The Browning T Bolt then and now

[Matthew Clark]

Years ago a friend of my dad let me shoot his T Bolt. I was a right hand shooter then. I had always wanted one since but when I got around to buying one I was told new ones were unavailable. I assume they discontinued the T Bolt for a time?
Last year I asked my LGS about them expecting the same answer.
I was delighted to find out they were available again. I imediately ordered a left hand model (at 24 I lost the sight In my right eye). It was the last one available from her warehouse supplier.
When I received the rifle it was beautiful but quite a bit different than the T Bolt I remembered shooting as a boy. I took it anyway hoping it would shoot as well as the one from my youth. It did indeed shoot very well but with a limited variance in brands, not untypical of .22lr. I believe it had a peep sight as well.
The reason I had wanted a T Bolt to begin with was the look and feel of the rifle from my youth and the unique action implemented in it.
I am not really disappointed with it but it isn't what I had envisioned I would own one day. I scoped this one, I love peep sights but couldn't find one like I remembered.
Would I be correct in assuming I was probably shooting a Belgium made rifle in my youth and the Japanese version I have, recieved changes made in the rifles design over the years? (Checkered stock, a little slimmer design maybe)
I like it a lot and intend on keeping it now that I have one. The bolt is easier to operate now that I have shot it quite a bit. Thumb and finger back and forth, pretty slick actually.
Anyone have a short history lesson on the T Bolt they would care to share? I don't really know much about them except I like them.
Maybe some pics of older rifles for nostalgia sake?

 

[LRDGCO]

Great rifle, congratulations! Time still to get in on the Rim fire challenge with that beauty. Sticky in the Rifle Country Forum.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Nice new rifle, very slick!

As for the old versus new, yes, the TBolt was discontinued and unavailable for a number of years. I'm not familiar with the Belgian model, but I understand the new made in Japan version is only similar in the name. No parts interchange between the two, as the new TBolt is a completely new design.

I have a maple stocked sporter and think it's a great rifle. Not my most accurate .22 rifle, but far from the worst one. And it looks sharp!

Here's a picture of its current setup, wearing a Leupoled VX-2 3-9x33mm EFR rimfire scope.

 

[Matthew Clark]

Wanderinwalker that is a beautiful rifle.
And thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

[DM~]

New ones, are right hand rifles with left hand bolts...

Old Belgium models, are REAL left hand rifles,



DM

 

[Matthew Clark]

V

New ones, are right hand rifles with left hand bolts...

Old Belgium models, are REAL left hand rifles,

View attachment 836049

DM

Now that's what I remember! Right hand version back then but that's the way I remember it. Peep sight and all.
Don't take my enthusiasm wrong, l love my T Bolt, it's just not the rifle from my youth.
You have a classic beautiful firearm there. Congratulations on owning it and thanks a bunch for sharing. I appreciate it greatly.
Happy shooting!

 

[Picher]

I never shot one, but admired the old ones. After reading some pretty dismal accuracy reviews, I decided that they weren't for me. I'm glad to hear that others found them quite accurate. That may have been a comparison with Winchester 52 Sporters, which were target-grade shooters and beyond most familys' .22 rifle budget.

 

[EO1]

There was also the Musgrave Ambidex.
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/mu...t-pull-rimfire-rifle-for-lefties-or-righties/

 

[crestoncowboy]

I never shot one, but admired the old ones. After reading some pretty dismal accuracy reviews, I decided that they weren't for me.

I wasnt going to chime in until I read that one, but the T-bolt may be the most disappointed I've ever been with a rimfire rifle. Mine (new in 04ish) is a very nice gun, wood stock etc but the accuracy is worse than all but one of my 22 rifles. (and that one is the least accurate 10-22 I've ever came across...a target model no less) I even have 2 bl-22s a newer 2010 grade 1 and a 1969 grade 2 that shoot considerably better.

