TEST RESULTS: BROWNING’S X-BOLT 2 SPEED CARBON FIBRE

After a bit of searching, I was able to find five factory loads and assemble 11 handloads that included two heavyweight bullets from Nosler. At 0.970, my handload groups bettered the 1.263 average of the factory loads. Despite only one load bettering a half-inch, a couple hovered just above that mark.

For lighter game such as antelope, I would consider handloaded 150-grain Berger VLD Hunting bullets. As for larger game, I’d opt for Nosler 165-grain ABLR bullets. Both options averaged 0.450 and 0.752, respectively. The Nosler ABLR bullets, with their 620 BC and velocity of 2,956 fps (using Grand powder), would make for a superb long-range elk and moose load.

Regarding the factory loads, both Winchester’s Ballistic Silvertip (with 170-grain Rapid Controlled Expansion Polymer Tip bullets) and Browning’s Long Range Pro Hunter (with 175-grain Sierra Tipped Gameking bullets) also delivered sub-MOA accuracy.

As for the Hawke Endurance Mountain Hunter scope, its optical quality, lightweight rugged design, array of features and precision certainly provide maximum bang for the buck. It made an ideal match for the X-Bolt 2, but would certainly also suit any backcountry rifle.

Factory Ammunition

BRAND	BULLET	MEASURED VELOCITY (in FPS)	GROUP SIZE (in inches)
Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip	170-grain Rapid Controlled Expansion Polymer Tip	2,920	0.580
Winchester Expedition Long Range AccuBond LR	165-grain AccuBond LR	2,927	1.230
Winchester Copper Impact	162-grain Copper Extreme Point	2,953	1.025
Winchester Power Point	170-grain	2,943	2.540
Browning Long Range Pro	175-grain Sierra Tipped Game King	2,817	0.940

 

Handloads

BULLET	POWDER	CASE	MEASURED VELOCITY (in FPS)	GROUP SIZE (in inches)
Sierra 140-grain SP GameKing	H1000	Winchester	3,013	0.940
Berger 150-grain VLD Hunting	I 7977	Winchester	2,870	0.450
Barnes 155-grain LRX BT	StaBall	Winchester	2,959	1.010
Barnes 150-grain TSX FB	I4451	Winchester	2,943	0.660
Nosler 150-grain AccuBond LR	H1000	Winchester	2,960	1.550
Nosler 165-grain AccuBond LR	I7977	Winchester	2,853	1.158
Nosler 165-grain AccuBond LR	Grand	Winchester	2,956	0.752
Nosler 150-grain Ballistic Tip	StaBall 6.5	Winchester	2,883	0.940
Nosler 170-grain Ballistic tip	Grand	Winchester	2,954	1.090
Nosler 170-grain Ballistic Tip	I7977	Winchester	2,842	0.670
Nosler 150-grain AccuBond	StaBall	Winchester	2,951	1.035

Note: All groups are three shots at 100 yards and velocities were recorded by the Garmin Xero C1 Pro and averaged.