I looked at some of these and they looked pretty good. I want the synthetic stock.

What is your opinion of these rifles in 270?

If you're looking for a beater hunting rifle and don't plan on customizing her in the future then go for it. Avoid the BOSS though. Its loud, robs true bbl length and is not necessary for good groups. Don't expect the masses here on AR to envy your new toy. The A-Bolts are generally the mark of a novice.(sorry) However, they do and will kill game everyday of the year for many sportsmen. At one time I owned 3 (gulp) of them. MtnHtr

Just curious.... What do you shoot now and why? Did any of your A-Bolts ever fail you in any way? Were they inaccurate? I certainly hope you have better reasons than "Internet Peer Pressure" and "Made in Japan bashing...."

Hey'
I am not smart enough to be a good judge of a rifles quaility.So I depend on what the gunsmiths do.You won't find many smiths,build any rifles on Browning action.That should tell you something.I had one Browning Micro Mini in .308.I traded it in for a Model # 7.
1geejay,your no peer presure person
www.shooting-hunting.com

I bought a left hand A Bolt Stainless Stalker in 25/06 in 1990. I'm very happy with it. Wish the barrel was 24" instead of 22". Barrel heats up quickly also. I love the detachable magazine, the gun is lightweight, fits me, and will average under an inch for three shot groups.
Greg

It's not "Japan Bashing" at all it's the fact that Japan is bashing our shooting sports and our right to keep and bear arms.

Don't expect to get approval from those in the know.

I would agree that if you ever plan on customizing this rifle that the Browning might not be the way to go. But if you just want a good gun that shoots well right out of the box then the Browning is a good choice. I have been very happy with the ones that I have owned. Don't listen to those that call them "Japanese junk". Think about this... Would a company with a reputation like Browning put that reputation on the line by moving to inferior manufacturing facilities/location? I like to buy American made as much, or more than, the next guy, but my experiences with Brownings have been at least as good as any other guns that I have owned.

Bob

Well, seeing as how Browning, FN, and Winchester are all owned by the same French (yes, French) conglomerate, I would be very surprised if a lot of Winchester parts/pre-machining aren't being sourced offshore, which probably means Japan or SE Asia. - Dan

The fit and finish of the A Bolt is generally a notch above Remingtons, Winchesters, and Rugers, and a couple of notches above a Savage.

They are fairly light and trim, which I like.

The one I owned was not particularly accurate, but others have reported better luck.

I don't like their trigger or their aluminum floorplate. I am ambivilent about their semi-detachable magazine and would prefer the Mauser-type box.

The 60 degree bolt lift is fine, but the screwy shape of the bolt handle isn't.

While it may be true that they are not the favorite of customizers, they represent a solid off-the-shelf rifle. If you like their features, there's no reason not to buy one. But as warned, leave that corny noise-maker off of the front end.

I guess I'm just a novice but I bought a LH in 270Win back in '87. Worked the trigger down to two pounds even, had Lone Wolf build a Summit style stock for it then worked up a load that it shoots into .75". I like the lightweight aluminum floor plate and the magazine especially compared to the 700 BDL. Compared to a 700 I think the action cycles much more smoothly. All up it weighs just under 7.5lbs with scope and sling. It goes up the mountains and goes down the valleys and takes whatever I aim it at. I've never had any failures but then again, I'm just a novice.

Don't worry Tom. Maybe someday you will be experienced enough and "in the know" and you'll realize you need to buy a CRF M70. You won't trust any "Pot-Metal Made in Japan Push Feed" anymore. Of course, you'll need to send it back to Winchester 3 or 4 times and take it to a half dozen gunsmiths to make the thing feed at all...and chances are it won't be as accurate out of the box as and A-Bolt....

But by then you'll have enough experience to know results don't matter at all. It's semantics that are important.

Seriously, I agree MtnHtr, that the triggers on my two A-Bolts have been nothing to brag about. I hear the newer ones are better but mine are 80's vintage. I just replaced the trigger on my 300 RUM with a Moyer's that is completely adjustable in every way. Problem solved.

