On this week's #SundayGunday, were taking a look at the Browning X-Bolt 2 Hunter, a walnut-stocked beauty with the chops to reach out and touch game at distance. Wearing a satin finish and checkering on the grip and fore-end of its walnut stock, this X-Bolt 2 looks more like a classic hunting rifle from the previous century than a modern, high-speed hunting gun. But its timeless looks belie some cutting edge performance. Its matte-blue, sporter-contour barrel—light, for easy portability around the mountains—is free-floated for accuracy, while the action is bedded at the recoil lug and actions screws for reliable consistency. The action itself has been redesigned from the original X-Bolt, with additional bolt guidance surface for smoother cycling. The spiral-fluted bolt itself has been reworked to better mesh with this new system, and sports a new bolt knob on its ultra-short, 60-degree bolt lift.
Below, a DLX Trigger releases shots, with a zero-creep, zero-take-up and zero-overtravel feel. It comes preset from the factory to 3.5 pounds, but can be turned down to 3 pounds. A top tang safety is in easy reach of the thumb, and works in conjunction with a bolt unlock button to provide an extra measure of safety during unloading.
The action feeds from a detachable box magazine holding 3 to 4 rounds depending on chambering, while at the gun’s rear, a 1.25-inch Inflex Recoil Pad absorbs even the most shoulder-bruising recoil.
For more information on the X-Bolt 2 Hunter, which retails for between $1,219.99 and $1,229.99, visit browning.com. And for more #SundayGunday any day of the week, check out our playlist on YouTube, where all previous episodes are archived.
