Gentlemen, this is my first post here.
The link was on 'TheHighRoad' and it looks to be a great place to learn and participate.
Please allow me to give a short statement for clarification.

My question is re the rifle in the Subject Line-
Browning A-Bolt II Medallion BOSS-CR / .375 H&H

Please give me some feedback on this choice for use as an Elk/Moose/Bear gun here in North America.

I already have a BAR MkII Safari BOSS-CR in 7mm Rem.Mag. which is my 'nicest' rifle and I love to shoot it.
I have wanted a .375 H&H for years and think the A-Bolt II is going to join the BAR in a Browning Travel Vault for my North American hunting set.
These two rifles will be prized in my collection and be used for hunting in the United States.
I have no aspirations of going to Africa at this time.
Alaska and Canada will probably be the farthest I will ever go to hunt.

I had intended to go with the Remington 700 BDL for the .375 as I've got a Remington collection.
I just sold a 700 BDL-DM in .338 to make room for the .375
I've got an XP-100R in .223; a 700 Police in .308; and a BDL in 7mm Rem.Mag. Another 700 would make sense, BUT ---

When I saw the A-Bolt with the BOSS & Open Sights plus the detachable magazine, I was intrigued enough to consider it and have pretty much made up my mind on getting this one.
It will be transferred to a Bell&Carlson stock, as that's what the BAR is in also, giving me a 'matching' set Brownings .

The scope I'm looking at is the NIKON 2-7.
I have a NIKON 6.5-20x44 on my Bushmaster V-MATCH that I may switch over to the BAR.

I'm sure there's some going on out there for wanting to make a 'set', but, it would be nice to have, use, and pass down after I'm not here...and this would be a nice set with matching stocks and scopes.
Thanks for the help.

Since this IS a reloading Forum, I should mention that I don't reload YET.
I've only purchased a couple of things anticipating loading for the 7mm, so far.

What do I intend to shoot through these BOSS Brownings?
The 7mm is planned for use as a 'Varmint Blaster' with Speer 115-gr. TNT and also as a 'Pronghorn' shooter using Swift Scirroco 150-gr. bullets.
I've got some new Remington 7mm nickel plated brass for this.
The 700 will be using Barnes Originals 195-gr. for deer/elk, to be used in the regular Remington brass I've saved.
I picked up 400 bullets from Jerry's Sportcenter about 3 years ago (I have a Business License dealing firearm accessories and am a former FFL).

The .375 H&H? I don't know exactly yet what I'll be using there.
Probably Remington ammo to begin with, and then saving the brass for Swift A-Frame 300's.
I may consider something more aerodynamic and lighter, but I'm not a reloader, so I could use some suggestions.
The BOSS feature will help with the accuracy to a point, and I don't see shooting anything with this gun over 200-300 yds. anyway.

Any suggestions?

I am new on this forum, as well.
My experience with the A-bolt II is fairly limited, but I have owned and shot one (in .243 Win.)
The rifle was quite accurate, with a wonderful trigger, but was completely unreliable.
It never fed properly from the magazine, and was essentially reduced to a single shot.

My BAR Safari, on the other hand, has a perfect record for reliability under all shooting conditions and in any weather.
It is by far my favorite hunting rifle (.270 win.), and if I were looking for a larger caliber hunting rifle for North American game, I would seriously consider the same rifle chambered for .338 win mag.

In short, I trust the BAR, but would never trust another A-bolt, though I am sure that the vast majority of these rifles are perfectly functional.

Older Browning bolt action "Safari" rifles, built on FN-mauser actions, are wonderful guns.

Hello BusMaster007,
I think you are making a wise choice with the abolt in .375 it will probably become your favorite rifle. I have an A-bolt in .375 it is the stainless stalker no brake or boss. its topped with leupold vari-xII 3-9 in QD leupold mounts with a backup leu. m8 4 power also in qd mounts this rifle will shoot sub moa with just about anything i stuff in it, no shift in zero when switching in between scopes. i have never had any feeding problems or other kinks it's been a great gun on numerous hunts for those dangerous texas whitetail and about 25 auodad sheep also functioned flawlesly on my safari!!!

