Browning Rifles

[onegunred]

I have been seeking opinions on bolt action rifles and I want to thank everyone for their help. Now I need more. I thing I have found what I like, a Browning bolt action 308 with wood stock. I know they are spendy but I'm 68 and no longer have a wife too, ah never mind. I will give this to my son in the end. What can ya'll say about them. 40 years ago I had a 30-06 BAR grade 2 with scrolls and stuff , man it was nice and could shoot as well as it looked but that was 40 years ago. How are they now? Thanks, Jerry

 

[armedwalleye]

I'e got 2 A-bolts, one in 7mag and one in 7mm-08. The mag shoots well enough, but that little 7-08 is my woods sweetheart. She'll cloverleaf 4 rounds at 100, and looks good doing it. The X-bolts are a rattly in the magazine, and I think that cheapens the rifle some, more plastic and more noise, but can't tell you how they shoot. For my money, the a bolts were the top of the mark, and I watch the used market, esp. for left handed ones.

 

[bearman49709]

The A-bolts are good guns, however the X-bolts are a step above them.

The magazine on my X-bolt don't rattle nor did any of the others I've handled.

The X-bolt has a rotory mag like the old Savage 99 and the Ruger 10/22 giving you a smooth straight feed from mag to chamber unlike the A-bolt stagered feed.

 

[burrhead]

I've got an X-Bolt .308 I've used for the last two deer seasons and put 200+ rounds through at this point. It's nothing but superb. Light, very accurate and quick handling. No rattles, smooth action and nice trigger. I highly recommend 'em to anyone.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Some folks bag on the A-bolt, but I love mine in 300WSM. I've not heard anything bad about the X-Bolt.

 

[urbaneruralite]

They make plenty fine hunting rifles. One thing to note is that Browning guns have no warranty. They decide on a case by case basis whether or not they will fix a problem. It works out to be a warranty, but you are subject to a person's opinion rather than a written policy.

 

[onegunred]

In a way that does not bother me. I have read so many times of other people sending in a firearm for warranty repair and they got the runaround and not fixed because it was in within manf. specs, whatever that can mean. I think that I'd be happy with one. Thanks for all the replies. Jerry

 

[jrdolall]

Unless you get a dud (which I have personally NEVER seen) you can't go wrong with an A Bolt or X Bolt. They are lookers and shooters.

 

[bantam9]

My abolt just proved itself !!

Bought an A-bolt in 243 win composite stalker. 60 degree bolt throw, thumb safety shots great--what's not to love. Just wish I would have gotten it with the wood stock.

 

[CB900F]

Onegunred;

Take a look at the stocks of both the A and X bolts in the magazine area. That rotary mag of the X-bolt makes the thickness of the wood in the area, well, not very thick at all. Maybe not a problem today or tomorrow, but for passing it down long-term durability?

900F

 

[Jim Watson]

Or you could haunt the stores and sales sites for the real FN Browning of your and my generation.

 

[onegunred]

Mr. Watson, HAUNT is my middle name. Thanks guys for all the good info. Now I will begin the looking since I now know a Browning is what I want. CB900F I did not know about the thinner stock section, it is good to know. Thanks again guys, Jerry

 

[gamestalker]

I shot an 90's A-bolt boss with wood furniture for a good while, chambered in .270 win., it would shoot a ragged hole all day long. Unfortunately I gave in and sold it to a good friend, sure do miss that rig. As for the new stuff, I haven't heard anything bad about them, so I would guess they're still producing some decent rigs.

GS

 

[gspn]

I bought an A bolt about 20 years ago. It's been my only deer rifle for most of that time, and now still serves as my primary rifle. It's super accurate, has a bolt throw that's smooth and short, and it's never failed in any respect...not a single malfunction in 20 years. I've put a lot of 7 mag through that gun too...it just keeps working flawlessly.

Now...all that just tells you that 20 years ago they were making great guns...I don't know what they are like today but I still hear great things.

 

[Gtscotty]

Here is part one and two of a recent realguns.com article on the X-Bolt Hunter. There is some pretty good info in there and enough pictures for you to get an idea for yourself of whether you think the stock is going to randomly snap in half or not....

http://www.realguns.com/articles/673.htm

http://www.realguns.com/articles/674.htm

I have the X-Bolt Stainless Stalker, and I think it's a very well thought out and very well engineered hunting rifle. If you haven't had a chance to hold one yet, if suggest you head down to the gun shop and shoulder a few rifles, the ergonomics of the X-Bolt fit me better than pretty much anything else on the rack. YMMV.

 

[dogrunner]

I have two BAR's left.......both newer aluminum framed light weights...one in '06, one in .338........either will hold right at or under an inch at a hundred if I do my part..............had a couple of the original version and these shoot easily as well or perhaps better.

 

[Olympus]

I'm sure I'll be a minority here, but Browning rifles only impress me with their looks. Their accuracy is just "meh" and the triggers and guard are plastic on their 22 rifles. I have an A Bolt in 270 that doesn't group that well at all. It was a gift or I would have sold it long ago. I also have a T Bolt that has a plastic trigger and guard. The trigger pull is terribly heavy and the accuracy is average, nothing to brag about. And in the past I had a new BAR Safari grade 25-06 that wouldn't group at all. It would go from one side of the paper to the other, like 15 moa. It was a gorgeous gun, but that was all it had going for it. I sold it.

I spend my money on brands other than Browning now.

 

[urbaneruralite]

It is difficult to shoot good groups with a rifle that is lighter than the trigger pull. The fix for the T-Bolt trigger is to make a new spring from lighter wire. Mine puts any good standard velocity or subsonic ammo in tiny groups. Just a heads up.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I used .031" wire to wind a new spring for my T-Bolt. Eventually, after much internal work and external cussing, I've got a decent trigger. The wire is .007" thinner, and I ended up winding the spring with one less coil also. However, accuracy hasn't improved since the days of needing a come-along to help with the trigger pull. Mine's very close to going on the block.

900F