Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Max Long Range 6.5 Creedmoor - Thoughts?

[CMS829]

Hey all. So Im looking at buying my first Creedmoor. It will strictly be a paper puncher. 300 to 400 yard ranges near by and getting permission to shoot on some farm property likely out to 1000 yards. Is this the gun for me? Or do I keep looking? I know there are likely some cheaper options, but I'll just say it...its one sexy gun.

Thoughts? I have never owned a bolt. All AR .223 and 6.5 Grendel, semi auto 22 marlin, and shotguns. So would be my first bolt gun. Thanks in advance!

 

[DJL2]

It wouldn't be my choice. I don't especially fancy that stock design and one might argue it's a tad light at 8 lbs or so. On the bright side, that 1:7 twist is really aggressive if you want to fire heavies.

 

[CMS829]

It wouldn't be my choice. I don't especially fancy that stock design and one might argue it's a tad light at 8 lbs or so. On the bright side, that 1:7 twist is really aggressive if you want to fire heavies.

I actually like the stock. Different strokes for different folks, I guess! What would you consider a "heavy" creedmoor projectile? Just curious. From what I read, 140 is kinda the gold standard.

 

[Hookturnr]

For the money, I'd pinch a few more pennies and get into a Seekins Havak at 1995.00 iirc. That's the base gun meant for PRS production class. You can get one in a KRG Bravo chassis about that same price too

 

[CMS829]

For the money, I'd pinch a few more pennies and get into a Seekins Havak at 1995.00 iirc. That's the base gun meant for PRS production class. You can get one in a KRG Bravo chassis about that same price too

Im looking at around 1300 for the Browning. Which I think is a really decent price. Kinda top of my budget to be honest

 

[Newbie2020]

From everything I’ve read and from the two my buddy owned the browning is a quality shooter. I agree 8 lbs is light if you’re going to be shooting 140gr all day.

You might look in the snipers hide PX and you might find something with a heavier barrel profile and perhaps a more modular chassis like the bravo for not much different money.

Compared to a 223 or grendel gas gun the full sized 6.5cm has significantly more recoil. Extra weight is your friend. But I’m a pussy.

 

[DJL2]

Yeah, right on man. Lots of folks here on the Hide have and love chassis setups that don’t do it for me. The important thing is that it fits you. A 13.75 inch LOP is just waaaay too long for me. I also like an angled butt to ride bags (versus flat or a hook). Around 1.8 inches is pretty perfect for the fire end if I’m gonna grab a hold of it. Chunky/flat works better for riding a barrier or some rests. All about what you want!

If you’re not opposed to Franken gunning it, I’d give you the same advice I gave elsewhere: buy a Howa barreled action ($531) (or Bergara) and drop it into the stock of your choice. 700 bucks is more than enough to get you a nice stock with standard or heavy fill.

M1500 6.5 CREEDMOOR BARRELED ACTION | Brownells

The Howa 1500 6.5 Creedmoor Barreled Action is a great platform for shooters who want to build their own long range, precision rifle at an affordable price. Starting with a standard-dimension forged steel short action (SA) receiver, Howa adds a ha...

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For the money, you could also buy a Bergara HMR. Admittedly, that’s more personal preference, but it would be my choice of the two.

B-14 HMR - Bergara USA

Do you crave handmade craftsmanship? Do you want a rifle built specifically for you, built for your needs, and with a level of quality that is evident the moment it touches your hands? Are you the type who hones your skills until your confidence is unwavering and your actions are second nature...

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[Bourbon_and_Bullets]

Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creed is the easy button. Throw it in a KRG Bravo and you’re golden. way sub half-moa with factory eldm.

 

[DJL2]

This is 12.5 lbs or so (sans bipod). I can, and have, shot this all day. 6.5 CM is a soft shooting rifle.

 

[346ci]

Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creed is the easy button. Throw it in a KRG Bravo and you’re golden. way sub half-moa with factory eldm.

This is the correct answer..

 

[K80/6.5]

I have never liked browning triggers I thought they felt really heavy especially compared to Tikka ctr. That would be my choice since I have one exactly the way others have recommended in KRG bravo. It shoots great and should be in same price range.

 

[308pirate]

I have never owned a bolt.

I actually like the stock.

Does not compute

 

[CMS829]

Does not compute

From holding it in person.

 

[CMS829]

This is the correct answer..

I'll check into it. Suggestions on decent places to buy from?

 

[308pirate]

From holding it in person.

Doesn't always translate well to actually using it.

 

[JC0352]

If it’s only going to be a paper puncher, I’d get something with a beefier barrel. You’ll learn what you like after diving in, and your options to change things up on a Browning are slimmer than the brands you’ll see recommended on this site.

 

[skl1]

Lots of good alternative suggestions above, but FWIW, everybody I know who has a Browning Hell's Canyon loves it, and they all shoot lights out.

 

[CMS829]

Doesn't always translate well to actually using it.

Extremely true. But the same could be said for any stock that I havent shot. Not arguing your wrong. Just saying its kinda true across the board

 

[346ci]

I'll check into it. Suggestions on decent places to buy from?

Have you checked with the local guys? Euro Optic is a big Tikka dealer if looking online. May be hard to find one in stock though.

 

[CMS829]

Lots of good alternative suggestions above, but FWIW, everybody I know who has a Browning Hell's Canyon loves it, and they all shoot lights out.

Good to hear. Im still on the fence though. Not only on this rifle...but spending the cash on another one. Lol

 

[DownhillFromHere]

If the rifle bug bites you, you're going to find that Browning lacks the aftermarket support - especially wrt stocks/chassis - of brands like Tikka, Bergara, Howa, etc. You might have a more difficult time reselling it.

Tikka is indeed the easy button. Amazingly smooth action, excellent (for a factory piece) trigger, top-shelf accuracy. I started this silliness almost four years and many thousands of dollars ago with a Tikka T3X TAC A1 in 6.5CM and a Varmint in .223. Both were excellent shooters and sold in a day when I moved to customs. The only thing that doesn't compute is why Tikka puts such excellent barreled actions in cheap-**** rubber stocks (my Varmint went straight from the box into an MDT chassis).

If you can get your budget up to $2k, there are lots of "semi-custom" options which will put you into an upgradable platform based on a Remington 700-footprint action (Tikka's footprint is proprietary as are their triggers, whereas R700 clones have a zillion aftermarket options for triggers, stocks, etc.). If you have to budget carefully, though, spend your dollars on better glass, which can move to new&better rifles. Putting a cheap scope on a capable rifle is like putting Pep Boys $99 tires on a Corvette.

Good luck.

 

[CaptNemo]

The answers you seek are contained in This Thread

As much as I love Browning hunting guns, for what you want to do Tikka is the answer.

 

[sierra2]

Browning makes some fine hunting rifles. Some of the prettiest, in fact, too. I have a beautiful A-Bolt Medallion in .338wm that my FiL gave me. That said, as a recreational LR rifle, I feel there are better choices and often for less money. There has never been much aftermarket support for Browning rifles. We tend to be tinkerers in this sport, and there’s always some new must-have option or gadget for LR rifles...but not for the Brownings.