Author Topic: Browning A-Bolt (Read 1401 times)

HuntingGuy · « **on:** February 03, 2004, 03:07:13 PM »

Howdy-

Looking in to a rifle purchase and am putting the A-Bolt in good consideration. I am considering the Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker chambered in 30-06.

Please give your opinion about this rifle, and anything else I should know. Anyone who has one, how does it shoot? Is it accurate?

Thanks, HuntingGuy

Butler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2004, 03:19:46 PM »

I have an older a-bolt I bought in 91..Cannot count how many times it has been fired.many cans of 4350anyways..Always shot great and completely trouble free.Some complain about the detachable mag but that is one feature that I really like.Kicks a little harder with some warmer loads.It isa 30/06..taken numerous deer , 4 moose and a big black bear with it ..A few grouse too;-).

stv · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2004, 02:26:34 AM »

The features that I like on an A Bolt are - detachable mag on the hinged floor plate, user adjustable trigger, 60 Deg bolt turn, tang safety and the workmanship. The stock fit suited me very well. I have a Boss and I would only do that on a hard kicker in the future. On the 25-06 that I got, it does really improve the grouping. But I think I could tune the rifle to shoot well with out the Boss. If I wanted another bolt action rifle I would buy another A Bolt.

OB Livious · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2004, 09:39:24 AM »

I have a stainless stalker in 30-06. The first load I tried was RL22 and 180 Nosler partitions. It regularly shoots them into about 1". Ive used it on a couple of elk and have been pleased with it. I also have two other stainless stalkers, .243 and .270WSM and am equally pleased with both of them. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with that choice.

Gregory · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2004, 11:41:56 AM »

I have a Stainless Stalker LH in 25/06. It will shoot a variety of loads into 1" or less for three shot groups. The thin barrel heats up quickly and five shot groups are larger. I love the features. It's my favorite centerfire rifle.
Some on this board bad mouth the "pot metal" parts used on the Browning and the fact that it's not American made. But I'd buy another one. I've had mine since 1991 and never had a problem with it.
My only complaint is I wish they would have put a 24" barrel on my 25/06 rather than the 22".

jackD · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:47:18 PM »

I have to agree and wish they had longer barrells, but I still like the Browning alot. I have a .270 hunter, .308 stainless stalker, .300mag medallion, and 7 mag composite stalker and really like all of of em.. Some complain, but they have never let me down, never had a problem at all..

Will_C · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:48:23 PM »

There was quite a lively discussion on here about a week ago regarding A-Bolts. It seems that most people that have them love them, and many others bad mouth them. I have a Hunter model .243. It is the most accurate rifle I own. I have only had it for a year, so I can't comment on the reliabilty yet, but it does have 275 shots through it without a hitch.
I don't claim that it is the best gun, or the only model I will own in the future, but I will consider buying another one.
Will

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2004, 02:07:03 PM »

I think I will be purchasing the rifle next weekend. 729 at Gander Mountain where I buy all of my guns. I will eventually be mounting one of the new Leupold VXIII's on it.. Have to look in to that yet. On my Rem. Model Seven 260 I have a Leupold VXII 3-9 and it gets the job done.

Will be my last gun purchase for a while, they are starting to stack up! :lol:

Thanks for the help, keep it comin'! :-)

HuntingGuy

okie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2004, 02:57:28 PM »

Before I purchased my Browning A bolt, I did a lot of research on all rifles in a working mans budget. What I discovered, was that the Browning according to Gun test magazine as well as a test done by Popular Mechanics magazine, was the most accurate rifle in their test group. This group included Remington, Ruger, and Winchester rifles.Also, in an article by Col. Craig Boddington about Browning's Stainless Stalker, he states that he is not convinced that a plain barreled Browning rifle is the most accurate on average factory rifle, but its in the running, however if you want it to be, buy one with the Boss . I now own two Brownings with a Boss device on each. Both shoot less than one minute of angle groups, if I do my part. I have had no problems with them so far. I think you will like the Browning. I know I do!

