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| <sure-shot> |
Forget the BOSS! The A-Bolts are accurate enough without that contraption! You lose velocity because it infringes on the true barrel length. For an out of the box shooter, the Browning A-Bolts are decent. I owned two, they both really shot well. I never had a problem with either one. I sold both though after owning my first Remington 700. sure-shot | ||
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one of us |
FR, Well... If your satisfied with Remingtons, those A-Bolts should be right up your alley. Okay, okay, that was a low blow. Just had to get that out of my self-admitted Mauser/Winny M70 system. I've got a lefty Stainless Stalker in 300 Win Mag. Works great for me, but I've heard some real horror stories from some very reliable sources. Plenty of "broken trigger housing" and "failed to fire when dirty" stories to go around. To be fair, my rifle has never failed me, and it's been on some rough hunts. It is accurate, and recoil is not a problem. The 26" barrel (no BOSS on mine) really helps wring out all the velocity the 300WM has to offer. A BOSS equipped version will be slower. I've chrono'd my A-Bolt, and a M70 w/BOSS on the same day with the same loads. There was a 150-200fps difference. The BOSS was quite loud, even with hearing protection. Enjoy your new rifle! ------------------ | |||
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| Moderator |
I like the Browning Stainless Stalkers very much and all of mine shoot fast and tight, from 7mm-08 through .375. "Screw the Boss", to turn a popular phrase. I do, however, agree that a steel trigger guard would be a desirable improvement. | |||
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| one of us |
With a long ranger like the 300 WM I would give up th 100 ft per sec for the benefit of the recoil reducing BOSS. Any fool will tell you that no matter how recoil tolerant you are the gun that kicks less you will invarably shoot better. Your body knows what to expect and subconsciously uncontrollably compensates for it. I know you will say I'm wrong but I have seen tests where shotguns and various high powered rifles where lined up including 22 LR rifles. some loaded some not, nobody flinched on the 22's when they went off, some flinched more than others but a very small flinch adds up to feet at 400 or 500 yards. I have a Rem 700 in 300WM which I thought was one of the hardest recoiling rifles until I put a Fajen stock on it, it stills kicks but not as bad as before but it still kicks more than my A-bolt in 375 which has the Boss, I will admit the A Bolt has the smoothest and fastest bolt action I have seen in a production gun. It seems us hunters are power crazed and want to squeeze every pound of energy we can, any hunter will tell you provided you have a caliber that is capable of the job it is not what you shoot them with but where you shoot them. With the advent of the super preminm bullets, powders and loading technology these calibers have exceeded the expectations of the people who invented them. You don't need nothing more than the ability to shoot them better which comes with practice. | |||
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| Moderator |
I just can't see carrying 26 inches of tube with 24 inches of rifling. On tough hunts it's hard enough keeping crap out the barrel, let alone a spaghetti strainer. If recoil reduction is paramount, there are better ways. As far as big game hunting accuracy goes, the A-Bolts simply don't need them. | |||
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| One of Us |
Since you have not bought the A-bolt yet, let me urge you to reconsider. A friend of mine has one and all it takes it one little dab of mud to completely disable that complicated bolt. If you want a 30 caliber, I would suggest one of the following: Springfield 03 or 03A3 sporterized in 30-06 | |||
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| one of us |
I bought my A-Bolt stainless stalker in 375 for an Alaskan hunt and that gun stayed outside in the rain , snow and frost without cleaning for 14 days, I would wake up in the morning and literally scrape the frost off it and it was fired a total of two times, once to insure sighting and once to kill the moose, after the kill it was shot several more times and it never failed. Of all my other guns they where never abused like that, they would be checked and cleaned if it rained or snowed or if it was shot, not the browning, the guy I went with used a 338 WM in a svavge stainless in identical situation and he had no problems, I think these problems that are being talked about are one in a thousand. Now I am not saying the A-Bolt is the best gun on this earth but of all the guys that have shouldered and shot mine everyone was impressed by how smooth and minimal recoil a 375 has. I will say I was a little disappointed in it when I bought it since the accruacy was totally unacceptable to the extent I returned it to the factory with directions to replace the barrel with Boss if that what it would take to get it to shoot 1". The factory had it back to me in 10 days and the only repai I could tell was the removal of some of the synthetic stock under the rear mounting bolt, the gun now shoots under 1" rested at 100yds. I am told that over tightening of the mounting bolts creates toque on the mechanism which will affect accuracy , I am told that it is more prevalent on synthetic stocks than wood since wood will compress to a certain extent thereby aleviating some of this torque. Anyway, I own several rifle by 7 manufacterers and the browning is as accurate as any one of them and is the smoothest bolt operation of any of them followed next by my Sako. | |||
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| Moderator |
If anything, the sleeved bolt prevents foreign particles from fouling the bolt better than most rifles. People crticize advanced engineering they haven't even tried. Some, I think, develope their entire opinion based on isolated incidents they have read about and hearsay. The A-Bolt is a good action ... try one and see.  | |||
