Browning X-­Bolt Max Long Range – 2019 Rifle of the Year

During the last year, the X-­Bolt Max Long Range has been used by several G&A editors and contributors to harvest everything from Hawaii’s axis deer to Missouri’s whitetails. It also demonstrated unbelievable long-­range accuracy potential. This rifle targets those of us who like to hammer steel set several hundred yards away, as well as those who prefer to hunt a little farther out.

Being a line extension of the X-­Bolt should have prevented the new X-­Bolt Max Long Range from winning this category, but the universal appreciation for this rifle’s performance and value overwhelmingly scored Browning this award over all others.

Retail price for the X-­Bolt Max Long Range is advertised at $1,269.99. We couldn’t find this level of feature-­rich value in another new rifle having a lesser price, or in any other production rifle currently offered for less than $1,500.

Further, this smooth-­action bolt gun is available in the hottest flat-­shooting chamberings, including 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .28 Nosler, 6.5 PRC and .30 Nosler. (Of course, it’s also available for traditional cartridges such as .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and .300 Remington Ultra Magnum.

The X-­Bolt Max Long Range features a composite stock with an adjustable comb and a 26-­inch, heavy sporter contoured barrel. Our first assumption was that this would be a heavyweight and impractical rifle to carry in the field. We were wrong. The X-­Bolt possesses subtle lightweight details including barrel fluting for weight savings and a composite stock. The floorplate is also a polymer composite and the triggerguard is lightweight alloy. The sum of these parts equals a rifle that only weighs 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and 4 ounces more in some chamberings.

The trigger pull measured less than 4 pounds, and in no way compromised this rifle’s accuracy potential. In fact, nothing about Browning’s new X-­Bolt Max Long Range is a compromise. It’s just a great all-­around rifle and easily this year’s greatest introduction.

Browning X- Bolt Max Long Range

• Type: Bolt action, det. magazine
• Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor (tested)
• Capacity: 4 rds.
• Barrel: 26 in.; 1:7-in. twist; stainless steel
• Overall Length: 46.125 in.
• Weight: 8 lbs., 3 oz. (tested)
• Stock: Composite, adj. comb
• Length of Pull: 13.75 in.
• Finish: Black gray splatter; matte
• Trigger: 3 lbs., 7 oz. (tested)
• Sights: None
• MSRP: $1,270
• Manufacturer: Browning, 800-333-3288, browning.com 

BUY IT NOW! Log on to galleryofguns.com, select this firearm, pay a deposit and it will be at your local gun store in two days. When purchased from galleryofguns.com, Davidson’s guarantees to repair or replace this firearm for life.