A friend of mine has a practically new a-bolt synthetic in .30-06 for sale very cheap due to a divorce. Even though I am aware of the features on it, Browning is the one make I've never had anything to do with personally. My questions are, are they a decent rifle regards to accuracy, reliability, will they take a beating in rugged conditions. Any comments would be appreciated.

I've had very good luck with them. I have a 30-06 Stainless Stalker and it shoots everything that I have ever tried into 3/4" to 1 1/4" groups with boring monotony.

I just got rid of a 7mm-08 stainless stalker and it shot very well also, but not as consistently as my 30-06.

The stock handles abuse very well.

The only negatives that I can think of are these:

I'm not crazy about the hard recoil pad on my 30-06 and with maximum charges of H4350 and 180 grain bullets it has some kick to it.

My trigger was extremely heavy on my 30-06 before I had a gunsmith lighten it up to 3lbs. Even when I adjusted it down as far as it would go with the factory adjustment, it was still over 5 lbs. However, my 7mm-08's trigger pull was about 3.5 lbs. with the factory adjustment.

HTH,
X

Yes, Yes, Yes.

I just bought my first Browning. A Stainless 30-06 and I like it. It shoots 1" to 1 1/14" groups if I do my part. Its lighter than my Winchester. I'd buy another one. I did replace the recoil pad with one of the new limbsaver pads.

Snap it up.

Got one in 270 and it shoot 3/4 groups with hand loads.
Had a smith do the trigger and it shoots sweet.
They are a robust accurate rifle out the box.

milosmate

If you have any need, real or imagined, for a deadly accurate, light, durable 30-06 I'd pick up this A-bolt quick. I have the 300 WinMag Stainless Stalker and it's been a joy to shoot. Accuracy is astounding with everything I feed it. It's pretty light for a big rifle and well, I couldn't be happier with it.

You'll have yourself an 06 that's about as light as it can be made and still shoot comfortably.

Well, this has been a pleasant surprise. Not a single negative post, that's unusual. I think I will change the pad to a Pachmayr Decelerator, I do with most guns anyway. Thanks to everyone for their input.

Savage,

I own 3 A Bolts One. 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, 30/06. The two mags are one hole shooters, period. The 30/06 is good for an '06. The mags are just exceptional.

Mine are Hunter models with Synthetic Stocks. I just tried one of Boyd's Laminate Stocks for the A Bolt. I got a Gray Laminate one for $65.00. Took me a couple of hours to finish it. Can't tell you how good it looks on that rifle with the Matte Bluing and a Matt Gray Laminate Stock.

You can't go wrong with a Browning Period.!!!

Seafire,

You said:

quote:

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Can't tell you how good it looks on that rifle with the Matte Bluing and a Matt Gray Laminate Stock.

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Why don't you do better than that and show us how it looks by posting a picture! I am interested in adding a laminated stock to my A-bolt.

Thanks,
X