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| new member |
I was in the same boat as you. Looking for a left handed bolt. I settled on the stainless stalker in left hand and chambered for the ole .270. I have been totally pleased with it. This 5 shot group @ 100 yards measures .688" and was shot off of some stacked 2x4's. I don't think you can go wrong with that purchase. I would avoid the BOSS though. Practice with your rifle and you will become accustomed to it. | |||
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| <MFH> |
I shoot a medallion 7mmRM with BOSS. The blast is terrible, but the accuracy is great. On mine, the BOSS adjustment can shrink 1.5in groups to <.5 with some loads. The long bbl is a bit of a PIA, though, and pine needles tend to get stuck in the BOSS holes. I would certainly get one again, but probably with the CR BOSS. MFH | ||
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| <pigman> |
Get the C-R boss attachment. It is unported and not near as loud. I have both. I work up loads with the ported boss and hunt with the C-R boss. There is no difference in point of impact or boss setting. I get groups with my 06 like the one's pictured in the previous post. I use 60 grains of reloader 19 and a 165 grain Hornady boatail. | ||
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| <dr280> |
If you are a reloader- "screw the boss" don't mess with a "muzzle brake"- just reload until you find the right load and the extra 2" of barrel will help the speed. I think the stainless a-bolt is a well built rifle- and the action is very good. Like most guns we all shoot- only you can decide if it works for you. | ||
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| one of us |
double post! Sorry.. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ready_on_the_right (edited 04-16-2002).] | |||
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| one of us |
500grs He needs a lefty that unfortunately rules out some of those choices! I probably sound like a broken record on this subject to those who know me from several boards, but here goes! I'll begin my diatribe by saying I won't buy any bolt gun that requires me to disengage the safety on a loaded round in order to unload it. i hunt mornings and evenings loading and unloading, do that multiple times throughout the season while tired and colda and I believe eventually the AD demons will get me and I don't want any extry holes in my parts whether they are my body, my friends, or my truck! Now to get off my soapbox...I have fired A-bolts in .223(varmint barrel w/boss), .270,.260,.300winmag(w/boss), and to a rifle every one has been .5"-.75" shooters or better right out of the box!! Here in GA every other hunter seems to have a stainless stalker...It replaced the venerable 742 in 30.06 that used to be the rifle en vogue!! I still won't buy one I'll stick with Rems, Wins, Mausers and would consider Rugers. Least of all I don't buy Japanese made arms either, but that is my own prejudice... Mike ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
only thing i question is the stock design. the butt area is rather small with little room to spread recoil out. everyone i know complain,s that the a-bolt kicks to hard for caliber.you may want to try one before you buy. especially with the 30 mag. if you go without the boss feature..good luck and shooting.also congrads on learning to shoot lefty. i to am left eye domainate it,s a curse for a lover of firearms. | |||
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| <cohoyo> |
I had a leff handed a-bolt in .338 win mag and it was the most inacurate rifle i've ever seen. I was cussing it up and down at the gun range one day when a guy walked over and traided me straight across for the same gun in .375 H&H with an after market rifle tuner on it. it's the funniest looking contraption i've ever seen but the gun shoots good and you can tune the gun to the ammo. | ||
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| <FarRight> |
That funny looking contraption was probably the BOSS... at least that's what I would guess. It's not aftermarket, it is a factory installment option available from Browning and that is the very reason I want it... tune gun to ammo, seems handy. | ||
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| Moderator |
quote: FarRight - Then why post for input? Just buy the darn thing. | |||
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| one of us |
Well, I don't really like the A-Bolts at all, that just me. If you do then fine, buy one. Thats what choice is about. Now, if you look around, I like the Used Rifle Rack myself. You can find all kinds of Good Rifles at Good prices. Now Since price is an issue for you and you want a lefty, then I would suggest that you not be so ridged as to the cartridge. Since you live in Montana, any 270, .30-06 300 or 338 will do. I think your best bet is something in a good used rifle and the 30-06 is the King. Now I'm not a lefty, if I was I would just send you one. I have a bunch some I have not shot in over 20 years. | |||
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| one of us |
Of the A bolts, I have owned a couple and shot several more. I found them to be accurate acrost the board but heavy. I am of the philosophy that if you need a muzzel brake, you don't need the rifle. I have routinely shot rifles of .338 calibre without problems. The thing to remember on a heavy calibre is you must master the gun. You don't mount it daintily like a .222 target rifle, barely touching the stock and trigger; but rather, you grab it with both hands and pull it to you. Anchor your cheek firmly on the comb. If your hand slides forward against the sling swivel, or you get Weatherby eye (how this became a "badge of honor", I'll never know) you are not holding the rifle tight enough. [This message has been edited by beemanbeme (edited 04-18-2002).] | |||
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