.
Internal Adjustable Stock
Browning paid attention to the aesthetics of a hunting rifle and gave this Vari-Tech stock many chassis-like features without making it look like a Lego build. The butt pad has shims that are added internally to adjust the length of pull. Similarly, the cheekpiece has six adjustments you can do, but they are all inside the stock.
Each gun comes with two grip options. One is a slimmer, classic sporter profile, while the other is a vertical competition-style grip. These are user-swappable.
At the front end, you can remove the forend and there are cutouts for pic rails or Arca rails. But you don’t have to see all that stuff every time you look at the gun, and the stock remains trim and smooth.
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Detachable Plus Magazine
The Browning X-Bolt 2 includes options with a new single-stack box magazine. They call it the Plus magazine and it is a center-feed design.
It also has the shoulder holding feature from the rotary magazines that keeps the bullet from slamming forward during recoil, which can deform the bullet or seat it deeper in the case. This magazine helps you be more accurate by keeping your bullets precisely seated.
Other New Features
All X-Bolt 2 rifles come with a muzzle brake, but the new Recoil Hawg brake is standard with some models. Likewise, you can also order a carbon fiber barrel from Preferred Barrels.
Browning’s X-Bolt 2 series rifles come in various setups, but they all include the same excellent action and trigger system. They will begin shipping in March 2024, and the MSRP starts at $1,500.
Specs
The specs shown are for 6.5 Creedmoor. Other calibers include .308, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag, and .300 PRC.
| Action Length Short Action | Caliber 6.5 Creedmoor |
| Barrel Length 18 | Overall Length 38 |
| Length of Pull 13.625-ADJ | Drop at Comb ADJ |
| Drop at Heel ADJ | Weight 6 lbs 3 oz |
| Magazine Capacity 4 | Twist Rate 7 |
| Barrel Finish Smoked Bronze Cerakote | Stock Finish Ovix |
| Receiver Finish Smoked Bronze Cerakote | Chamber Finish Polished |
| Barrel Material Steel | Barrel Contour Sporter SR |
| Stock Material Composite | Recoil Pad Inflex 1, 1.25 |
| Checkering Textured Grip Panels | Sling Swivel Studs Matte Blued |
| Receiver Material Steel | Trigger Finish Gold Plated |
| Bolt Slide Finish High Gloss | Magazine Type Detachable |
| Muzzle Threading 5/8 – 24 SR | Trigger Material Alloy |
| Trigger Guard Material Alloy | Trigger Guard Engraving Buck Mark in Gold |
| Floor Plate Material Composite | Drilled and Tapped for Scope Yes |
| MSRP$1,499.99 |