The DIY Hunter

I love my X-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 270 WSM however recently I found an issue with shells not being ejected due to the long windage turret on the Nikon Monarch scope that deflects the shells right back into the rifle. It happens so quickly that it is difficult to even see that the shell has left the ejection port and has hit the turret. I had to use my camera in slow motion to see what was happening. After checking around I found that the problem apparently is most common with WSM calibers and is also common with other companies' bolt action rifles.

The Browning X-Bolt rifle has been designed with a wonderful sleek low profile. Unfortunately with a low profile comes difficulty having enough room for the short, fat WSM shells to clear the bottom of the receiver and a long windage turret right above the ejection port.

I found that the ejecting shells hit directly into the teeth on the bottom of the turret. To solve the problem I filed off the teeth on the turret. Shells still hit the turret however now they are deflected out of the rifle.

Shown in the video here is what I did to allow my 270 WSM to eject shells with a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42SF BDC rifle scope on my Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker.

Other ways to solve the problem are higher bases and rings or choosing a rifle scope that has a shorter windage turret. I've had my eye on a Vortex Viper scope for sometime now. Maybe this is my excuse to get one. Hmm...

Here is my X-Bolt setup with the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42SF BDC rifle scope.

In 2013 I changed my X-Bolt rifle scope setup and am now using a Vortex Viper HS LR with a 20 MOA picatinny rail on my X-Bolt and love it. This setup has the scope higher and ejected shells do not contact the turret during ejection.

X-Bolt Loaded Ammo Malfunction? I know there is a popular YouTube video with a shirtless X-Bolt owner stating that the X-Bolt malfunctions ejecting loaded ammunition. I have reviewed the videos and read the guys blog about it. Apparently if you like to eject loaded Federal Premium Vital Shok ammo, in a 300 WSM as fast as you can possibly work the action, the first shell may not eject if you have two other shells in the magazine. 

There has never been a time in my life where I have wanted to eject a LOADED round and have it fly out hitting the ground potentially damaging the bullet and or seating the bullet deeper into the case. I always take special care of my loaded ammunition to make sure it shoots accurately when I need to use it. I like to eject loaded rounds really slow and block the ejection with my off hand so that I can then tip the rifle and drop the shell into my hand or grab it with my fingers. If my rifle were to have this "malfunction" it would be a non-issue for me. I never want my loaded ammo flying out. Other than this guy and his YouTube videos I have never heard any of the guys I know that have X-Bolts ever complaining about loaded ammo ejection problems.

The only time where I might want to have a loaded round eject is after a misfire. In the thousands of rounds I have put through my Browning A-Bolt's and X-Bolt I have only had one misfire in one of my A-Bolt rifles. Incidentally if you are having "misfires" in a X-Bolt or A-Bolt most likely the bolt is not fully closed. I believe it is a safety feature preventing the firing pin from traveling far enough to discharge the rifle if the bolt isn't fully closed. Always make sure you close and drop the bolt handle all the way down. I learned about this type of "misfire" when helping some novice shooters that weren't closing the bolt.

I love my X-Bolt especially now that I have it setup with the Vortex Viper HS LR and a 20 MOA picatinny rail.