Browning X Bolt SF MDT HS3 Chassis
- By Pete Moore
-
88
Comments
- Last updated: 21/12/2018
Been waiting for this one for a long time, as I shot it over a year ago briefly and was a bit impressed, why? Well, Browning’s X-Bolt has always been a hunting and varmint-type rifle and over the years, since its introduction, has proved to be popular and with various tweaks on stock configurations, barrels-types and accessories offers what we need. I’ve owned their Hunter model for some time now chambered in 270 WSM and really like it. Standout features are its tang-mounted safety catch and proper, detachable magazine; a vast improvement over their earlier A-Bolt, with its weird hinged floor plate with clip-on box mag system. Add in improvements on trigger mechanisms and scope bases, plus the advent of the Nomad QD scope mounting system and hook up with Kite Optics and there’s definitely an X-Bolt or package to suit anyone.
There’s little doubt that tactical/precision, or dare I say it, sniper-type rifles, have been in vogue for many years now. The majority have been based on popular sporter actions suitably re-barrelled, stocked and finessed by custom gunsmiths. Later, the larger manufactures got in on the act, offering their top bolt-guns as a complete product with all the whistles and bells we have come to love and demand. Dragging its feet for many years, Browning was late to the party, but finally decided to offer something based on their X-Bolt.
So, how do you make the transition from an X-Bolt sporter to a full-blown tactical gun? Three main areas need to be sorted; the barrel, stock and feed system, some from in-house, others bought-in. Most noticeable is the heavy, fluted 24” barrel with a 23mm O/D and threaded 18x1mm for a muzzle brake (T2 model included) or a moddy. Currently, the only chambering is 308 Win in a 1-10” twist, but it would seem logical that others will be added and if Browning don’t offer a 6.5 Creedmoor they need their heads testing! They have retained their Super Feather Trigger too, which is a good design.
For the furniture, Browning turned to MDT (Machine Driven Technologies) for their HS3 (hunter/sniper) chassis system. MDT came to our attention a few years ago and have really progressed in this technology, offering various solutions for many makes of rifle. Finally, feed is from a 5-round, steel AI-compatible magazine. So, let’s see how it all comes together!
Weighing a hefty 12 lbs un-scoped, then add in a full magazine, bipod, scope and mount and probably a moddy as I did, jacks it up a fair bit, and it’s really a mandatory lay down or sit and shoot option. On that point, Browning supplied a Kite KSP HD2, 2.5- 15X56 scope and their Nomad Multiple Mount. I added an Accurate Enforcer, reflex moderator from Will Westlake at Barton GunWorks.
The control layout is near identical, though the 60º low lift angle, 3-lug bolt gets an extended handle with tear drop knob. The mag release is a long/wide lever at the rear of the well, the tang-mounted safety remains the same and is one of my favourite designs for the ‘on/off switch’. It pushes forward to FIRE (red dot exposes) and reverse for SAFE where it locks the action, Browning have incorporated an unlocking button at the base of the bolt handle, so allowing a safe unload.
The bolt shroud shows a cocked action indicator lug at the base of its run, which can be seen and felt. On the rear/left of the receiver is the bolt removal catch. Although my example had the Nomad base, Browning also fit their 4-screw X-Lock bases that accept a Weaver claw mount.
Now, the most obvious part of the rifle, the MDT chassis system. The HS3 weighs 2.2 lbs, which is not that heavy, considering what a comprehensive piece of furniture it is. Made from 6061 aluminium and consisting of a rectangular forend bar that combines the action void area, magazine well/catch and pistol grip mount and integral trigger guard. Being more a support strut, it totally free-floats the barrel and features polymer side panels in various colours that screw on and provide both grip and look. The pistol grip is configured for some AR15-types, but not those with a raised rear web filler. Out of the box, it comes with the Hogue, rubber over-moulded with finger grooves, not a bad choice!
