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Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed #5650697 03/14/15 04:20 AM
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ltsheets Offline OP
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So I'm in the market for a very lightweight rifle. I've considered everything from custom builds to kimbers to savage LWH etc... Today I can across a local deal on a barely used browning xbolt SS carbon stalker that I can get for 900, maybe a little lower. Is this too good a deal to pass up or do I hold out for a kimber, Forbes, semi-custom, etc? I don't have much experience with browning rifles but a buddy of mine loves them and swears by their accuracy. Thoughts??

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5650801 03/14/15 09:01 AM
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I am not a fan of carbon barreled rifles. They were a passing fad. IMO their marketing was very misleading. The two things most touted were:
1)Carbon barrel dissipates heat well-technically true, but it better since the steel core is so thin it heats up like crazy; and
2)Carbon is stiffer than steel-again technically true, BUT ONLY AT THE SAME WEIGHTS. A carbon barrel weighing the same as a steel barrel would be several inches thick.

In short, the actual barrels on the rifle heat up like crazy and are not nearly as stiff as regular barrels. Just the opposite of how they were marketed.

Probably one reason for the "deal".


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5650907 03/14/15 01:22 PM
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For a lot of the same reasons as NP mentioned, I would pass.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5650910 03/14/15 01:25 PM
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This is not a carbon barreled rifle. It only has it in the name because of the look of the stock. It's a stainless fluted barrel.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651020 03/14/15 03:41 PM
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The Xbolt is a good rifle. The ones that I had shot okay but I could not get used to that trigger. I like the A-bolts better because if got the trigger where I liked it. Never had the carbon stalker because I did not want to pay for that. Not sure if you are getting a good deal or not. That really depends on how badly you want it.

g

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651041 03/14/15 03:57 PM
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I really like how that rifle feels. Haven't shot one but Brownings typically shoot very well. I've always liked their triggers too.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651045 03/14/15 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: ltsheets
This is not a carbon barreled rifle. It only has it in the name because of the look of the stock. It's a stainless fluted barrel.


Good to know.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651122 03/14/15 05:06 PM
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The carbon fiber barrel was an older production that Browning had. The model in the current production has a lightweight stock with a carbon fiber look. I have one in 270 , it has a stainless fluted barrel. It is one of the nicer current model xbolt s with a synthetic stock. I paid around $900 for mine brand new from Buds. Not a bad lightweight option for carrying long distances. Mine wears a Swaro 36mm Z3. I do recommend it but I would try and get it for 750-850 used for bare gun.


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Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651139 03/14/15 05:31 PM
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I have an X Bolt White Gold Medallion in .270 Winchester. I LOVE this rifle, it does everything I want it to do and very accurately. It's the only rifle I have that I don't hand load for yet because it shoots Remington 130 grain factory Core Lokts well under an inch. I like the trigger on mine. My next one will probably be a X Bolt Composite Stalker or Hunter in 7mm-08 Rem.

Like was mentioned above, I would try to get it in the $750-850 area for a bare used rifle.

What caliber is the one you are looking at?


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651271 03/14/15 08:27 PM
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270 wsm.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651295 03/14/15 09:09 PM
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Good one. Gonna be a kicker in that weight rifle (6lbs, 6 oz. naked), but it'll be a nice one. up


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5651312 03/14/15 09:29 PM
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Pretty close to ideal for a mountain rifle. If it's flawless, no wear or marking, unfired-looking then the price is good, but it never hurts to make an offer.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=023B&cid=035&tid=240



Kind regards, charlesb


Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5652142 03/15/15 05:28 PM
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Made an offer but he wouldn't budge. Gun looked like he was telling the truth that it had only been fired 3 times. I bout it for 900 and he's including a box of fed premium ammo. It'll be a few oz heavier than my 7 lb goal but topped with a swaro z3, it'll be a wicked combo I think.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5652156 03/15/15 05:49 PM
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Cool. Got pix?


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5652794 03/16/15 02:16 AM
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Not yet. It's just like the one in the pic a few posts up. Gonna mount a swaro z3 on it and then I'll post pics. Pretty pumped.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: charlesb] #5652916 03/16/15 03:14 AM
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Yeah my earlier post was under the assumption this was a carbon fiber barreled rifle. If it's just got a stock with a carbon fiber look, then I take it back.

Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5652977 03/16/15 04:44 AM
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Good choice on the scope, I have 2 Z3 ' s and they are awesome hunting scopes.


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: Browning Xbolt SS Carbon Stalker Opinions Needed [Re: ltsheets] #5653100 03/16/15 12:20 PM
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Good choice on the xbolt. I have an xbolt hunter in .280 with a Zeiss 3.5-10 that shoots factory ammo awesome. I didnt like the polymer mag at first, but i am over it now after seeing how well it shoots.

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