By NAW Staff
New for whitetail hunters in 2024, Browning has unveiled their new line of hunting rifles: the X-bolt 2. Browning’s X-bolt has been a favorite of whitetail hunters across the continent for years, and if you were a fan of the original X-bolt, you won’t want to miss any opportunity to check out the X-bolt 2.
North American Whitetail Editor-in-Chief Haynes Shelton and Associate Editor Blake Garlock were honored to have the opportunity to carry the X-bolt 2 Speed cloaked in Browning’s OVIX camo pattern on an Alberta whitetail hunt during November of 2023. On that hunt, Haynes and Blake each downed big, mature whitetail bucks with the X-bolt 2 Speed chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
In Alberta, Haynes and Blake were able to test the X-bolt 2’s effectiveness in completely different whitetail situations. Haynes shot his mature 10-point beyond 300 yards, executing a quick and ethical kill that showed how accurate and reliable the X-bolt 2 is at long distances. Blake took a big 9-pointer in a “fast-action” situation. While waiting for another buck to stand from its bed, the 9-point ran into view giving Blake only seconds to make a quick, up-close-and-personal shot. The X-bolt 2 proved easy to maneuver and accurate in this fast situation.
It's obvious that Browning thought hard on how they could improve the hunting experience with the X-bolt 2. The redesigned bolt with a more ergonomic handle shape will make cycling rounds much easier, and the new Vari-Tech stock in OVIX camo offers hunters adjustable length of pull, adjustable comb, interchangeable grip modules and overmolded grip surfaces. For hunters looking for a lightweight rifle, some models of the X-bolt 2 even come with carbon fiber barrels.
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Coming in traditional whitetail calibers like .308 Win., .270 Win., .30-06 SPRG. and 7MM Rem. Mag., as well as popular rounds such as the 6.5 CM., 6.5 PRC, 7MM PRC and more, there is truly an X-bolt 2 for every hunter.
