Author Topic: Browning A Bolt for dangerous game (Read 1327 times)

Florida Jim · « **on:** April 01, 2004, 03:00:44 AM »

I'm getting close to retirement, and it looks like I'll finally have a little spare time. I'm left handed, and I'm looking for a .375 H&H for a future trip to Africa. I have a dream about hunting Cape Buffalo. Also possibly to Alaska. I looked at the left hand Winchester "Safari Express" in .375 in their catalog, But I have heard a lot of bad comments about winchester hit and miss quality, and lousy customer service. I looked at the new Remingtons, and I wouldn't buy a new one. The last one I bought was a Left hand shport action Varmint in 308, with an extremely long chamber throat that I will either rebarrel, or have the factory barrel set back.
I have two Browning "A Bolts", one in 7mm Rem mag, and the other in 300 Win mag. I'm extremely pleased with both of those.
My question, have any of you'all used a A Bolt on dangerous game?

Rustbucket · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2004, 09:06:02 AM »

One of my friends/acquaintenaces that regularly hunts AK, stated that some of the guides or outfitters use the SS A Bolt in 338, and are pleased with it. It is rugged and accurate. It has an easily adjustable trigger and decent stock. I think the largest "Express" caliber is 338 WM (enuf for AK, and some of Africa).

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2004, 02:48:20 PM »

Florida Jim,

I see nothing wrong with your decision. Go with the A-Bolt and don't look back. Excellent rifle. The Winchesters are not bad now so don't listen to everything people say and what you read. At least their Customer Service department will do a good job trying to please you. But seeing you got a left handed A-Bolt spotted go for it. Lawdog

leverfan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2004, 08:42:27 PM »

Florida Jim-

Browning and Winchester are part of the same company, USRAC, so if you don't like what you've heard about Winchester service, you might want to keep that in mind. The rifles go to the same repair facility, and I know this for a fact, because my Winchester's repair tag was written on Browning letterhead. It took them a couple of months, two tries, a few letters, a few phone calls, and some worry on my part, but Winchester/Browning/USRAC did finally fix my rifle to my satisfaction. I just got my shipping refund back today, a couple of weeks after my rifle came back.

I do like the Browning A-Bolt, especially the Stainless Stalker. I was recently thinking about getting one in .375 H&H, but somebody beat me to it. A hunting partner of mine has one in .338 Winchester, and he's been very satisfied with it.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2004, 02:03:27 AM »

Well my left hand .375 H&H browning came in last Wed. I was suprised that it had a 26" barrell.The catalog indicated 24". I'm pleased that it didn't have a "Boss". I mounted a VX111, 1.75 X 6 X 32 scope with Leupold QR bases on it.
I've got some Hornady 270gr's loaded up. I hope to have a chance to shoot it next week.
I fed some rounds through the action, it seems to feed very smooth.
I'm glad I could get the rifle. Left hand 375's are scarcer than hens teeth. My dealer said that a distributer told him there's some PH school starting up some where over in Africa. All the big bores are being grabbed up.
Has anyone heard that?

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2004, 10:43:08 AM »

Florida Jim,

Good for you and it sounds like a great rifle/scope combination. Personally I prefer the longer 26 inch barrel. My old pre-64 M70 in .375 H&H has a 26 inch barrel too. Make sure you come back with a shooting report on it. Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

hunter991 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2004, 03:18:24 PM »

I don't see any problems with my Model 70. But did you check out ruger? they make some nice guns in the bigger calibers.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2004, 03:58:25 PM »

Ruger doesn't make left hand 77's in large calibers. No left hand Win 70 375 Safari's available.
I'll update on how the "A Bolt " shoots after this weekend.

leverfan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2004, 06:07:36 PM »

Winchester's Custom Shop offers a lefty M70 Classic Custom Safari Express in 375 H&H, item #535919138, MSRP $3,043. The African Express version lists at $4,572, item #53591838. That puts it up in the price range of the Dakota, also offered in left hand versions. The Browning should give you a lot more bang for the buck.

Bighorn75 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2004, 04:19:18 AM »

Florida Jim, I'll be most interested in your report on this rifle as I've considered one myself recently. While I've seen a-bolts get their share of negative comments on the net (name a gun that hasn't), anyone I actually know who has one speaks very highly of them.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:38:02 AM »

Florida Jim, in some African countries a 338 win cannot be legally used on Dangerous game with a 375 bore being minimum. I would look at Weatherby DGR's , Ruger classic rifles and CZ SAfaris. Nothing wrong with the Remington Push Feed on dangerous game either. If the gun you buy has CRF and it is not made right and doesn't chamber or handle a cartridge correctly it would be a moot point then to compare crf with PF and you'll dearly pay the consequences if your PH doesn't back you up correctly.

Florida Jim · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2004, 05:06:47 AM »

Well the voices in my head told me to stay home yesterday and try out my new 375H&H Browning A bolt. It was a beautiful Sring Florida day.
I went down to the "Manatee Rifle and pistol club"
I loaded up 270gr Hornady's, and 260Gr Nosler Partitions. with IMR 4350, and Reloader 15. The hands down winner was 69gr's of Reloader 15 with the Partitions. Three shot groups were averaging .6" to .7" five shots opened up to 1.375. I didn't chronograph the load, I'll do that next trip. I'm glad I got a past sissy shield, and a Pachmayer (Almost) prefit decellorator pad. the rifle was shootable without "trauma" I alternated between a 308 Varmint, and My little Ruger #3 in 22 Hornet while the browning cooled. Each time I shot the browning I loaded and shot from the magazine I didn't have any feeding problems at all.
So far I'm real pleased with the browning. I thought about a "Vias" muzzle break. But with the Decellorator pad the rifle is very shootable off the bench with 260 gr bullets. I'm going to load some 300's, and see if I still have the same opinion. :grin: