Browning X-Bolt Pro Tungsten Barrel Receiver Connection

[QPM]

Hi all. I have been fighting this X-Bolt Pro Tungsten and am getting groups on par with my lever gun with peep sights. I have checked all torques, switched scopes, shot with the Hawg and the radial brake and the gun just isn't behaving properly. I have checked receiver bolts for spec (tightened front first) taken the scope rings off and reinstalled. Often the first couple of shots are OK, but subsequent shots are all over the place. The POI shifts between range sessions (at range sessions I am also shooting a Tikka and a Lupo under identical rest/bag conditions and am 1 moa or better). Browning has mentioned that I could mail it in, but before I do I could switch rings to medium/shoot with no brake/try different ammo brands (using 143 gr precision hunter - hate to buy more ammo when I have literally sent 100's of dollars down range on this gun).

I was inspecting the gun and noticed that where the barrel meets the receiver isn't perfectly aligned. You will see a stock photo that shows perfect alignment where the barrel meets the receiver, and a picture of my gun (where the MP stamp is visible)... My barrel seems to be out of alignment with the receiver by between 1/64" and 1/16".

Would this type of misalignment potentially cause inconsistent groups? TIA, if so, I may as well mail it in and quit trying to fix it.... just kind of bummed I have been fighting this thing and don't trust it enough to hunt with it.

 

[Darryle]

Well, recoil lug misalignment could lead to issues. Especially if you haven't had the rifle bedded by a gunsmith. The action is not settling properly in stock and factory bedding, the reason you are seeing shifts during various range sessions.

I would take better pictures in better lighting and email them, have them give you an RMA, let them handle the repair. At the least, it will need to have the barrel/recoil lug removed and reinstalled properly. At the most, they will replace the rifle.


Have you had the action out of stock, I have a pro that the factory stock cracked thru the action screws, it would behave exactly like yours. I replaced the stock with a McMillan and the rifle settled down and remained accurate from that point forward.