Why no browning love
- Thread starter BoogieMan
- Start date
My brother owned one of the A bolts many years ago. There was nothing wrong with it, but it didn't do anything to show me it was superior to any other rifle in the same price range. I've never owned one, but feel the same way about the X bolt. They are good enough guns, but do nothing to separate themselves from the pack.
I came really, really close to buying one of the original BLR's in 308 many times over the years. I could just never make myself pull the trigger though. They look like a traditional lever action but in more modern loadings. But they weren't a traditional lever action, and I could never convince myself they offered any advantage over a bolt rifle.
Many of the Browning doubles are excellent guns. Just not my thing.
The one area where Browning has impressed me is the BPS shotgun. I've been an 870 guy most of my life. But an honest evaluation has led me to conclude the BPS is the best of the pump action shotguns.
I came really, really close to buying one of the original BLR's in 308 many times over the years. I could just never make myself pull the trigger though. They look like a traditional lever action but in more modern loadings. But they weren't a traditional lever action, and I could never convince myself they offered any advantage over a bolt rifle.
Many of the Browning doubles are excellent guns. Just not my thing.
The one area where Browning has impressed me is the BPS shotgun. I've been an 870 guy most of my life. But an honest evaluation has led me to conclude the BPS is the best of the pump action shotguns.
I had atleast a dozen browning or Miruko guns over the years. I still have most. I never got a lemon and workmanship is top notch. It is almost an embarrassment to set a Miruko Winchester next to a new haven Winchester. For that matter, same for N Carolina M70.
I was looking for reports and impressions on Sako rifles. It is all Savage and tikka, Ruger. I never had a bolt browning. Levers and single shots - all superb. My friend had a micro medallion- again top notch.
Why dont I hear that much about Sako? How about the top savage, single shot left port target gun. Just the cheep savage over&over.
if you pay serious money for a good gun, you probably dont need a flash light holder. Or help or complaints? Dunno.
One possible nit. I ran into situation where the Citori is machine so precisely a few grains of powder can prevent the action from closing. Kinda like the turrets on German tanks machined so precise they froze up in Russia winter. The Russian junk(?) kept on working. It maybe the blr is very close machined and needs to be kept clean. I marvel at the precision machining, German or miruko. that may not be for everyone. Well, nothing is for everyone.
I was looking for reports and impressions on Sako rifles. It is all Savage and tikka, Ruger. I never had a bolt browning. Levers and single shots - all superb. My friend had a micro medallion- again top notch.
Why dont I hear that much about Sako? How about the top savage, single shot left port target gun. Just the cheep savage over&over.
if you pay serious money for a good gun, you probably dont need a flash light holder. Or help or complaints? Dunno.
One possible nit. I ran into situation where the Citori is machine so precisely a few grains of powder can prevent the action from closing. Kinda like the turrets on German tanks machined so precise they froze up in Russia winter. The Russian junk(?) kept on working. It maybe the blr is very close machined and needs to be kept clean. I marvel at the precision machining, German or miruko. that may not be for everyone. Well, nothing is for everyone.
OK, I'm gonna step back in this. First, I compared the price of X-bolts to Winchester Featherweights with similar finish and furniture on Gunbroker. The prices are essentially the same. Yes, they cost more than a Savage or Remington but not that much. A walnut X-bolt hunter is +/- $750.
My X-bolt weighs 6 pounds, six ounces without the scope. Easy to carry. The factory trigger is 2 and 3/4 pounds and very crisp. The stock is designed so that it recoils away from my face when fired, like a well designed trap/skeet gun. I can shoot 308s from the bench all day with NO discomfort.
Fit and finish is superb. Yes, I appreciate that. My gun was well worth the $700 I paid about three years ago. I don't know where you guys that are complaining are buying guns but Browning gives a lot of bang for the buck.
My X-bolt weighs 6 pounds, six ounces without the scope. Easy to carry. The factory trigger is 2 and 3/4 pounds and very crisp. The stock is designed so that it recoils away from my face when fired, like a well designed trap/skeet gun. I can shoot 308s from the bench all day with NO discomfort.
