X-Bolt Family Goes Second Generation
The biggest Browning news for 2024 is the introduction of the X-Bolt 2, an improved version of the company’s proven bolt action line of hunting rifles that replaces what many hunters already thought to be a pretty slick rig in the original X-Bolt. The new 2’s tagline is “experience the evolution of accuracy,” and the company aims to achieve what it’s calling “Total Accuracy” with every individual component working toward the best downrange performance right out of the factory production box.
Related Review: Into Hell’s Canyon – Browning X-Bolt in 6.5 Creedmoor
The new and improved X-Bolts address shooter comfort and fit, using what Browning has dubbed a Vari-Tech stock that offers adjustability similar to a chassis system, but with a more traditional hunting furniture appearance. With many model variants, the various stocks offer length of pull, comb height, and grip angle adjustments, along with grippy rubber overmolding.
There’s also a thicker Inflex recoil pad for greater recoil reduction. Browning’s new adjustable DLX trigger comes standard on the X-Bolt 2, with pull weight factory pre-set at 3.5 pounds.
There’s a re-designed Rotary Plus Magazine System, which uses an in-house designed, extended polymer magazine created to increase capacity by two rounds for most chamberings. There’s also a reconfigured receiver, smoother bolt operations to eliminate binding, top tang safety, bolt-unlock button, and at long last, a carbon-fiber barrel upgrade option.
Many previously popular features remain, including muzzle brake options, free-floated precision barrels, and the company’s sturdy X-Lock scope mounting system.
X-Bolt 2 Family
The X-Bolt 2 is charging into early 2024 with a whole host of model variants, most in various camo coverages, with largely the same list of chamberings from years past. Retail prices run the gamut from $1,469.99 up to a whopping $4,069.99:
- X-Bolt 2 Speed
- X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR
- X-Bolt 2 Speed LR Suppressor-Ready
- X-Bolt 2 Speed Carbon Fiber Suppressor Ready
- X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber
- X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan Carbon Fiber Suppressor Ready
- X-Bolt 2 Target Competition Lite
- X-Bolt 2 Mountain Pro Carbon Fiber
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X-Bolt 2 Hell’s Canyon McMillan LR Suppressor Ready
Not Just Rifles
While the second iteration of the X-Bolt is far and away the biggest news at Browning, an overlooked addition comes to one of the company’s most iconic shotgun designs. Since the first Belgian-made Auto-5 repeating shotguns over a century ago, the A5 has defined generations of hunters and sport shooters.
Related Review: Classic Browning ‘Light Twelve’ Auto-5 – Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun
After a lengthy hiatus, Browning re-introduced a modernized A5 in 12-gauge more than a few years ago. But new for 2024 is the reintroduction of the long awaited 20-gauge to the modern A5 lineup.
Downsizing the A5
It’s not only the smaller 20-gauge chambering, but the just-launched A5 is built around an entirely downsized frame for a trimmer and more lightweight semi-automatic shotgun. While many manufacturers might just fit a 20-gauge barrel onto a standard 12-gauge receiver, it appears Browning has done this the right way.
The unique humpback receiver shape remains as the outward nod to the original, but Browning’s young A5s with their Kinematic Drive System are now backed with a 100,000-round or five-year guarantee.
As of SHOT Show 2024, only one variant of A5 is showing in 20-gauge: the Hunter, with its gloss-finished Turkish walnut stocks, gloss-black anodized receiver, fiber-optic front sight, and Invector-DS choke tubes. Retail price on the A5 Hunter 20-gauge is set at $1,979.99.
