Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed Review: Pros and 2 Big Cons
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- The Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed is a popular bolt-action hunting rifle. Its Cerakoted metals and ATACS AU camo look great and provide a durable platform for use in the woods. We review this rifle today to help you know if it's a good buy.
- Sport
Fun review guys! I bought an X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed in 30-06 a few years ago and mounted a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42 scope on the top. I had the trigger set as light as it would go by my local gunsmith - which is about 2.7lbs, so it's perfect for hunting. I agree with pretty much everything you say in your review, except the accuracy. In my hands, shooting prone, using an Atlas bipod and a rear bag, the best I can get CONSISTENTLY is about 1.5 MOA. I have fired this rifle from 100, 200 and out to 300 yards and in reality, 4.5" groups at 300 yards are very achievable. I typically fire strings of 3 (the maximum number of shots you'd likely ever take when hunting) and use a chamber-chiller to cool the barrel between strings, as this lightweight barrel really heats up fast. I have tried a variety of good quality hunting ammo and do find the rifle is very picky; I get the the best accuracy with Norma 170 grain Tipstrike (which will deliver 2200 ft-lb at 200 yards, 1850 at 300). Other hunting rifles I own (6.5mm Creed, .308, .223, .270 win and 7mm Rem Mag) are true sub-MOA rifles using factory ammo, so my X-bolt does really seem less accurate. That said, of course, a 1.5 MOA rifle is perfectly suitable for any medium/large game ethical hunting scenario that I can imagine, even considering that, in the field, most shooter's accuracy drops and group sizes will double vs. at the range; remember the vitals on a white tailed deer are about 12" across and Elk are a whopping 25" across! Though just for fun, I do plan on playing with some handloads to see if I can tighten the groups up...
If the triggers gold the Elk will fold ~Rut Daniels
Didn’t go 20
My 250 dollar savage is pretty damn accurate. Im sure it will do just as good a job
@@9gagerofl nobody cares about your savage axis.
Lead the bead right browning will shoot the moon- Rut Daniels 2020
These guns suck
Bought this gun in .300 WSM last year, put the mcarbo spring in and topped it with a Leupold VX3-i. I love it. I have taken 2 shots at animals since then and both dropped in their tracks. A Montana bull elk and a Vermont white tail buck. Mine loves Hornady 200 gr. Precision hunters, took it out for pre season checking the other day and my 3 groups @100 yds. measured .75" .55" .55"
I have the same, in .300 WSM as well. Havent had the chance to shoot it just yet, hoping it will be great.
I want the Browning X BOLT chambered in the 7mm rem mag 26 barrel
Another good review. Having too many choices, definitely makes it a tougher choices especially when all of them are quality choices. I am sure you guys reload and would have plenty of brass to do so, that way Covid ammo shortage shouldn't come in effect with your choice since all three guns so far are different calibers. I know that subscribers are voting, which makes it fun.
My brother put a spring kit in his Winchester M70 Shadow Warrior from the early 2000s and it cut the trigger weight in half for him and he hasn't had an issue.
I have that exact same Battleship target, was going to use it for rimfire fun, but that face off was fun even though once again ending in a tie. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to the fourth and final review.
I love how brutally honest you guys are. No question one of the best review channels on CZcams
I have this rifle and I personally love it! Browning x-bolt is a excellent product and the trigger is a preference thing but all together I would say this was a fair review. Not everyone is going to spend the extra money but its well worth it in my personal experience.
A smooth trigger is better than a lite trigger. And triggers are a cheap easy fix anyways
Literally just thought about wanting u guys to do a review on this gun
Google and everyone else read your mind..... they are ALWAYS watching....
Good honest review guys. I am looking at this gun now. This helps me make a decision, and I appreciate your honesty.
Great video guys. Keep up the good work. Greetings from South Africa!
I'm a big fan of mcarbo spring kits! I put one on each of my Thompson center compass rifles. What a huge difference in accuracy! Especially from a standing position. You should do a video on those! Great video and thank you for your time and hard work.
I agree, actually I JUST bought a new 6.5 Creedmore & order the spring kit right way, so easy for so much improvement, fairly priced & ships fast as well
same! 12 bucks takes a pound or slightly more iff the stock X-Bolt trigger
Love my X-Bolt. Put a 2lb trigger spring in it and now it’s shooting .39 moa with Barnes factory ammo. Great review!
