Browning X-Bolt vs Winchester Model 70
 

Hey everyone! I'm new to this forum and I have a question that I have been struggling with. I'm choosing between two rifles, The Browning X-Bolt and the Winchester Model 70! The Winchester is made in the USA, but doesn't have the features that I like of the X-bolt. Have any of yall had any experience or can put any input on my decision! Thanks everyone! :deer:

What specific features does the X-Bolt have that the Model 70 does not? I had an X-Bolt Hunter and wound up selling it when I picked up an FN made Winchester M70 Extreme Weather.

I like the M70 better and feel it is better, stronger built rifle. I will say the X-Bolt was less picky with bullet weights and was extremely accurate.

The X-bolt has a detachable magazine.

Proud owner of a X-bolt stainless stalker in .338 Win Mag

I do like detachable mags, but not a deal breaker.

Love 3 lugs/ shorter bolt lifts, ie 60 degrees vs. 90, ie sako, weatherby, browning...

Aside from the detachable magazine, which is injection molded plastic and something I don't want on a hunting rifle, the Model 70 has many features that the X-bolt (and many other rifles) only wished it had.

Like......
controlled round feeding
Claw extractor
Fixed controlled ejector
Coned breech face
The ability to disassemble the bolt with out tools
The best 3 position safety ever designed on a rifle
Synthetic stocks that aren't tupperware plastic but fiberglass, graphite, and aramid fibers
Synthetic stocks that have full length aluminum bedding blocks
A recoil lug that is integral of the receiver

I liked the detachable magazine on the X-Bolt and felt that it fed rounds very smoothly. However, I also like the hinged floor plate on the M70.

I like the shorter bolt lift too as it will not interfere with scope choices....BUT....the X-Bolt has a small bolt handle(for my hands anyway) and I found it was sometimes harder to operate in field conditions(cold/wet hands).

How much of an accuracy difference is there between these two rifles? :groupwave:

I don't have a pic of any groups shot with the X-Bolt, but here is a pic of a group I fired from the M70. I picked up some Hornady Superformance 140 grain SST's at a gun show a few months back to try but the rifle did not seem to like them(the X-Bolt did not either). I then switched to 130 grain Federal Powershocks and was very pleased with the initial results. Keep in mind I bore sighted the rifle, fired two rounds at 25 yards, fired 2 rounds at 100 yards and then shot this target.

Thats great! what MOA do u think that is?

I don't have the target any more, so I can't measure it. However, the grids on that target are less than an inch, 15/16 of an inch to be exact, and the dime on the target will nearly cover the 3 shot group. I'm very pleased with the initial results and feel it will get better once it has been shot some more and with some selected handloads.