I've also heard that Browning used some sort of "super-human-strength" loc-tite on their stainless barrels which makes some 'smiths shy away from them. But there's a difference between "can't" and "won't because it isn't easy as pie." Any gunsmith that says he "can't" do something is probably just lazy, lousy or both. I had mine rechambered from 300 Win to 300 RUM for $110 (not stainless). He did remove the barrel, he could have thrown a new one on there just as easily as re-installing the old but I wanted to shoot this one out before I spend big money on a custom barrel. 2/3" groups is good enough for me right now and I don't feel guilty about shooting the piss out of it.

Other gripes, the recoil pad was hard as a rock. Not an issue for a 270 but for a 300 Win, much less a 300 RUM it sucked. Replaced it with a decelerator.

Stonecreek, the bolt handle shape is perfect! You just push it with your open hand as fast and hard as you can. Beautiful! You don't need or want to grab it with your fingers like you need to with other rifles. It would feel odd then.

I have an A-Bolt (LH Medallion, blued) I like a whole lot. It shoots accurately, hasn't ever had a falure to feed, fire, extract... It is an awful pretty gun even after being dragged through many briars and rained on a dozen or so times. It's the quality of gun you'd expect from something made in Japan (i. e. good). At the same time, I might be less satisfied if this was my "hobby" or "project" gun. If you want something you can buy lots of upgraded replacement parts for, browse through the Brownells catalogue before you buy the rifle. That will give you an idea how easy it is to find the parts you might need. Remember that your gunsmith can probably make non-catalogue parts, so you might want to ask him about particulars. Buying the rifle is the hardest part of a "project" not to rush in to.

H. C.

I've got a White Gold Medallion with the BOSS system in 7MAG that I like very much. The trigger adjusted down without creep to 3lbs with a simple turn of a screw driver. It shoots 1/2 to 3/4" groups all day with Sierra 165gr spritzer BT's. If I wanted to give a gunsmith a lot of extra cash to make it do what it should have done from the start, I guess I would have bought a Remington! One day I'll learn. Seriously you need to put several rifles in you own hands and see what you like for yourself. A lot of comments that come from people on this board are from shooters and not hunters, Also a lot of info is passed down from magazines and not experince. Just because a guy up above me doesn't like Browning doesn't mean you shouldn't buy one. IS HE GOING TO BE HUNTING WITH IT OR ARE YOU?

I got a Stainless Stalker in 7mm RM,it's the most accurate rifle out of the box I ever owned it will shoot 1/2"-3/4" groups with Federal Premium 160gr Partitions.Had it in rain,snow,heat,dust no problems.
I like it better than any of my 3 Model 70s and any of the Remingtons I've owned.

I was looking for a foul weather hunting rifle a few years back, and bought a Browning A-Bolt II. Stainless Synthetic, .338WinMag.

As others have stated, it is a good utilitarian rifle. Accurate, feeds well, reasonably good trigger, safety locks the trigger and the firing pin.
Drawbacks: Plenty of aluminum parts, must be off safe to open the bolt. Not the rifle of choice if you think you might want to customize later.

Overall I am satisfied with mine, for its intended purpose.

MM

Browning A-bolt?

1. Unreliable. Get mud on that bolt and it is all over.

2. Some shoot well out of the box and some shoot like crap.

I know only a few who own them. They all like them. Most of these people don't hunt that hard, or are hard on their rifles.
JJHack posted a couple of times that he has seen more of these rifles fail more than all others combined. This is from a PH with lots of experience - 6000 animals - in the field. He said only Ruger and Winchester rifles have never failed in his presence.
I'm not impressed with their design. The bolt head ,and handle are screwed on. They use the hook extractor and the plunger style ejector.
Their triggers are not easy to do anything with and can't compare to the Winchester, or Remington designs.
So, I'll pass. E

My long time deer hunting budding bought a micro-hunting in 260 rem. That baby shot 1moa after only ten break in round with cheap factory rems. 2 of the guy at a elk camp I hit every few years have the medalions in 7 rem mag, both are sub moa shooters with handloads.

I've paid a lot more to gunsmiths to screw up guns that never shoot right again. Gunsmiths might not like working on them because they don't need much work. If the smithy is only a parts changer what good is he anyway.

