Browning X-Bolt Western Hunter
THE Browning A-Bolt 1 which appeared in 1985 was a significant improvement, over the Browning BBR which enjoyed a brief period of seven years in production. More than four decades have passed since the bold, angular lines of the A-Bolt and the introduction of stainless synthetic rifles in 1987 set a trend that has had a lasting influence on the way hunters and shooters view rifles. The A-Bolt enjoyed a great reputation for accuracy which was further enhanced by the BOSS system (gimmick or not) in 1995 which subtly changed barrel harmonics to gain optimal accuracy with a given load. But tastes have changed along with manufacturing techniques and the materials used in firearms, and as good as the A-Bolt may have been there’s always room for improvement which led to the introduction of the X-Bolt.
Changes made to the A-Bolt weren’t too radical – more along the lines of modifications. The contours of the X-Bolt’s steel receiver more or less copy those of the A-Bolt, but are slimmer and more refined looking. Above the stock, the sides are flat, then taper with two 30-degree angles, and the top of the receiver is slightly rounded to conform to the barrel’s outside diameter, The X-Bolt’s side
