Why is it that Browning A or X bolts dont get more recognition? While I own several rifles that are meant for deer sized game, I always end up bringing my A-Bolt stainless stalker out. Its not the lightest or the most accurate gun I own, it does have a lot of the features that I like in a hunting rifle.

You know, that's a very good question. Most people respect them, but it seems gun nuts have no interest in them. Maybe it's the odd appearance of the bolt, or maybe because there's nothing that sets them apart. You never see a custom Browning rifle, or see a gunsmith that would use an A-Bolt action in a custom build.
Hmmmm.....like I said, good question :-)

Interesting question for sure. They offer a fair selection of left handed calibers but they don't have much of a following.

They seem to be overly complicated for a push feed and are priced high enough they never competed with Rugers or Winchesters (back when Win was making lefties).

Just about the only brand rifle I have never bought in a centerfire caliber and have no desire to start now. Have no basis for my reasons, just can't warm up to them. Do own a couple of T bolts and some Buckmarks so I know Browning can make a quality product.

It is a great question. I have an X-bolt 300 win mag that has a very smooth action. It is accurate and although it has not been treated with care, it has never let me down. Elk hunting in Colorado, it has be dropped, I've fallen with it and it shows almost no wear. Yeah, it requires special scope mounts and has the quirky, but durable magazine. I love the 60 degree bolt throw, the trigger, the safety and smoothness of the action. Guess I just don't know why it does not get any love.

I don't like them because I've seen too many of them fail miserably. Too many hunts ruined because A bolts .
I do know people that like them, but all of them that get worked hard break down in one way or other. Guy I know got treed by a brown bear for a while at False Is after firing a warning shot with factory ammo and the bolt wouldn't open. I think it was a problem with the trigger.

nobody on earth can get the bbl off one or put one back on straight.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
I don't like them because I've seen too many of them fail miserably. Too many hunts ruined because A bolts .
I do know people that like them, but all of them that get worked hard break down in one way or other. Guy I know got treed by a brown bear for a while at False Is after firing a warning shot with factory ammo and the bolt wouldn't open. I think it was a problem with the trigger.

What kind of failures are you talking about? I will have to say that this is the first time that I have heard of an A-bolt having a massive failure.

I own two lefty A-Bolts a 25/06 stainless stalker, and a 22 Hornet. They are two of my favorite rifles.

I have bought a few and all of them were more accurate out of the box than any Winchester I have bought. I like the Winchester better after I get all kinds of things done but there is nothing wrong with the a bolt never had an x bolt.

I owned two LH A-bolts; and sold them. Both were very accurate - first was a 300 WinMag that shot sub 1" groups with every factory load I ever tried in it - I regret selling that one. The other was a 375 H&H that was the most accurate rifle I have owned to date. I have many one ragged-hole targets on my bench from that one.

Browning should go back to making their bolt actions with FN Mauser actions. Their guns (look at an old A5 shotgun or their initial BLRs) had great wood, checkering and fit and finish for the price definitely better than either Remington or Winchester in the 1970s. I think they should quit competing for the low end and go back to making high end guns.

I have several browning safari grade guns built in the early sixties and I like them more but they are not as accurate

I've got a Browning A-bolt in a 22-250 that boringly shoots 0.5" groups all day long with the cheap Winchester 45 gr HP bullets. I've probably killed more prairie dogs with this gun than all my others combined.

I have a NIB 1981 Belgium BLR but would never even consider an A-Bolt. Not a thing wrong with them..but they do not appeal to me at all. The BLR is well made and quite nice. A friend had one of these early BLR's years ago and it was very accurate. Even used A-Bolts are overpriced.

They do a great job of making a sharp looking rifle, but they just don't have sex-appeal.

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
Browning should go back to making their bolt actions with FN Mauser actions. Their guns (look at an old A5 shotgun or their initial BLRs) had great wood, checkering and fit and finish for the price definitely better than either Remington or Winchester in the 1970s. I think they should quit competing for the low end and go back to making high end guns.

