Author Topic: a-bolt browning (Read 1134 times)

j.trevor123 · « **on:** February 18, 2004, 05:51:50 PM »

for you that have a a-bolt 2 how do they group?? How do u like them? I am thinking about getting one in a .300 or 7mmag.. thnks

sabotloader · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2004, 07:09:32 PM »

j.t - I have a A-bolt 270 that i really enjoy and wouldn't trade for the world. I have it for a specific reason deer season in Idaho - it is light weight and it works... I hand load so I would like to think I can achieve better groups than factory ammo - my groups at a 100 are excellent I can cover a 3 shoot group with a 50 cent piece. But now I must also tell you I consider that great accuracy for a hunting rifle, but I also own an old Sako Finbear - regular barrel - wood stock 3x9 leupold - this rifle is actually more accurate but much heavier - I have covered a 10 shot group with a silver dollar with it. But, when I am hunting during deer season I take the A-Bolt. If I am strictly Elk Hunting I use a Weatherby VGS 300 Win Mag even though I know in my mind that the 270 would (and has) take an Elk just as easy as the 300. Sorry about the rambling - hope some of this will be useful.

Back40 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2004, 07:38:33 AM »

Depends on how often you hunt and how long you expect to keep it. I was considering an A-Bolt since it's one of the very few offered in left hand stainless synthetic. But after talking with a few local gunsmiths I opted not to buy one. They all mentioned the use of low quality "pot metal" in some critical areas. I plan on using my next rifle exclusively for deerhunting a long season (4 months) for the next 15-20 years and I just don't think the A-Bolt would last that long. Just my opinion.

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2004, 07:54:47 AM »

I tend to agree. I own original A-Bolts. And while they are extremely accurate and I have not had any problems whatsoever, in the back of my mind I am just concerned of what might happen. To be on the safe side, I'll take my Remington 700, Winchester 70, Tikka WH, or Sako 75 every time.

Zachary

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2004, 10:08:21 AM »

Get the 30 magnum if you hunt elk, better yet if you want a 30 caliber go 06. Get a hunting rifle like Ruger and Winchester, not that glossy, sissy A-Bolt with the goofy handle.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2004, 12:03:30 PM »

I have a LH Stainless Stalker in 25/06. It will shoot three shot groups <1" with a variety of loads. Five shot groups open up due to the lightweight barrel heating up. I like mine.

okie · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2004, 04:48:16 PM »

I have used Browning products for the past 35 years. This includes rifles shotguns and even 22's. I have never had a quality problem with any of them. I have also read several recent magazine articles that have commended Browning on their overall quality ,fit, finish and accuracy.As a general rule, accuracy and quality usually go hand in hand. I hope I don't sound like a salesman but I highly recomend Brownings because they have stood the test of time for me.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2004, 02:15:58 AM »

I'm left handed. I have a couple of "A Bolt" Stainless stalkers, 7mm rem mag, and 300 Win mag. They both shoot excellent. I don't use the 7mm much, but I really like the 300. I load 180 Nosler Partition protected points with Reloader 22. The rifle shoots just under 1 MOA.
When I Bought the 300, I looked at Remington, and winchester. The quality of both has really gone down in recent years. I bought a left hand Remington 700 Synthetic varmint in 308. The chamber throat was extremely long. The rifle tends not to group as good as I would like. I'll probably have it rebarreled.
I think Browning has one of the best out of the box values going.
Thats my .02 cents.

hkg3k · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2004, 04:29:40 PM »

Back40 wrote:

"I was considering an A-Bolt since it's one of the very few offered in left hand stainless synthetic. But after talking with a few local gunsmiths I opted not to buy one. They all mentioned the use of low quality "pot metal" in some critical areas."

Hey b40, just curious do you own an ABolt?

Could you please elaborate on the low quality pot metal in critical areas? I would be interested to know specifically where these areas are that Browning chooses to use "pot metal." I am assuming these "smiths" were referring to alloy castings, and if so, pretty much all domestic manufacturers use them. Heck, just about every part of a Ruger 77 is cast, save for the bbl. Not trying to stir the pot, but I've heard this before and would like to know exactly what these "critical areas" are where Browning is placing "pot metal" parts and the other manufacturers are not?

BTW, if I'm not mistaken, "pot metal" refers to a zinc casting.

Back40 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2004, 10:32:00 AM »

hkg3k...No I have never owned an Abolt. I came very close to buying one but did not feel that the gun would hold up to 4month deer season for the next 15-20 years. The gun smiths did not specify what "critical areas" but also indicated the bolt design as one that would lend itself to failure in the field. "Overengineered" is the word I heard. I have also heard many positive comments from happy A-bolt owners and would not hesitate to buy one if I have a considerably shorter hunting season.

hkg3k · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2004, 01:15:37 PM »

OK b40, reason I ask is because you've made a couple of posts which infer you own an Abolt

I am seriously considering going with burris signature rings for my A Bolt since I have never lapped rings but recently saw a thread on a problem with scope movement with these rings. Has anyone else had this problem?

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!

Your 2nd post especially reads as though you own and Abolt and have 1st hand experience. I find it interesting that a knowledgable smith would make such a comment without explanation. The statement that the bolt design lends itself to failure in the field is especially interesteing. To me, "overengineered" is akin to "overbuilt," as it is sometimes said German or Jap cars are overengineered.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find another off the shelf rifle to fill you needs any better than an Abolt. Abolt's are not my favorite, but I do have one and find their quality to be more than adequate and priced accordingly.

old06 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2004, 04:58:07 PM »

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.... A bolt pot metal critical area ? Where is this located at ? I have developed 3 loads for my gun and have short somewhere between 650 and 700 handloaded rounds and maybe around 60 factory rounds with out fail and have at least taken the action from the stock 2 times and have yet to locate the critical pot metal parts. Help me find them ! My gun is chambered in 7-08 not a magnum. And is around 11 years old some how I think it will make 20 years and we have a long season here Nov till Jan and have shot it quite a bit on yotes and such.

dbuz · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2004, 10:18:03 PM »

It sounds like back40 is full of "pot metal". I own an A-bolt II 7 mm and it is an awesome gun. I have taken deer out to 200 yards and it hits in nice groups. Most people plan to hunt for "4 month seasons for 15 to 20 years?". Hunting is not something that people buy a disposable gun for to throw away after their hunting is career is finished. I think that Browning is an excellent firearm.

brotherinlaw · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2004, 09:09:58 AM »

I too own one of those "pot metal" a-bolts in .308 cal. I have had the rifle for 6 years and hunted with it through out the gun season as well as honing my skills at the shooting range year round. I have shot plenty of deer. I don't mistreat it but it has been rained on, splattered with mud, covered in dust, bumped around in the trunk, banged on trees and brush, and fired several hundred times. (Four wheelers can be hard on a rifle!) I am happy to announce that it has never failed me and has NEVER broken. Sounds like some of those gunsmiths might be wanting to convince you that quality=$$$ and you should buy one of his high dollar rifles (and I mean HIGH) rather than a Browning. I own a number of rifles - Browning, Remington, Sako and Weatherby so my opinion is not based on brand loyolty.

357mag · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2004, 04:46:02 AM »

I own an a-bolt that I have had for 6 years now and has seen over 700 rounds and is shot almost monthly and has been used in a heavy snow storm, a down pour, and 100 deg days and still puts the bullet in the same spot every time. I can expect under 3/8" groups consistently and good groups under 1/4" at 100 yds. with handloads.