Same! Very nice gun. I get even slightly better than .39 moa with hells canyon xbolt long range 7mm rem mag. Cheap fusion 175 grain made by federal. We got down to a 2.5 Lb pull on trigger.
Nice shooting! I shoot the factory trigger and am getting 0.82" groups.
That was a great comparison and i especially liked the friendly competition at the end.
I love the trigger, I adjusted mine, and I love how crisp and easy it is to pull. Extremely accurate rifle.
Im thinking about getting one my self
@@ttww9055 I got mine in 6.5 creed more, it's a tack driver. I have a really nice Leupold Scope, so reaching out long distances almost feels like I'm cheating. Very high coefficients, so even good in wind.
@@velie I’m hoping to get one in 6.5 too do you have the normal speed or the speed long range
@@ttww9055 Speed Long Range
You guys do the best reviews. I buy mostly hunting rifles, so your videos are a great help.
Fully concur with your points about the X-Bolt's trigger, the price point to features comparison, and the accuracy my rifle has produced. For these reasons, I plan to sell my X Bolt SS chambered in .300 WSM for something like an MRC X3 or CA Ridgeline. I will admit, however, I have always been a bit partial to the CRF. On that note, I did short stroke the aforementioned X Bolt on a follow up shot oppurtunity while bear hunting in Alaska. I was thankful for a faithful hunting partner shooting a CRF in .338 WIN MAG that day. Thanks for the great content!
You guys are hilarious! And awesome in your realistic reviews.
Just got a hunter model today and the trigger out of the box is coming in at 3.02lbs. Have not looked into adjusting it yet. May not if I hit fine with it the way it is. I love the crispness of this trigger, zero creep, and no over travel.
I was looking for reviews on this gun today
Awesome review, thank you.
Excellent review/video 👍. I liked the cool battleship targets. Never seen them before.
Guys good job , relevant feedback and comparisons
I have this gun in .308. I’ve developed hand loads for it and it shoots 3/8” groups at 100 yards with 130 grain barns ttsx bullets. Mine has a 3lb trigger. Great hunting rifle. Good review guys.
I have one too but 7 mm rem mag with fusion/federal I get 3/8” groups. An amazing accuracy on the long range hells canyon version paired with a leupold mark 4 6.5-20x50mm mil dot scope
What powder were you running?
@@JJ_MTB_15 Varget
What’s your load?
@@evann1136 sorry it’s taken me 7 months to reply. Load is as follows:
- Winchester brass.
- .308, 130gn Barnes TTSX.
- 47.5 grains Varget.
- bullet seated .05 off the lands.
- average velocity - 2939.
- standard divination - 4.
- extreme spread - 8.
- MOA - .32” - 5 shots.
The 1-12 twist really favors the 130gn Barnes. Hope this helps. If you load this let me know how it performs in your rifle.
I own 4 xbolts, one of which is a Hells canyon speed in 7mm-08. Great rifle. I changed the spring in my HCS and I get a 2 pound release every time now. I did change the springs in all my xbolt triggers and now they all break right around 2 pounds. Great shooters that are well worth the money
What spring kit did you use or recommend??
I got my spring kit from MCARBO. I got one for my hells canyon speed, one for my Winchester 70, and one more on my AR. These springs make a huge difference.
@@inupik23 yep - i heard nothing but good things so i bought the MCARBO spring for two triggers. about 1/10 the cost of new triggers and great result
Have one in 6.5 prc, .5 inch groups with factory ammo and .25 groups with handloands. Awesome shooting rifle.
I have a6.5 PRC in this rifle, my trigger adjusted and breaks at just under 3 lbs. , happy with this.
well, it was between the Tikka T3x and the bolt canyon speed... this made it really easy, thanks
You guys are great keep it up 👍🏻
Regarding those 2 cons, you may get the same features in other makes' packages; those features are not made equally. A Tikka and a Vangaurd is not a Sako and a Weatherby and often people need to be reminded of that. How they stand the test of time is where you'll see your money and that is something Browning has proven for over 120 years. Buy a 300 dollar Savage and the machining tolerances and tooling will reflect that. As far as the trigger weight goes, that higher poundage is "supposed to" prevent a premature shot when the hunter is full of adrenalin and in gross motor skills when they have their chance. I'm sure if this were designed as a bench gun the trigger weight would reflect that..that's my 2C.
