I don't understand why more people don't like Browning A-bolts. If I was designing my perfect hunting rifle from scratch, it would be very similar to the A-bolt/X-bolt. I hear people badmouthing them even though they readily admit they have little to no experience with them.
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I once owned one of them in .300 Win Mag. It was a great rifle.
The recoil proved too much for me in the long run but I will state the rifle itself was top notch.
I would not hesitate to buy a new Browning were I in the market for a new rifle at present.
I have A-Bolts in 204,223,243,284win,308, & 300WSM. I didn't try to buy that many, some just drifted my way through various deals. Anyway I like em & think they are fine guns. I did put a replacement Timney spring in most, light for dogtown & medium for hunting.
I recently purchased a left handed A-bolt is 7mm mag.
I just went to the range to sight it in last week. It is extremely accurate. I am going elk hunting with my son next month. I have no question it will reach out and do the job to 250 to 300 yards. I hope I don't have to shoot that far, but if I do, I know it will be accuate.
Just one question, can they be re-barreled? I seem to remember that the barrels were "press fit" into the receivers, at least when they were first introduced. I could be wrong, educate me.
A-bolts can be rebarreled just like any other rifle that has the barrel threaded into the receiver. You must be thinking about a Remington model 710/770. I've built several rifles from A-bolt receivers.
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I have a A bolt II BOSS stainless stalker in 375 HH. Accurate as hell. Smooth, reliable, handles well, just over 8.5 lbs with scope, comforable to shoot. You will love them.
People like to talk crap about the stuff they don't own, have had little experience with, or one bad experience with. You show me something "better" or perfect and Ill show you 1000 posts and opinions the other way. A bolts are as good as anything out there in the same price range PERIOD. Spend more, you might get more, but in my opinion you might not. Sounds like if you would build it the way Browning does, you are going to love them.
I purchased an A-Bolt M-1000 Eclipse in .300 Winchester Magnum almost by accident a couple of years ago. Basically, I wanted a Remington 700 but they didn't make one with the barrel/stock/caliber combination that I wanted. Neither did anyone else I found along the way. So I got the Browning. Lately, I've found a new Savage that I think I would like better, but it wasn't out then so who cares. But the point is, I love the gun. The short bolt throw is awesome, the thumb hole stock feels great, the BOSS system make it a dream to shoot (my friend .243 Remington 700 VLS kicks much harder than mine), and it is accurate. Most people think it is a custom rig when they see it, and they move down the range when they hear it. The only "bad" thing I can say about the entire thing is that I am now looking for a custom tactical stock for it and I can't find jack. Everything is made for the model 700s and model 70s of the world it seems. Which is what brought me to this forum in the first place. Anybody know where I can get a stock made for an A-Bolt action?
Oh, and I was a bit disapointed that the trigger could not be set lower, but it is a nice crisp trigger anyway.
I had the chance to put several rounds through an A-Bolt in .300 WSM with the BOSS on it and i was amazed at how effective that BOSS is. Unbelieveable.
They are jealous of the Gold Trigger and the Bad to the Bone Browning Buckmark Symbol!
But that being said the greatest mistake I ever made was trading my A-Bolt in 30-06 for a Remington 700 BDL Custom Deluxe in &mm Ultra Mag.
I kick myself and kick myself over that trade! Some tell me I traded up....but personally I miss that Browning today, but I sold the 7 Ultra about 6 months later.
