Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Inquiry About Browning T Bolt

My bud got one of these from his father's estate. He knows nothing about guns. He lost, but has now found the bolt for it, but neither of us can figure how to re-install it. I think the rear sight is missing, which from the manual should be factory peep.

Anybody know anything about this piece? It has the Browning mirror finished stock, looks to be in decent condition. Any comments/input appreciated, thanks...

Good little rifles, but be aware that some may have the "salt-cured" stocks, and that causes a whole host of issues.

For some reason, Browning decided to draw out the moisture in the stocks by using salt, which was drawn into the wood, and eventually leeched out and rusted the heck out of the metal under the wood.

It was a bad choice. If that rifle was kept in good conditions, it might not have any problems, all it would take is to take the action out of the stock and look for rust, but if it's taken out and hunted, moisture is bound to get in it somehow, and cause those issues.

I really don't know any more about them than that, but a trip over to www.rimfirecentral.com can give you the serial # ranges of the saltwood stocks, and maybe someone over there can tell you how to install the bolt, and maybe help you locate a rear sight.

Browning didn't use the salt process, their supplier did. They also stuck Winchester and Ruger with a few. The idea was to hasten the drying of the wood so they could turn out blanks faster. Clearly, they didn't think it through, or didn't care.

Must have been Democrats.

Try holding/pulling the trigger back while guiding the bolt into the receiver.

I'm aware of the stock issue and will check into that, but you sure can't tell by looking at it. I'll try the trigger suggestion and check the serial number also, thanks...

Only way to be certain about the salt is to pull the stock and check for damage. I've drooled over a couple of T-bolts online, but the sellers were pretty vague when asked about salt wood, which pretty much answered my question.

Really nice guns.

700LH

The T-Bolt in question is from the original run that started in the 1960's. The information you provided applies to the newer rifles and I'm sure will be helpful for those owners.

Yes, I knew that, it was the first I saw, and thought it might give you the idea to look a little farther yourself.

Here ya go.

700LH,

Having owned a Belgium T-Bolt (that now resides with #1 Son) my post related the process to insert/remove bolt based on experience not Google.

Well, it's an X6, which would place the mfg in 1966. Not sure about the salt stock issue.

I picked up a begium t bolt this weekend. Its a salt gun. I pulled the stock and found pitting. Plus I pulled a butt palte screw, and it was nasty. It is however; the shootingest damn thing I have had in a long time. It shot 5 different types of ammo equally well. Never had a 22 this accurate. I won't be pulling the bolt though; not until you figure out how to get it back in