Browning's new era X-Bolt Hunter

The Browning X-Bolt is a natural progression following the success of the original A-Bolt and A-Bolt II. It incorporates a number of new features guaranteed to elevate the X-Bolt’s status considerably in the bolt-action category of sporting rifles.

IT WAS DARK when we climbed the ladder into the hochsitz and sat waiting for the sky to lighten enough to reveal any game grazing on the forest clearing spread before us. The sullen Polish sky released a shower of drizzling rain and the icy breeze had my jaeger shivering as he peered though his 8x50 binocular. Warm in my three-layer Huntech suit, I huddled under my hooded jacket and waited patiently.

A new Browning X-Bolt Hunter rifle leant against the corner of the elevated stand, where it was under the protection of the planked roof and walls. It was topped with a Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42 scope with illuminated reticle. While this bulky variable power scope increased the weight of the slim, trim X-Bolt rifle somewhat spoiling its balance and lively handling, it made the outfit eminently well suited for European hunting conditions. The extra weight is no handicap when you are sitting in a hochsitz eight metres above the ground which has rails to steady your aim. The scope’s brightness and clarity were excellent and the illuminated reticle a necessity in the poor light conditions that prevail at dawn and dusk. For Aussie hunting the X-Bolt would be better suited by a 2.5-8x or 3-9x, but for Europe, Browning’ schoice of scope couldn’t be faulted.