Hells Canyon Long Range X-Bolt

[Rebell]

Howdy all. My son is looking at the Hells Canyon Long Range X-Bolt Rifle. I'm not going to open the discussion about what caliber, just want to know if anyone has experience or knowledge about this rifle. It sure seems to be a solid all around good hunting rifle.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[rogerstv]

Search this site. You will find numerous threads with information. Most reviews are positive. A few negative.

I almost bought one. Rifle felt great in my hand. Trigger even seemed ok. However, it appeared I would be replacing the factory trigger as I prefer a light pull. Browning's idea of acceptable precision for their factory rifle is a turn off.

I bought a Bergara Premier HMR Pro. Trigger Tech trigger. Guaranteed precision which proved to be factual. The cost and extended box magazine are turn offs.

 

[WildBillG]

I have been working with a friends in 300WM and it is a real shooter. My only beef is the trigger and the magazine needed some work. I adjusted the trigger and it never really changed the pull weight. Then one day out of know where it turned to a hair trigger and some times would not cock. Found out last night some how sear spring is gone. Luckly I found a old Remington spring and with some work got it working again. He has a Jard trigger comming for it though.
The magazine required some work with a Dremel tool to get to work right but is fine now. It was binding on the shoulder area of the 300WM brass. Apperently others have run into this with other cartridges too.
All this said it is a real nice gun to shoot and superbly accurate.. They also come with fast twist barrels so you can load the heavy long range type bullets. I would buy one and get an after market trigger. Also while at the store ask to try magazine to assure the cartridge you choose will feed through the magazine properly. The muzzle break does make his 300 nice to shoot but a side port brake may tame recoil even more. It took very little load work to find a load it liked as well. The choice now will be up to you.

 

[shooter7]

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/hammer-bullets.211476/page-5#post-1546696


Elkeater is my brother. His shoots Hammers really nice and does about the same with the 215 Berger. I've handled the rifle briefly. I'm not a huge fan of how the stock fits me, though this is just my opinion. His rifle is a shooter for sure.

 

[duckhunter175]

I have a buddy who swears by them... owns 3 currently and had several others. That rifle with factory match ammo (in the 6.5cm) and he had run that rifle out to 700 with no issues.

Having handled a few here are my thoughts.

Pros
1. Price- hard to beat what you get at that price in terms of weight, accuracy, look
2. Aesthetic- really nice looking rifle
3. If you get one, make SURE it is a new production model with the FAST twist barrel if it is available in the cartridge you desire.

Cons
1. The standard stock stinks- it is thin and really low- it needs either a stock pack or Karstens cheek piece to get proper positioning.
2. Stock finish- the finish on the stock is not durable, I have yet to have a Browning firearm with this style of finish that doesn't rub/peel.
3. Metric muzzle threads- need an adapter if you don't like the radial brake (I think the new MAX is the only one factory threaded for 5/8x24)

 

[CVCOBRA1]

My X bolt feather trigger is anything but. Just like the Rem 700, plan on replacing it with a Non lawyer type trigger.

 

[twister]

I got a 300 wm last summer and just picked up a different caliber to play with. no issues except the trigger sucks on both. so pretty normal for a factory rifle. the 300WM is a real shooter .5 moa with hammers, and had some good luck with bergers with an initial ocw. if you like it, for 26" barrel in non typical stuff its a good bet. Both mine have 5/8-24 threads

 

[Rebell]

Thank you guys for the help. The general consensus seems to be a pretty good deal and put a upgraded trigger in it.

Thanks.

 

[Catahoula]

I bought one in 300 win mag & loved the way it felt and shot. However I spend all my hunting time in Grizzly country. This is where the rifle failed. It would not feed my reloads with that *** magazine. If they ever put a good magazine in them, I will buy another one.

 

[257Tony]

I have a buddy who swears by them... owns 3 currently and had several others. That rifle with factory match ammo (in the 6.5cm) and he had run that rifle out to 700 with no issues.

Having handled a few here are my thoughts.

Pros
1. Price- hard to beat what you get at that price in terms of weight, accuracy, look
2. Aesthetic- really nice looking rifle
3. If you get one, make SURE it is a new production model with the FAST twist barrel if it is available in the cartridge you desire.

Cons
1. The standard stock stinks- it is thin and really low- it needs either a stock pack or Karstens cheek piece to get proper positioning.
2. Stock finish- the finish on the stock is not durable, I have yet to have a Browning firearm with this style of finish that doesn't rub/peel.
3. Metric muzzle threads- need an adapter if you don't like the radial brake (I think the new MAX is the only one factory threaded for 5/8x24)

All of the X-bolts with "long range" in their name have 5/8-24 threads. Only the thinner barreled guns have the metric threads.

I have one of the LR McMillan rifles in 28 Nosler, it shoots easily as well as my custom 700 based rifle. Never had any issues with the magazine, even when loading long (3.61"). Mine has the Mcarbo trigger spring in it, breaks clean at 2lbs every time. Although I have read that some of the newer guns will not work with that spring.

 

[WildBillG]

Catahoula try using a Dremel to remove some of the plastic in the shoulder area of your cases. If you load the magazine you will notice the cartridges bind where the shoulder is. I thought it was my reloads were to long but further examination showed me the truth. Yours maybe different but take a look and see. It was actually an easy fix I was able to do it. Just don't take the magazine apart they do not go back together.

 

[skipglo]

Howdy all. My son is looking at the Hells Canyon Long Range X-Bolt Rifle. I'm not going to open the discussion about what caliber, just want to know if anyone has experience or knowledge about this rifle. It sure seems to be a solid all around good hunting rifle.
Thanks for any advice.

Zero complaints... thinking about getting another one this Spring. Very well put together rifles and great accuracy.

 

[Jzeman56]

Absolutely love the rifle and I get half MOA groups at 100 and sub-MOA groups at 400 yds. My issue is the magazine... I had the same experience with my magazine this year. The only time I needed to use more than one round was on a trophy Aoudad this year and it cost me a trophy. The rounds would not come out of the magazine. Thinking it was the length of my reloads but it turned out to be the shoulder of the cases.

 

[Ga6570]

I love mine. I've had it for almost 2 years. Mine is in 6.5 Creedmoor. I did install an aftermarket trigger string from M Carbo for Under $15 - made a big difference. The stock feel has been great in my experience. I did want a bit more clearance for my free floated barrel so I wrapped sandpaper on a pvc pipe and sanded/removed a small amount of stock. For me Accuracy Improved a bunch after about 60-70 rounds were through it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Never any problems with loading ammo. I love the safety and bolt lock release. Finish is nice. I used low rings and the cheek positioning is perfect. Both my 9 and 11 year old boys can shoot it from the bench without trouble. Being lighter weight is nice. Butt pad is actually very good.