Custom browning x-bolt?

Rebarrel the Browning, but I am a Browning nerd.

The aftermarket stock options are picking up, Stocky's is close to a release date on an X-Bolt carbon stock, AG has expressed interest and McMillan is expanding their inlet offerings. There are companies that produce AICS bottom metal for the X-Bolt, trigger companies, plenty of springs, extended magazine offerings and plenty of gunsmiths who have a reputation for producing great rifles and they accept work on Browning's.

Latest inlet from McMillan, will be available for long action soon.

IMG_4041.jpeg
 
Kcollins01 said:
My gunsmith just built a x-bolt with a proof barrel in 300rum for a client. Has me interested in putting a new barrel on my 270 eclipse. Has anyone else done this? Or would you just sell the browning and go with a 700 or custom action?
Click to expand...
I had to google 270 eclipse and I see it is a very pretty laminate thumbhole stock. I've never had a custom action or even had an action trued but on a production rifle you might get lucky and be trued or close to it. If it shot well with the current barrel then that might give you a clue although there are so many other factors too. Could the gunsmith just install new barrel and let you see if it shoots good before spending on labor to true up action? If it did not shoot to your satisfaction might it be possible to remove barrel and true up action, then reinstall barrel?
 
Kcollins01 said:
My gunsmith just built a x-bolt with a proof barrel in 300rum for a client. Has me interested in putting a new barrel on my 270 eclipse. Has anyone else done this? Or would you just sell the browning and go with a 700 or custom action?
Click to expand...
This boils down to personal preference, intended purpose, and your budget, which is often the primary driver.
 
Keith M Sheehan said:
Normally, I'm the go-to .45-70 guy, but this time I'm looking for a Remington M700 LH in .25-06 for my grandson. Any suggestions?
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Most 700s in 25-06 are very hard to find these days. I'd go with a tikka even a savage both proven shooters. And probably much easier to find
 
Someone on this forum had a prefit chambered for their X-Bolt, possibly with a McGowen barrel, so that leads me to believe the actions are very consistent.

I honestly don't know why you would spend any money truing a factory action, once you go down that route, you are money ahead to go full custom. If you are simply wanting a different chambering, rebarrel and rock on. If the accuracy is there now, outside of the smith or barrel maker screwing the pooch, the accuracy will be there afterwards.

I have one of those Eclipse laminate sporter stocks under the bed that I recently bought. Great little ergonomic stock, tad heavy though.
 
The simple short of it is, if you're going to start from scratch you're better off buying a custom action. Some can be found for around $800. If you want to use the browning action and have a good smith that will work on it it will save you a few hundred bucks. Everyone likes to tell you "just spend the extra money and get a custom" but that's easy to say if you're spending someone else's money. Gonna cost you a few hundred to have the action you already own trued. That few hundred you save can be put towards rings, trigger, metal, stock etc... but in the end if it's done right, either direction should shoot equally well.
 
Kcollins01 said:
My gunsmith just built a x-bolt with a proof barrel in 300rum for a client. Has me interested in putting a new barrel on my 270 eclipse. Has anyone else done this? Or would you just sell the browning and go with a 700 or custom action?
Click to expand...
I have 3 custom rifles with Browning A bolt actions. 300 WSM, 280AI, 7mm-08 AI. All are sub 0.5MOA and are not very particular about the ammo I run through them. What is really important to me is not to have a Remington style safety. I back pack hunt and switching the carry from the right shoulder to the left I realized the safety kept getting knocked off on my Remington action. For that reason I prefer a three position or shotgun safety. A 60 degree throw is also a nice feature. The Remington 300WM custom shop was really not at all accurate. I sent it to Shilen and while it is now an accurate rifle it is no more so than the Brownings. In the world of custom rifles Browning actions are the red headed step children, but they work well for my needs and the guns are accurate and reliable
Picture is 300WSM 3 shots at 300 yards, Federal 180 gr trophy bonded tip factory ammo Browning A Bolt , BenchMark barrel
 

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Ldigio21 said:
I have 3 custom rifles with Browning A bolt actions. 300 WSM, 280AI, 7mm-08 AI. All are sub 0.5MOA and are not very particular about the ammo I run through them. What is really important to me is not to have a Remington style safety. I back pack hunt and switching the carry from the right shoulder to the left I realized the safety kept getting knocked off on my Remington action. For that reason I prefer a three position or shotgun safety. A 60 degree throw is also a nice feature. The Remington 300WM custom shop was really not at all accurate. I sent it to Shilen and while it is now an accurate rifle it is no more so than the Brownings. In the world of custom rifles Browning actions are the red headed step children, but they work well for my needs and the guns are accurate and reliable
Picture is 300WSM 3 shots at 300 yards, Federal 180 gr trophy bonded tip factory ammo Browning A Bolt , BenchMark barrel
Click to expand...
Any pictures of the rifles?
 

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