Well said, could agree more. I have this same rifle in 7mmMag and it love it.
Great words
As I mentioned above I adjusted my X-Bolt Pro trigger to 2 lbs. 10 oz. AVRAGE by my Wheeler digital pull gauge.
That weight is just fine for hunting.
@@ericb.4358 Did you adjust with the factory spring or get a spring kit?
Love the ending dual , NOW that’s interesting
Have one in 300wn mag and love it, swings well and on par with my sako Bavarian so cant fault it. Nice review and honest👍
Are you clubbing game with your rifles?
Swings well? It’s not a shotgun.
Very accurate! I have a 7mm-08. But it will heat up. ♥️ it! Barnes Ammo is awesome. I actually like the forearm grip..
Great Job Guys.
that is SUCH a beautiful gun!
When you compared the Hell's Canyon to the Tika T3x, you could also compare it to it's sister rifle, the Stainless Stalker. I like the stock better than the Tika and then it's got all the rest of the great X-Bolt attributes.
I agree with you on the stock. The hells canyon just fits in your shoulder so much better
Nice review. Thanks
Got one in a 300 rum. Love it!
Appreciate the reviews you guys do, made my choice a lot easier...
When with the Browning x bolt Hells canyon speed with Element Nexus scope and the Tikka t3x super lite with Element Titan scope for the wife ...
Should be pretty happy I think ..
Cheers for the reviews guys 👍
I am so glad this has not gone unnoticed. They would have the best rifle on the market if they put a decent trigger in their rifles
What you’re getting with the Browning in certain calibers is a tighter twist rate. You can stabilize the heaviest 6.5 bullets in the Browning. You can in the others.
I have 4 Hell's Canyon rifles. I rank them higher than my 3 Bergara B14 and Premiers. I swear that Xbolts shoot every ammo great,...I have never had an issue shooting any ammo accurately out of them. My Bergaras however are super sensitive to ammo, same with my 3 Christensen Arms rifles.
Fun contest at the end!
I've got this exact gun, same calibre. I've found the trigger to be great right out of the box. It's probably the best trigger I've shot to be honest.
@@chasing-november6257 I'm thinking of picking that up and putting a V6 Zeiss on it. Any thoughts?
What do you think of this rifle in general. Any cons from you?
My gun we got it down to 2.5 pound pull. Long range version
Joe Crow it’s got amazing accuracy, just break it in right 👌🏻
@@lkris369 how do you break it in right? Just got it today
You haven't experienced a Timney im assuming.
I have this gun and it’s amazing!!! Highly recommended.
I will agree....had mine in a 300 win mag since last year. all good! Trigger is fine and would not recommend a 2lb trigger for hunting large game at all....terrible idea
@@fike301 Agree 💯
LOVE this gun. Most definitely should take on your Elk Hunt!
Had the same problem with the trigger. I got mine to go down by tightening it all the way down and then backing it off to the desired weight. Now it’s a crisp 2.5 lbs. Give that a try before you put new springs in.
I’ve found the crispness of a trigger to be more important than the weight. Your mileage may vary….
Awesome gun, yes minus the "feather trigger". Ive got the Max long range in 300prc that I will be using for elk. I did put a Mcarbro spring in, its under 2lbs now. Now its a "awesome feather" trigger. I really like the 60 degree bolt throw. The finish on the stock does not hold up very well, its brush camo now. As in the brush scratched it all up and it looks like went through the brush. lol. Other than that, super nice rifle.
I’m so glad I grew up with bb/pellet guns and 22s with crappy triggers in a hunting/shooting culture. I had a good teacher who taught me proper trigger pull. I'm still getting used to these super light triggers on all the centerfires I own now. I did have a gun with a crappy military Mauser trigger in it once and was able to eek out a 3/4" consistent group in 270win. I changed out that trigger with a 2.5lb Dayton Traister for Mauser 98 and my groups shrunk to 1/4-3/8". I was amazed. But my proper trigger pull was still able to achieve sub moa. Better equipment is still not a good replacement for improper technique. My 2 cents.
