I have never owned a Browning A-Bolt and rarely see them discussed on these forums.

I was looking at a friends A-Bolt yesterday, and it seemed to be a well built rifle. In fact, the workmanship actually seemed a little better than many of the new rifles I have recently looked at by Winchester, Remington etc., and I am a long time Winchester fan.

Is there a reason for their perceived lack of popularity? Any information or opinions on these rifles would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chet

The Browning A-Bolts that come into my shop rarley come in because of malfunctions. The majority come in for accuracy work, or, to be rebarrelled. I've never yet been asked to make one pretty. Those who own them seem to be pleased. If there is a draw back to this particular gun I would have to say it would be with the box magazine. There is not a whole lot you can do with the box magazine without spending some bucks. Unlike the Remingtons, Winchesters and Mousers, there are no real aftermarket products available for these so you are stuck with what you have. For a plain, no frills hunting rifle, they are adequate.

I'm with you on this one Chet.I just bought a '93 A-bolt that is like new in a 300 win mag and I had the same question.After some work (and a lot of help from the folks here) I got my scope and mount problems worked out and shooting 180 gr into a 3 shot 5/8 group at a 100 yards.Ok ok I messed with the trigger spring some too.Mighty fine rifle!!

Malm, you spoke of a drawback with the box magazine. what are they?

quote:

Originally posted by ryder:
Malm, you spoke of a drawback with the box magazine. what are they?

Length for one thing and the little riveted shoulder insert for another. You can remove and alter the riveted insert when converting to those blown out, shoulder forward improved cases, but you are limited to the length as they come. I would like to see the gun offered with a typical box magazine assy.

Chet,

If you are just refering to them in their factory form, they are pretty good rifles. I've owned two and fired others as well. All have been super accurate for factory rifles.

The experts here can shed some light but, from what I've heard, they aren't the best base for a custom???? Although, I've seen some pretty nice customs built around Abolt actions.

Good Luck

Reloader

Chet,

I have an abolt in 300 win mag and really like it. Slick action, well balanced, and super accurate for a factory rifle. Like Malm mention, the box mag is a drawback. My particular rifle has as much freebore as a Weatherby. What this means is that with spitzer bullets seated out as far as the mag will allow, there bullet is something like .175" from the lands. To compensate for the excessive freebore and short box mag, I load a semi-spitzer like a-frame, grand slam, etc. that will get you closer to the lands while maintaining the same OAL. But if you shoot factory loads then you will have no probs.

Truth is, A-bolts are not considered "top end" because they have some non-steel parts (bottom metal for one) and more parts than considered by some to be necessary to make up a bolt/firing mechanism. I've owned 3: a stainless 7 Rem Mag that took forever to find the right accuracy load; a .308 Composite that shot 1" groups all day, and my current .300 WSM, which feeds and extracts like shit through a goose and is EASILY the most accurate box stock hunting rifle I've ever owned OR shot! 1/2" groups are routine. It has never broken or malfunctioned in any way. Now, yes, it has a shiny, plastic coated stock and a funny looking bolt handle, but if I had to absolutely, positively make a shot, I'd pick this rifle over anything in my safe, except maybe for a very special, heavy barrel .308. Regarding the box magazine, at least it doesn't rattle like the M700 Mountain rifle I had. I believe the A-bolt box magazines are VERY specific to a given round, so no, they aren't the best for wildcatting.

IMHO, the Browning A-bolts, STOCK, OUT OF THE BOX, are a much better rifle than the late Winchesters and Remingtons. Of course, with my opinion and a buck and a half, you can still get a large coffee at McDonalds....

MKane160

I like mine.

A-Bolt Medallion in 7mag. Shoots factory ammo under one minute. Handles and points real good, too. If you want a good looking hunting gun that you dont have to monkey with, the A-bolt is hard to beat.

If I have any complaints it would be the plastic coated wood stock. They scratch and ding real easy. I stripped mine down and am in the process of refinishing it. If I had to do it over, I would have gotten a synthetic stock.

Browning A-Bolt Syn Stalker w/ BOSS in .300 win mag. It shoots this 100 yd. group all day and night.

I'm happy with it! Pigs aren't.

As for mag problems - I bought the .375 H&H magazine, and I can seat the TSX's out where they need to be.

Rancho Loco, sent you a PM about your a-bolt.

My Brother has a stainless Abolt in 270. It has got meat for him every year for many years. He only shoots a couple rounds hunting each year. He ain't got time to practice. I guess his 3x9 Nikon holds POA pretty well.
Butch

I like mine as well. Its a 12 Guage and is very accurate with sabot slugs.

I love my Micro Medallion. It does everything I need it to do and with fantastic accuracy. I actually like the box mag. It doesn't rattle and it won't fall out by accident. Mine is a 308, so freebore is not an issue.

They do get a bad rap because of the number of "pot metal" parts, but it has never been an issue for me.

Thanks for all the great input!

I should probably specify that if I were to buy an A-Bolt, it would strictly be a use "as-is" hunting rifle, not a base for a custom rifle. I would probably change the tupperware stock out for a McMillan...but other than that, it would remain in factory form.

Chet