Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker .30-06 Springfield Matte Blued Rifle

This is my second...

This is my second Browning XBolt Stalker in 30.06 caliber. My first one is probably 25 years old and still hits everything I aim at but I wanted to get a new scope and figured I might as well get a new gun to go with it instead of messing with an old but reliable combo...why mess with success? (That's my story and I'm sticking to it). Well I couldn't be happier with my new XBolt after the first trip to the range. I paired it with a Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5x14 with 50 mm objective lense and illuminated Nikoplex reticles. After breaking in at the 50 yard range I moved to the hundred yard range and I could cover the first 3shot group with a quarter. Pretty much the same experience I had 25 years ago with my first XBolt. Should be just as deadly in the deer blind next week. Some things are different though but I like the changes/improvements.The trigger is definitely better out of the box and is adjustable. I also really like the look and feel of the new composite stock. Not sure yet if I like the new magazine...I'm a big fan of magazines for deer rifles, but this one is plastic whereas the magazine on my old XBolt is metal. Not sure how rugged the plastic magazine will be, but at least I won't have to worry about rust... Almost forgot to mention the shoulder pad, but it is definitely another improvement. But don't get me wrong, I still like my old X Bolt...I don' think you can go wrong with the "bang for the buck" you get out of a Browning firearm I'm really happy with this purchase as I got a great price from Bud's plus a $50 rebate from Browning...actually just got the check in the mail today...wow, that was quick. The only thing negative that I have to mention is that the Browning XBolt integrated scope rings (p/n 12502) that I bought with the rifle were supposed to fit a scope with 50 mm obj lense, at least according to Browning literature, but they were barely adequate as after mounting the scope, there is not enough room for the hard, flip up style lense covers I was planning to use, so I Ned to use the stretch rubber type lense covers instead. In hindsight, I wish I had bought the next size up (p/n 12503) Anyway, I'm a fan and would definitely recommend this gun to anyone looking for a good quality, reliable deer rifle with great features for a very reasonable price.