[Nematocyst]

Anybody want to try to talk me out of this (http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=001B&cat_id=035&type_id=008) rifle?

The caliber will be 7mm08 (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=182828).

That's not in question.
(Yes, I will learn to reload.)

The question is, is that rifle worth that much more money than a Rem 700 and/or Tikka t3 (see below)?

My gut-level feeling - based on evidence offered by at least two THR members
{{Sulaco & Schleprok62}} - is, yes.

I'm planning to put a Leupold VX-II (or equivalent) on said rifle, regardless.

Nearest competitors: Rem 700 Mt. LSS or Tikka T3 Lite.

How do they compare re quality? workmanship? customer service? accuracy?

Ability to kill food?

Opinions welcome.

Thanks. Gracias. Danke.

Nem

[Murphster]

I can only be a little help. I had an A-Bolt Stalker (Stainless) in .375 H&H. You won't be paying the MSRP anywhere. I think low to mid $700's would probably be the going rate in most retail outlets. Mine was fine. It was MOA accurate with handloads. Trigger was adjustable. Action was smooth. Mine had the BOSS/muzzle brake thing on it. Very nicely put together rifle. Great quality. Never used customer service. I used mine as a plinker - a serious plinker, so I can't address how they hunt. But I haven't owned or shot the rifles you're wanting to compare it to, so I'll wait for others to add their knowledge.

[Nematocyst]

Murphster, thanks for your opinion.

It occured to me this morning that maybe I should have titled this thread "Browning A-Bolt", leaving off the "Stainless Stalker" part.

Yes, I'm interested in that specific Browning A-Bolt, but in this thread I'm actually hoping to get feedback on a comparision between the Browning A-Bolts, the Remington 700's (especially Mt. rifle) and the Tikka's.

I've read tons of threads so far about Tikka v. Remington (here's an interesting & informative one going on now (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=183681)), and even a few about Brownings, but so far I haven't found a straight up comparison of these three.

Yeah, I know (and understand) there's a reluctance to join in yet another apples and oranges comparison of rifles. I understand the dangers (there are lemons in every make). I don't want to start any comparison wars.

But still hoping to get more opinions about how good those Brownings are relative to Remingtons & Tikkas. My friends Sulaco & Schleprok make some good arguments about the Brownings, IMO, but I always like to get as many opinions as possible.

Thanks everybody. Have a great weekend. (It's supposed to be beautiful and near springlike here.

...must...get ... to ...the ...range...)

:D

Nem

[IV Troop]

I have an A- Bolt Browning in .270. I have killed a lot of elk and deer with it. It is a fine rifle. The action is glassy smooth and it has a very quick bolt throw. The accuracy is good but it is not outstanding (3/4 to 1 moa with most hunting loads).

My Tikka has a better trigger, is just as smooth and is far more accurate. You cannot go wrong with the Browning as they build a quality product but as for me I will continue to buy Tikka.

I do not know if that helps but it is a straight forward comparison of the two guns that I am familiar with.

[garrett1955]

I have a browning A-bolt stainless stalker in left hand 30-06, with a 2.5-8.5 leupold scope. I love it. never used customer service. trigger feels nice. action is smooth. and shoots groups I can cover with a quarter with factory ammo, at 100yds. and I'm not the best of shots:) I use mine for hunting white tailed deer. I would not be afraid to buy another!

[Schleprok62]

Nem,

In all honesty, any one of the three are going to perform well for your application. Now, with that said I'm going to throw in yet another monkey wrench. I just went and looked at all three of said rifles all at the same store and all on the counter for me to look at, inspect, fondle, work the action, etc... Here's what I came up with:

The Tikka - Very nice rifles, BUT!!! Too may plastic parts!! For the cost of these, I would expect something with a better degree of metal parts... plastic magazine??? yikes!! especially in cold whether... that bugs me. Action was not as smooth as the Browning. Balance left a lot to be desired. Not a large chamber selection.

Remington: Typical Remington model 700 SPS. Good weight, decent balance, fair price. Action was about the same as the Tikka. (wiggle the bolt as you draw it back)

Browning: Smooth as glass action, required less effort to operate than the other two. Still under 7 lbs for a Stainless. Very well mannered and balance wonderfully. But then, it should have all of these things, it's a Browning! And not much more than the Tikka... :neener:


I'll be buying the Browning and Remington... For the money, Tikka's don't impress me...

[kennyboy]

Does anyone know of an internet site that sells A-Bolts? If so, what is the web site?

[Nematocyst]

Kennyboy, here's one: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

I'm sure there are others.

Schleprok, I'm pretty much hooked on the Brownings. Handled another one today (there seem to be only two in this town in stores). Different caliber than I want, lacked a stainless barrel, but the length was the same as the one I'm looking for, and it had a synth stock.

One word: sweet. Feels as good if not better to me than the Rem & Tikka. (I've explained elsewhere that the Savage fore end doesn't work for me ergonomically and fit-wise.)

The bolt is very smooth, positive, no play, no scrape. Really appreciated the 60 degree travel. The end of the bolt is not only legendary, but comfortable.

