I bought a X-Bolt Max Long Range in .300 Win Mag last week and put a Nikon FX1000 4-16x on it. I bought some Federal Premium with 185g Berger Hunter Hybrids and Hornady Superformance with 180gr SSTs to test it out.
I went to the range today to break it in and give it a go. About 40*F, 70% humidity, and a 10mph with from my 225. I broke the barrel in at the 50yd range, cleaning the barrel after each of 10 shots.
After break-in, I went to 100yd for an initial zero. It definitely prefers the Bergers. I got a 3.5-4.0 inch group of 5 with the Hornadys. It put 5 Bergers into one ragged hole, just over 0.5 moa.
I moved to 200, the longest this range has. Similar results. The Hornadys were within 4-5 inch groups. The Bergers gave one group at 0.4moa, just under an inch. I won't say anything bad about Hornady SSTs, as the rifle I got for my brother to deer hunt with absolutely loves them, but this X-Bolt loves Berger Hybrids. These results are after a total of 40 rounds; I can't wait to see what it can do as it smooths out with some use.
This is a seriously impressive rifle for its precision. The bolt is smooth and has a short throw. The trigger is just a hunting trigger, nothing two stage or anything, but it has no creep and breaks clean. I'm very impressed with it. I'd planned to work up a good handload for it but if I can get 0.4 moa out of it with factory ammunition I might have a hell of a time doing any better at my bench.
One surprise: after a 100yd zero, it was hitting several inches high at 200. I very much expected a couple inch drop, not a rise. I guess the .300WM really is a heck of a long distance cartridge.
I went to the range today to break it in and give it a go. About 40*F, 70% humidity, and a 10mph with from my 225. I broke the barrel in at the 50yd range, cleaning the barrel after each of 10 shots.
After break-in, I went to 100yd for an initial zero. It definitely prefers the Bergers. I got a 3.5-4.0 inch group of 5 with the Hornadys. It put 5 Bergers into one ragged hole, just over 0.5 moa.
I moved to 200, the longest this range has. Similar results. The Hornadys were within 4-5 inch groups. The Bergers gave one group at 0.4moa, just under an inch. I won't say anything bad about Hornady SSTs, as the rifle I got for my brother to deer hunt with absolutely loves them, but this X-Bolt loves Berger Hybrids. These results are after a total of 40 rounds; I can't wait to see what it can do as it smooths out with some use.
This is a seriously impressive rifle for its precision. The bolt is smooth and has a short throw. The trigger is just a hunting trigger, nothing two stage or anything, but it has no creep and breaks clean. I'm very impressed with it. I'd planned to work up a good handload for it but if I can get 0.4 moa out of it with factory ammunition I might have a hell of a time doing any better at my bench.
One surprise: after a 100yd zero, it was hitting several inches high at 200. I very much expected a couple inch drop, not a rise. I guess the .300WM really is a heck of a long distance cartridge.
