Do you like Browning A-bolts?

R

R&H

New member
I am thinking about getting one here in the near future and
was wondering what your experiences are with these rifles.
I will probably purchase a Stainless Stalker in a 25-06. I
really liked how they feel and it is light enough for my wife also. She wants to try shooting. They seemed like a pretty nice rifle and I have heard that the Brownings are very accurate. I also have a Browning shot gun and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is a first class firearm.

So let me know what you think.
Thanks
R&H
 
We have four of them, in 338,7mm,3006(2) and each is capable of sub-moa accuracy. There is a definite difference in fit, though between them: Stainless stalker, greywolf and medallion. Any warranty work has been excellent.

MFH
 
Let me preface this by saying I think Browning makes fine, accurate weapons. With that said I do not own any A-bolts and the reason being nothing more than cosmetics. Personally, I do not like the squared rear receiver/bolt configuration. If this does not bother you, I think for function, they will serve a shooter a lifetime. Just my $.02!
Cris
 
My primary hunting rifle is a stainless .338 A-Bolt that came with the BOSS. Shoots where I aim, and hasn't given me any problems. I own several Win Model 70's, but I shoot the A-Bolt the most.

Snake
 
Last year I sold a Browning heavy barrel varmint A-bolt in .22-250.
The guy came to pick it up, and I just pulled a target at random from a stack to show him what to expect with the loads I'd worked up. The target had a group of 14 hundred yard shots that measured 5/8". I don't know why I sold that rifle. :(

So, yes, they are accurate. And I thought the gun was nice-looking as well, although I'd have to agree that the squared-off back end isn't as elegant as it could be.

Dick
 
Yeah, they are good, even great, but here's why I don't like them.

We have 3 in our family.

On two of them, the clips rattle when they are loaded with cartridges. I wrapped the follower with tape and that silences them OK. On one rifle, when my wife inserted the clip, she did it wrong, and bent the retainer spring. We were in the field. You had to carefully insert the clip and close the floorplate without the wobbly clip falling out. I tried rebending the clip to put adequate spring back in it, but was afraid to bend it too much for fear of breaking it. It was cheap to replace.

That clip design, especially the scissors spring, is a cure for a problem that doesn't really exist. It is far better to just keep things simple.

Which, by the way, the trigger mechanism isn't (at least compared to a M70).

Ours are accurate, though not as accurate as those mentioned above.

And they sure are ugly. I've never seen anyone have a custom rifle made from a Browning.

But, they are good. You can find faults with them all. It seems that most people who have them, like them. Just not me.

Mike
 
Unless you've got lots of time to spend at the range, don't bother with the BOSS. It will do what they say it will do, but you need a lot of range time to wring it out.
 
the ones that I've shot have been great guns.

What I can't get past, however, is the stock finish. It looks like the finish you'd find on the tables (the poured acrylic) that you'd find in a cheap restaurant.
 
I shoot a 7mmRM Stainless Stalker that I got for $589 new. It's the most accurate rifle I own. When it isn't I twist the BOSS till it is...
As for the trigger, it's better than my Dad's Rem Model 7, my Ruger M77MkII and my brother in law's 700ADL. I've never had a problem with the magazine and the bolt throw is smooth and short.

[Edited by Poodleshooter on 02-14-2001 at 11:43 AM]
 
Had one...didn't like it...sold it. Minuses--Ugly...bolt-throw was STIFF...trigger-pull substandard...barreled-action not very well bedded into stock...general impression was piece was not very "refined". Pluses--not very expensive-had A-Bolt "Hunter"...only had $400 in rifle....I'd rather have a Ruger 77 or Remington 700 ADL for the same money...you pays your money and you takes your chances....mikey357
 
Yep! I've got 4 A-bolt `Varminters'. (2 in .223 and 2 in .308... Really makes for an enjoyable day of shooting `pasture poodles' since one can always be sitting cooling while you are still shooting the other one. .223 for the `close' ones and .308 for the `long' ones. {GRIN!})


As for those who say that it takes a lot of `range time' to `dial in' the B.O.S.S.... Nope! No way! A little common sense reading the list of settings they provide to `get in the ballpark' with the first few rounds. And then a few more rounds to `fine tune' your setting. (Write it down and then on to the next load you want to shoot. [And *I* haven't noticed any real differences between using the ported and non-ported B.O.S.S. units settings wise. But... If you are at an indoors range both your's and your neighbor's ears will thank you for using the non-ported one. {BSE GRIN!}]) Now... *If* you reload *then* you *should* expect to spend plenty of time `on the range'. But then one should accept the B.O.S.S. as being the final `fine tuning' to your `pet load'. Just remember to use a listed setting for the first part of a load `work up'.


The `fit and finish' on mine are great! I've had several other `custom' rifles over the years, and still have my `accurized?' 788 .222, the `differences' are actually quite minimal considering that the Brownings are `out of the box' rifles. And as for the `claim' that Browning's QC has `slipped' over the years... I've also got my father's .30-06 Browning and except for the inevitable `wear and tear' it is hard to find any differences in their `fit-n-finish'.
 
They may not be pretty by they shoot and they work. I've got two an earlt Stainless Stalker and an M-1000, (both .300 WinMag). The clip problem mentioned above should be sent to the factory. I have had zero problems with mine and that old Stalker has been out west many times is snow, mud, dust, etcetera and the rains of Newfoundland. I've killed a mulie running, thanks to the fast 60 degree bolt throw as I was firing for effect only on the first couple of shots and an elk at 444 yards, by Bushnell rangefinder and good guide (thanks Jim). They are light, accurate, have a short bolt throw, best of both worlds on the floorplate/mag set-up (IMO) and are butt ugly. They are underrated and underloved.
 
The clip problem I mentioned is not a factory repair task. The spring clip can be replaced in about 30 seconds - if you have one. I now keep a spare in camp. It cost about $1.25.

The problem stems from not having the magazine properly aligned, and then trying to force it down to snap in place. If you force (without much effort required), and the magazine is not properly aligned, the retaining clip is bent (ruined). It can happen to anybody at any time. Especially under the heat of action. That is the problem.

Yes it is unlikely, but unlikely things happen all the time. Especially when you least need them to happen. I think it is a very poor design. It is not necessary. It is a gimmick that appeals to the inexperienced. If you want the best equipment, buy simple equipment.
 
I have used a Gold Medallion in .300 WM for about 6 years. Still don't have a single scratch in it :). Extremely accurate gun. Use it for hunting.
 
Super accurate (after glass bedding), real nice stock, pretty rifles. HATE clip though, as I can't top feed single rounds as needed.
 
The Browning A-Bolt is the Safest most accurate rifle on the market. Especially with the BOSS. I currently own three. 25-06, 270, and 338 Win Mag. All are the Stalker Series. Very Smooth actions and very accurate straight out of the box.
 
Brownings are a fabulous rifle. I don't own any myself, but that is because my tastes run more "tactical."

Zane
 
I just purchased a Browning Abolt medallion w/boss in 300 WM. I have not shot it yet but have had an Abolt hunter in 7mm mag for years. I own Remingtons and Winchesters and they are excellent guns but I really do like and prefer Browning rifles. The 60 degree throw on the bolt is a plus. I don't think they are ugly at all. I have to agree with Halfpint...I have a boss system on my Winchester (.25-06) and it didn't take me anytime to dial in my gun. I am changing my bullet weight this year and I look forward to dialing it in again.
 
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