The AR-build continues as, at the rear, you can attach a buffer tube to accept telescopic butts. However, the Chassis uses their skeleton butt, which is machined from a single billet of aluminium and offer heightadjustable comb/cheek piece and length of pull (LOP). The rubber recoil pad can also move vertically; once adjusted, the settings can be clamped by integral screws. The club foot design offers a grasping hook and underneath is drilled and tapped for a short Picatinny rail to fit a monopod. On that point, the side of the forend also show Picatinny rails that can be removed/re-positioned; but, a standard, QD sling stud is set in the flat base for a bipod like the Harris BRS. The Chassis comes in two Cerakote colour options, black and flat dark earth (FDE) with side panels to suit; although not on my example, I’ve seen these rifles with a Picatinny-railed handguard over the barrel.
The T2 muzzle brake shows four large blast ports (two per side) with two, short rectangular vents on top. Included, is a slim 18x1mm nut, so that the brake can be timed (set in the optimum/required position) then locked off. Typically, recoil reduction is excellent and most noticeable on a 308, but like all of its kind; muzzle blast and noise is exacerbated. I’d guess most buyers will opt for a moderator! First impressions were mixed, with the familiar, X-Bolt layout seemingly buried under a lot of heavy metal. But setting up the butt and getting behind it showed a comfortable and shootable build.
Browning supplied two ammo types, their new 168-grain BXC controlled expansion and Winchester’s good old 168-grain Ballistic Silver Tip (BST), neither of which is really a target-type. From my stash, I contributed Hornady’s 155-grain Steel Match and their truly great 168-grain A-MAX, TAP Precision. Although pure target shooters would say it’s too light, I have always found this loading or a similar reload bridges the gap nicely between medium and heavy bullets.
The magazine loads from the front and, although a double column box, feeds from a central position. I used the Steel Match to get on target and rough zero, as it was not shooting that well, giving about 2” @ 100m. Some of this was down to the scope, as I could not seem to get a crisp focus, plus with a simple #4-type reticle and non-tactical turrets, it’s not what I would have put on! Once zeroed, I shot and chronographed the other three; see 308 DATA.
As can be seen, some very mixed results, two things surprised me. First, the ridiculously low ES on the Winchester BST load, but with a 1”+ group, I have always found this brand in any calibre to be A - a good performer and B - show acceptable figures too. Second, the highest ES from the Hornady TAP, yet with the tightest group. I certainly expected around the 0.5” but not that massive spread. To be fair, I picked four loads at random and if this were my rifle I would reload for it, so I could really find what it liked!
Feed and function was fine, even with those lacquered steel cased Hornadys, which I have experienced hard extraction with in some bolt-actions before; not so in the X-Bolt! I shot most with the Accurate Enforce moddy on and that too helped with recoil, moderated well and pleasingly shed heat quickly between strings. The only small negative is the fact that the pistol grip, which offers superior control must be released to operate the safety catch. The trigger broke nicely at around 3lbs with a tad of creep and it looks like it could be adjusted, but is factory-set with dollops of resin on the screw heads. Overall, I like the Chassis, as I feel it has good, long-range potential and works straight from the box.
