X-Bolt with fluted barrel ...... shots walking as it warms up.

[Brithunter]

Anyone here of problems with grouping as the barrel heats up?


Reason I ask is that a chap over here has really become to hate his 243 X-Bolt as after only 3 shots the POI walks badly. After 5 shots group size is huge. Seems this happens no matter who shoots it as well. he has already had the rifle back to the Importers as the X-box mounts came off while shooting to they re-tapped the holes and re-fitted the blocks  .


Sounds like he got a real lemon and is now thinking all fluted barrels behave like this.


Have not read other reports like this so wondering if any here have heard of or seens other X-Bolts with fluted barrels behaving like this?

[Walks with Fire]

I have a standard barrel X-Bolt Hunter model 7mm-08 that shoots terrible groups; like 5" @ 100 with every box of factory ammo I have tried and this is letting it cool between shots.  I have been shooting 3 shots and cleaning it well the last box hoping it will get better but so far no luck; I have about 100 rounds through it so far and it's terrible.
I have a couple A-Bolts that are good shooters but they weren't real good when I first got them; took a while for them to break in but they were 2-2.25" shooters from the start.

[Brithunter]

Oh dear it's not sounding good  .


Thank you for your reply.

[charles p]

I've got an old BBR in 25-06 that is a tack driver.  Heavy as heck and looks like a 2X4, but it knocks 'um down.

[Walks with Fire]

I do think that the Browning rifles need to be shot for a few hundred rounds before they start to settle down. The one I am shooting now has a long way to go yet and of course there is a very good chance that just the right load will be found that brings it down in the inch and a quarter range that I prefer for a decent grouping.