Browning a bolt and x bolt reciever screw holes ?

[Country Boy]

I'm going to buy one or the other but I noticed the x bolt has 4 to each top mt base. I like my rifles light Does weaver make a base set with 4 screws for the x bolt ? I know the a bolt hunter has bases with the traditional 2 screws in each base. Where could I get some, thanks

[Happy]

Country boy
The X bolt does not have a lot of metal on the top of the reciever ,  that being the reason for mounting the base with four screws . Saving weight by cutting down on metal in this area does not sit too well with me .
Question is- what is going to happen with the reciever over time ?
Yes browning is pushing the new model , but are they saying the X bolt is an improvement I see the X bolt having less metal to the top of the reciever only, as only a cost cutting feature over the A bolt.

I decided this year to buy a A bolt . They have proven themselves over time . I do not see many offered on the used market at least here in Central Ontario Canada -so that to me means - people are hanging on to them . How ever I have seen a few X bolt 's up for resale since they come out on the Market .

Same goes for the 85 Sako's The Sako 75 a good firearm rarely comes on the used Market because the owners like them , but I have seen many Sako model 85's turned in because they are not cutting the bar.
This is only my thoughts based on sales and resale , so go from there .
Happy
 

[klt1986]

I have heard this mentioned before about the X-Bolt having less metal but I'm not so sure about that.  My X-Bolt Hunter is listed as 1 ounce heavier than the exact chambered A-Bolt.  The X-Bolt has a slimmer stock as well, so I'm not convinced that it has less metal....but I'm no metallurgist either.  I don't have an A-Bolt to compare it with directly as they have never fit me well. 

I put a set of DNZ Game Reapers on my X-Bolt and have been very happy with them.  They are a 1 piece design that are lightweight, strong, well machined, and fit the rifle perfectly.

In my area you do not see many used Browning rifles to start with.  One dealer has marked down his A-Bolts in the last year or so.

[Happy]

The statment about the reason browning X bolt  having four mount screws instead of two was directly from browning themself .
Now Having less metal on the top strap is not a negative , since the Swede 96 has less metal than the 98 and you can not tell they are a weaker gun.The swede 's do have good steel.
I am getting up there in age , so the thought does bother me , so having the choice between the X and the A bolt , the A bolt has proved itself over time, while the X is still the new kid on the block so to speak.
I do see a few X bolts offered on the used block here in Central Ontario Canada , so too figure there must be a reason these units are being traded back in.( If your getting 70% of used gun value here @Epps , then you are sure taking an awful loss on a new gun.
I bought the A bolt this spring because it was a demo offered at a real good price , and since I had a new 11 series Hunter Savage to trade in , the low cost of the A bolt made up for the loss in trade in on the Savage .The Savage has a heavy cocking on bolt lift , which is a problem for any one with arthrtis
If I had the cash in pocket , then there would have been another Tikka T3 coming home with me .The t3 is a butter smooth action requiring no tuning at all out of the box, while the Abolt will need some trigger work.

I find guns are not what they were twenty /thirty years ago. Remington reportly have some rough bores , so with evey new gun take some time to look evey one over for defects, and for tool marks in the bore.
With that in mind Buy something that fits you ans what you can afford
Happy

[klt1986]

Happy, I never said the X-Bolt did not have 4 mounting holes(actually has 8 mounting holes but I know what you meant) .  I was simply stating that I do not know if the X-Bolt actually has less metal than the A-Bolt.  You mention the trigger needs work on the A-Bolt....that is one plus to the X-Bolt.....user adjustable trigger pull.  I was pleasantly suprised at how crisp and clean the X-Bolt trigger breaks.

[Happy]

Happy, I never said the X-Bolt did not have 4 mounting holes(actually has 8 mounting holes but I know what you meant) .  I was simply stating that I do not know if the X-Bolt actually has less metal than the A-Bolt.  You mention the trigger needs work on the A-Bolt....that is one plus to the X-Bolt.....user adjustable trigger pull.  I was pleasantly suprised at how crisp and clean the X-Bolt trigger breaks.