I agree with you completely. The wood on the new Browning are pathetic. The name Browning used to mean something, and that something was quality.

I own 4 Browning currently; a BL-22, two High Walls, and an 1886. They all have good wood and are great performers.

I also agree they should go back to the FN actions, slick them up a bit and add a quality safety, and fit the stocks along more traditional lines in high grade wood. Their bolt action sales would definitely increase.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
nobody on earth can get the bbl off one or put one back on straight.

Jackpot! I like them a lot. I have 2 Medallions iin left hand. Beauiful wood and Sub MOA shooters. Need to get my 25WSSM rebarreled...scared to have it attempted!

I have no love for browning rifles for much the same reasons that others have said. I did however take a look at the new x bolt. I hate the gimicky leveraged bolt that wants to slam closed. This is novalty IMO and has no practical field application. In fact its noisy meaning you really do need to keep one in the chamber because loading one might slip making resulting in a clunk which spooks the shot.

My buddy bought a stalker 300 win mag with Boss system. I loaded up some special rounds but had to trim the front of the detatchable box magazine because there is this bulky section of material that limited the OAL unecessarily. Kind of thoughtless IMO and another reason why gunsmiths avoid them, possibly.

Love the rim fire T bolts but not the rotary clip. Not that I need an extended mag but others might.

I'm not an auto fan but their BAR is about as good as an auto gets.

I think they get plenty of love, just not from custom gun lovers and/or gunsmiths due to the fact that they can be a pain in the rear to re-barrel and lack a classic look. I had one in triple deuce for a while until a buddy of mine offered me too much money for it. It had a clean trigger, the stock was factory bedded, and it shot fairly well. I think they are neither fish nor foul, but they don't really get me excited. The only brownings that have done that for me are their model 52c sporters, and the old lever action replicas such as the 1886, model 71, and model 92.

I own three Browning rifles, a BLR, Highwall in 30-06 and a Micro-Medallion in 308. They are all extremely accurate rifles, especially the Micro. It is the "go-to" rifle, and I own several custom and semi-custom rifles. It is simply utterly consistant. It shoots to the same point whether it is the first shot or twentieth. It is light enough to carry all day.

The BLR is also in 308 and it will shoot 1" consistantly with 180 factory loads. The Highwall is a 3/4" shooter with 165 grain bullets and 57.5 grains of AA4350. It will do it with either the Nosler BT or the Sierra 165 HPBT hunting bullet.

I like my abolt well enough, but have had it fail. Firing pin freeze up while coyote and elk hunting. Don't know if it was condensation or lube, but it stays out of the field in sub freezing temps. If the bolt was easy to disassemble, I would still use it. It is smooth, accurate and with the 60 degree bolt and tang safety, it is almost ideal.

My sako bolt is easy to break down without tools, so it gets the nod.

MFH

Hunting elk in the Missouri Breaks in Montana a few years ago. A hunter at the next camp to ours came over to ask if any of us knew anything about "fixing a gun". After a couple of days hunting with lots of wind and dust blowing he had enough crap in the action he couldn't get the action open. Washed the action in gas an got his action open. Not much of a hunting rifle in my opinion. For rough conditions I'll take a 98 mauser.

My riflesmith has told me that they can't be re-barreled account of the barrel being glued in with a press fit. Not threaded and fitted like normal rifles. I shoot enough that I need a new barrel occasionally. Although I consider barrels disposable, I don't want a disposable rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by thecanadian:
Why is it that Browning A or X bolts dont get more recognition?

Cause they do everything custom rifles do with out all the hours spent researching barrel, trigger and stock manufactures, and without dropping a mortgage payment or two... who the hell wants that??

IMO Abolt was the best factory rifle for a decade or so before the X-bolt came out and they cheapened it on re-introduction.

I had an A bolt Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag that was very accurate. I hated selling it but when I moved to a state that didn't have a rifle hunting season and I needed a shotgun I had to sell it. I always wanted to get another one and maybe one day I will.

I had one in 270 and 3 in 375 H&H. All shot very well, it's just that to me they felt and looked cheap.