X-Bolt ™ Bolt-action rifle owner’s manual 09-044-BFA_XBolt Rifle OM.
Important operating instructions for: B r o w n i n g ® X - B o lt ™ B o lt- A c t i o n R i f l e If you have any questions or comments regarding your new firearm, please contact us. Browning Consumer Information One Browning Place Morgan, UT 84050-9326 Phone: (801) 876-2711 browning.com Please use the space below to record information about your new firearm.
C o n t e n t s Page You are Responsible for Firearm Safety...................................................2 General Description and Operation........................................................9 Nomenclature............................................................................................9 Serial Number.........................................................................................10 Operation of the “Safety”.................................................................
You Are Responsible For F i r e a r m Sa f e t y Failure to heed any of the following warnings could result in serious injury or death. As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference between life and death. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all times handle this firearm, and all other firearms, with intense respect for their power and potential danger.
Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with your firearm’s mechanical “safety” devices, it starts there. Always treat this firearm with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. Some firearms do not have a mechanical safety. Many target firearms, lever-action firearms and pistols do not have manual “safety” mechanisms. Therefore it is critical to read and understand the owner’s manual for every firearm which explains the safe operation of the firearm.
Always wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. 5 Keep all firearms unloaded during transport, even when stored in a holster, gun case, scabbard or other container. 6 DROPPING or jarring A LOADED FIREARM CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. This can occur even with the “safety” in the on safe position.
dangerously increased pressures that can damage your firearm and cause serious injury to yourself and others. BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED, THERE IS NOt a LIVE cartridge IN THE CHAMBER AND THE “SAFETY” IS IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely unloaded, open the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of obstructions.
12 examine every cartridge you put in your firearm. We cannot assume any responsibility for the use of unsafe or improper firearm and ammunition combinations or damage or injury caused by damaged ammunition. It is your responsibility to read and heed all warnings in this owner’s manual and on ammunition boxes. See page 14 for more information on the correct ammunition for your firearm. 13 USE ONLY SAAMI APPROVED AMMUNITION.
17 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP, particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects. 18 ALWAYS UNLOAD your firearm’s CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Never place your firearm on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object. 19 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don’t be timid when it comes to firearm safety.
23 rEAD AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in this owner’s manual, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning firearm. We assume no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper firearm accessories or ammunition combinations are used. 24 Practice perIODIC MAINTENANCE, AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
Figure 1 Bolt Unlock Button “Safety” Bolt Receiver Barrel Fore-end Buttstock Recoil Pad Magazine Trigger Muzzle Magazine Release Bolt Handle GENER A L d e s c r i p t i o n a n d O P ER A TION The Browning X-Bolt is a bolt-action rifle that operates by lifting the bolt handle, drawing the bolt rearward and then sliding the bolt forward and rotating the bolt downward until it stops. This process takes a cartridge from the magazine and loads it into the chamber for firing.
Figure 2 Figure 3 “Safety” shown in the on safe position. “Safety” shown in the off safe position. S e r i a l Nu m b e r The serial number of your firearm can be found on the right side of the receiver, in front of the bolt handle. o p e r a t i o n o f t h e “ Sa f e t y ” Always keep the “safety” in the on safe position unless shooting is imminent. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Failure to follow these warnings could result in serious injury or death.
Figure 4 Figure 5 Location of the cocking indicator, shown in the cocked position. Location of the bolt unlock button. Do not depend on the red color alone to indicate your firearm’s safety status. time, exposure to the elements, and the abrasive action of cleaning agents can erase it. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death. C o c k i n g i n d i c at o r Below the bolt shroud and ahead of the “safety” is a serrated cocking indicator. The indicator is painted red.
conjunction with the top-tang “safety” and allows the bolt to be operated to unload a cartridge from the chamber with the “safety” in the on safe position. To unload the chamber with the “safety” in the on safe position, simply press the bolt unlock button down and rotate the bolt upward, then draw it completely rearward. Initial Cleaning NOTICE! PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE CLEANING YOUR FIREARM.
i n s e rt i n g a n d r e m o v i n g t h e b o lt ALWAYS KEEP the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. BEFORE inserting or removing the bolt, VISUALLY INSPECT THE CHAMBER TO BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. place the “safety” in the on safe position. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death. INSERTING T H E B OLT The X-Bolt rifle comes packed in a foam-padded box with the bolt removed from the rifle.
Press inward on the rear end of the bolt stop and carefully draw the bolt to the rear and out of the receiver. NOTICE! When removing the bolt from the receiver, take care to prevent the cocking indicator from striking and damaging the comb of the stock. Ammunition Do not use ammunition other than what is inscribed on the right side of the barrel. Examine every cartridge you put in your firearm.
Figure 7 Figure 8 Press the magazine release rearward. The magazine will fall into your hand. Depress the follower with the rim of the cartridge and slide the cartridge rearward under the feed lips. Loading When loading your rifle Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, Always place the “sAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE position and keep your fingers away from the trigger. Failure to follow these warnings could result in serious injury or death.