The Politics of Japan can be layed on 'ol Gen McArther himself. He started the whole gun & knife control thing. France just sucks anything it can. I still savor the libian embassey incident with President Regan. Thoughs socialist froggs kept the pastry holes shut after that american tomahawk told them where to stick it.

Go to this site http://www.rifleshooter.com/Big%20Game%20hunting/270%20in%20africa.htm
It has an excellent article on the 270 in Africa and the A-bolt - also alot of good info on bullet performance in general. These guys have too much money and they love to hunt and I love their stories and photos. Good Luck

Here's a test for you:

Get your hands on an old Belgian-made Browning "High Power" bolt action that was made in the 1960s or 1970s, then compare it to an A-Bolt. Tell us which one is built better. Which one would you rather own, hunt with, and pass on to your kids?

AD

Allen,
Nobody is argueing that the a-bolt is better than the Belgium brownings. There are alot of nice classic rifles I love to have and pass down if I could get my grubby hands on them at a resonable price. For $400-800 you can get a "whatever" rifle that shoots better than most others in its price range. I personally like to take my time and find the right rifle at a price thats fair. For an off the self production rifle rifle there are much worse.
I have a brother up in Kiezer. What's a nice public longer distance rifle range up there.

Hello from Scotland~

I used my mate Browning A-bolt .243 years back and liked the bolt,mag box and general neat/compact feel.
I wanted something in stainless/sythetic and ended up with a " dare i say ? " Miroku Extreme or M-bolt. It is identical to the A-bolt except for the name stamped into the barrel.

My .308 M-bolt is very light its trigger does me just fine (i have never touched it)I was concerned it very light weight stainless barrel would heat quick and start thoughing bullets all over the place- BUT i have found even after 40 rounds put though as fast as i can it still shoots better than i can.

At 200 yards anyone who has borrowed it at the range finds the bullets go exactly were the cross hairs are, its almost TOO easy !

I have NO compliants of this rifle, I wanted a light weight hard working accurate value for money rifle and that is extactly what i got.

I may be wrong but from this side of the pond it would seem the "Japanese" factor seems to taint peoples veiws ???

I can understand this i would have to swallow my pride before buying a French rifle !

Regards Englander

Allen, I think you can make the same comparison with any new vs. old rifle today.
The new Model 70's vs. the pre 64's, the older Model 700's vs. the junk Remington is putting out today. Quality has taken a back seat to the bottom line. Craftsmanship and pride have been replaced with the CNC machine and investment castings.
As far as Brownings are concerned, their shotguns (also made in Japan) are still some of the best out there, all you have to do is look on the trap circuit or at your local club.
I think their rifles are the same quality. I have a left handed out of the box 7mm-08 W/ BOSS that came from the factory with a trigger that breaks right at 3.5lbs and will shoot rings around most of the so called custom guns at my club. It really burns the guys with their Jarrett's that they can't get the groups I get, never mind asking them to shoot something other than their pet load. I've hunted with this rifle for 6 years in some pretty nasty weather here in MI as well as MT, Wy, and northern Quebec w/o ever encountering one bit of trouble.
I have an older 700BDL in 270 that shoots nice tight groups but only after I had the trigger worked on and the stock glass bedded. It did jamb on me last fall in MT, something I've never have happened with my Browining. My 338 Model 70 is in the process of being worked on also, it's never going to have the accuracy of my Browning, but I never expected a 338 to be a benchrest rifle. I just hate to have to spend extra dollars to correct the junk that comes out of the factory now-a-days.
If you're going buy a hunting rilfe that is well made, accurate, and has value for the dollar, Browning is not a bad choice.

I just got back from South Africa. I used my Browning A-Bolt Medallion in 300 WSM on Kudu and Gemsbok. Two one shot kills at 280 yards and 220 yards respectively.

Now for those who hate the A-Bolt, build up a double-mad. I shot 150 gr. Winchester Supreme Ballistic Tips. Listening to talk on most forums will convince you that nothing lighter than 180 gr. can kill game because of.....(drum roll) ... bullet blowup. I haven't experienced bullet blowup in 40 years, but I hear it's real frightening.

