a-bolt 3 or xpr

getting past 1 has a wood stock and the other doesn't does anyone have any experience with the good, bad or ugly of either of these 2? with win being more of a favorite of the 2 i'm well out of touch on how newer (this century) productions are (except mod70, '15 model).

I don't have any experience with the XPR, but the A-Bolt 3 is not a very good gun. Trigger is horrible, bolt operation is light years behind the A-Bolt II and X-Bolt. The stock is flimsy (plastic version) and the 3 I have personally shot have not shot well at all. We did get one to shoot about 1.5MOA eventually. If a "budget" gun is what you are after, I would cross that one off your list.

What's wrong with considering the newer X-Bolt?

Jon Bischof said:

What's wrong with considering the newer X-Bolt?

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nothing at all! just trying to compare 1 to 1.

i'll go ahead and throw in the 1 and 2 for comparisons also. so, are the 1 and 2's still in production?

My son has an A-bolt 3 in 270. It is the all-black cheapo version. It shoots MOA 3-shot groups with a couple of different ammunition brands, not three touching but right at 1 inch. IMO that is perfectly acceptable for a hunting rifle. My son has killed two elk with it using 130 gr. soft point Norma loads. The 2nd elk was between 315 to 330 yds out. The first time he used it I noticed it flash-rusted. We cleaned it well and oiled it and it has not rusted again. The trigger is decent (not great). The action is smooth. The stock is cheapo plastic. It is a comfortable rifle to shoot. I have no experience with the XPR.

I've owned plenty of Browning rifles over the past 40 years and have never had any issues other than their triggers are not to my liking. I always bed my rifles and either change springs in trigger assembly or replace the trigger. I hand load so I always find a load they will shoot sub moa. I like the 60 degree bolt throw for sure. Plenty of off the shelf rifles to choose from. Always going to be complaints with off the shelf rifles from somebody. I would also consider taking a look at the Tikka T3. Smooth action and accurate. Good luck!

Get the browning x-bolt in od green can be found for about 600 dollars. And much nicer rifles than the ones listed above

I have an XPR and have had a few XBolts bit not an ABolt 3. I have had an A-Bolt II but thats a different class of rifle than the 3.
The XPR has a bolt that is slick and faster than most anything Ive handled. Once broken in and cleaned n oiled its very close to if not the same as my Tikka T3. Which is sayin somethin!
The trigger on the XPR (2017 made) is solid but not very light. It doesnt hold me back from shootin well tho. Its lighter than 2 of my Xbolts that both got Timneys after not enuff diff with Mcarbo springs. I dont have a measuring device but im guessin 4 lbs.

The Stock on the XPR is fairly stiff in forend and feels more substantial than some but it is very squarish in the hand around the mag area. Similar to a T3 in this regard and its my least favorite thing about it as I carry my gun in my hands most of the time.

Accuracy of my rifle is fine, definitely sub moa with loads it likes. Mines a 270WSM i had lopped to 22".

I have two XPR's, one in 30-06 and one in .243. They are basically a Tikka copy, like surprisingly a copy. Before I had a Tikka, I had to look up Tikka bolt tear down videos for the XPR. The plastic stocks are stiffer than the Remington SPS. Trigger pulls are 2lb 6 ounces on one and 3/14 on the other without any adjustments yet. Better than 1 MOA with cheap ammo. I think they're great, especially for the price, but not much aftermarket support for stocks, magazines, bottom metal, etc, if that's in the plans.