Author Topic: Browning Stainless Stalker? (Read 914 times)

Big Tom · « **on:** December 23, 2003, 05:50:41 PM »

I'm just curious. :?
I am still interested in adding a .270 WSM to my gun case and am considering a Browning SS Stalker w/Boss. Lately I have seen very few positive comments on Brownings in general. A few good hunters I know have purchased A-Bolts this past year and are very pleased with them...especially one very serious guy who goes to Canada for big whitetails(and gets em) every year. He LOVES his new .270 WSM Stalker SS with 150gr Ballistic tips.

Just curious what some of you GBers think? :?

Gregory · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2003, 06:32:56 PM »

I bought a LH Stainless Stalker 25/06 at a gun show in PA in 1991. It's my favorite rifle. Unfortunately I live in Illinois now and can't hunt big game with it here. It will shoot three shot groups of under 1" with handloads. I have trouble getting five shot groups that tight because the barrel heats up rapidly (my only complaint). The gun fits me perfectly.
I like the detachable magazine with the hinged floorplate, very clever idea.

AJT · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2003, 06:41:32 AM »

I just bought one yesterday in the 7mm WSM. Some features that swayed me was that it is an actual short action (looked at the Tikka T3 which isn't), 23" barrel- which seemed a nice compromise between the 22 and 24 inch barrels since I will be carrying it in the mtns for elk. It is free floated and the recoil lug is glass bedded. Even though the trigger is adjustable the lighter you make it the more over-travel. I also like the matte finished stainless steel. Since I reload, I opted not for the Boss. I picked it up for $709. I called another gun store and they said Browning had a price increase 12/1 and his cost is now $692 so I thought I got a pretty fair deal. I am looking at putting Leupold Dual Dovetail rings on it with an Elite 3200. If I'm not satisfied with that I will look at putting a VariXIII 2.5-8 on it. I am looking at putting recipe together using one of the new 160 grain bonded bullet. Looking forward to start breaking the barrel in. Best of luck-
Allen

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2003, 07:23:03 AM »

I would recommend against anything Browning. I have had several over the years but none that I want to remember! The ones I had were problem prone and they are over priced. The boss system is a probelm as well. Not only do they add length to the barrel, the blast they give you is unreal. there is a replacement that can be bought without the recoil reduction but who needs that stuff on a hunting rifle. Even a Winchester is a better choice for a make although you won't see one of them in my cabinet either. Now if you were talking about a Tikka or better yet, a Sako, that is a different matter. If you want to stay with US made, a Remington is a dependable and accurate rifle (no matter what the Rem detractors will say). :grin:

Big Tom · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2003, 09:49:12 AM »

I just read where Sako 75s will be offered in .270 WSM for 2004. :grin:

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2003, 12:17:49 PM »

Nothing wrong with Brownings-----they are my next choice after Sako/Tikka.

Now to get some facts straight----the BOSS system adds NO length to the barrel---what the problem becomes is now your barrel is shorter---with the loss of velocity that comes with that. The BOSS takes off usable barrel and makes it to the standard length with the braking device.

ALL----ALL BOSS equipped rifles currently offered come with the CR attachment included---you DON'T have to buy it separately.

And --Again Remington is JUNK---don't waste your time and money.

This was copied right off the Browning web site:

The BOSS-CR: This accessory is included with all BOSS-equipped rifles and offers all the accuracy advantages of the original BOSS without the muzzle brake feature

Big Tom · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2003, 04:48:19 PM »

I really dont think a Boss is necessary with a .270 WSM. I shot 180 gr out of my new .300 WSM and it was not any worse than my 7mm mag with 160 gr bullets as far as recoil. I would imagine a .270 WSM with 130s-150s would be even less kick. :roll:

tominboise · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2003, 07:07:29 AM »

Just curious as to why remington is "junk"?

wareagleguy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2003, 07:10:18 AM »

Well I own a Abolt in 270 WSM and it is a shooter was well as all my other Brownings. I know many people that have Brownings and everyone I know loves them. I have one Abolt in the BOSS (7mm mag) and it's my best shooter. I don't think you need a BOSS on a 270 WSM because recoil is on the light side. Now, it's not as light as a regular 270 but not like a big magnum either.

I also have SAKO and a new owner of a TIKKA T3 in 30-06. I must admit that the TIKKA is a good value. I did have to do a little gun smithing on the TIKKA (the barrel wasn't free floating). It wasn't a big deal but never had to do that on one of my Brownings. I find the SAKO to be a VERY fine rifle and love it but the fact remainds to be seen if the value is as good as the Browning. Yes, my SAKO can shoot better groups but I can almost buy two Brownings for the price of my SAKO.

So far I would say that the best price to value from the guns I've owned would be as follows...

TIKKA
Browning
Marlin
SAKO (Best in quality and accuracy but expensive)
Remington
Savage

Zachary · « **Reply #9 on:** December 26, 2003, 06:12:10 AM »

I own 2 Browning SS rifles - but these are the original A-Bolts - not the Newer A-Bolt IIs. I have heard, but not confirmed, that the original A-Bolts are a better design than the newer A-Bolt IIs.

As for the BOSS, I have a Winchester Classic SS in 300 Win. Mag with the BOSS. Does it work? YES! Just make sure that you don't move the adjustments after you set them, because sometimes just a little turn in the BOSS can make a big difference in accuracy.

However, keep this in mind. My barrel with BOSS is 26" - not bad for a magnum rifle. However, the BOSS is actually about 2 1/2" long. As such, the true length of the barrel is only about 23 1/2" long. Still not too bad for a magnum, but not as beneficial as a 26 incher.

Now keep in mind that the WSMs in the Brownings are 23" long. That means that the true barrel length is only about 20 1/2" long. In my opinion, that's just too short for a magnum. I would harbour a wild guess that a regular .270 with a 24" barrel will have almost the same velocity as a 270 WSM with a 22.5" barrel - that kinda negates the benefit of the WSM.

As such, would I get the 270WSM in the browning WITH the BOSS? Well, that's a two fold question. As for the first question, I don't think that I would buy a new browning SS. As for the second question, I definately wouldn't buy it with the BOSS because of the shorter barrel.

Zachary

Big Tom · « **Reply #10 on:** December 26, 2003, 02:08:57 PM »

Zachary, the Browning dealer told me the Boss is NOT included in barrel length measurements. The WSSM cals are listed with 23" barrels with or without Boss option. He proved this to me with a tape measure at the gun shop today.
Is your original A-bolt free floating with a glass bedded lug platform or has an adjustable trigger as the new ones do?
They now have a redesigned bolt face that has a 360 degree recess and only a 60 degree bolt throw.
It would seem,(on paper anyway) the new A-Bolts have many improvements since the originals. :?

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2003, 03:27:12 AM »

Usually dealers are the least informed about specs than anybody-----go look for yourself on the Browning web site.

Big Tom · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2003, 11:44:07 AM »

The 2003 catalog lists the A-Bolts in .270 WSM to have 23" barrels with or without the Boss option.
I would surmise that means the length of the Boss is not included in the barrel length dimension, otherwise one would have to be longer than the other. :?