Browning A Bolt??

[jds holler]

Any love for these rifles around here?

A friend has one, early I believe, and wants to start loading for it and stretching the distance a bit.

I don't hear much about them, and don't know how well they are received among REAL shooters.

His has a barrel tuner thingy on it. Any info would be welcome. jd

 

[BenPerfected]

My 22-250 A-Bolt is a good gun & caliber for Prairie Dogs and pigs.
Ben

 

[370bc]

2 of my buddies have Browning rifles. One an A-Bolt, the other an X-bolt. Both are 1/4 MOA with my loads. However, in my experience with customer support from browning is absolutely ridiculously bad. And there’s not as much aftermarket triggers, stocks, etc..
I am having a Tikka T3x rebarreled and having a custom stock put on it. Along with a B&A trigger. I would choose a gun that has a lot of aftermarket availability Of parts.

 

[biggun2869]

2 of my buddies have Browning rifles. One an A-Bolt, the other an X-bolt. Both are 1/4 MOA with my loads. However, in my experience with customer support from browning is absolutely ridiculously bad. And there’s not as much aftermarket triggers, stocks, etc..
I am having a Tikka T3x rebarreled and having a custom stock put on it. Along with a B&A trigger. I would choose a gun that has a lot of aftermarket availability Of parts.

I have an older one in 30-06 w/ boss Medallian grade I bought pretty cheap because someone had spilled something on the stock that took a lot of finish off. I had the stock redone and it is now probably as good for a hunting rife that I own. The boss really takes to recoil down on the 06. In other words I like it.
My brother came by last winter and wanted something to shoot about a 2200lb Bull with and I gave him that and a box of loaded ammo. He brought it back about 45 minutes later and his words were That is a Machine! He only used 1 shell too.

 

[Hopkins]

The A Bolt and A Bolt 2 are solid rifles with triggers designed by liability lawyers. Its hard to guess how well they would be regarded if the triggers were even mediocre. The set trigger that is available on European target models isn't much better.

 

[biggun2869]

The A Bolt and A Bolt 2 are solid rifles with triggers designed by liability lawyers. Its hard to guess how well they would be regarded if the triggers were even mediocre. The set trigger that is available on European target models isn't much better.

mine isn't really good or really bad, I think its OK for a hunting rifle which I don't want to get too light anyway. I guess It really depends on what you want to do with it. If your friend just want it to shoot to its capability I would say go for it. It is NOT a benchrest gun though.

 

[K22]

I have the A Bolt Varmint Stalker in 223 Rem. It's one of the most accurate out of the box rifles I've ever owned. Under 1/2 moa with tailored reloads.

My two issues with it are:
1. The trigger was horrible, both the pull and contour making accurate shooting problematic. My gunsmith solved the trigger pull issue by installing a replacement trigger spring. Got the pull down to about 2.5 pounds. The contour issue I somewhat solved by using a light weight shooting glove which give me a better contact with the bulky trigger.

2. This model had a 24" No. 3 contour barrel which met my need exactly for a stiff varmint hunting rifle with a little weight to it. The problem was that the stock forearm was too short causing the rifle to tilt badly when trying to carry it on the shoulder with a sling. I solved the problem by installing a barrel band on the barrel for the sling connection thus providing a better balance. (I wonder if the person who designed the stock ever tried carry one of these in the field?)

On balance, after correcting these issues I very much like the rifle. The extractor is far superior to any other rifle I own in 223 Rem caliber (i.e. the fragile 223 case rims wear after repeated reloads making extraction a problem in many of my rifles). I also like the all metal magazine in my model (vintage 2007).

I also have two X Bolts, a 223 Rem Stalker and a 243 Hunter. While the triggers are little better than the A Bolt they still had two much pull (over 3 pounds) despite the claim that they are adjustable. My gun smith came to the rescue again and was able to rework to 2.5 lbs. The contour on the X Bolts is quite good providing good purchase of trigger.

Again, these X bolt rifles like the A bolt shot extremely well out of the box with tailored reloads, especially the 243. My 223 saw a lot of action in the ghog fields. It wasn't long before the polymer magazine wore out and wouldn't feed reliably. Browning replaced it free of charge. I really like the 243 Hunter with the wooded stock. For me it seats and handles much better on my shooting cross sticks that the synthetic stocks.

 

[jds holler]

My friend's rifle is a 7 RemMag. He has killed several elks with it over the years, as well as mule deer. He's shot only factory ammo with it as far as I know, but has gathered everything he needs to load for it. He'd like me to help him, and his goal is to become 500 yard capable.

I expect this to be a lot of fun. This guy is like a brother to me, except we don't fight. I shortened the stock for him a few weeks back, and he took it on a successful cow elk hunt. His scope is a 6x20 Vortex Viper. I think the reticle will get him out to 500.

The stock is the synthetic that came on it. When I was working on it, I saw that it had a very rudimentary bedding job done around the recoil lug. I think we can easily improve on it if needed. Trigger aint great, but I've seen worse. jd

 

[allen529]

Finding anyone to do custom work on them isnt easy. I have a A-bolt stainless stalker in .280 rem. I would like to get a new barrel. Staying in 280 but would like to bump to AI and longer barrel.

 

[argrendel]

I would add a stiffener to the stock. That was the issue with mine. Whether using a bipod or sand bag, the stock would flex and make contact with the barrel. They thought it was a barrel issue at first. I was told by Browning they don’t change barrels out, just barreled actions.
I also had a horrendous experience with their customer service. Swore off Browning products for 20 years. I now own one, 6mmbr, Kreiger barrel, aftermarket laminated stock. Great shooter!

 

[johnfred1965]

I almost cried when I had to part with my A-Bolt Medallion in 7mm08. It was a great hunting rifle, putting the first 3 shots touching almost every time I shot it. The barrel was pencil thin though, so the 5 shot groups opened up. The trigger was heavy even for a hunting rifle, and rough. I shot a hell of a lot of deer with it though, and that is the best thing I can say about it.

 

[cjames]

I have 2 Abolt II Microhunters. 22-250 and 7mm-08. Both shoot very good. The 22-250 is crazy accurate. I have shot a .051" 3 shot group and lots of 1/4" 3 shot groups. The 7mm-08 is an honest 3/4" rifle. I replaced the trigger springs with a Timney spring. And I have no issues and I am happy with the triggers. Like Johnfred said after 3 shots groups start opening.

 

[Ccrider]

I have an A-bolt White Gold Medallion in 300 Win Mag with Boss. Beautiful wood. Almost too pretty to hunt with. The trigger is fully adjustable with no creep. The gun shoots a .3 moa or better and the recoil is more like a .243.

The Boss is super loud and could cause hearing damage to those around you.