 

[SwampWolf]

I've always liked Browning's T-Bolt rifles, both old and new. One has to be careful, though, if considering buying an older one. Early T-Bolts were subjected to the same ravages to steel that other Browning firearms of the salt-wood "era" suffered.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'm back to comment on the accuracy.

As I mentioned earlier, my maple sporter isn't my most accurate .22 rifle. In fact, any of my CZ452s (I have 3...) will probably reliably outshoot my TBolt. I consider the TBolt to be a "nickel" rifle at 50 yards. Meaning it'll shoot nickel-size groups with ammo it likes. Whereas my CZs will do dime-size groups. I knew going in that one-hole groups weren't likely.

(These are all better than my 10/22 Carbine, which shoots quarter to Sacagawea dollar size groups at 50 yards with ammo it really likes. )

Of course now that good weather is here and my good .22 scope is in the TBolt, I'll try to make a morning of putting down some 50 yard groups with it.

 

[Matthew Clark]

My T Bolt pictured in the OP is not my most accurate 22lr either, that would be my Marlin 881 bolt action. However it shoots plenty good with Eley match ammo to snatch squirrels off tree limbs and into the skillet. Haven't really put it through its paces with severe testing but sighted it in with the Eley at 30 yds. and covered em with a dime.
Works for me.
Thanks to everyone for all the great information.

 

[Picher]

The first rifle I bought was a Stevens Semi-Auto and after sighting it in after mounting a scope, I killed a lot of critters, including hundreds of rats in the open-burning dumps, back in the day. One day, I decided to benchrest it to see just how accurate it was. Big mistake!! It shot about 2 1/2" "groups" at about 50 yards. My killer rifle was a PIG!!! So, I traded it in on a Marlin 39A Mountie and was very happy, but that rifle never killed any more critters, shot up more tin cans, or anything else any better than the old Stevens. Hope this makes you appreciate your T-Bolt a bit better.

Remember this: If most of your critters are 25-50 yards away, 66% of your shots from a 2 minute grouping rifle will hit within about 3/4" of the group center and will produce killing shots about as well as a 1 MOA rifle at that distance. Besides, offhand, you probably can't shoot better than 3 MOA in the field.

I hope I didn't get you angry, but I've been there, done that!

 

[Matthew Clark]

Remember this: If most of your critters are 25-50 yards away, 66% of your shots from a 2 minute grouping rifle will hit within about 3/4" of the group center and will produce killing shots about as well as a 1 MOA rifle at that distance. Besides, offhand, you probably can't shoot better than 3 MOA in the field.

I hope I didn't get you angry, but I've been there, done that!

No anger here friend! I completely understand and agree with everything you said. Don't know why you thought I'd be angry at the truth.
Thanks for your input, sounds like you have enough experience to be honest and helpful. You can't be mad at a fella for being honest.
I didn't mean to come across as unappreciative of my T Bolt, I am actually quite happy I have one now. It just wasn't what I remember from years ago. It's more idealism of what I saw in my mind's eye.
Thanks again. Happy shooting!

 

[EO1]

No anger here friend! I completely understand and agree with everything you said. Don't know why you thought I'd be angry at the truth.
Thanks for your input, sounds like you have enough experience to be honest and helpful. You can't be mad at a fella for being honest.
I didn't mean to come across as unappreciative of my T Bolt, I am actually quite happy I have one now. It just wasn't what I remember from years ago. It's more idealism of what I saw in my mind's eye.
Thanks again. Happy shooting!

The problem with the written word is there can be no verbal inflection and at times can be mis construed by a receiver. No fault either way. It just is the way it is

 

[Matthew Clark]

The problem with the written word is there can be no verbal inflection and at times can be mis construed by a receiver. No fault either way. It just is that way.

You are right about that.
Wish we could all just sit round the camp fire and have these discussions in person. It would be a lot more fun and we would probably all learn a lot from each other. Never did like having conversations on a computer or phone.
Thanks for your input
Happy shooting!