88 Comments
best viagra sites online <a href="https://edciaspill.com/">buy cialis 20mg without prescription</a> brand tadalafil 10mg
Fncxbb
25 Jan 2023 at 08:04 AMbuy fluconazole 100mg generic <a href="https://getsldpills.com/">brand sildenafil</a> order viagra 50mg pill
Jddqfa
23 Jan 2023 at 09:30 PMcialis 20 mg <a href="https://cialedpill.com/">buy tadalafil 20mg online</a> cipro 1000mg generic
Pidgav
21 Jan 2023 at 08:50 PMorlistat generic <a href="https://diltiazem.best/">brand diltiazem 180mg</a> order acyclovir 800mg pills
Emdiqa
14 Jan 2023 at 06:57 AMbuy dapoxetine 90mg generic <a href="https://asynthroid.pro/">levothyroxine price</a> synthroid brand
Vjpziv
13 Jan 2023 at 01:11 AMzyprexa pills <a href="https://aplanzapine.com/">cost olanzapine</a> valsartan pill
Sdcybt
03 Jan 2023 at 06:15 PMaralen drug <a href="https://cenforcev.com/">oral cenforce 50mg</a> baricitinib 4mg for sale
Jmghuj
01 Jan 2023 at 10:23 PMbuy tadalafil 40mg pills <a href="https://cialerec.com/">cialis 5 mg</a> buy generic viagra 50mg
Ujxvyg
31 Dec 2022 at 06:05 AMnootropil pills <a href="https://buyedvgr.com/">sildenafil 50mg for sale</a> sildenafil citrate 50 mg
Gjkukl
30 Dec 2022 at 02:15 AMmolnupiravir us <a href="https://buylansoprazol.com/">prevacid 15mg pill</a> prevacid drug
Wxhdgw
23 Dec 2022 at 07:18 AMorder zyban 150mg generic <a href="https://gquetiapine.com/">order seroquel 100mg without prescription</a> quetiapine pills
Phiuvl
22 Dec 2022 at 11:39 AMimdur 20mg us <a href="https://azathioprins.com/">buy imuran 25mg</a> buy telmisartan 20mg for sale
Utjmgs
21 Dec 2022 at 10:53 PMgeneric catapres <a href="https://getclonidine.com/">order generic clonidine 0.1mg</a> buy generic spiriva 9mcg
Tiflhx
18 Dec 2022 at 10:44 AMramipril generic <a href="https://buyazelastin.com/">astelin 10ml sprayer</a> brand astelin
Ncplzu
17 Dec 2022 at 04:24 PMacheter 20mg tadalafil <a href="https://sildefr.com/">sildenafil gГ©nГ©rique</a> acheter 25mg sildenafil en ligne
Sanwrg
14 Dec 2022 at 03:09 AMorder cozaar 50mg pill <a href="https://gnnexi.com/">order esomeprazole 20mg generic</a> imitrex 25mg cheap
Pisbxs
30 Nov 2022 at 05:38 PMcolchicine 0.5mg pills <a href="https://gnindera.com/">generic inderal 20mg</a> order methotrexate 10mg pill
Nexcaw
28 Nov 2022 at 02:16 PMcheap baclofen <a href="https://aflexecl.com/">cyclobenzaprine usa</a> viagra 50mg ca
Eesulp
24 Nov 2022 at 12:42 AMorder generic zovirax <a href="https://bdiltiaz.com/">buy diltiazem 180mg pill</a> zyloprim 100mg drug
Taaibm
20 Nov 2022 at 06:12 AMcytotec 200mcg cheap <a href="https://bsynthroc.com/">order synthroid generic</a> synthroid 75mcg us
Xorgzb
18 Nov 2022 at 07:01 AMgeneric mesalamine 400mg <a href="https://cordaronal.com/">cordarone online</a> order amiodarone 100mg generic
Bifjue
27 Oct 2022 at 12:27 AMdesloratadine online order <a href="https://clarinps.com/">desloratadine 5mg brand</a> buy claritin pill
Aaqznq
23 Oct 2022 at 08:33 PMbuy ceftin pill <a href="https://careprostme.com/">bimatoprost buy online</a> robaxin 500mg uk
Nxgkyo
