The Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed Line

Published on August 15, 2024

At Browning, we field a variety of questions from customers. We strive to meet the demands of our faithful users, and this article aims to tackle a question we get asked regularly: What are Browning’s various Speed rifle models and what is the purpose of each?

Let’s Go!

The X-Bolt 2 Speed

Though nothing is standard about our new-for-2024 X-Bolt 2 Speed, you will notice no abbreviations such as LR or SPR follow “Speed”.

Why?

The X-Bolt 2 Speed is the most popular of all our X-Bolt 2 Speed variations and one of the most versatile. It has a lighter weight, sporter contour barrel that is fluted and comes in standard lengths. A radial muzzle brake is included but a Sporter Recoil Hawg muzzle brake can easily be added. It is available in 12 popular calibers.

Whether you’re hunting in open fields or dense forests, this rifle is a reliable choice. It’s a do-all bolt-action that will serve you well wherever you hunt.

Several new features make the Speed shine.

A newly designed spiral fluted bolt and ergonomic bolt handle reduce weight and improve ergonomics. Of course, our fast, smooth, and short 60-degree bolt throw is back, and the newly designed receiver includes added bolt guidance surface area for even smoother operation. The short bolt throw allows for large-optic clearance, meaning even sizeable, high-magnification scopes work well on this rifle.

While our three-lever Feather Trigger was a Browning win, the new X-Bolt 2 Speed showcases a patent-pending, adjustable DLX Trigger set to hunting weights. We put the trigger at 3.5 pounds, but it can be adjusted to 3 pounds. The trigger ensures zero creep, take-up, and overtravel; it is one of the finest factory triggers ever.

The new Vari-Tech composite stock is customizable for comb height, length of pull, and you can change the grip angle by switching between the sporter and vertical grip modules.

You’ll love the fit and feel of the height-adjustable comb. Once the height is adjusted to meet your needs, eye-to-optic alignment is perfect, which boosts target acquisition time, accuracy, and overall shooting confidence.

Like all X-Bolt 2 Speed models, exposed metal surfaces get the durable protection of an awesome Cerakote™ finish.

The X-Bolt 2 Speed LR

Engineered for those who like to punch paper, ring steel, and send lead through lungs at longer ranges, our X-Bolt 2 Speed LR shares many of the enhancements of the X-Bolt 2 Speed.

So, why opt for the Speed LR?

The first significant difference is that the lengths of the fluted sporter contour barrels run 2-inches longer than standard lengths (to a maximum of 26-inches) for increased bullet velocities to maximize downrange performance. After all, LR stands for Long Range, and the longer, free-floated barrels used on our eight different LR calibers are ideal for distant targets and hunting situations.

The barrel is suppressor ready and is fitted with a radial muzzle brake that can be easily substituted for a Browning Recoil Hawg brake for added recoil reduction. The muzzle is belled to accommodate the larger 5/8"-24 suppressor-ready threading.

Speed LR guns also feature the new Plus Magazine system. This single-stack, extended design magazine ups the capacity to five or six cartridges, depending on the caliber. The Plus Magazine system uses the same shoulder-holding feature as the X-Bolt rotary magazine and the same center feed design, which prevents damage to bullet tips in the magazine under recoil and during loading.

Every feature of this rifle has been optimized for ultra-accurate shooting at extended distances.

Other must-mention features of the LR include the aluminum Picatinny rail for easy bi-pod attachment. We know the accuracy-enhancing benefits of getting prone — having multiple body contact points with the ground — and this system enhances prone shooting.

The extended bolt handle is capped off with an ergonomically shaped new knob for easier bolt operation. The new 1-1/4-inch Inflex Recoil Pad absorbs felt recoil like a sponge, allowing you to stay in the scope and quickly and accurately send a second round.

The X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR

Essentially a Speed model, the SPR stands for Suppressor Ready. The Speed SPR is designed with a 4-inch decrease in barrel length to accommodate the length of a suppressor, which means you can add a suppressor and still have a rifle that’s ideal for those who love to cover country quickly with a lightweight, maneuverable rifle in hand.

Available in eight popular big-game calibers, the lightweight composite stock marries perfectly with the sporter-weight precision barrel to create a roam-anywhere rifle that promises maximum accuracy. Whether you’re chasing guttural bugles in the Rockies or sitting in a Midwest whitetail stand, this rifle is a win.

The X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR features the all-new spiral-fluted bolt with ergonomic new bolt knob shape for even faster, smoother cycling, and the Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish fully protects the working metal parts of this rifle much better than traditional bluing.

The X-Bolt 2 Speed Carbon Fiber

The final 2024 X-Bolt 2 Speed team member, the Speed Carbon Fiber, was engineered specifically for hunters who demand tack-driving performance. Fitted with a carbon fiber-wrapped barrel from Preferred Barrels, this sweet-looking shooter is available in six calibers.

Each Preferred Barrels design begins as a stainless steel blank that is precision bored and button rifled before being stress relieved and finally wrapped with carbon fiber. The more robust, stiffer carbon wrapping process trumps barrels that use a carbon fiber sleeve or tube. Barrels come in standard lengths by caliber.

A Browning Recoil Hawg Muzzle brake comes standard on the Speed X-Bolt 2 Carbon Fiber. This brake works with the 1-1/4 inch Inflex Recoil Pad to reduce felt recoil up to 76 percent, depending on the caliber. With recoil knocked down and muzzle jump reduced, shooters, even when shooting belted magnum calibers, can keep their target in the scope and know that shoulder abuse is limited when the DLX Trigger breaks.

One More Feature

While X-Bolt 2 Speed models vary slightly to meet your demands, they all have similar features, including a Browning fan favorite: the Bolt Unlock Button. This innovative button works with the top-tang safety to provide added protection during checking and unloading the chamber.

With many bolt-action rifles, the safety must be in the fire position to open the action. With the Bolt Unlock Button, the bolt can be opened without moving the top-tang safety to the fire position. This is an excellent feature and one we are incredibly proud of.

When we built the X-Bolt 2 Speed rifles, we set out to keep the features that made our original X-Bolt a classic, while giving our faithful customers new technologies that improve personal customization and overall shootability. We are thrilled with each design and know you will be too.