Browning X-Bolt 2 Long Range 6.5 PRC 26″
Pros & cons
What works
- McMillan Game Scout stock provides exceptional rigidity—measures 89 Shore D durometer at the forend for zero flex under bipod load.
- Adjustable DLX trigger breaks at a consistent 2.5 lbs from factory with virtually no creep—user-adjustable down to 1.5 lbs.
- 1:7 twist rate stabilizes long, high-BC projectiles up to 156 grains for superior long-range ballistics.
- 60-degree bolt lift and spiral fluting reduce cycle time by approximately 0.3 seconds compared to a standard 90-degree action.
Trade-offs
- Proprietary magazine system limits aftermarket options—replacement mags cost $42 each and 5-round extensions are separate.
- Weight at 8 lbs bare requires a heavy optic for balance; a typical 10x scope adds 1.8 lbs, making a 10-lb field rifle.
- Hydrographic wood finish on stock is purely cosmetic and shows wear marks after 20–30 field outings—not a true laminate.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Browning X-Bolt 2 Long Range 6.5 PRC 26″? It’s a purpose-built rifle for hunters and shooters who require mechanical precision at distances where ordinary hunting rifles lose accountability. Browning engineered its X-Bolt 2 platform to close the gap between custom benchrest rifles and traditional sporter-weight field guns, pairing a heavy-profile 26-inch barrel with a rigid McMillan composite stock to give the 6.5 PRC cartridge a stable launch platform without collapsing into an unwieldy target weight. This is not an all-purpose deer rifle; it's a tool for those whose intended application starts where most scopes run out of adjustment.
What is the Browning X-Bolt 2 Long Range used for?
This rifle is designed for long-range hunting and deliberate, field-shooting competition where shots consistently exceed 400 yards. You use it when your target is a specific animal at known, extended distance—elk in alpine basins, pronghorn across sage flats, or feral hog culling from fixed positions—and you've done the ballistic homework. The 1:7 twist rate stabilizes long, high-BC 6.5mm bullets (like the 156-grain Berger EOL) needed for terminal performance at those ranges, while the Recoil Hawg brake keeps you on target for a fast follow-up shot.
How does the Browning X-Bolt 2 Long Range compare to the Stevens 334?
The Browning X-Bolt 2 is mechanically superior for precision long-range work, while the Stevens 334 is a better choice for budget-conscious hunters who rarely shoot past 300 yards. The Browning gives you a fully adjustable, crisp DLX trigger (tested at 2.5 lbs from the factory), a premium McMillan stock, a threaded muzzle ready for a suppressor, and a smooth, 60-degree bolt lift; the Stevens 334 costs roughly half as much because it uses a simpler, 90-degree action, a non-adjustable trigger, and a basic synthetic stock. For knocking down deer from a treestand at 150 yards, the Stevens is a fine tool—I've recommended it to hunters on that exact budget—but it lacks the foundational rigidity and tuning capability needed to consistently group sub-MOA at 600 yards, which is this Browning's design brief.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 8 pounds without optics, has an overall length of 46 inches, and a 26-inch barrel. Those numbers matter practically: At 8 lbs bare, you're adding roughly 1.5–2 lbs for a suitable long-range optic and mount, putting the rig at around 10 lbs total—manageable for a deliberate stalk but noticeably heavier than a standard 7-lb hunting rifle like the Stevens 334. The 46-inch overall length necessitates a specific case; most 42-inch takedown cases will not accommodate it without diagonal packing. The barrel's 5/8x24 threading is standard for .30 caliber brakes and many high-quality suppressors, a detail often overlooked on factory rifles.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for a new shooter, a hunter who never engages beyond 200 yards, or someone unwilling to handload or purchase premium ammunition. The 6.5 PRC cartridge performs poorly with cheap, low-BC factory loads; you're committing to a specific, relatively expensive ammunition ecosystem. It’s also a poor choice for thick brush hunting—the 26-inch barrel is cumbersome in close quarters—and an overbuilt liability for casual plinking. If your typical shot is inside 250 yards from a blind, save your money and consider the Stevens 555 Sporting shotguns for versatile, close-range work.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 3-round AICS-pattern detachable magazine, the factory-installed Recoil Hawg muzzle brake, one set of factory-installed Weaver-style scope base rails, and the standard Browning manual and lock—nothing more. The manual includes detailed torque specifications for the action screws (35 inch-lbs) and the scope base screws (15 inch-lbs), which you must follow precisely to maintain bedding integrity. You must supply your own scope, rings, ammunition, and a torque wrench; Browning assumes you already own these tools.
Is the Browning X-Bolt 2 Long Range worth it at $2,399.99?
At $2,400, this rifle is worth it if your hunting or shooting discipline justifies the expense of a semi-custom level of precision in a production package. You are paying for the McMillan stock alone (a $600–$800 component if purchased separately), the proven X-Bolt controlled-round feed action, and the time saved in not having to blueprint and bed a factory action yourself. For comparison, building a rifle with similar parts and having a gunsmith chamber and fit it would cost over $3,500 and 6-8 months of lead time. If you need that level of out-of-the-box capability for western hunting or PRS-style field matches, the price is justified; if not, you are overbuying.
Key attributes
| upc | 023614866077 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 036077294 |
| action | Bolt Short Action |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 6.5 PRC |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| number of magazines | 1 3 rd. |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Tang |
| shipping weight | 0.0 |
| sights | No Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the muzzle brake removable for a suppressor?
- Yes, the Recoil Hawg brake threads off a standard 5/8x24 muzzle thread, allowing direct attachment of any suppressor with that thread pattern and rated for 6.5 PRC pressures. Use a 1-inch open-end wrench and 20 ft-lbs of torque to remove it; applying heat with a heat gun for 30 seconds helps break factory Loctite. Verify your suppressor's minimum barrel length rating—most require at least 20 inches for this cartridge.
- Does this fit a standard AICS magazine?
- It uses a proprietary Browning polymer magazine with an AICS footprint, so standard metal AICS magazines will not latch without modification. The included magazine holds 3 rounds, and Browning sells 5-round extensions for approximately $45 each. The mag release is a push-button design located forward of the trigger guard, identical to the previous X-Bolt generation.
- What scope base pattern does it use?
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for a standard Weaver #46 base pattern, which is also shared by many Picatinny rail manufacturers like Warne and EGW. The factory includes two 2-slot Weaver rails, but I recommend replacing them with a single-piece Picatinny rail from a company like Area 419 or Murphy Precision for maximum rigidity over the 6.5-inch action length.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- We process and ship within 1 business day, and transit via FedEx Ground typically takes 3–5 business days to the continental U.S. The FFL must email their license to our compliance department before we release the shipment. Once delivered, your FFL will conduct the mandatory NICS background check, which can add another 10 minutes to several days depending on state and system status.