Yes I meant four screws per ring . That is were they got the X bolt name.
The A bolt is to be adjustable down to three LBs . My Winchester and tikka feel a Heck of a lot better set At 2 1/2 Pounds , so the Browning will get the smith to cut a coil or something .

Seems that every brand needs something or other these days . The tikka was good other than needing a limbsaver pad installed .The rifle otherwise was set up to shoot out of the box.
The Winchester needed Trigger work as well as the wife's Ruger

[klt1986]

You have a valid point about rifles needing just a little tweaking.  I can say this though....the X-Bolt and Tikka T3 have been my only two rifles that only required a simple trigger adjustment to make me happy.  Can't say that for any of the others. 

I came across a good deal on an A-Bolt a few weeks ago and almost bought it.  I still wonder if I shot an A-Bolt long enough, if it would kinda grow on me.

[Happy]

You have a valid point about rifles needing just a little tweaking.  I can say this though....the X-Bolt and Tikka T3 have been my only two rifles that only required a simple trigger adjustment to make me happy.  Can't say that for any of the others. 

I came across a good deal on an A-Bolt a few weeks ago and almost bought it.  I still wonder if I shot an A-Bolt long enough, if it would kinda grow on me.

Never shot or handled the X bolt , but agree with you on the other two rifles .My tikka trigger was set perfect from the factory , while the A BOLT only adjusted down to about 3 1/2 pounds I figure .
Wonder if Country Boy been reading along or sleepin'

[Country Boy]

I've been reading all these comments. I was all set to buy an x bolt then I tried the trigger, it wouldn"t go off without extreme pressure ! It had a great stock but the darn trigger was awful. my Ml trigger is better than any trigger I ever owned right out of the factory.
   I do sleep a lot but old people do that. Seriously I do read all replys and and consider them all. I figure the people who answer are hard core gunnies and give me good insight. The one gun that felt the best was the micro- hunter but I can"t rememeber if it had the bad trigger or not. Probably wait untill after the fourth to plunk down the cash but I do take what you say to heart.

[Country Boy]

Forgot to mention I did go bear hunting the first week of June, and I'm trying to help organaize my sons wedding, no excuse, I do appreciate all the comments. Thanks

[klt1986]

Country Boy

I'm not saying that it did not happen to you but you are the first person I have heard from that does not like the new trigger on the X Bolt.  The "Feather Trigger" on the X-Bolt is user adjustable from 3-5 lbs and is supposed to be preset at the factory at approximately 3.5 lbs.  This is straight from Browning's website.

Was that the only X Bolt trigger you tried?  If it was, you should go back and try a different gun.  Course I guess you could be used to much better triggers than me!

Good luck in picking a new rifle.

[Happy]

Country Boy

I'm not saying that it did not happen to you but you are the first person I have heard from that does not like the new trigger on the X Bolt.  The "Feather Trigger" on the X-Bolt is user adjustable from 3-5 lbs and is supposed to be preset at the factory at approximately 3.5 lbs.  This is straight from Browning's website.

Was that the only X Bolt trigger you tried?  If it was, you should go back and try a different gun.  Course I guess you could be used to much better triggers than me!

Good luck in picking a new rifle.


Well!!  Same said about the A bolt .Guess they are not all the same off the rack.I think one needs to tinker with them all now to some degree. Best have a good look over regarding the bore , fit and finish like one would a used before you pay.
How did you do Bear hunting . We just had one come once to the Bait . (Some one must of said Ol' Happy was at back with a knife and fork).
I thought the Micro Hunter was a nice unit .
Congrads on the new Daughter in Law

[Country Boy]

Thank you. did a 255 chocolate, my soon to be daughter in law is a dandy, after a few trial and errors a guy is bound to get lucky.  I'm leaning toward the micro hunter in .308  I really apppreciate all the sound advice given here. This will be my last rifle and I want to get it right.

[Happy]

Yeah!! @ 61 1/2  I said too a few years ago , it would have been my last rifle , only to buy two this year .
There has been a few in the last years that had one problem or other , so take some time to check it out before you buy. (I note you had problems with a Ruger . )
Just 'cause it it new and shinny does not mean it is a good one . Just a brand name does not mean any thing because every one lets a few through Q/C.
Do not think there was that problem thirty years ago.

Enjoy the new family
Happy