If you can do good with a heavy trigger you are bound to shoot great in general. Same story here cut my teeth with a Marlin 22 mag with a god awful trigger, got used to it and was a varmint getter
Have anX-Bolt Long Range and put the Timmney Triger in it. It is a much needed upgrade. Have it down to 2 pounds. Love the gun, but a $1000 gun should come with a good trigger.
You should put some thought into purchasing a Savage 110 High Country. I picked mine up for 900 + tax. Fit, finish and build quality are second to none. The rifle comes with an outstanding trigger and is made in america.
@@thollingsworth4910 it’s also heavy as fuck.
Does the savage come in left hand?
@@67cruizer I know they make left hand models, I didn't see if the high country is available in left hand though.
i really like a timney i even put 1 in a weatherby vanguard they was talking about because i didn’t like a 2 stage trigger for a hunting rifle
I thought my Tikka had a cheesy stock too. so I sent mine out to be hydro dipped in a gold snake skin wrap. Its slick now!
Hey I just ordered macarbo trigger spring 12.95 drop trigger pull to 2
Great perspective & review.
We are all eagerly anticipating the last rifle.
Do you all intend to put out a visual comparison on paper of the rifles.
That will help some of us immensely? Weight, $$$, accuracy, etc... Thank you gents. You guys are a pleasure to follow. Good job.
You got it!
@@backfire excellent! Thank you.
By the way, my son & I are guessing that the 4th and final rifle is not a Mossberg! Lol.
@@backfire My son is a youngin & is going to buy his first deer/elk rifle this year or next. After watching your 30/06 video he has solidified his decision to 06. Ruger American Go Wild is first choice but the T/C Venture2 has a $75 rebate now.
Do you all have any experience with the Venture? Not much on youtube about it. Thanks
Nice review. As a european user of the X-Bolt (.308win Stainless) I can say, that the european trigger pull is much lighter, at around 1100g. Anyways, I replaced the original with a McCarbo spring wich I highly recommend. I tuned it a bit and the trigger breakes at 950g (33oz) A drop test is not a problem. In my optinion the X-Bolt ist the best push feed hunting rifle in it´s pricerange. Shooting 0,5 MOA with my goto 130Ttsx handloads.
Good review. Its okay to be critical. Manufacturers may not think so but you are giving the audience what we need. Truth
Nice vid I would love to see you do one of these on the ruger American go wild with camo
My brother has an XBolt Pro in 300 win mag. He bagged his mule deer and I used it afterward. I bullseyed my mule deer at 330 yards with 12-15 mph cross wind. I would recommend the gun. I'm looking at getting one, but also considering a Fierce Edge after looking at a lot of other models.
That's awesome information thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍💯💯💯
This rifle shooting 165 grain Accubonds, Partitions or Barnes TTSX and watch out elk.
I bought an x-bolt carbon lite .223. loved the action, features and feel of it! 10 types of ammo tried through it including 3 quick hand loads. It shot 2-4inch groups at 100. I sent it back saying it wasn't right. They fired two 5 shot groups of one ammo type which were 2inches+ and told me it was fine! I traded it in for a tikka - 0.5- 1.5inch groups with the same tested loads.
I'll never buy browning again as they don't have an accuracy guarantee.
I have a Browning X-Bolt 300 WM and shoot Barnes Vor-TX and it's the first time I've ever shot 2 bullets in one hole. It does have a heavy trigger, but it's so precise and crisp it works for me.
What grain? I still haven’t found the right bullet.
What grain
Now this is a rifle. I have this same rifle in .243 Winchester. Using Hornady Superformance SST 95 gr I consistently shoot 1/2" groups.
I like the X-bolt best. The cera-kote and three-lug bolt makes it along with the radial muzzle brake.
I have one of these. It's SO GOOD.
I have the X Bolt Varmint/Target 65CM with a Vortex 5-25/50 PST G2. This is the best rifle I own as for short action targets. What most people don’t know is that the Target shooters made the 65 popular. Before that it was the 308 die hards. I do have a M1a which is the most fun to shoot open sights 100 yds Great!
Love my X-Bolt Stalker Long Range 30-06.
