7MM Rem Mag Browning X-Bolt Accuracy test

I decided to try out some factory ammo versus my hand loads. I started reloading for fun several years ago, and since doing so I don't ever buy factory ammunition. However, I found some of these loads and decided to try them out and compare accuracy and velocity from my 7mm Remington magnum.
Hand Loads are 160 Nosler Accubonds that are about 2900 FPS
Factory loads are Federal Premium 160 Nosler Accubonds at about the same velocity.
These X Bolt rifles have been fantastic performers for me, I own 3 and love them all.

[@mds6387]

For whatever reason, them Japanese Browning X-bolts are stupid accurate. I recently inherited one from my uncle before he passed. It only took me 4 rounds to sight it in, because the windage never changed on each shot. Just had to adjust the elevation. The 4th shot was just to verify if my theoretical 200yd zero(zeroed 1.5" high at 100yd) was good for 300yd. It was dead on. It's crazy how a factory rifle can be so accurate with absolutely no modifications. The Japanese definitely make these rifles with a lot of love and passion.

[@Bowstringdotcom]

Its been fantastic.

[@codytaylor2194]

I have the hells canyon long range in 300 win mag...I shoot factory barnes vortex ttsx 180 gr and literally put 3 shots in 1 hole...I don't even reload for it because I could not do better...I've had /have alot of good solid 1in to .5 in guns but nothing like this gun...at my camp my rifle has been nick named 1 HOLE WILLY 😂 and he has takin some small wagers against a couple 3k custom set ups that my friends have...I make sure they don't forget it either😂

[@pOOlarisking]

Same rifle I'm 1moa- @200yrds with 168g federal berger bullets. I have t1 muzzle break. Less recoil than my 7.62

[@myronheyward6429]

What kind of federal bullet.

[@Bowstringdotcom]

Federal Premium ammo using a 160 Nosler Accubond.

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

I got a browning x bolt 375h&h, i had a browning BAR chambered in 300 win mag. Dude them guns are accurate af. My dream gun has been the browning 7mm rem mag

[@ozark_trapper]

I have a Browning Xbolt. The Hells Canyon Speed Long Range 280AI. I have a Leupold scope on mine. A VX6 HD 4x24x52mm TMOA reticle. I put a McCarbo trigger spring in mine. Got the trigger down to 2 pds.

[@pOOlarisking]

Nice

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

Dude im jealous i like your 7mm rem mag i like the browning rifles myself!

[@kevinsauer5794]

I shot some of the Federal with the Barnes 160 gr TTSX, and had very similar results. One question, does yours kick like a mule?

[@Bowstringdotcom]

It is fairy soft recoiling, I have a 22” barrel Xbolt 308, shooting 165 accubonds around 2750, and it feels about the same, the longer action 7mm and 26” barrel seem to tame some of the recoil. But, the loads I’m using are 160 gr at 2950 on average, so really they are middle of the road 7mm loads and the 308 are full loads so they shouldn’t feel much different. I don’t think it kicks any worse than a 270 Win.

[@erikleirmo9147]

Tikka is stupid accurate too. I love the trigger on mine and I’m debating another tikka superlite or a hells canyon speed in 300 or 7mm

[@Bowstringdotcom]

I have only heard good things about Tikka accuracy, they look a little plain to me, but the accuracy has been touted well by people I know who have them.

[@bobbygreen2291]

I’ve reloaded fifty years and seating depth can be as much as fifty five thousandths off the lands and still shoot super tight groups.

[@fit4outside]

You’re really under loading the 7 mag. I get 3165 fps in my 24” Tikka with 160 accubonds. The powder is Reloader 26. Accuracy is .5”.

[@Idaho_Hunter]

I'll tell ya I have a hard time believing a 7Mag will get that velocity with a 160Gr bullet, 3000FPS is about the norm for a 160, and maybe, maybe 3100 if you really loaded it hot. To each their own, but if you're at nearly 3100 with that bullet I would feel uneasy about the pressures its creating. RL26 from their website shows a charge of 67 Gr RL26 produces 3014 FPS from a 24" tube. I'd think again if its a 7MM Rem mag. A 7mm Weatherby would do that much though.

[@fit4outside]

I responded to your comment but it looks like it’s been removed.

[@Idaho_Hunter]

@@fit4outside Not sure why.

[@fit4outside]

Basically what I said was that my velocities are legitimate. Look up The Real Ginsmith video “reloading tips with 7mm Rem mag”. That will explain how I get those velocities.

[@Bowstringdotcom]

I watched that video. I’ve always enjoyed his videos, here’s where I’m coming from. He talks about needing to throat out the chamber to allow the bullet to be seated longer and have a magazine box that allows that. Those two things right there eliminate uploading the seven mag in many factory rifles. if you’re interested in creating a custom rifle to maximize the cartridge that’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with that and that’s fine. if you’re going to use a factory rifle like I am and you’re gonna load for accuracy, you’re probably gonna end up between 2900-3050 ft./s with a 160 Accubond. Playing with slower burning powders you can push that number upwards but ultimately what’s the point? Anywhere in that range is a very effective hunting projectile. And at 200 300 400 and 500 yards. There’s no practical difference between a load at one end of that spectrum and another. Reliability is a key factor to me. Pushing pressure envelopes to obtain 50 or 100 more feet per second or even 150 ft./s. Ultimately gives me no tangible benefit. I’m gonna post a link to a video of someone whose life was nearly lost along with his sister because they had a hot load in a large magnum rifle. The primer blew out of the case and jammed the action. They were then left nearly defenseless to a large Alaskan brown bear. Thankfully, they found their pistol that they had a one point dropped and were able to stop the bear. I’m happy to sacrifice 100 or 200 ft./s to avoid a scenario like that. The primer in the rifle fell into the action in a way that jammed the Bolt. And they acknowledge that they were very hot loads. Most likely no one will ever encounter that scenario again. Or it’s so unlikely to that it’s not really a statistically significant issue. But not loading to the maximum pressures that are often above book numbers, helps you avoid that type of issue. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKqyZompZ82onsk&pp=ygUgQWxtb3N0IGRpZWQgYmVhciBzdHVjayBuIHR0ZSBydXQ%3D

[@hunternichols5597]

Witch browning xbolt‽

[@tydengr]

Browning X-Bolt seems not accurate compared to Bergara

[@Bowstringdotcom]

I took it out the other day, and made 3 shots at 570 yards. It was just over a 2" group almost perfect left to right. This gun is crazy accurate.