Get what ever .375 rifle you like, just make sure you get a .375 you have just got to own one, I didn't and the blokes on this forum forced me to get one....against my will of course

I opted for the cz 550 as I already had other cz rifles. I absolutely love it and would reccomend a cz to anyone. You might like to just check one out before you purchase that browning. I am now addicted to cz's

I would leave the muzzle break off, .375 H7H's do not kick enough to need one IMHO and the noise from them is unbearable.

I am using the 300 gr Hornady RN at the moment and it works well for what I shoot.

Good luck report back when you make your choice.

Thanks, Gents.
I've heard some story about bolt handles coming off...in both the 700 and A-Bolt.
That and the mags being a problem feeding ammo, again in both rifles mentioned.
I've yet to have a bolt handle on any of my Remingtons come off, and with my DM model, it fed perfectly.
I sold my 700/.338 DM for two reasons:

1. The .338 cartridge reminded me of an obnoxious ex-friend, and I couldn't stand to use the gun. Stupid? Not really.
I originally was going to get a BAR in .338, but settled on the 700 and just never really 'loved' it.

2. I've REALLY wanted a .375 H&H for a LONG time!
I started out wanting the Model 70 Stainless, which would make a lot of CRF fans happy, including my former obnoxious friend, so there ya go, then.

I was going to stay with Remington and put the rifle in a Hogue stock with the bedding block and go for a 'Tactical .375' until I saw the Medallion II w/BOSS.

If Browning would only make me one in the Stalker variation with the new Dura-Touch stock, I'd be happy as hell with my Big Bore Black Rifle that had all the fun stuff on it!

I have only used the regular muzzle brake attachment with the BAR once.
I installed the 'Conventional Recoil' version ASAP, even though I couldn't really feel the difference between the two as far as recoil.
I know how obnoxious the muzzle blast from a brake is when next to one, so, I just took it off and use the one without the holes.
( edited to say: the word 'obnoxious' has been used 4 times now in this post, and I believe I will use it again when describing my ex-pal as 'muzzle blast'! )

As for recoil mentioned, I remember when I was told my 700/7mm would losen fillings and knock my glasses off...then, the first time I shot it I got this HUGE grin on my face and proceeded to keep the rifle shouldered and fire the other rounds successively. I LOVE THAT RIFLE!

The .338 disappointed me when I fired it. I didn't think it had ENOUGH recoil for all the hoopla I was hearing about it.

If the .375 H&H gives me a grin like my 7mm did, I'm gonna be one happy customer!

[ 07-20-2003, 06:06: Message edited by: BusMaster007 ]

Despite my problems with my only A-bolt, it is still a nice gun. Very accurate, with a delightful trigger.
The tang-mounted safety is also very nice, and easy to use.

I am sure a good smith could get a magazine full of .375 cartridges to reliably feed in the weapon, even if it didn't "as is".

But for me, a .375 H&H just screams for a Mauser-type action.

Welcome aboard, Sorry about the negative opinion on your choice, but I think you asked for our opinion, not just what you want to hear! My opinion is based on sixty plus yrs of owning every type of rifle known to man, and used in many countries to hunt all kinds of game!

NIX on the A-bolt rifle, with boss, detachable magazine, push feed, and tang mounted safety! All are problem prone, or worthless, in the case of the BOSS!

I'd pick up a CZ 550 375 H&H,or even a used Whitworth African Express, mount a Luepold Veri-X II, or III, 1-4X20 scope, and go to any country in the world, where hunting is allowed, and be legal for any game on Earth, with a rifle you can depend on, to pull your nuts out of the fire! With only one modification on the Whitworth, mount a pin blocking safety. The 375 H&H is a serious chambering, that needs to be chambered in a serious rifle! The A-bolt does not apply, IMO!

The BAR is a nice rifle, but is not legal to use in many countries, and not even all of North America. It is great for USA, however!

I hope your X-friend is not an X simply because he disagreed with you! If so, then I didn't last long as a friend!

[ 07-20-2003, 16:59: Message edited by: MacD37 ]

Doesn't happen often that I differ with Mac but my experience with the Browning is 180 degrees out from his. I've owned a lot of them and still have Stainless Stalkers in 7mm-08, 7 Rem Mag and .375, which is my favorite rifle. They are highly accurate, out of the box. I like the 60 degree boltlift, the double "X" magazine spring system, the tang safety and a host of other unique, well thought-out design features. I'm not sure enough guys have given it a fair shake. They are the only factory rifles I have purchased in the past 15 years that did not require the attention of either myself or my gunsmith, to some degree.