Excellent video I hope you guys can find more ammo or get into reloading
Hated my trigger in a Abolt years ago changed the spring and love it. Won’t big game hunt with any other rifle. Some year I’ll buy a Xbolt but didn’t have a reason to yet
I have this rifle in 7mm rem mag and it is phenomenal, I have no issue with the trigger pull weight from factory, have a midline vortex viper on it and first grouping after sighting was quarter size. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this rifle again, I just wish they made it in a larger caliber like 338 win mag or 338 lapua
Does the included muzzle break make a significant difference in recoil?
@@travis3567 yes, it makes a difference. Just make sure you wear hearing protection lol.
I have 3 of these 6.5 cm, .308, and .300 wm. All great rifles and sub moa.
What caliber would you suggest out of those 3
Funny, I just said yesterday that I wished you would do one in the speed
Love y’all’s reviews. I just wish you’d work up handloads to see the real potential. Keep on keeping it real!!!!
I have that exact rifle and I agree with everything you guys said. I did replace the trigger spring with the mcarbo, but it's still not great. Earlier this year I bought a Christinsen Arms Ridgeline and have yet to find fault in it. Accurate, light, great trigger, I hope you test one.
I have heard a lot of complaints of the Ridgeline, scared me away from purchasing it.
@@BryerCrandall Maybe I’ve been lucky. If I had to find fault it would be the forearm isn’t as stiff as I’d like it to be, but I haven’t noticed an POI shifts from shooting from a bipod. It’s a sub MOA gun all day with quality factory ammo and a tack driver with hand loads.
You guys should review a Weatherby Mark 5. Also do a best scope for around $350 review. That would be amazing. Thanks
I like the browning, just not the feel of the stock, and the fierce fierce, but I have 3 Kimbers. A Montana, classic and mtn ascent. I agree with everything you have said about Kimbers. However, when I go Elk Hunting I will pack a Kimber, Weatherby MK V or my lucky Tikka t3 stainless non-x. Don’t think you will go wrong with any choice you make, good luck.
You're right on.
All the firearms you mentioned are very, very good.
I looked your review. For having both in different caliber, I can talk about it.
Tikka , two lug design, 70 degree bolt lift no muzzlebrake. Plastic bolt shroud.
Browning, three lug design 60 degree bolt lift. Cerakote,threaded barrel with muzzlebrake included.
Accuracy,: Tikka tends to be more accurate but When you find when the Xbolt likes, its even.
Weight, put the numbers on the table instead of perception.
Trigger, put the numbers on the table
instead of perception.
Stock: the Browning is way nicer.
recoil pad : Browning is better.
with the Xbolt you can essily replace the trigger spring with the Mcarbo for ten$ if you dont like the weight ( adjustable) of the factory one.
Good job by the way !
I have the weatherby vanguard in 300 win mag. Mine is the first lite edition and it has a fluted and threaded barrel with which you can swap out a muzzle brake or just a cover for the threading. Love it. Lots of options in the vanguard line.
hard to beat theses Vanguards for the money. We have 5, diff calibers.
Ive got 2 X bolts in 300WM and 25-06, and they shoot excellent groups at every distance i practice at (100-600y). Mine like Nosler ammo
The magazine also removes from the gun nicely, when you pull the front tab it falls right into your hand. I have an Xbolt in .308 and absolutely love it.
I just bought a 308 hells canyon today! Absolutely stoked they had one in stock, cant wait to pick it up in 10 days.
@@kellysunseri-adams8550 you'll love it. There is a lot of features in that rifle for price you paid. Congratulations
I have this gun in a 270 and it shots under 3/4" with Nosler ballasric tip 140 gr bullet everytime. I couldnt be happier with the performance of this gun. Took an elk at 300 yards with one shot. It is a great elk gun.
Did you use the Ballistic Tip for the elk? I read that it expands a bit too quick and can cause a lot of meat damage. I bought some Ballistic Tip originally, but bought some Accubond the next time in the store.
@@colejustesen -- When I first shot my x-bolt I tried about 10 different bullet weights and brands and the ballistic tip in 140 grain shot the best. I did use it for elk and I wasn't disappointed. It performed exceptionally well and I didn't have any wasted meat. I had good bullet placement and I made about a 300 yard shot. One shot and the elk took two step and it was game over. I hunt for the meat as well as the trophy and was not disappointed in the ballistic tip. I have been told to try the e-tip which I will try. I did shot the Accubond in a 130 grain but I did not be as good a grouping as the ballistic tip.
