Please tell me about the A-Bolt...

W

White Rabbit

New member
I'm specifically looking for information on the action as compared to the Rem 700 and Win 70 actions. Is the lock-up solid? What about accuracy.

I want a highly accurate rifle for informal bench rest shooting with my buds on the weekends. We don't compete (except with each other). Distance out to 300 yards. Caliber in .308. This rifle may see some double duty as a deer rifle so it needs to be solid. Mostly it's for BR.

I like the idea of a short throw bolt and the concept of the BOSS is kinda interesting.

But how does it stack up when the pressures on? And can I count on the all important FIRST shot to be pin point accurate?

Looking for any and all opinions.

Thanks for stopping,

WR

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--"We need guns... lots of guns."--
 
Have had an a-bolt for about 14 years now in 7-08. the bolt was stiff untill it got broken in, now it is smooth as glass. The trigger is adjustable but still a little creepy and about 1/2 pound heaver than I like. You will find aftermarket parts very scarce and expensive. Mine would shoot mediocre groups (1-1/4) until I bedded the action. It was my first try at glass bedding but it seemed to work. Now the rifle shoots 1/2" groups at 100yds all day long if I do my part. Hope this helps and happy shooting.
 
Hello. I own 2 A-Bolts, neither with the BOSS. Both are "composite stalkers" and are in .308 Win and .338 Win Mag. With handloads they like, both shoot well under an inch for 3 shots @ 100 yards. While I prefer controlled round feed, these push feeds have never missed a stutter, have decent trigger pulls, and feed slick as ever. The short bolt throw is very nice in hunting scenarios.
Another factor I like is that when the safety is engaged, a pin extends upward such that the striker cannot hit the round's primer should the sear somehow become disengaged. At least it wouldn't fire until you put the safety off when the piece would hopefully be in a safe direction.

I like the feel of these rifles when carrying afield and think that they are very fine hunting rifles.

Best.
 
I agree with Mr. Camp's statements about the A-bolt. I purchased a composite stalker in 7mm-08 recently and am very pleased with it, so far. I do not have the BOSS either, and I recently fired a 4 shot group that can be covered with a dime. The action is still a little stiff, but it feeds flawlessly and I believe that it has a more positive feel to it than any of the 700s that I have owned. I prefer it to both of the Ruger 77s that I have had extensive experience with, also. I am anxious to see what happens in a few weeks when deer season opens here in Texas!
Good luck with your decision.
 
My composite stalker in 7mm Mag is my only hunting rifle. In a word it is wonderful. As for when the pressure is on, Ive never used more than one shot on a deer. The gun is accurate and reliable, never had a feed problem. The trigger is very crisp with no slack, and the bolt is as smooth as the prom queens thighs.
 
I've had an A-Bolt(no boss) w/ the composite stock for several years in 7MM. No complaints, and I've used it successfully for whitetails in MS and KY, mule deer and antelope in Montana, and caribou in Canada. In addition it has accounted for the assorted varmint.
I've gotten inch groups at 200 yards.
It's a good rifle.
 
I've got 2 A-Bolt Varminters w/B.O.S.S.. One in .223 and the other in .308. Using BlackHills `match' ammo I can sit and shoot one hole groups, 100yds w/.223 and 200yds w/.308, all day as long as *I* do `my stuff'. Both rifle's bolts were a bit `stiff' for about the first 100 - 150 rounds and are now smooth as silk. Since I usually put them away clean I usually have to fire a couple or so `fouling' shots but on those few times when I haven't, usually when I know I'm going to be back out the *very next* morning, first round accuracy is as good as the last one of the day. Some people may probably complain about the weight of the Varminters when it comes to hunting but since I usually don't do all that much walking, due to an accident many years ago I have to use `assistance' to get around, and prefer to just setup along a known `trail' and wait so the weight doesn't bother me.

As for the B.O.S.S.... If you are going to be switching between different ammo for hunting VS `target?' shooting it's a *very* worthwhile addition. You can `tune' your barrel for one load, write down the setting, tune it for another, write down the setting, and then be able to easily switch back and forth between the two with repeatability. All you then have to fiddle with is your sight adjustments and given the possible degree of `similarity?' between the two loads you may not even have to do that. (IE: I can either use the BlackHills `match' ammo in my .223 for `target' shooting and then switch to my handloaded ballistic tips for `pasture poodles' and the only thing I change is the B.O.S.S. setting. 'Course, since I *do* handload I was able to `tailor' my `pasture poodle' loads so that along with the setting of the B.O.S.S. I was able to keep things in `perspective'. [I'm still working up a load for the .308 that'll, hopefully, be as close as my ones for the .223 when switched back and forth. Right now I'm only off by about 1/2"? {WAN GRIN!}])

Either way, w/B.O.S.S. or wo/B.O.S.S., I'm fairly sure that you'll find the A-Bolt to be a *very* nice rifle. Go fur it!




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Doleo ergo sum,
-HALFPINT-
 
I'd go with a Remington 700 - Why?

It's a good solid action. Look at benchrest match equipment lists - You'll see custom actions galore, but about the only "regular" actions you'll see will be the Remington 700 variants.

It's relatively simple to change barrels on a 700 - Browning, on the other hand, uses a fairly good "loctite" on the barrel threads, and it is a real bear to upgrade. If you don't think you're going to be firing more than a few thousand rounds over the course of the rifle's lifetime, that's not a problem.

There's plenty of aftermarket, and very nice, triggers for the Remingtons. Not so for the Brownings.
 
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