2 Place the rim of a cartridge on the front of the follower and press down on the follower with the rim of the cartridge while simultaneously sliding the cartridge rearward into the magazine under the feed lips (Figure 8). Load subsequent cartridges into the magazine in the same manner. NOTICE! The base of each cartridge must be flush with the rear of the magazine.
4 Load the chamber by pressing the bolt unlock button and simultaneously lifting the bolt handle completely up. Release the bolt unlock button and draw the bolt completely rearward, then push the bolt forward and rotate the bolt handle down. 5 Immediately verify that the “safety” is in the on safe position. THE Rifle IS now READY TO FIRE BY SIMPLY MOVING THE “safety” TO THE OFF SAFE POSITION and pulling the trigger.
THE Rifle IS now READY TO FIRE BY SIMPLY MOVING THE “safety” TO THE OFF SAFE POSITION and pulling the trigger. S i n g l e s h o t l o a d i n g d i r e c t ly t o t h e c ha m b e r You may also load your rifle by placing a cartridge directly into the chamber. To load the rifle in this manner, use the following loading procedure. 1 Insert an unloaded magazine into the rifle. 2 Pull the bolt rearward and inspect the chamber to make sure it is empty.
3 With a cartridge in the chamber, you need only move the “safety” to the off safe position to make the rifle ready for firing. 4 When ready to fire, move the “safety” into the off safe position, take aim and squeeze the trigger. 5 After a cartridge is fired, cycle the bolt rearward to eject the empty case. If you wish to continue shooting, push the bolt fully forward. This picks up a loaded cartridge from the magazine and chambers it.
ALWAYS INSPECT THE CHAMBER, barrel and mAGaZINE CAREFULLY AFTER UNLOADING TO BE SURE ALL LIVE cartridges ARE CLEARED FROM THE firearm. Unloading the rifle 1 Open the bolt and eject any cartridge in the chamber. Leave the bolt in the rearward position with the action open. 2 Look into the chamber to verify that it is unloaded. 3 Press the magazine release button rearward and remove the magazine. 4 With the chamber empty and the magazine removed, close the bolt.
The top of the X-Bolt receiver is drilled and tapped for scope bases. Unlike other centerfire rifles, the X-Bolt utilizes four screws per scope base instead of two for attaching each base to the receiver. From the factory, the scope base holes are fitted with filler screws. Notice! always use the correct bases for this rifle and the appropriate length screws. 1 Place your rifle in a gun vise or on a table or other safe/secure location with the top of the receiver upward.
8 Tighten the screws, evenly, in the pattern shown in Figure 9. This will allow the screws to be tightened with equal pressure. Tighten the screws snugly, but do not overtighten. 9 Mount your scope rings and scope as outlined in the instructions supplied with your scope rings and/or scope. Always make sure you have the proper eye relief. Figure 9 1 3 4 2 Tighten the screws incrementally in the pattern shown above.
Figure 10 Figure 11 Remove the two screws and lift the bottom metal from the stock. Adjust the trigger pull using a 2mm Allen wrench. 3 The trigger pull adjustment screw is located just in front of the trigger (Figure 11). To increase the weight of the trigger pull, turn the adjustment screw in a clockwise direction using a 2mm Allen wrench. To decrease the weight of the trigger pull, turn the adjustment screw in a counterclockwise direction.
surfaces from coming in contact with cleaning solvents, barrel scrubbers and other strong chemicals. It is preferable to clean these surfaces with a light gun oil containing no solvents, or with a damp cloth and mild dish soap (be sure to keep water out of the action). When cleaning your firearm’s bore and action, protect the external finishes from any contact with chemicals used.
excessively dirty. A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the firearm and oiling key parts. Regular maintenance will also include cleaning the barrel. If you encounter a function problem be sure to give your firearm a thorough cleaning to see if it solves the problem before seeking the services of a Browning Recommended Service Center or our Service Facility in Arnold, Missouri, or a qualified gunsmith. 1 Remove the bolt as explained previously. 2 Inspect the chamber and bore for powder fouling.
3 After all fouling has been removed, the chamber and bore should be wiped dry. When the bore is dry, pass a slightly oiled patch through it for preservation. A fine, light gun oil is recommended. 4 Inspect the barrel and chamber to be certain no patches have inadvertently been left in them. Remove any that remain. 5 Use a small brush or rag to remove dirt or other foreign matter from inside the receiver and other parts of the action. Lightly lubricate all moving parts with a high-quality, light gun oil.
2 Place your finger over the loading port and shake it vigorously (with the loading port away from you) to remove solvent and residue from the magazine. 3 Use compressed air to dry the magazine or allow it to air dry. Notice! Do not take your firearm apart beyond what is explained in this owner’s manual. This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism; any attempt to disassemble the inner mechanism may mar it for life.
s e r v i c e o r r e pa i r If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service Center. To locate a service center visit browning.com, contact our customer service department or your Browning firearms dealer for the address of the Service Center nearest you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our service department in Arnold, Missouri.
09-044-BFA_XBolt Rifle OM.
browning.com BROWNING US: Morgan, Utah 84050-9326 BROWNING CANADA: Browning Canada Sports Ltd/Ltée, St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6 BROWNING INTL: Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, B-4040 Herstal, Belgium 09-044-BFA_XBolt Rifle OM.
