Author Topic: Browning A-bolt opinions (Read 3971 times)

Terry1 · « **on:** January 19, 2003, 08:25:30 AM »

What is everyones opinion on the Browning A-bolt? What is the trigger like? Thanks

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2003, 01:42:47 PM »

I have two A-Bolt Stainless Stalkers. One in .270 Winchester, and the other in 7mm Rem Mag. Mine are the original A-bolts, not the newer A-Bolt IIs. From what many gunsmiths have told me, the original A-Bolts are much better.

The newer Brownings are owned by the same French company that also owns Winchester rifles. Next time you look at Browning, look at its synthetic stock - you will notice that it is essentially the same as the Winchester Synthetic stock - cheap plastic. On my A-Bolts the sythetic stocks were not plastic, but rather true synthetic fibers.

I think that newer Brownings are generally not a great value - especially since they are more expensive than average. You could get a Winchester for less money and about the same quality.

I know that the newer Brownings are still quite accurate - then again my A-Bolts shoot sub 1" groups with no problems.

I don't know if the newer A-Bolts have any trigger modifications. I had trigger jobs done on my A-Bolts - pull to be 3 lbs.

For the money, you could do better than the Browning A-Bolt IIs.

Zachary

Twig · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2003, 03:04:29 PM »

I own or have owned most of the popular brand rifles. Ie. Ruger, Winchester, Remington. and Browning. I recently purchased a new Browning A-Bolt II in 7mm wsm. I have owned the gun for a few months and have found it to be great. Smooth action, light weight, well finished. Mine is wood, I don't care for the plastic stocks on rifles. A Browning is a Browning and I own several of them and they all seem to be top notch. Thanks

stv · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2003, 09:44:22 AM »

I have a hunter in 25-06 with a Boss. The good features far outweigh the bad and over all I am quite pleased. Good stuff - 60Deg bolt lift, tang safety, swing out floor plate with box mag, Good wood and metal fit, the boss in my opinion is a big plus since it allows you to tune up and shoot very well any load. The rifle I have is the most consistently accurate one I have ever had. the bad items are the Boss took 2" of effective barrel length off and it is loud. I would buy another but the darn thing does it all in that particular caliber - varmints to big game. I don't need another. That is not to say how ever that I don't crave one. My son in law has one in 270 Win in a medalliion. The accuracy is not an accident. His is as or more accurate than mine. Regards,

Dogshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2003, 04:05:08 PM »

I have a Medallion model in 7 Mag. and Stainless Stalkers in 338 Mag and 270 Win. They are all as accurate as my much more expensive Sakos. I think the extra cost over the less expensive Winchesters and Remingtons is well worth the the difference. I have had both and was never impressed with either. Remington's service department is a joke and I never did get used to the 3 position safety on the Winchester. You'll like the Browning.

JeffG · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2003, 07:21:46 PM »

I have a Composite Stalker in 243, 4-12 Swift scope. It's a sweetheart, and I consider myself to be picky. The only A-bolt I didn't like was the 375 H&H a finegun, but the recoil was sharp.

HHI #4694 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2003, 06:23:09 AM »

I have to be honest and tell you flat out I hate them. Too many pins, parts, sub-assemblies and alloy pot metal for me. I just can't hunt elk with a rifle that's says made in Japan on it either. These rifles are a real disgrace to the John Browning name. Not half the rifle that the old Browning High Powers and Safaris were.

Big Tom · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2003, 01:53:48 PM »

I noticed only Zachary responded to your question per trigger pull on A-bolt rifles. My gun shop owner likes em because he gets to sell trigger jobs on many of them unless you like 5-7# of pull. They are adjustable down to an acceptable 3#on some with internal adjustments.
One of the guys in our club just got one in .270 WSM and he's getting 1 &1/2" groups at 100 yds.

southernshooter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2003, 03:12:37 PM »

Now I shoot a Browning safari but I used to have an A Bolt II with the Boss. Of all the rifles I have ever had it was the most accurate of all. Adjustable trigger, free floated barrel. One of these in .223 won the Shooting Times magazine contest for smallest group size of any rifle. At the time they were made in Japan. Company was owned by Giat of France who also owned Winchester. That is why you can get a Boss only on a Browning or Winchester. I want to get another one. No complaints about the safari though. They are made in Belgium assembled in Portugal.

Billyboy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2003, 02:31:49 AM »

I love my A-bolt Medallion 300Win Mag! Free floated barrel and a trigger job and it shoots 165BT under .5" and 180 Part. at .75". Made in Japan or not, it kills anything I shoot at if I do MY part.

retiree · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2003, 08:34:27 PM »

Quote from: HHI #4694

I have to be honest and tell you flat out I hate them. Too many pins, parts, sub-assemblies and alloy pot metal for me. I just can't hunt elk with a rifle that's says made in Japan on it either. These rifles are a real disgrace to the John Browning name. Not half the rifle that the old Browning High Powers and Safaris were.

