Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR 6.5 Creedmoor 18-inch Threaded
Pros & cons
What works
- Adjustable Max stock provides 1.5 inches of length-of-pull and 0.75 inches of comb height tuning.
- Barrel is factory-threaded 5/8"-24 — ready for a suppressor without gunsmithing.
- DLX trigger adjusts from 2.5 lbs to 5 lbs pull weight with a clean, crisp break.
Trade-offs
- No scope bases included — adds $40-$90 and installation time before you can use it.
- Heavy 18-inch barrel increases front-end weight to 7.14 lbs, making it less handy than a sporter profile.
- Price premium over comparable Stevens or Ruger American models, with cost focused on adjustable features not all users need.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR 6.5 Creedmoor 18-inch Threaded is a purpose-built precision bolt-action rifle engineered for shooters who require compact, suppressor-ready capability in a 6.5 Creedmoor chambering. This configuration pairs a short, heavy-profile threaded barrel with an adjustable chassis-like stock system, targeting the intersection of long-range ballistics and practical maneuverability. At $909.99, it occupies a specific niche between traditional hunting rifles and dedicated competition platforms.
What is the Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR 6.5 Creedmoor 18-inch Threaded used for?
This rifle is primarily used for suppressed long-range hunting, particularly in terrain where a full-length barrel is a hindrance, and for shooters building a Title II SBR or compact precision rifle for positional matches. The 18-inch heavy sporter barrel and 1:8 twist rate are optimized for modern 140-147 grain match 6.5 Creedmoor bullets, maintaining supersonic flight past 1000 yards while the threaded muzzle (5/8"-24) directly accepts a suppressor without an adapter. The adjustable stock allows for a custom length of pull and comb height to interface perfectly with a scope and a can, making it a system, not just a rifle.
How does the Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR compare to the Stevens 334 in .308 Win?
The Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR is demonstrably better for precision shooting than the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win, but at nearly double the price. The Stevens 334 uses a budget-friendly, injection-molded stock and a basic two-lug action, while the Browning features a glass-bedded, fully adjustable Max stock and Browning's proven three-lug 60° bolt lift for faster cycling. For pure mechanical accuracy potential and ergonomic tuning, the Browning wins; for a reliable, no-frills hunting tool under $500, the Stevens is the financially smarter choice.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.14 lbs (3.24 kg) bare and measures 42.13 inches long from muzzle to buttpad. The 18-inch barrel has a profile measuring 0.850 inches at the muzzle thread shoulder, providing significant stiffness to resist harmonic whip. With a typical 24-ounce suppressor and a 30mm scope mount adding another 0.75 lbs, the ready-to-shoot system weight climbs to approximately 8.9 lbs, which is manageable for a pack rifle but noticeable compared to a standard sporter.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for a first-time buyer seeking a general-purpose deer rifle, or for the shooter unwilling to invest in a high-quality optic and ammunition. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge and this rifle's precision-oriented design are wasted with cheap, low-ballistic-coefficient factory ammo. Furthermore, at $909.99, the platform demands an additional $1500+ in scope, rings, bipod, and suppressor to realize its potential—a total system cost that approaches $2500. If your budget stops at the rifle itself, look at the Stevens 334 in .243 Win instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 4-round AICS-pattern detachable box magazine, a thread protector, and three swivel studs (one installed on the fore-end, two provided). Notably, the box does not include scope mounting bases—the receiver is drilled and tapped with a standard #6-48 hole pattern, but you must purchase bases separately from brands like Warne or Talley. The manual includes torque specs for the action screws (35 in/lbs) and the scope base screws (15 in/lbs), a detail serious builders appreciate.
Is the Browning X-Bolt 2 Max LR worth it at $909.99?
Yes, but only if your use case explicitly requires a compact, threaded, precision-capable 6.5 Creedmoor from a factory-ready platform. You are paying a premium for the Browning action's smoothness, the fully adjustable stock system, and the out-of-the-box accuracy potential that often achieves sub-MOA groups with match ammo. If you plan to shoot suppressed from a vehicle, a blind, or in thick timber, the 18-inch configuration is ideal. If you primarily shoot from a bench at a known-distance range, a 24 or 26-inch barreled rifle will give you more velocity for less money.
Key attributes
| upc | 023614869603 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 036121282 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 18" |
| caliber/gauge | 6.5mm Creedmoor |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor?
- Yes. The barrel has a 5/8"-24 thread pitch with a target crown, which is the standard for .30 caliber and many 6.5mm muzzle devices and suppressors. It comes with a steel thread protector, but you must remove it to install a direct-thread suppressor or a muzzle brake.
- What scope mount does it use?
- The receiver is drilled and tapped with a standard American #6-48 hole pattern. You will need to purchase separate scope bases or a one-piece Picatinny rail from a manufacturer like Warne, Talley, or EGW. The distance between the front and rear action screws is 6.50 inches, center-to-center.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- For in-stock items, Ironclad Armory processes and ships within 2 business days. Transit time depends on the carrier and destination, but standard ground shipping to most continental US FFLs takes 3-7 business days after the package leaves our warehouse.
- Can I return it if I haven't fired it?
- Yes, unfired firearms in new condition can be returned within 30 days of shipment for a refund, less a 15% restocking fee and original shipping costs. You must coordinate the return shipment through a licensed FFL holder; we provide a prepaid return label for the carrier but cannot accept firearms shipped directly from non-licensees.
- Does this work with AICS magazines?
- Yes. The rifle uses a detachable box magazine compatible with the AICS short-action pattern. The included magazine is a 4-round unit, but aftermarket 5, 7, and 10-round AICS magazines from brands like Magpul or Accurate-Mag will function, though fitment in the stock's magwell may require minor clearance checks.