wanderinwalker
Member
I just picked up and set up this Browning T-Bolt in .22LR last week. I've wanted one ever since I read about the "reintroduction of the Browning T-Bolt" in American Rifleman over a decade ago. But they aren't something one sees very frequently in the wild, at least not around my area. Then, when I saw pictures of the maple stocked offerings, I knew I finally had to have one.
Here is it, with a Leupold FX-1 4x28mm rimfire scope mounted in Talley low-rings:
The whole combination was notably lightweight, prompting me to throw it on the kitchen scale:
Yes, it is very light. I'd have to weigh a couple of my other rifles to have exact numbers, but I don't think it's much heavier than the Remington 514 I learned on.
I was able to put a few rounds through it Sunday morning. The straight-pull action is very slick. After reading a few reviews, I had some concerns about how much force it would take to operate. Rhose fears were completely unfounded. After lubricating the bolt toggle and locking lugs, the action operates smoothly. It does take a bit more force than a conventional turn-bolt, because you don't have the camming action of lifting the bolt handle, and the T-Bolt cocks on closing. However, after the first magazine I stopped trying to decide if the action was stiffer and just ran the rifle.
Frequently mentioned issue #2 is heavy triggers. This may be true on some rifles, but not on my example. I'll get a trigger pull gauge eventually. Off the cuff I'd estimate it in the 3-lb range. There's no take-up and no over-travel. It is a very easy to manage trigger. Again, after the first magazine, I didn't even pay any mind to it.
For the last 15 rounds of the visit, I decided to do a quick 25-yard accuracy check. The ammo was SK Magazine. While the groups weren't heavy-target rifle quality, it looks like this rifle is plenty accurate for a lightweight sporter. (Keep in mind by this point I might have 100 rounds total through the rifle.)
All in all, this Browning is a fun little rifle. I really look forward to putting some more rounds through it, and maybe chasing some small game with it this fall. If you've been thinking about getting a new T-Bolt, I'd recommend it.
Here is it, with a Leupold FX-1 4x28mm rimfire scope mounted in Talley low-rings:
The whole combination was notably lightweight, prompting me to throw it on the kitchen scale:
Yes, it is very light. I'd have to weigh a couple of my other rifles to have exact numbers, but I don't think it's much heavier than the Remington 514 I learned on.
I was able to put a few rounds through it Sunday morning. The straight-pull action is very slick. After reading a few reviews, I had some concerns about how much force it would take to operate. Rhose fears were completely unfounded. After lubricating the bolt toggle and locking lugs, the action operates smoothly. It does take a bit more force than a conventional turn-bolt, because you don't have the camming action of lifting the bolt handle, and the T-Bolt cocks on closing. However, after the first magazine I stopped trying to decide if the action was stiffer and just ran the rifle.
Frequently mentioned issue #2 is heavy triggers. This may be true on some rifles, but not on my example. I'll get a trigger pull gauge eventually. Off the cuff I'd estimate it in the 3-lb range. There's no take-up and no over-travel. It is a very easy to manage trigger. Again, after the first magazine, I didn't even pay any mind to it.
For the last 15 rounds of the visit, I decided to do a quick 25-yard accuracy check. The ammo was SK Magazine. While the groups weren't heavy-target rifle quality, it looks like this rifle is plenty accurate for a lightweight sporter. (Keep in mind by this point I might have 100 rounds total through the rifle.)
All in all, this Browning is a fun little rifle. I really look forward to putting some more rounds through it, and maybe chasing some small game with it this fall. If you've been thinking about getting a new T-Bolt, I'd recommend it.
