What is the general opinion of Browning A-bolt rifles? I have the opportunity to pick one up from a friend at a very low price. Thanks.

Smooth action, nice finish. Never owned one but the 2 I've shot were both nice guns. They seem to hold thier value very well. If it's at a good price I don't see how you could go wrong.

Homebrew,

The A-Bolt Medallion .30-06 I owned had a very whippy barrel, a poor trigger, and they did not seal the wood in the inletting.

I doubt I'd ever buy another.

George

Homebrew,
I had an A-bolt stainless stalker for 13 years that was a 30 Gibbs (rechambered from 30-'06). It was very capable of shooting small groups after the trigger was lightened to 3#. Although I prefer Model 70 Win,'s and mausers, I was quite fond of this particular rifle and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the A-bolts. Hard to beat for the price.
Good Hunting,
Andy

[ 07-06-2002, 02:48: Message edited by: ACRecurve ]

I've got a .338WinMag stainless/synthetic A-Bolt. It is a sound rifle.

I would not buy another one just because I'm not in love with all the aluminum parts. But hey, the M-16 has an aluminum receiver and it has proven pretty durable.

The only significant design feature I do not like is that it is not possible to remove a round from the chamber with the rifle on safe.

MM

I bought a .300 WSM Browning A-Bolt Medallion a year or so ago. I love everything about it. I'll be taking it to South Africa next month.

Every time I go to the range at least one person walks up and asks what I've got. Their next comment is along the lines of, "great looking rig".

I had a Browning Synthetic stalker(I think that is what it was called) chambered in 300 WM. It would hold about 2MOA with reloads, but I got rid of it. I didn't like it.

There are 5 A-bolts in my gunsafe .22, .243, two 270s one .338 mag. All of them are very accurate and well made. Out of the box they are as accurate as any sporter out there. I recommend them highly.

If you like pretty rifles, fine. I like guns with certain design features, which the A-Bolt has very few of.
JJ Hack reported a couple of times that he's seen more A-Bolts fail in the field than all others, by far. Every brand has failed in his presence except the Winchesters, and the Rugers - guns that have the design features I like.
Personally, everybody I know that has one, likes it. But none of them use their guns hard. I do. So, the A-Bolt is not for me. E