I'm glad I asked here!
The 'X-bud' situation developed over time. He finally got so insulting I did not bother with him.
For YEARS, we bantered over the .338 vs. .375 question, with him on the .338 side and me the .375. He was all about speed/lbs.ft. and I was espousing the 'most versatile' point.
When he started getting "anal" about CRF and e-mailed insults ad infinitum, it got ugly. There's a little more to it, and I do not communicate with him anymore. End of story.

Other story is I waited two years to finally get my Remington 700/7mm because I couldn't make up my mind as to which feed system or brand I wanted.
At the time, I was going to go with the Savage 110 Tactical in .308. I would've had a rifle and been out shooting right away. But, I was steered away from that one by the 'experts'. Never mind that Guns&Weapons For Law Enforcement said it was a good rifle...
I asked around and read TOO MUCH.
The consensus was .30-06. 50/50 Remington/Winchester.
One day I walked into a BIG 5 and saw my 700 on the rack.
Once I picked it up, I was hooked on the way it felt.
When I saw it was a 7mm Rem.Mag., I said "OK, THIS is going to be my first 'big game' rifle".
My Wife was so sick of me talking about it she said, "Just get a damn rifle!!!"
So, I did! I do not regret getting that one.

Sorry for the long post.
I figgered I'd get some differing opinions and don't want to get sidetracked by feed systems and such.
I've been down that road!
Point being that I'm not going to Africa for 'buff'.
CRF is not an issue.
I only need to know if the Browning I'm looking at is a good rifle.

Glad to hear that some folks have had NO problems with the Browning A-Bolt II.
Mac, have you actually owned one? I ask because Nickudu states the diametrically opposed opinion out of experience.
This will be shot more than hunted; a prize to own.
As PC said, 'GET ONE'. That's what I'm talkin' about!

Let's just say that, rightly or wrongly, I like the Browning. Mac knows a good deal more than I about rifles, generally and one hell of a lot more about doubles. I've enjoyed such success with the A-Bolts that I have a hard time understanding why so many obviously astute riflemen think so little of it.

[ 07-20-2003, 19:24: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

OK, thanks.
If I ever do get a CRF, I'd probably get it in one of the newer, bigger H&H cartridges, not a .375.
You've been very kind with your answers and I appreciate it.
When the time comes to get the gun, I'll be sure to let y'all know what it is!

I have two a bolt SS synthetics in 375, one with the brake and the other with the 26" barrel. I recently bought the 26" and have not had a chance to use it but I would expect it to be more accurate since there will be 4 " more barrel, the brake does reduce felt recoil but for hunting only I wouldn't get one, if you want to target shoot alot then yes. I used the boss 375 in Alaska a couple years ago and it was in the rain and frost for two weeks and worked perfect. I think the fellow with the feeding problem may have had a damaged mag or distorted floor plate as I have never had a problem with any of my brownings with mag and I have 2 bars one in 06 and the other 338. For the money they are exceptional values and I have sako's and remingtons.

The BOSS system is used to fine tune factory loads. If you intend to handload for that 375 then it's just a waste of money and IMO looks like crap.

007,

One thing will you will get here is advice, you may like or you may not, but you will get it.HI

I own a left handed Browning Stainless A-bolt in 375HH. It's a great shooter and the action is very smooth. Never had a jam and the drop out magazine works very well.

As to the Boss system. You stated you were looking at the Boss, Cr version. Mine has the Boss and brake. If you don't want to use the brake, just back it off and screw on the Cr. Not the most handsome of extras as it sort of resembles a howitzer. However, if you shoot 40 plus rounds from the bench, the brake helps.

Which ever gun you buy, get a 375, you will love shooting it!

Roger QSL

One thing I noticed here is that the advice is 'friendly' and expected to be accepted or rejected, yet the encouragement to enjoy what you like or want is still there.
How refreshing that is!

I just spent the last hour or so poring over the chuckhawks site again.
WOOT!

Thanks for upping the positive percentage on the A-Bolt, Roger.