By Jace Bauserman     Published on January 22nd 2024

X-Bolt rifles need no introduction. Countless big-game goers worldwide put their trust in the tried-and-true accuracy, durability, and rapid bolt-throw the X-Bolt family promises.  

I’ve been an X-Bolt nut for the past seven years. During that tenure, I sent rounds from models like the X-Bolt Speed, X-Bolt Mountain Pro Tungsten, X-Bolt Speed LR, and others. These rifles have filled my freezer and made my hunting dreams a reality. 

When shooting Browning X-Bolt builds, I've never experienced a single malfunction, and I’ve tested these rifles in the most daunting terrain and demanding weather conditions possible. Each rifle I shoulder feels remarkable in hand; the trigger is silk, and cycling is ultra-quick, which, along with the limited recoil, allows me to stay within my scope and execute rapid follow-up shots if needed. 

When you drop your hard-earned money on an X-Bolt rifle, you’re getting Browning’s very best, and for 2024, Browning grows its X-Bolt family with the introduction of the X-Bolt 2. 

The all-new X-Bolt 2 Family is available in an array of calibers and designs, including the X-Bolt 2 Speed OVIX, MB, Speed Spr OVIX, MB, Speed LR OVIX, SR MB, Speed OVIX Carbon Fiber, SR MB, Hell’s Canyon McMillan LR, SR MB, Competition Lite Carbon Fiber, SR MB, Mountain Pro Carbon Fiber, MB, Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber, MB, and Pro McMillan.

Luckily, I got to put the X-Bolt 2 Speed OVIX, MB, chambered in 300 PRC, to the test this past fall. Spoiler alert: This rifle is a modern-day marvel bubbling with features that made the original X-Bolt incredible. However, it sports numerous noteworthy additions that make the Speed OVIX, MB an instant classic. 

Browning’s X-Bolt Speed OVIX, MB is an out-of-box stunner. Blending OVIX Camo and a Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish, the rifle ensures maximum concealment, glare-reduction, and weather protection. Also jumping at me from the get-go was the new-for-2024 Vari-Tech stock. 

In two locations on the stock — the grip and the fore-end — Browning added over-molded rubberized material that feels great in hand. I had the rifle out in the rain several times during the fall season, and I appreciated the boosted traction provided for my hands. 

It was also apparent that Browning had complete shooter customization in mind during the X-Bolt 2 creation. When an Allen wrench is inserted through the recoil pad, the comb can be adjusted, ensuring absolute eye-to-scope alignment. 

The length of the pull is also adjustable. The rifle arrives at Browning’s standard, 13-5/8 inches, but after removing the recoil pad and rear section of the stock, internal spacers can be added or subtracted to adjust the LOP from 13-1/8 inches to 14-1/8 inches. A 1-inch Inflex recoil pad is also available for those hoping to shorten the LOP further.

Of course, the barrel is a fluted, sporter contour. Why would Browning change out a barrel that delivers accuracy in spades? Plus, I love the addition of the radial muzzle brake. Another winning feature is the modular grip design, which is removable and allows you to interchange between a sporter or vertical grip. 

There are many new and exciting features of the X-Bolt 2 rifles, but few trump the reconfigured receiver with additional bolt guidance surface area for smoother operation and all-new bolt design. 

The spiral fluted bolt has a new shape and feel that makes it even more buttery-smooth than the original X-Bolt, and the shape boosts bolt operation. Frankly, I didn't think anything could get quicker or smoother than the original X-Bolt, but Browning engineers did their job; bolt build and operation are remarkable. 

One of the things I always appreciated about X-Bolt rifles and one of the features that built the rifle’s fame, is the three-lever Feather Trigger System. The trigger offered excellent fit and feel, giving each X-Bolt I triggered a close-to-custom-trigger break.  

Out with the old and in with the new, the X-Bolt 2 showcases the DLX Trigger — a multi-lever trigger design that optimizes sear weight and trigger movement to create same-feel pulls each time the trigger is squeezed. You’ll need to feel this trigger for yourself to appreciate it fully. There is zero creep, zero overtravel, and pull is adjustable down to three pounds on hunting rifles. 

I can rave about all the fancy-to-do new features of the X-Bolt 2, but let’s answer the question every shooter wants to know: How did it perform on the range and in the field? 

After attaching Leupold's VX-5 HD 2-10x42 and removing the bolt, I performed a quick bore sight at 50 yards. I started fine-tuning after my Hornady 300 PRC 212 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter rounds were on paper. 

After a few windage and elevation clicks, three rounds touched at 100 yards. All were 1-1/2 inches high, which put me a tick above the orange bullseye at 200 yards. 

I spent the remainder of the day building a dope card; I needed more time between the setup and sight-in and my first hunt to send the CDS Dial back to Leupold and have them create a custom dial.  

I love going old school, and after achieving sub-MOA accuracy at ranges of 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards and banging a six-inch steel plate out to 826 yards, I could only smile. I penned the necessary ink for click adjustments on paper based on range and committed them to memory. 

Over the next several days, I shot the rifle prone off an ALPS backpack from BOG’s DeathGrip off-hand and on the bench. The rifle’s performance was second to none, and my shooting confidence snowballed. This is the type of rifle you want to shoot. The recoil, even with the 300 PRC, was minimal courtesy the thicker Inflex 2 recoil pad. I could stay in my scope and be glued to the target after the trigger squeeze, and I appreciated the adjustable comb that promoted proper cheek weld.

2023 was a banger of a year — two bulls harvested with Browning X-Bolt rifles — the Speed LR in 7mm PRC and Mountain Pro Tungsten in 6.5 PRC. 

The good news is that I still had one elk tag in my pocket, and the X-Bolt 2 Speed OVIX, MB, was ready to hit the canyonlands of Colorado.

On the second morning of my plains elk hunt, my buddy Jay Waring and I were in the middle of rut fest. There was no need to call. A trio of satellite bulls and a herd bull shattered the frosty morning air every few seconds. 

We trailed the symphony using the terrain until my crosshairs settled on a big-bodied 300-inch bull at 363 yards. My rest was BOG’s DeathGrip Infinite-Carbon, and after adjusting the CDS-Dial, I took a breath and squeezed. 

The 212-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter hammered high shoulder, exactly where I held, and the 6x6 crumbled at impact. 

Later in October, my 18-year-old son Hunter took a beautiful pronghorn buck with the rifle, and after 23 years of applying, I finally drew a coveted pronghorn tag in a mountain unit. The shot at the buck we named Freak Show was 200 yards, and once again, the X-Bolt 2 Speed OVIX, MB did its job. From the plains to the Rockies and everywhere in between, Browning has crafted an X-Bolt 2 model to meet and exceed your needs. 

Whether you’re looking for a new-for-2024 hunting rifle or want to boost your X-Bolt collection, you can’t go wrong with this remarkably accurate big-game wrecker.