Browning X-Bolt 2 Velocity Assessment

I at all times sit up for testing a brand new rifle from Browning as a result of I’ve come to count on good issues. I’ve discovered them to be completely dependable and able to all of the precision any hunter wants. Hardly ever, if ever, is there any form of difficulty that causes me to cuss. This latest model of the Browning X-Bolt, the X-Bolt 2 isn’t any exception. Final yr, we examined the X-Bolt Velocity SPR and named it the Greatest Worth Searching Rifle of 2023, and what Browning has finished with their X-Bolt 2 rifles has tremendously improve each component of shooter interface.

I used to be in a position to take a look at a brand new X-Bolt Velocity OVIX MB in 308 Winchester at my residence vary over the previous couple weeks—and I wasn’t disillusioned. Right here is my full assessment.

Browning X-Bolt 2 Velocity OVIX MB Specs

• Size: 43.75 inches (with all inventory spacers)
• Weight: 6.69 kilos (with journal)
• Barrel: 22-inch fluted, threaded at M13x0.75
• Motion: Browning X-Bolt 2
• Set off: 3.0 kilos
• Capability: 4+1
• End: Smoked Bronze Cerakote
• Inventory: Composite Vari-Tech user-adjustable inventory with OVIX camo
• Obtainable Chamberings: 308 Winchester (examined), 243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, 270 Winchester, 7mm Rem. Magazine., 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler, 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win. Magazine., 300 PRC
• Worth: $1469.99

Browning X-Bolt 2 Velocity OVIX MB Rifle Overview

The brand new X-Bolt 2 Velocity is a sub-7-pound, traditionally-styled, bolt-action looking rifle that’s out there for a dozen well-liked large recreation cartridges. It makes use of primarily the identical motion because the older X-Bolts with their 60° bolt throw that you just’re most likely acquainted with. This features a two-position security that locks the bolt and a bolt-release button positioned on the bolt deal with. With the X Bolt-2, Browning has added a further bolt-guidance floor for smoother operation and new set off. The brand new DLX set off is user-adjustable for pull weight and is superb—so good it hardly feels like all rifle set off you’ve pulled up to now; you simply apply strain, and the rifle goes bang.

The opposite main enhancement is the rifle’s inventory. Moreover the raised black comb, my take a look at gun’s inventory seems to be very very like that of final yr’s X-Bolt Velocity, with Browning’s personal OVIX camouflaged sample. However what is actually camouflaged is the inventory’s adjustability. Not like most adjustable rifle shares with changes which might be very obvious at first look, once you have a look at the inventory on the X-Bolt Velocity 2, you’ll most likely not discover something. I didn’t, as a result of there aren’t any seen adjustment screws or knobs.

There are three holes within the recoil pad. Two are the widespread holes that present entry to the pad-attachment screws, however the very prime gap gives entry to the adjustment lock for the comb. You merely insert a hex wrench (supplied with the rifle) into this gap and take away rigidity, then you will have six preset factors the place you’ll be able to place the comb to greatest swimsuit you and the riflescope you’re utilizing. When you take away the 2 screws that maintain the recoil pad in place, it exposes the hidden plates for length-of-pull adjustment. Take away two extra screws hidden behind the butt pad and you’ll add or subtract spacers to regulate the size of pull ¼-inch at time. The method is a bit concerned however very covert. Extra necessary, the added adjustability will likely be an enormous plus for lots of shooters. And it doesn’t finish there.

When you take away the barreled motion from the inventory, you’ll see that Browning has bedded the recoil lug, however you’ll additionally discover a small screw simply to the rear of the place the inventory has been minimize out for the DLX set off. When you take away this screw you’ll be able to swap between a grip with a conventional angle or one with a straighter angle. Additionally, alongside the forend, Browning has added a black rubber inlay to reinforce your grip on the rifle.

Lastly, this rifle makes use of the flush becoming Browning rotary journal. This journal goes in and comes out with no hitch and the rifle feeds from it clean and effortlessly. This can be the most effective removable journal supplied for a conventional looking rifle from any manufacture.

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Browning X Bolt 2 Velocity OVIX MB Capturing Outcomes

The Velocity SPR we examined final yr delivered a median precision of 1.33 inches for five-shot teams. The brand new X-Bolt 2 Velocity shot a bit higher, averaging 1.15 inches. Feeding, extraction, and ejection had been flawless, and the journal labored beautifully. The changes for the comb, size of pull, and the interchangeable grip are simple to make when you perceive easy methods to do it. Simply know that it actually helps to learn the instruction handbook first. (Don’t ask me how I do know.)

As soon as I did that, I used to be in a position to simply modify the inventory to suit me very effectively, and it was evident after I began taking pictures the rifle off-hand from subject positions. I had no hassle constantly ringing an 8-inch metal plate at 125 yards, or one twice that measurement at 200 yards. The inventory adjustability additionally helped with faster-action snap photographs fired at a a lot nearer vary, as a result of when the rifle discovered my shoulder, the riflescope was proper the place it wanted to be with my eye on the goal. The power to tune this rifle inventory to suit me additionally proved very useful when partaking my running-deer goal.

The “MB” on this rifle’s mannequin title stands for muzzle brake, and the rifle comes out of the field with one put in. It did cut back recoil, however the tradeoff was a hellacious improve in muzzle blast. So, a lot of the taking pictures from the bench, and about half the sphere taking pictures, was finished with a Banish Backcountry suppressor. For the reason that rifle has a 22-inch barrel, the addition of the suppressor made the rifle a bit lengthy and noticeably muzzle heavy. Nonetheless, with out the suppressor, the rifle was very effectively balanced.

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Ultimate Ideas on the Browning X Bolt 2 Velocity OVIX MB

Professionals

• Glorious shooter interface
• Hidden inventory changes
• Nice set off

Cons

• Odd thread sample on muzzle

The added adjustability with the brand new X-Bolt 2 considerably improves shooter interface. By concealing these changes, the rifle additionally has a way more interesting look than a few of its rivals. One quibble I’ve right here is that there’s solely an inch of length-of-pull adjustability to work with. The brand new set off felt a bit totally different and took some getting used to. I’ll admit with the primary group I fired, just a few photographs acquired away from me. However that, as soon as I did get used to it, it was distinctive. The barrel size of this rifle is both 22, 24, or 26 inches, relying which cartridge it’s chambered for, however understand that a SPR (suppressor prepared) model is obtainable with a 4-inch shorter barrel.

My solely actual disappointment was the muzzle thread sample Browning selected to go together with. The rifle comes threaded at M13x0.75. The widespread normal for muzzle threading is 5/8×24. The explanation for the small diameter thread sample is the slimness of the rifle’s barrel, which measures solely 6/10^th of an inch on the level the place the threading begins. This implies you’ll more than likely have to acquire an adapter to run a suppressor, which is one thing I believe Browning ought to present within the field. They already present a muzzle brake and a thread protector, and if you happen to’re going to make use of a thread sample this odd, don’t penalize the client.

However that’s the place my griping ends. Similar to the X-Bolt we evaluated final yr, this is a superb—however even higher—large recreation looking rifle. You need to be capable to configure it to fit your needs very effectively, the set off will enable you to make nice photographs, and also you’ll be proud you pull it kind its case in any looking camp.

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