@@michaelnelson1911 thanks for the feedback! They do shoot exceptional through my Vanguard. I felt like the Accubond did well for me too. I have the previous generation Vanguard in .270 Win and it is very particular with bullets. Thanks for replying! 👍
You guys should review the savage 110 high country
Thumb up with you !
Yes review the high country!
I have read several complaints about it because I was interested in the high country. I saw one in a store that already had the finished messed up and that was one of the complaints.
I have one in 300 win mag I love it but it is heavy. Mine shoots 1/2 moa with Winchester silver tips
My x-bolt hells canyon long range, we got it down to 2.5 pounds on trigger. I shoot at 1000 yards with federal cheap ammo which it likes 7mm rem mag. 175 grain. At 100 yard grouping about 1/2- 3/8 inch. When I shoot at 1000 yards recoil is reduced to the point where I see the bullet hitting target thru my scope (leupold mark 4 lr-t 6.5x20x50mm mil dot) just unreal and unbelievable.
Guys, you are super :), Thanks, I do have Tikka T3x 30-06 Superlite, but shoots better then you are showing 👍
You guys missed the glass bedded action and free floated barrel!
It does have a free floating barrel right? I want to purchase this gun within the next couple of days as my first ever rifle and i hope it'll treat me well!
Great video on the X Bolt, I have one myself and I love it. Jim needs to cover the ground in front of him when he shoots prone with a piece of cardboard or whatever before he gets miner's lung from inhaling all that dirt & debris!
Yeah I love the browning a-bolt and was never on planning on getting an x-bolt until Sportsman’s warehouse put a 300win mag on clearance for 420 dollars
Nice score! That is a great price for sure.
I can’t remember if I read it somewhere or called in to browning and they said to screw the screw in all the way once then back it out and it will adjust properly, I did that to mine and got it to 2 3/4 pounds, I still don’t prefer the trigger but it is a lot better now.
I'll have to try this because it still feels stupid after I adjusted it.
Love mine
Nice review as usual, I like the know what exact scope was on the x-bolt for that test, seems like a nice scope. Thanks
Great review thanks! ,,,all the rifles I own have needed trigger work to be in the 3 lb range and be acceptable.
I’m really surprised that you guys didn’t like the trigger. I bought that same exact rifle this past summer in 6.5 Creedmoor, and I thought it was the nicest, lightest, crispest trigger I ever squeezed!! Perhaps it’s just my personal shooting style and comfort zone I’m not sure. But I really love it. The gun is very comfortable, and fits me perfectly! And with the 140 grain Hornady “Precision Hunter” cartridges, it’s a literal TACK DRIVER! I love mine from A-to-Z ! I don’t like my Leopold scope mounts though. I do want to change them out. What kind of mounts and rings are on that rifle?
Tally makes them I just ordered some for mine they are cerakoted to match the hells canyon. Even have a small level you can get for 40 that top the rear ring. I bought that too
I have the same gun in the same caliber, I get 3/8" groups @100 yards with 168 grain Barnes TTSX handloads. Killed several deer in the last 4 years with it. I was able to get the trigger pull on my gun down to 3lbs
Thanks for the review. Do you like the burris compared to the leupold?
Wow. Would you replace the entire trigger. I have a 3 pound trigger on my Tikka and feel that is nice and safe for me
It must be a little inconsistency with their springs for you guys because on all of mine I got just below 3 pounds.
Man, I think the trigger is great. The gun is exceptional. It’s no mil-spec AR trigger for sure.
Well to answer the question. What you getting for the extra $300 is the option to have a muzzle break or no break, 60 degree bolt throw, free floated barrel, glass bedding in the action, metal trigger guard as opposed to tikka and dura touch stock which helps on wet or snowy days when other synthetics get slick.
The sting of the ammo shortage is real. Been looking high and low for .270 win.
What do you think of the Bergara Wilderness guns? They seem excellent to me.
Could you guys do a review of the Howa mini action (any caliber) as a choice for a youth rifle/light short and handy shorter range rifle?
just got one in 308! beyond happy with my purchase
vortex diamondback scope with talley rings