Western Hunter Calls Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range “…a Keeper for Any Rifleman.”
Western Hunter Calls Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range “…a Keeper for Any Rifleman.”
Face it. Lots of gunwriters do lots tests on lots new rifles. It usually goes like this - they receive the sample gun, take some pictures, shoot some groups, write up the article, send the text and photos to the publication or website and, far more often than not, they box up the test rifle and send it back to the manufacturer.
Unless the rifle they test is a real gem – a hyper-accurate tackdriver that shoots like a laser. Gunscribes call those really outstanding rifles “keepers,” and they send a purchase check instead of returning the gun.
Every Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan is individually hand-bedded in its stock. Both the action and barrel have a matte burnt bronze Cerakote finish to help protect from wear and corrosion. Browning photo.
Colton Bagnoli, a writer for westernhunter.net, recently spent several months in the field and on the bench with a Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan in 6.5 Creedmoor and, based on his extensive testing, found it was a real keeper.
“I was fortunate to receive a Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor for review,” Bagnoli begins. “It’s a flat shooting cartridge with mild recoil, deflects less in wind than many other short-action cartridges, and has rightfully earned its place in the market. When fed into a Browning rifle, the possibilities become endless.”
“It’s refreshing to see a company as large as Browning team up with one of the finest stock manufacturers to develop a high-quality rifle,” Bagnoli explained. “McMillan…is an industry leader with its fiberglass composite stocks... . The McMillan…came pillar bedded and had a great fit to the Browning X-Bolt action, coupled with the Browning detachable magazine bottom metal.”
Every Browning X-Bolt is fitted with the outstanding three-lever adjustable Feather Trigger. Browning photo.
“…Any rifle…must operate smoothly and reliability to earn its place in any gun safe,” opined Bagnoli. “The Browning X-Bolt exceeds the standard. I tuned the trigger on my rifle to 3 lbs. and was more than satisfied with the crisp break and minimal over travel. The Browning triggers are user friendly – the easiest factory adjustable triggers on the market today.”
“The Browning rifle comes with a fluted, heavy Sporter contour steel barrel,” Bagnoli noted. “Browning also polishes the chamber in each barrel to ensure smooth extraction. The muzzle…comes threaded for attaching a muzzle device or suppressor. It even includes a muzzle brake and threaded cap to protect the threads… . On a custom rifle, these features would easily add up to a $100-$200 upgrade!”
Bagnoli was also highly impressed with the rifle’s accuracy. “I was fortunate enough to test this rifle for several months,” he explained. “The rifle produced 100-yard groups averaging five rounds just under ½ MOA and when I did my part, it would stack sub-3/8 MOA groups. I was able to shoot a sub one-inch, five-shot group at 200 yards as well.”
“The Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan…is quite possibly the finest production rifle available for under $2,000.”
The Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range… is quite possibly the finest production rifle available for under $2,000. If you’re rifle shopping in this price range, look no further,” the writer concluded. “Browning has put together a rifle that will suit the needs of everyone from novice rifleman all the way up to a veteran shooter looking to up his game. As with every rifle I have tested for Browning, the X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan will not be returning to the factory.
“As with every rifle I have tested for Browning, the X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan will not be returning to the factory”
So there you have it. With the Browning X-Bolt you get the accuracy and reliability of a full-house custom rifle, right out of the box, and at a price that won’t break your budget.
You can read the entire article by Colton Bagnoli online at https://westernhunter.net/gear-reviews/browning-x-bolt-hells-canyon-long-range-rifle/
Original article copyright westernhunter.net 2019. Photos are copyright Browning and/or used with attribution or permission or are in the public domain. Review written by Browning staff writer Scott Engen. Copyright Browning 2019