Back to the gun issue. I've never owned a bad gun. I only buy Remington, S&W, and Browning. I love them all.

Winchester M70s have about the best brand loyalty I've seen. If you say something bad about one to some people it's like you said his kid was ugly .... and stupid too. Tends to piss them off.

Bought a Browning Stainless Stalker in .375 about 10 years ago. Shoots a 1/2" ... still got it.
Bought the same gun in 7Mag and it shot a 1/2". Sold it to a good friend and bought another .. shot < 1/2" ... still got it. Bought another in 7mm-08 and it shoots better than I can hold ... still got it. Never a hiccup, never a problem. Can't say the same for any other factory brand. Yea, Brownings suck and I'm a novice.

I've got an A-bolt in my collection. I like whitetail hunting with it because it's light and well balanced. But it is also the most inaccurate gun I own. I've tried several remedies, but I can't get it to shoot better than 3 moa.

Friend bought one to take on an elk hunt and had the same problem.

From what I've experienced, some shoot, but a lot don't, and if they don't, you are limited in your options.

I also had an ADL Model 700 that shot about 2-3 moa, but a trip to the gunsmith for a new stock, action bedding and trigger job got it to 1 moa in short order. At least with Remingtons, you have options.

GAHUNTER,

If you can't shoot better than 3 MOA, something is wrong with the rifle. The only A-Bolt I've ever seen to have such a problem (my 300) had an inletting problem in the barrel channel.

The barrels on these rifles need to be free-floated. Mine was (you could slip a piece of paper between the stock and barrel all the way back) but toward the muzzle the gap around the barrel was uneven. I guess during recoil the stock would flex enough to let the one side contact the barrel.

For a quick "field test" I shoved a couple of layers of thin cardboard between the stock and the barrel, thicker on one side to even the pressure. Instant one inch groups.

Took it home and about 10 minutes with the Dremel tool gave the barrel plenty of room all around. Haven't shot a group over 1 inch since.

Take a look at that. You'll be amazed how much more you like a rifle when it shoots tiny groups. Usually A-Bolts do. But there's an exception to every rule....

I have two A-Bolt rifles, one LH .338 Medallion (original fluted bolt), and one A-Bolt II LH .270 Stainless Stalker. Both (yes, both) shoot 3 into one hole at 100 yards, and the .338, three holes touching at 200 yards with Federal Premium 210 Nosler Partitions. Obviously, I can't gripe about either of them...

Do I want to tinker with these? Not a chance... I wanted some general purpose "hunters" that I could use with store bought ammo (albeit, Federal Premium). I lightened the triggers to the minimum settings before I even took either of them outside, and haven't done anything since. I actually bought the .270 with the intention of converting it to a .35 Whelen, but now don't have the heart to mess it up. I'll find something else to modify...

If you want to buy a rifle to use like most "average Joe's", I'd recommend it. If you're left-handed, and want a top-tang safety, it's darn near your only off-the-shelf choice. That's really what got me to look at the Browning in the first place. I have a number of shotguns, and quite a collection of Ruger Model 1's, and wanted the safety in the same place on all of my guns.

If you want to play and tweak, buy something else.

Several years back, I traded a Winchester Model 70 7mm mag for an A-Bolt composite stalker in .338 mag. I love that A-Bolt !!! The first load I threw together with Nosler 210 Partitions shot .75" at 100 yds. I never messed with that load and still shoot it today. The gun always groups the same, I love the 60 degree bolt throw, and now I wouldn't be without the removable magazine. I liked it so much that I went out and bought another exactly like it in .300 Mag. It's one of the best shooters I've ever had out of the box.

bowhuntr

There is not a better looking rifle than an Browning A-Bolt Medallion (unless it's a Sako, maybe).

Obviously living here I don't get my hands on mine much, but every time I unwrap it a crowd gathers.

I would love to let one of you sharpshooters see how tight a group it can fire. I've never been able to get under 1" at 100 yds, with any gun, in the last thirty years.

I own three Browning rifles and love them all. They all, 308 Micro-medallion, 308 BLR and 30-06 Highwall, shoot well under an inch and look great. I have never had a problem with any of them and the BLR was my first deer rifle oh so many years ago.