Don't forget that the Citori's are made in Japan and for the money they give you the best fitting and finish of parts that you can get for less than 4 grand. Having tried all of them under this price, and more than once, I will say that only Beretta is comparable and usually they don't do as good a job on the stock. By the by, I have four A-bolt rifles and they will shoot along with any other brand (even a savage).

wareagleguy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2003, 10:49:44 AM »

You can buy a trigger spring kit (timney springs) from midsouth shooters supply for 13 bucks!

The spring takes less than 5 minutes to replace and you can get 1.5 lbs triggers with no problem.

Power · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2003, 07:47:17 PM »

Had an A-Bolt in 7mm R.M., composite stock, black barrel. I loved the gun but it didn't shoot as accurate as I wanted so I sold it and bought a Tikka Whitetail Hunter stainless, laminated stock. I'm very happy with the Tikka. Smoother action and guarenteed 1 MOA out of the box.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2003, 04:21:53 AM »

I have two Left handed "A Bolt" stainless stalkers with bosses, one in 7mm Rem mag, the other in in 300 Win Mag.
The actions are very smooth, both rifles shot under an inch out of the box.
You can make bad comments about Japanese craftsmanship, but these rifles shot excellent out of the box. I can't say that for the Remingtons that I have purchased. I have a left hand synthetic varmint in 308 that I had to have the barrel set back because of a extreme length chamber throat ( that Remington said that was within specs). Also a left hand 700LSS in 270 that I had to free float and glass bed.
A friend of mine bought a Winchester "HIGH GRADE" model 70 that wouldn't group. When we looked at the bedding we found what looked like RTV silicon sealant arounf the recoil lug.
I also have Browning copies of 1886, and 1985 winchesters, made in the same factory. These rifles are very well made, and are extremly smooth.
For the money I think that you will be very happy with an A Bol.t
Thats my two cents.

Jim
P.S.
The trigger is adjustable and smooth, mine are about 3lbs with no creep

SHW · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2003, 04:59:27 PM »

I have shot the abolt I & II's, and find them to be very good rifles. Calibers were 270, 7mm Rem Mag, and 260. I was determined to buy the a-bolt stainless stalker in 7mm Rem mag, until I started looking at Tikka's. I like the Tikka action & trigger better. Cleaner brake, and easier to adjust. Now understand that I have shot various a-bolts over many years, & only owned the Tikka for TWO days, so time will tell. I do truly feel that the Tikka is not only a better value, but also a better firearm. I paid $15.00 less for the deluxe Tikka verses the a-holt hunter model. (same caliber) Had I not discovered Tikkas, I would be shooting a stainless stalker.

myronman3 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2003, 05:35:09 PM »

for the $ , you can do better. alot of what you pay is for is the name. accuracy is no better than remingtons, rugers, etc. i dont think they are worth the extra money.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2003, 08:00:14 AM »

I going to have to disagree with that---out-of-the-box----the Browning is simply better made and engineered than any Remington--Ruger--or Winchester-----I've had them all. The Browning is a superior rifle and definitely worth the extra money----the A-Bolt isn't just selling the name.

And I'm not a total Browning fan---don't get me started on the POS Buckmark series.

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2003, 04:41:41 AM »

now not to be a dink, but i will have to disagree with that. i think the best standard design going is the ruger m77 2. or maybe i should say the mauser action; cause that is all it really is. even my gunsmith prefers rugers over other guns because they are easier to work with, in his opinion. there is nothing in the a-bolt design that sets it apart as a rifleman's rifle; and i have handled and shot a few quite extensively. along with remingtons, rugers, howas, winchesters, marlins, weatherbys, thompson centers, savages,colts, fns, and a
few more that dont come to mind offhand.
keep in mind; i havent declared them no good; i am just saying that they arent any better than other options availible at less of a cost.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2003, 07:25:31 AM »

I just have to jump in here again. I have several Ruger rifles, all #1's and #3's, and am happy with them. Ruger just doesn't have bolt actions down pat. The Ruger is not a True Mauser action, some changes have been made for production costs etc. I had a left hand 77MK2, and was very disappointed with it. The left hand version of the"Mauser action" appeared to be the bolt turned over with the shoulder on the bolt face turned on the bottom of the bolt instead of the top. Again this rifle had an extremely long chamber throat. Didn't shoot good. I unloaded it and bought a 700 LSS, (see previous post). I wish these people would make rifles for shooters instead of lawyers. A lot of well known smith's prefer not to work on Ruger 77's.
Again my two "A BOLTS" were the best out of the box rifles that I've owned.
Saying that, I'm looking for an older left hand 700 magnum action as a basis for a 375 H&H