17 Oct 2022 at 10:35 AMsildenafil 100mg generic <a href="https://abudesonide.com/">budesonide usa</a> cheap rhinocort
Bknnqq
16 Oct 2022 at 08:22 AMbuy cephalexin 250mg pill <a href="https://cephalexinea.com/">buy cephalexin 500mg sale</a> order erythromycin 500mg generic
Mmkiss
15 Oct 2022 at 06:14 AMbrand ondansetron <a href="https://aspironolactone.com/">buy aldactone 25mg pill</a> simvastatin 10mg canada
Aysahh
09 Oct 2022 at 05:17 PMgeneric tizanidine 2mg <a href="https://edbestpl.com/">order generic cialis 5mg</a> tadalafil 5mg oral
Tjxjtm
20 Sep 2022 at 05:16 AMorder molnunat pills <a href="https://cefdinirp.com/">order cefdinir sale</a> lansoprazole pill
Hhgljk
04 Sep 2022 at 02:00 PMpala casino online <a href="https://hapstudies.com/">help with research paper</a> cheap custom essay
Qdbzxw
31 Aug 2022 at 09:39 AMtizanidine 2mg ca <a href="https://xketorolac.com/">ketorolac over the counter</a> order metoclopramide 20mg pills
Diuakg
29 Aug 2022 at 12:24 AMstromectol 3 mg dosage <a href="https://prazosinxl.com/">purchase prazosin pill</a> order tretinoin cream online
Ftukcb
15 Aug 2022 at 07:06 PMceftin 250mg cheap <a href="https://cefuroximec.com/">ceftin 500mg oral</a> cialis 20mg
Aayexa
13 Aug 2022 at 06:09 AMcleocin order <a href="https://tamoxifenc.com/">buy nolvadex for sale</a> budesonide online order
Czkyck
11 Aug 2022 at 06:18 PMbuy flagyl 400mg pills <a href="https://fildenac.com/">fildena 50mg for sale</a> glucophage 500mg drug
Lvljxl
10 Aug 2022 at 10:06 AMondansetron canada <a href="https://aldactol.com/">cost spironolactone 100mg</a> propecia 1mg oral
Pmcipb
04 Aug 2022 at 07:49 PMranitidine pills <a href="https://zantasp.com/">zantac 150mg price</a> tamsulosin sale
Whqrod
03 Aug 2022 at 01:12 PMcialis 5mg sale <a href="https://dutasteridel.com/">buy dutasteride</a> buy avodart pills
Vzhisw
02 Aug 2022 at 06:32 AMesomeprazole 20mg canada <a href="https://esomeprazolep.com/">buy nexium 40mg without prescription</a> order cialis 10mg online
Govhph
31 Jul 2022 at 11:34 PMbuy generic sildalis <a href="https://sildalispl.com/">sildenafil 200 mg</a> buy losartan 25mg
Kxmrpl
30 Jul 2022 at 04:12 PMisotretinoin 40mg for sale <a href="https://aurograpl.com/">sildenafil 100mg without prescription</a> order sildenafil 50mg
Cxsacr
29 Jul 2022 at 04:31 AMusa viagra overnight <a href="https://cialiedfs.com/">purchase tadalafil online</a> order prednisone 20mg without prescription
Jtffax
27 Jul 2022 at 09:07 PMmethotrexate over the counter <a href="https://viapillsfs.com/">sildenafil 50mg tablets</a> reglan 10mg without prescription
Isbejo
26 Jul 2022 at 01:21 PMflexeril uk <a href="https://cyclobenzaprip.com/">cyclobenzaprine 15mg canada</a> buy plavix pill
Mcrpei
25 Jul 2022 at 03:19 AMzetia pills <a href="https://domperidonebc.com/">motilium ca</a> motilium online
Kmbukp
23 Jul 2022 at 02:25 PMsildenafil pill <a href="https://edsildenp.com/">sildenafil in usa</a> buy tadalafil 40mg online
Onlhds
21 Jul 2022 at 04:56 PMbaricitinib 2mg pill - <a href="https://metforminf.com/">glucophage 500mg for sale</a> lisinopril 2.5mg oral