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2004, 03:45:25 PM »

okie-

Looks like it also does the job real well without the BOSS? Most of the people don't have a BOSS on it and it shoots great.. What do you think?

HuntingGuy

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2004, 04:48:10 PM »

I think I will go with the A-Bolt. I am hearing all good reviews of it with the exception of a few who put it down, as with any rifle. Looks like a solid investment.

HuntingGuy

PAINLESS · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2004, 03:25:40 AM »

you will not be disappointed with your choice. i think all but about 4 of my rifles are brownings. all but two of those have over a thousand rounds through them and not a problem yet. all rifle manufacturers let one or two lemons out the door. but as far as my rifles are concearned they are all top notch.

okie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:14:47 PM »

HuntingGuy:
In the independent tests done by the Popular Mechanics and Gun Tests magazines , a Browning Abolt with and one without the boss were tested.
Both rifles shot groups into less than an inch and were rated the top two guns in the test. One other member recently posted that a Browning Abolt also won an accuracy contest published in the Shooting Times magazine . I dont think you can go wrong with the Browning. The accuracy is sure there, if the rifle fits you right and is within your budget. Good luck with your decision!

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:33:21 PM »

Thanks for all the fantastic replies.

I am heading over to Gander Mountain tomorrow to get it ordered. Will make sure to post a pic when it arrives.

I am thinking about mounting a Leupold VXIII 3-9 with Burris Sig. rings and bases on it. Going to see if I can find any Burris in silver.. Otherwise will have to go with the dark rings. :grin:

HuntingGuy

Back40 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2004, 03:17:16 PM »

You may want to go with Leupold bases and Burris Sig rings. I tried Burris bases on my A-Bolt but was not satisfied with the fit. Substanital gaps between base and receive top. Switched to a Dual Dove Tail Leupold Base and Burris Sig Rings. Sturdy like a champ!

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2004, 04:00:02 PM »

Thanks.. Will do that!

HuntingGuy

subfan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2004, 01:49:57 PM »

I am happy with my A-Bolt in 30-06 w/BOSS. I would get another, infact my son may get a left handed one.

brotherinlaw · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2004, 09:37:19 AM »

I have an a-bolt stainless stalker in .308. I love the rifle. It's pretty rugged and reliable. I love the detachable clip. It's not the perfect rifle but I am not the best shot in the world nor do I have the fattest wallet.

The .30-06 has a good kick but it is entirely manageable. I just like the lighter recoil of the .308 for what I do: almost entirely white tail hunting with a sprinkling of wild boar.

I should mention that in addition to the Browning, I have three Remingtons, a Weatherby and a Sako (all are fine rifles) so I'm not a one gun fan, although there is nothing wrong with that. I just feel that you get a good bang for your buck with the a-bolt. And besids, with a high end rifle like my Weatherby, I worry about the gun as much as what I am hunting. And in a muddy, wet area traveling on a four wheeler, like where I hunt, I worry alot when I hunt with it (the Weatherby). :shock:
Oh yeah, did I mention that I manage to bring home an ample stock of venison each year.

357mag · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2004, 05:08:10 AM »

I have the stainless stalker in 7mm Rem Mag. and absolutely love it. I have 120gr V-max in front of RE15 grouping under 3/8" at 100yds. Also 139gr Hornady SST in front of RE22 grouping under 3/4". The trigger is great, especially when you drop the weight down on it. The only bad thing I can say is that it is pretty heavy. But with it being stainless and a 26" barrel thats expected and with the hotter 7mm loads the extra weight helps keep down recoil. I can say this though, the gun can shoot better than I ever will. Absolutely get one, you will not regret it and will never think about any other brand bolt action, unless it's a custom, again.

coboconk · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2004, 08:27:35 AM »

I have had my A-bolt for many years and can't not think of one complaint about it. I have shot over twenty deer with it from 20yards out to 200+ yards. Last year I shot my largest deer to date, a ten point buck that was approx 300lbs, with a 211/2" spread. I have to get my son-inlaw to take a picture of the mount with his digital camera and show me how to post it. It is a 30-06 and I always use 165gr bullets. I don't think you will be sorry with the Browning. Good luck