Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Browning A bolts??

The good..the bad..the ugly?

Curious how you all like them?

Here we go.... Ding! Ding!

I think they are one of the most accurate rifles out of the box. I like the 60 degree bolt lift and the thumb safety. That being said, they are either loved or hated, especially on this site. I wouldn't stake my life on a Browning if I had a choice but I do like he rifle as a whole.

I have had two, a plain Jane hunter model in 7rm and a stainless stalker in 30-06. I sold the '06 but have had the 7mm since 1990. I could never get great accuracy out of the '06. My brother liked the gun so he bought it. Turned out a long screw was putting pressure on the barrel, it shoots great now. The 7rm shot very well out of the gate and still does. I would buy another but I no longer by rifles not made in the U.S.

-Z

I don't personally own one, but my father has been running an A-Bolt for more than a decade with no issues. It's killed plenty of deer and a few coyotes with no issues. Off the bench it will shoot MOA. No mechanical issues.

Great rifles IMO

Love mine, 7mm RM composite stalker shoots lights out and I shot my first elk with it. 270 SS, shoots almost as good, my father has it's twin and has killed muliple elk with it. I just picked up an 06 Eclipse and it shoots one hole groups. Always feeds, never fails.

I bought one of the first 300 WSMs that my local shop got. I've bought and sold maybe fifty guns over the years as a hobby and not for profit for sure. This Browning was the most accurate stock rifle I've ever seen. I bedded the stock and reloaded for it and it never shot as well as the original gun with factory ammo. I still have the groups in my book. I sold it as the internet said it was no good. LOL. Actually it kicked so hard I missed four antelope with it and went back to my FN BAR Browning 308.

Wouldn't have one if it were free.

my usual elk hunting bud shoots a 20 yr old blued/composite in 7mmremmag.
his is very accurate and kills elk and deer handily.
he has never had a problem with his.
he just bought a new composite stalker in 30-06 a week ago.
i'll bet he has the same good luck with that new rifle.

We already know !!!

This is my favorite thing about the Browning rifle. I'm also a fan of the side bolt release. The A-bolt I had was as accurate as any rifle I've owned. I now have the X-bolt and I do like it better than the A-bolt but both are good rifles IMO.

The only negative I had with my A-bolt is that somehow the bottom metal screw worked its way out, which resulted in a dry fire in a follow up shot.

Thanks guys for the good feedback! A buddy is looking to part with one for a great price and I have not a clue on these.

Appreciate the help

I own 4, a 22/250 a 270 wsm a 30-06 and a 338wm. Son owned a 270. The most accurate rifles i've owned. Rumor has it the trigger will rust and freeze up in the wrong climate. Not a problem in Az. I put an additional cheeckpiece from brownells on them and they fit me very well. Only one of these was new. Very easy to work up a load for. Mine have shot so well with the first load or two i quit looking. From 3/8 to 3/4". All but the 06 which is around an inch.

Fred

I've owned two and they were damn good shooters box stock. I still have one and it will hang with my customs any day, easily the most accurate factory sporter I've laid hands on. Funny thing is I only paid $365 for it second hand.

I would.
In the .375 H&H Stainless Stalker w/B.O.S.S. and sights.

Mostly becuase I think this would be the most, latest tech, for the oldest, best, overall cartridge.

Other than that, I don't agree with whatever posts a lot of people trash you here for, and I like your sig line.


NOTICE... I just don't like to see trashy posts against another forum member.

Not a bad choice Mike, I had one and it was a good shooter when I got it dialed in. That brake makes it LOUD though, more than one little deer had it's life saved because I didn't want my ears ringing!

All of the ABolts I have owned were accurate. I have no problems with them at all.

KC

Good guns IMO. Had 3 still have 2 plus and X-Bolt. Wish I had kept the other A-Bolt.

Wish they'd built them w/ a blind mag and simple trigger. Otherwise love them.

Had a medallion for a while, first rifle purchased after long drought away from active hunting/no rifles. Based on uncle's rec, a hunter first, not at all a loony.

Shot great, lightest shooting .30-06 I've had, but couldn't warm up to it. Shooting it in rotation with other rifles (M70, sako, cz) was just to jarringly different in feel: in trigger shape, bolt operation, and safety function. And while refined, just didn't have that rough/tumble feel of the others. Sold it, don't miss it, was clearly a good rifle however. Have a spare new 30-06-length detachable mag if interested.