debating likewise.... ive seen a good bit of issues with CA but it seems that they are more than willing to take care of things.... so that's actually not that bad... not to add more options but the xbolt hells canyon models look nice too (brothers shoots incredible in 6.5CM).
I have a problem when someone reports issues with any rifle, even if the manufacturer will readily take care of them. First of all, when does the issue rear it's ugly head? On the range sighting in, OK as long as there is time to send the rifle back to the manufacturer to get the issue taken care of before you need it for your dream hunt. However if that issue, whatever it is happens when you are sitting on a Ridgeline at 10 degrees and looking down on the buck or bull of your dreams and that is when the issue decides to rear it's ugly head that is when I have issues with the rifle and manufacturer. High priced firearms are not necessarily the answer to your dreams. Accurate ones are. I've always been able to out shoot almost everyone that I've shot against (Outside of competition where everything and everyone is fierce) and the most I have ever spent on a rifle is $900 (Optics not included) I've had a few, as I will call them disappointment rifles which simply would not shoot no matter what you did to them or how accurate the ammo was. The were not in my arsenal long. I do have to freely admit that the reason that I have been able to out shoot those with high priced rifles is simply because I use good ammo, either factory or hand loaded, I make sure my rifles shoot better than I can, and I take my time with each shot, which most other do not. The prices of my optics are typically in the $400 to $600 price range, all tactical and I know how to use them. Buying a $2000 rifle scope to put on a $300 rifle is not going to be the answer to your dreams, yet I see it a lot.
Moving on. If you delve into Browning's literature you will find a somewhat well hidden paragraph where they state that the AB3 uses the same barrels as the XBolt. If you check the actions they are the same too. The big difference as I see it and only as I see it is that the AB3 is about $600 less expensive than the XBolt. When I decided to experiment with another 300 WM I also decided to try something other than a Tikka, which I knew would shoot well. I selected the AB3. Since I previously had a 300 WM I was familiar with the massive recoil that came with that caliber rifle. Before I took my first shot with the 300 WM I had a muzzle brake installed, not just any muzzle brake but one that If I was shooting prone would not send gasses downward blowing grass and dirt into my eyes. It was a custom installation completed by America's Gunsmiths in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The results were phenomenal with the recoil of the AB3 in 300 WM is much lighter than even my Tikka 270 which is really comfortable to shoot. As an example for this, I also teach rifle and pistol marksmanship. I have a female student who is 5' 4" and maybe 120 pounds soaking wet that came out to the range early for her lesson. At the time I was playing with the AB3 and had enough rounds down range to where it where it had reduced the groups to about 1 MOA. As I finished up in preparation for her pistol lesson she asked, " Can I try that?" Meaning the 300 WM. I had some ammo left So I said sure, but keep in mind that this a a 300 Win Mag and it has a pretty good recoil. She wanted to try it anyway. I had a feminine recoil pad (1/4 inch dense rubber) that attaches to a bra strap in my car that I gave to her. She put it in place then took my place at the bench. I explained everything that she needed to know (first time shooting a rifle and first time shooting a scope) and adjusted the shooting rest and everything else to her diminutive body (compared to mine) fed a 165 gr Sig Sauer Elite round into the chamber and talked her through the first shot, which was 1 1/2 low and left from my zero. She did another shot with some coaching that was 1/4 inch to the left of the first. WOO HOO You go girl. The third and last shot, (all the ammo I had for the 300 at the time split the difference with almost all three not quite touching but less than 1 MOA. She was ecstatic, as was I. She said, My boyfriend will never believe this. At that point we went downrange to collect the rifle targets, hers was a previously unfired one so we took it back to the firing point where I entered the date, time and then signed it attesting to the fact that she had actually shot the group.
As could be expected her boyfriend was not impressed saying that she could not duplicate that and he could do better. So far the challenge taken, he has not opted to come to the range to try to beat her group. So far has not happened.
OK have to admit I get carried away but in my world is nobody to talk to about shooting that has any idea of what I am talking about. At least here I have a group of people who can relate to what I'm saying. We don't always agree, but then again who says we have to.