Umnuqx
18 Jul 2022 at 03:46 AMpurchase plaquenil generic - <a href="https://casletadal.com/">cialis uk</a> buy generic cenforce
Ftrbyf
16 Jul 2022 at 04:34 AMbuy neurontin 600mg online - <a href="https://gnlasik.com/">furosemide 40mg brand</a> stromectol pill price
Dmeqyk
14 Jul 2022 at 07:27 AMprednisone 40mg tablet - <a href="https://dprednisolone.com/">order prednisolone 5mg online</a> prednisolone 10mg for sale
Szuxxe
12 Jul 2022 at 04:53 PMgeneric ed drugs - <a href="https://tadalafilsde.com/">cialis 10mg kaufen generika</a> viagra 100mg kaufen für männer
Ixhsfj
11 Jul 2022 at 05:59 AMbuy fildena 50mg pill - <a href="https://trazodonel.com/">desyrel for sale</a> viagra 50mg brand
Xmoqnd
09 Jul 2022 at 09:52 PMflagyl 400mg oral - <a href="https://metronidazoled.com/">order metronidazole 400mg sale</a> cephalexin brand
Yjcfhp
08 Jul 2022 at 05:34 PMbuy finasteride 5mg generic - <a href="https://fluconazoler.com/">order diflucan 200mg for sale</a> ciprofloxacin brand
Eefind
07 Jul 2022 at 08:59 AMorder ondansetron for sale - <a href="https://spironolactoner.com/">spironolactone 100mg oral</a> buy valacyclovir generic
Kabmzv
04 Jul 2022 at 01:28 PMbrand tadalafil 5mg - <a href="https://tadalafilpr.com/">generic cialis 10mg</a> purchase tamsulosin sale
Rtcdjm
03 Jul 2022 at 12:47 AMlevofloxacin 500mg over the counter - <a href="https://viagplls.com/">sildenafil 150 mg</a> tadalafil 5mg pill
Yhdwed
01 Jul 2022 at 10:59 AMcozaar 50mg for sale - <a href="https://losartann.com/">order losartan 25mg without prescription</a> cheap phenergan
Jnpqhm
29 Jun 2022 at 06:59 AMoral plavix - <a href="https://metocloprami.com/">buy reglan generic</a> buy metoclopramide 20mg online cheap
Crvuws
27 Jun 2022 at 02:17 PMoral flexeril 15mg - <a href="https://rpropranolol.com/">order inderal 10mg generic</a> buy propranolol sale
Lzxbwx
25 Jun 2022 at 08:32 PMisotretinoin 10mg oral - <a href="https://ramoxicillinp.com/">amoxicillin 500mg sale</a> buy tetracycline online cheap
Obrnll
24 Jun 2022 at 03:57 AMcost modafinil 100mg - <a href="https://prednispill.com/">prednisone 10mg oral</a> budesonide drug
Nlqvpd
22 Jun 2022 at 08:25 AMcheap viagra generic - <a href="https://rtadalafil.com/">buy generic cialis</a> buy cialis 20mg pill
Vnrkhl
20 Jun 2022 at 08:43 PMcenforce 100mg sale - <a href="https://xrosuvastatin.com/">rosuvastatin over the counter</a> motilium price
Eneyrb
19 Jun 2022 at 11:35 AMpurchase deltasone pill - <a href="https://accutaix.com/">how to buy accutane online</a> amoxicillin over the counter
Uvaidg
16 Jun 2022 at 06:31 AMcialis 20 - <a href="https://edtadalsfil.com/">tadalafil brand</a> sildenafil 20mg
Ixgngk
14 Jun 2022 at 11:07 AMorder generic synthroid 75mcg - <a href="https://xlevothyroxine.com/">order synthroid 150mcg</a> hydroxychloroquine sale
Vvedas
12 Jun 2022 at 11:51 PMpurchase albuterol generic - <a href="https://albuterola.store/">purchase ventolin inhalator</a> priligy medication
Wvcwvf
11 Jun 2022 at 11:41 AMorder levitra - <a href="https://pregabalin.store/">order pregabalin 75mg for sale</a> clomiphene 100mg without prescription
