Review of article in NRA American Hunter on the XPR. Review by Winchester Repeating Arms. 

With the advent of so many no frills bolt-action hunting rifles on the market, veteran hunters and new buyers alike are rightfully skeptical about which of these moderately-priced guns give the most bang for their bucks.

In the August 2015 issue of NRA American Hunter, John Zent, the magazine’s highly- regarded editorial director provided an insightful overview of the XPR bolt-action rifle from Winchester Repeating Arms.

“…Winchester has jumped into the fray with its new XPR,” Zent stated. “Beyond the attention it will attract simply by virtue of being a Winchester, the low-cost bolt gun boasts certain premium features and has earned high marks in early published reports.”

“…The low-cost bolt gun boasts certain premium features
and has earned high marks in early published reports.”

Zent went into great detail about the receiver design on the XPR, including its unique stock-mounted recoil lug that mates with a slot cut in the underside of the receiver. Also of note is the large-diameter bolt body for greater rigidity to help enhance accuracy. The nickel Teflon™ coating on the bolt body also adds to slicker bolt operation.

“The new thinking is that these smooth-riding fat bolts, especially when equipped with a short-lift, three-lug lockup, make it that much quicker and easier to stroke the bolt,” stated Zent.

“Another premium is the firm’s MOA trigger, introduced a few years ago to make the Model 70 more competitive,” continued Zent. “…It sure is solid, fast and controllable.”

“The…MOA trigger… is solid, fast and controllable.”

“I got my first licks with the XPR during an Oklahoma hunt, where it was paired with the corresponding Winchester Deer Season XP ammo,” recalled Zent. “NRA colleague Chris Sprangers and I…proceeded to rack up one-shot kills on three deer and a hog. Said Sprangers, ‘The XPR rifle performed in the field as it did on the range – consistent and accurate in both settings. I especially appreciated the bolt-release button that enabled me to safely and easily unload the firearm when my time on stand came to a close’.”

“The XPR rifle performed in the field as it did on the range – consistent and accurate in both settings.”

“Value performance cuts across demographic lines, and I expect shooters of all ages will focus on what the XPR can do, rather than what it is not,” concluded Zent. “…if the emerging class of basic bolt guns becomes the new normal…The XPR is clearly a class leader…it delivers key high-tech features for about $500 – and it’s a Winchester.”

“The XPR is clearly a class leader… it delivers key high-tech features for about $500 – and it’s a Winchester.”

To read the full NRA American Hunter article by John Zent, visit www.americanhunter.org

To see for yourself what makes the Winchester XPR a class leader click here. 

 

Original article copyright American Hunter magazine, 2015. Review copyright Winchester Repeating Arms, 2015. Review by Winchester Repeating Arms staff writer, Scott Engen.