Fit and finish is superb. Yes, I appreciate that. My gun was well worth the $700 I paid about three years ago. I don't know where you guys that are complaining are buying guns but Browning gives a lot of bang for the buck.
handlerer2
New member
I have always associated Browning with obvious quality. The fit and finish are top notch at least in my observation. I can't recall ever seeing anything less than beautiful blueing, wood, ect.
Why there seem to be no Brownings in long range competition. I don't see any obvious mechanical attribute that would make it more suitable as a starting point for competition.
The receiver is, like almost all other modern designs on the market, drilled bar stock. Three lug bolt, is becoming very popular now days, my Cooper rifle has this design too, along with Sako, and several other custom makers. 60 degree lift along with there being less removed for lug recesses make this attractive but requires more machining.
It would seem to me that there are easier starting places for long range competition. Kind of like making a Lincoln a rally car.
Why there seem to be no Brownings in long range competition. I don't see any obvious mechanical attribute that would make it more suitable as a starting point for competition.
The receiver is, like almost all other modern designs on the market, drilled bar stock. Three lug bolt, is becoming very popular now days, my Cooper rifle has this design too, along with Sako, and several other custom makers. 60 degree lift along with there being less removed for lug recesses make this attractive but requires more machining.
It would seem to me that there are easier starting places for long range competition. Kind of like making a Lincoln a rally car.
Do I need to worry? I understood Nathan's (non sequitur) post. 
fourbore, have you visited www.sakocollectors.com
IMHO it's tough to beat a Deluxe Finnbear
fourbore, have you visited www.sakocollectors.com
IMHO it's tough to beat a Deluxe Finnbear
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
The discontinued A-Bolt II is great stuff, Maynard. The X-bolt is nice and quality, but has that infernal detachable mag. The A-bolt 3 has been cheapened AND has a detachable mag (double fail). You are dead to me, Browning.
But..... the .22s are still very nice - BL-22, semi-auto .22, Buckmark (pistol and rifle) are still nice. BLR and BAR are very nice quality still.
But..... the .22s are still very nice - BL-22, semi-auto .22, Buckmark (pistol and rifle) are still nice. BLR and BAR are very nice quality still.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
The finish on their guns is really nice. I lucked into a used BT-99 some years ago and even though worn, it was still nice. I would look at their products for a mid range trap gun for sure.
Their Buckmark is much more refined than any of the competitors. The companion Carbine is as well. The BL-22 is beautiful, even if not based on a classic design.
For most people, paying extra aesthetics on a gun that is going to see heavy use doesn't make sense.
Their Buckmark is much more refined than any of the competitors. The companion Carbine is as well. The BL-22 is beautiful, even if not based on a classic design.
For most people, paying extra aesthetics on a gun that is going to see heavy use doesn't make sense.
waveslayer
New member
I have a lot of Browning rifles, love them. no firing pin issues. have 2 A bolts, love those two guns. the BOSS system was never really understood but it's awesome that you can tune your rifle's harmonics. that's pretty neat to squeeze out more accuracy. the BLR is nice and BAR
I own a Browning BAR in .338 WinMag that was made in Belgium. It's always worked well for me. It's not a target rifle but is quite accurate and deadly in the field. It will get passed on to my son and will no doubt serve him well. It wasn't a matter of snobbery that made me buy the BAR. It was the softest shooting .338 that I could find and it gave me a rapid follow up shot if needed. Add that to being well made and I didn't have a problem buying a Browning rifle. Most of my rifles are CZ, or Winchester.
Having only a Browning 22 semi auto, take down rifle, I cannot comment on the bolt or lever guns.
I have been looking at the A Bolt, and X bolt rifles as of late, as they offer calibers that others simply are not offering. And the price isn't overly obsured.
The thing holding me back has been, well, finances, and does the thing shoot?
I have been looking at the A Bolt, and X bolt rifles as of late, as they offer calibers that others simply are not offering. And the price isn't overly obsured.
The thing holding me back has been, well, finances, and does the thing shoot?