Jim

SHW · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2003, 03:06:28 PM »

After much looking for a second 7mm rem mag, I bought a stainless stalker today. Price was $551.00 new in box from dealer. As stated earlier, I have shot many a-bolts all with good service. They also resale better in my aera than tikkas. Couldn't find a tikka stainless at a bargain price.

ringo · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2003, 04:19:58 AM »

I like my A-bolts because they have tang safeties, a 60' throw bolt, adjustable trigger, a recessed crown on the barrel, smooth action, reasonable weight and good accuracy. The down side is price, lack of controlled round feed, detachable magazines (get left on kitchen counters along with the camera), wood finish deteriorates quickly, roll pins and pot-metal, Made in Japan...

shomagman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2003, 06:16:18 PM »

My better half gave me a Browning 270 WSM for christmas, first A Bolt Ive had. I took it out of the box, stuck a Simmons Aetec on it, ( in Leupold mounts ) bore sighted it in my back yard, fired 1 shot and clipped the left side of the "x" out. In the next two weeks, four deer fell to this new magnum. I have Brownings dating from a 1953 A5, 22s, (short and long rifle) and Nomad pistol. This "jap" Browning is a real hunter and comes up quickly and just "points" at whatever I look at. Its smaller size, palm swell stock, along with a first time for me, 60 degree bolt and perfect balance makes it a keeper for me. The "feel" of a gun is more important than all the other variables involved. Just my thinking....

vmaxx · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2003, 01:13:42 PM »

I hate to down a company so I will just say I had one gun that was good out of two.

Hawghead · « **Reply #23 on:** August 22, 2003, 07:48:55 AM »

I love my a bolt II medallion in .270. with the boss. I have the boss dialed in on 2.0 and it flat out shoots the federal premium 130 gr. ballistic tips. I have a leupold varIII 3.5x10x50 on it. I really like the bolt on it also. I personally would recommend one. I bought my new in 98 for 525.00 now they run 650 or so.

brotherinlaw · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2003, 09:49:13 AM »

I have a stainless stalker in .308. I love it. Many a deer wished they would have chosen a different path. For the price it's great. I shoot 150 gr. Federal core lock from Wal Mart. Shoots consistent sub MOA at 100 off the bench. Way more accurate that I can be in the field. I'm more worried about "meat in the pot" than "made in Japan." Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

PAINLESS · « **Reply #25 on:** September 26, 2003, 05:43:23 AM »

just my thoughts. browning is a fine rifle company they have had their share of problems just like the rest of the rifle manufactures out there. people are very biased when it comes to college football and rifle makers. i have been told to go out and handle one of every brand that i can find and choose the one that fits me the best. any rifle can be made to shoot it just depends on how much money up front that you want to spend and how much money you are willing to spend to make it more accurate than you can shoot it.

Danny Boy · « **Reply #26 on:** October 17, 2003, 05:59:25 PM »

This year I bought two A-bolts – A Stainless Stalker in .243 with BOSS and a Hunter in .270. Both rifles shot 1” out of the box with factory ammo. I don’t even bother to play with the BOSS adjustments. 1” grouping is good enough for hunting. That is why I bought the Hunter without BOSS the second time.

The actions are smooth and the rifles are well assembled. The adjustable triggers are set at 4 lb from the factory. I find them quite acceptable. Don’t need to adjust them.

Browning’s quality is noticeably better than my Remington rifles. You should go and compare them with other brands at the gun shop. Trust your own judgment.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97FTchoice.html
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/apr97FT270.html

Danny Boy

Danny Boy · « **Reply #27 on:** October 21, 2003, 03:46:50 PM »

I have two A-Bolts - Stainless Stalker in .243 and a Hunter in .270. They are very accurate out of the box. My .243 3-shot groupings during the last two weeks speak for itself:

http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/inbox/view.html?id=4207096156&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagestation.com%2Fpicture%2Fsraid85%2Fp7377daf76dd7925a38e05b42b37e480a%2Ffac3315c.jpg&caption=october11

http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/inbox/view.html?id=4207096150&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagestation.com%2Fpicture%2Fsraid85%2Fpec39200d91cb6214c685aa41da6a3745%2Ffac33156.jpg&caption=october18

There are good days and not so good days. On an average, it shoots less than 1". I will post the results of my .270 in the up coming weeks.

Danny Boy