Hugqyk
09 Jun 2022 at 08:37 PMbuy lisinopril 5mg without prescription - <a href="https://atenololxp.com/">purchase atenolol online</a> atenolol brand
Ujmboh
08 Jun 2022 at 08:58 AMpurchase glucophage generic - <a href="https://metforminx.store/">glucophage 1000mg cost</a> buy amlodipine 5mg generic
Lwhtlf
06 Jun 2022 at 07:53 PMhydroxychloroquine us - <a href="https://baricitinib.store/">purchase baricitinib generic</a> purchase baricitinib without prescription
Gqwgpi
05 Jun 2022 at 06:15 AMorder furosemide 40mg pills - <a href="https://furosemideg.com/">buy lasix generic</a> ivermectin 12 mg for people
Cbwluo
03 Jun 2022 at 03:11 PMprednisolone 10mg usa - <a href="https://predsolone.store/">prednisolone online order</a> viagra for sale online
Wnxywn
01 Jun 2022 at 11:23 PMbuy amoxil 1000mg without prescription - <a href="https://edssilen.com/">buy viagra generic</a> buy viagra 150mg online cheap
Bgvtsn
31 May 2022 at 10:02 AMbuy deltasone without prescription - <a href="https://accutanpll.com/">isotretinoin 10mg generic</a> accutane usa
Ixqsyz
30 May 2022 at 01:00 AMbuy tadalafil 40mg without prescription - <a href="https://provigpill.store/">order modafinil 200mg for sale</a> modafinil tablet
Vdnqwd
28 May 2022 at 04:06 PMbuy doxycycline 200mg for sale - <a href="https://edponlines.com/">tadalafil canada</a> cheap generic tadalafil
Tkffem
26 May 2022 at 07:36 PMorder amoxicillin 500mg without prescription - <a href="https://amoxicillinc.store/">order amoxicillin 250mg pill</a> buy levitra 20mg generic
Eehmlq
23 May 2022 at 09:12 PMcost ampicillin 250mg - <a href="https://tadalafixpls.com/">cialis 5mg tablet</a> oral tadalafil 10mg
Svxzhn
21 May 2022 at 07:56 PMbuy generic cefuroxime 500mg - <a href="https://xcialis.store/">cialis 20mg pills</a> cialis daily cost
Pktqwl
20 May 2022 at 09:05 AMbudesonide price - <a href="https://xantabuse.quest/">order antabuse generic</a> purchase antabuse
Scilyc
18 May 2022 at 09:44 PMbuy cephalexin 125mg without prescription - <a href="https://cephalexinx.store/">order generic cephalexin 500mg</a> order erythromycin 500mg online
Makhac
15 May 2022 at 08:12 AMbuy sulfamethoxazole generic - <a href="https://bactrimx.store/">trimethoprim over the counter</a> sildenafil 50mg cheap
Qgyfrt
13 May 2022 at 01:26 AMorder augmentin 375mg for sale - <a href="https://gaugmentin.store/">augmentin pill</a> real cialis fast shipping
Nchprs
10 May 2022 at 03:11 PMmalaria drug hydroxychloroquine <a href="https://keys-chloroquinehydro.com/#">hydroxychloroquine malaria</a>
iivetu
08 May 2022 at 11:48 AMgeneric prednisolone 10mg - <a href="https://gabapentinx.store/">neurontin 600mg cheap</a> cialis 40mg over the counter
Kexhhi
08 May 2022 at 02:12 AMgeneric sildenafil 50mg - <a href="https://bestusasild.com/">order sildenafil 150mg without prescription</a> buy sildenafil 50mg sale
Bzfnfu
03 May 2022 at 11:28 PMPhenergan Without A Prescription Buy Cialis Propecia Regrow Further Hair <a >Cialis</a> 2 Day Shipping On Viagra
intoche
13 Jun 2020 at 12:07 AM