(Michael Anschuetz photo)
In 2008, Browning released the original X-Bolt, and that gun was a substantial departure from previous Browning bolt-action riflfles. The X-Bolt was an immediate success, and 16 years after its initial launch Browning’s bolt gun remains among the top-selling centerfire rifles. But, as good as it was, the X-Bolt was due for a refresh. Browning understood that, and this year the company released the X-Bolt Generation 2 . The Gen 2 X-Bolt is not a complete redesign. Instead, Browning’s flflagship bolt action is receiving some upgrades that make it more competitive in a modern hunting riflfle market dominated by guns with features lifted from target and competition guns. You’ll immediately recognize the X-Bolt 2’s close resemblance to its progenitor, and in large part the new Browning remains close in design and function to the original. The changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, but if you look closely you’ll find the Gen 2 receives some modern touches that make it more desirable for today’s hunters and shooters.
The version I tested was the X-Bolt 2 Speed, which with a suggested retail price of $1,500 makes it the entry-level Gen 2 X-Bolt model. But “entry-level” perhaps isn’t an accurate term for this rifle. It’s not a budget gun, and it is well-equipped with a long list of features. The list starts with the brand-new Vari-Tech polymer stock that sports a new 1.25-inch Inflex recoil pad. The Vari-Tech has four quarter-inch black stock spacers that are positioned inside the body of the stock itself. Two spacers are inserted in the stock when the rifle arrives from the factory, which gives the gun a length of pull of 13.625 inches. If you remove the Inflex recoil pad, you can adjust the length of pull from 13.125 to 14.125 inches by adding or subtracting spacers.
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