 

[marksman13]

You are right about that.
Wish we could all just sit round the camp fire and have these discussions in person. It would be a lot more fun and we would probably all learn a lot from each other. Never did like having conversations on a computer or phone.
Thanks for your input
Happy shooting!

Well, y’all just come on down to Mississippi one weekend and we’ll build a fire and shoot some 22s.

My T-Bolt is a heavy, threaded barrel model. It’s okay, but not as accurate as I had hoped. I don’t dislike it, but it may well become trade fodder.

 

[Matthew Clark]

Well, y’all just come on down to Mississippi one weekend and we’ll build a fire and shoot some 22s.

'preciate the invite pardner, might just do it if I can ever get time off work.
Always wanted to see Mississippi anyway but getting an invite to shoot 22's and talking guns round a campfire is mighty tempting. I need a break from teaching for a bit that's for sure.
Have a good one!

 

[Picher]

marksman 13: Really appreciate the offer. That sounds like fun, but I'm not travelling that far these days...even to shoot .22s. It's a long way from Maine and our summer is so short up here, I might miss the whole thing!!! Ha ha.

 

[crestoncowboy]

If mine was remotely close to a nickel group at 50 with any ammo (and I keep a box of most everything from thunderbolts-wolf match-eley) I'd have been happy. Until this thread I'd never known that anyone else had the same issue, I assumed mine was just a pretty dud, which didnt bother me.

With all the reports of mediocre accuracy I wonder if the lockup of the odd bolt is inconsistent and to blame. I've never seen a normal Bolt action shoot that poorly. Most of my semi autos outshoot it as well. My SA22 and both BL22s shoot better. I even have target pistols that do better. I don't hunt nor seriously target shoot with 22s myself these days, they are basically for my kids to own someday and to look at (and Browning makes some of the best for that purpose imo) and teach kids to shoot. If I do hunt with one I'll take a lever action anyday. I'll definitely buy more old brownings, T bolts/bl/SA etc. I need to find me a pump browning 22 soon. Not downing browning at all. Just curious about why the accuracy isnt better.

 

[Picher]

Not saying I know why some Browning T-Bolts don't shoot well, but when .22 rimfires don't shoot well, I look to the barrel first and to the crown. Next comes the bolt and firing pin nose shape and impact location. Weak and/or inconsistent firing pin strikes are often problems with rimfire inaccuracy. If there's any question about firing pin nose shape, search out "Calfee's firing pin improvements" on the Web.

Action bedding and forend treatment are also important. If there's slop or tight spots, consider action bedding/barrel free-floating.

Sometimes, it's the barrel, and no matter what else you do, aside from setting back and re-chambering or re-crowning, a bad barrel can't usually be fixed, but can be replaced.

 

[crestoncowboy]

But other Brownings dont tend to suffer. No idea who makes each browning but the SA and BL rifles I have shoot fine. Even the Buckmarks have a better reputation. I just wonder about that distinct action.

 

[EO1]

It's my understanding from buddies in SA that the Musgrave does not have those issues and it is quite accurate.

 

[Matthew Clark]

This is just an uneducated assumption and opinion here but Olympic rifles have a similar if not exact straight pull action. Experts please correct me if I'm wrong. I would think they would have to be very accurate rifles. That action locks up pretty good and straight I would think.
I would look at what @Picher was talking about as to your issues. He seems well versed and experienced in this regard. I hope you get her shooting more to your liking. Mine shoots wonderful for my purposes
Happy shooting!

 

[HB]

is is just an uneducated assumption and opinion here but Olympic rifles have a similar if not exact straight pull action.

Biathlon rifles are nearly all toggle action but smallbore rifles are all traditional bolts. Im not sure of the plate size in biathlon but they are way bigger than the 10 ring 50m target. That said, a anshutz biathlon rifle is likely much more accurate than anything made domestically currently.