The wide trigger felt really good.

One of the most notable features on the Browning though, that really set it aside from the Tikka: that steel magazine mounted into a hinged floorplate. Easy access from in front of the trigger guard.

Appreciated the tang safety also. Instantly likeable. Had NO trouble repeatedly and quickly switching on and off under the thumb in an intuitive manner. (Unlike some other safeties I've experienced on the other models in recent weeks, some of which stick.)

Yeah, I think I'm hooked. I've opened Pandora's box, and there was a Browning A-Bolt in it. :evil:

I let the genie out of the bottle, she's carrying a Browning A-Bolt (stainless stalker), and refuses to go back in. :evil:

I'm not sure I can resist.

But then, I'm not sure I want to. :cool:

Nem

[asknight]

At my local dealers that I frequent, there's not that much price difference between the A-bolt Stainless Stalker and the Rem 700 Mt. LSS. I'd say within $50 or $75 off the top of my head. Yes, the A-bolt is worth the extra money. If you don't believe me, carry a good bore-scope with you and compare the Rem to the Browning. Then work the action and notice the feeeeel. :)

The Tikka is a reportedly very fine rifle, that I've no experience with. I'm on the verge of bringing home a Tikka Varmint in .223 to try out.

[hoghunting]

After using Rem and Win, I bought a Tikka and won't look back. My buddy has both, the Tikka and Browning, and when it comes to hunting, he always grabs the Tikka ( both are in WSM).

As far as Tikka having too much plastic for cold weather, it's the same plastic used in the Glock pistols. The Alaska State Police are issued the Glocks. I don't think they leave their pistols in the cars when it gets cold, and have never heard of any problems relating to the cold.

The Tikka has a great trigger, well balanced feel, and is extremely accurate.

If you have a FFL dealer that will transfer a firearm, check out
thegunsource.com They seem to have very good prices.

[Nematocyst]

Yes, the A-bolt is worth the extra money.I'm really believing that.

I think I've left Remington rifles behind, now.

It's down to Browning & Tikka. I read so little bad about Tikka - clearly fine guns - but my senses (visual, tactile & some 6th sense) is telling me Browning.

If only Tikka didn't use those expensive plastic magazines, I'd be more excited.

Thanks for opinions, folks.

Nem

[NMshooter]

So get the Browning.:)

And shoot it lots.:)

And then shoot it some more.:D

I was kinda partial to Steyr for a while myself, but I do not shoot bolt guns enough to run out and get one.

[Sulaco]

I really want to like Tikka's more than I do. They are very well made and accurate. They are also competitively priced. But the plastic and the stock shape kill it for me. I never could quite get a good cheekweld with the Tikka like I wanted to. And the price and availability of parts and accessories really puts it over the top for me.

The Browning points much more naturally for me and they use metal where metal should be used. I think while the Browning may be somewhat more expensive, when you are comparing stainless steel guns, they come a lot closer.

Personally, I have decided on a CZ but if I wasn't getting one, I would be getting a Browning.

Someone was recently talking about Brownings being made in Japan and he said he wouldn't own one because of it. I understand that argument and I even appreciate it, I just don't adhere to it. I drive a Japanese made vehicle (it was sent here on a ship) and I am typing on a keyboard made in China. My mouse was made in Taiwan and my camera was made in the Phillipines. I could go on, and on, and on, and on....

[BOOM]

Can anyone tell me what's up with the clip attached to the floorplate on Browning rifles? I just don't get it, and that's been a big turn off for me when looking at Browning. If I have a clip, I want to be able to just pop it out. If I have a floorplate, I want it to dump the ammo when I hit the release.

Maybe if I knew what the advantages were, I could warm up to the idea. I just can't seem to figure any out. Anyone?

Other than that, I think they are superb rifles.

[rocky]

I like my A bolt over the Remintons I have handled. I can shoot 1/2" groups at 200 yrds with mine. Haven't fired it further for pinpoint accuracy yet, but it sure is more accurate than I am.

[Nematocyst]

Can anyone tell me what's up with the clip attached to the floorplate on Browning rifles? That's an interesting question. I'm curious also.

Here's one hypothesis: is that arrangement the best of both worlds? That is, unlike the Tikka, the magazine (it is actually a magazine rather than merely a clip) is metal and contained inside the gun. Allows quick, easy loading, but protects it from accidental loss? And, I get the impression that one can either remove the magazine with cartridges inside, or remove the cartridges and leave the magazine in place? (May be really wrong on that last point...)

I don't know, I'm drawing straws. :uhoh:

In any case, I like it better than the Tikka arrangement.

I swear, if the Tikka's had a metal mag & they didn't require selling a soul to buy one, I'd consider a Tikka.

Nem

[hunt4679]

Kennyboy
www.Walmart.com has a very good selection on the A-Bolts with pricing

[Sulaco]

The clip/magazine setup on the A-Bolt is nice because you get the best of both worlds. Standard bolt action rifle magazines tend to rattle and make noise. Trap-door magazines just dump the ammo out. By having both, you get a removable magazine that doesn't rattle! Plus it looks nicer in my opinion.