x bolt micro hunter

[northernbill]

Has anyone tried a new x-bolt micro hunter out yet? I got a very nice Christmas present from my mother this year, a Knight kp-1 in .45-70. Although the thought was very nice, I just plain don't like it. She told me on Christmas she had no idea what I would want for a gun, so she let the owner of a shop that I frequent pick something out for me. Oh well, they tried, but the truth is most of the time even I don't know what I want. She was adamant that if I wanted something different, to take it back and get what I wanted. Well, now I have $400+ credit at my local gun shop and am in the market for a new gun again. Most of my hunting is done in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks, and my guns are pretty specialized. I use mostly levers and also Remington pumps and autoloaders, because they carry well. I have several bolt guns, a Winchester featherweight, two Ruger 77 carbines, an old Remington model 7, and a Weatherby ultra light, but rarely hunt with them because for me they don't carry well. They are all too beefy around the reciever. When I handled a new x-bolt micro hunter I thought this is what i've been looking for, it really fit my hand.I will get it chambered in either .308 or 7mm-08, and either a 1.75-6 or 2x7 scope. Lets hear how good of a gun this is.

[BNC04]

Since you have not had any replies, I'll give it a go.

My friend had brought an X-bolt (Standard stock) on an elk hunt as a back up gun. It was the first I had seen or handled and I, Like you, thought it fit me well, balanced well and handled well. Personally, I like the looks of the rifle in the satin wood finish also and like the tang safety.

Suffice to say, I am now the owner of a X-bolt in 7mm-08.

Recently I have started reloading again and have been trying different bullets, powders and all the other variables that come along with reloading and have just been having fun shooting this gun. I've topped it with a Nikon Buckmaster in 4-14 with the BDC though I have not been able to shoot past 100 yards yet. The package is perfect for me and a pleasure to shoot.

So far I have about 200 rounds through it and it really seems to like Hodgen Varget powder near the max charge for 140 Gr Sierra prohunters. I plan on tuning this load some more with bullet seating and minor grain variances.

I had about qty 150 of the Nosler BT and the newer nosler/winchester CT 140 Grain bullets and though I could get some great 3 shot groups ( 1/2" at 100 yards) I would also get a spread when shooting 10 shots with the same load. The spread would be in series of 3 or 5 shot groups when standing by themselves would be great, but as a whole put them outside at an average of 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards of a bench.

The last 20 rounds I have fired I used the Sierra's and they look to be promising with 42 Gr of Varget getting 9 of 10 Shots ( one called flyer) into a .907 group at 100 yards. These were also set at .020 off the rifling.

Hope that helps

Brett

[1sourdough]

 The closest I have is a Micro-Medallion in 284 win topped with a vari-x-III 1.75-6 Leupold. If you are looking for a lightweight & easy carrying gun you will be very pleased. It would really shine in hunting situation where you carry the gun a lot & may get that 1- 70yrd shot after a days hunting. As for the chambering, the 308 is one of my very favorites. If you can live with more limited factory ammo selections(maybe a reloader?) the 7mm-08 would match the 20" barrel & rifle a little better. That's not to say the 308 wouldn't be a winner to though. I say go for it & fork over the difference. I always get more long term satisfaction by getting a quality iron over the cheapest.

[Mckie Hollow]

The X Bolts sure feel nice,and they seem to shoot, but I doubt that it will carry any better than Your Model 7. Unless Your hunting up the side of Nipple Top. I'd go with the 308. I like the thought of a 180 gr. corelokt zipping through one of those big Keene Valley Bucks.