doesn't anyone here like browning rifles??

[ishootkittens]

it tells me that the guys on here are worried about super cool awesome tactical flashy dynamic custom cosmetics. Alot of the guys on here are a little to particular sometimes when talking about factory firearms. Savage and Remington are so popular because of their unlimited customization options. Out of the box I dont believe that either of those are any better than any other factory rifle. The Browning's are not considered to be "long range "rigs"" but rather a hunters firearm. I want durability and lightweight along with precision because I have to walk straight up hill in these mountains here in Va and i hunt some pretty thick **** so I need a swinger rifle. This isnt brush-and-thickethunting.com This is longrangehunting.com That is why we browning is rarely mentioned.

 

[crittrgittr]

Since my last post on here I did purchase a x-bolt in 270wsm. The action does seem better (smoother) than the one I originally tried in the store. I haven't had a chance to fire it yet as I am waiting to get to the loading bench. I will hopefully get some loads to try in a couple weeks. I do still really like my a-bolt stainless stalker in 300wm for accurracy.

 

[ishootkittens]

Since my last post on here I did purchase a x-bolt in 270wsm. The action does seem better (smoother) than the one I originally tried in the store. I haven't had a chance to fire it yet as I am waiting to get to the loading bench. I will hopefully get some loads to try in a couple weeks. I do still really like my a-bolt stainless stalker in 300wm for accurracy.

Well you may find that the X-bolt might rival that A-bolt in terms of accuracy. The 4hole receiver is so freakin cool too! haha im glad that you purchased the X-bolt. I hope it serves you well.

 

[sp6x6]

My Abolt 325WSM, is pretty good to 800, solid @600. I have shot 1/2 @ 100 taken some nice 6x6 bulls and 190-200 muleys, it has treated me right, 7-6 oz ready to hunt. Muley rub in picture,still on the hoof 3 yrs. later

 

[shortpants]

My A-bolt ss shoots sub moa out past 500 with factory ammo. I'm shooting 165grn fusion's in 300wsm. I love this gun and will keep it as a trusty back up when I get my custom!

 

[ishootkittens]

I tried to go with the A-bolt.. but i really didnt like the feel of it! i knew that the accuracy was going to great with the A-bolt, I just couldnt get used to the feel of it. But I am more than happy with my New X-bolt

 

[mapadgett]

dont see a lot mentioned here...

i was looking at a good looking xbolt on gunbroker. do they not shoot good enough to compare to savages and remingtons and tikkas?

Well I have a Browning stainless stalker in 270 WSM that cuts cloverleafs at 200 yrds with factory ammo. After that I quit reloading. Can't beat it.

 

[TT_270WSM]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, searched and couldn't find anything else and didn't want to start a new Topic. I'm looking at picking up a Browning in .270 WSM.

I know this is a very subjective topic, but what's everyone's opinion/experience on the A-Bolt vs X-Bolt topic? I like the X-bolt's magazine better personally, and picking one up in the store and racking it just felt right, but many people swear by the old A-Bolt (whether it's because it's all they've used, I don't know)

I'm most interested in accuracy out of the box, trigger, dependability naturally all within the variance in manufacturers' production. Will be used for deer, possibly moose, all within 350 or so yards. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Gene R.]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, searched and couldn't find anything else and didn't want to start a new Topic. I'm looking at picking up a Browning in .270 WSM.

I know this is a very subjective topic, but what's everyone's opinion/experience on the A-Bolt vs X-Bolt topic? I like the X-bolt's magazine better personally, and picking one up in the store and racking it just felt right, but many people swear by the old A-Bolt (whether it's because it's all they've used, I don't know)

I'm most interested in accuracy out of the box, trigger, dependability naturally all within the variance in manufacturers' production. Will be used for deer, possibly moose, all within 350 or so yards. Thanks a bunch!

I have a 270wsm Stalker A-Bolt, love it! great hunting rifle, light, accurate and action is smooth as silk. I personally don't care for the looks of the x-bolt. Don't like the rotatory mag, don' t like the name. "X-Bolt" ***! Is there target market 16 yr old boys? The only thing about A-bolt I don't like is plastic stock. I need to upgrade it. The 270wsm is a awsome round. I have Ko'd alot of Whitetail and a few Mulies with it. My buddy calls it "Black Death"

Gene

 

[etisll40]

I have several Brownings and they are fantastic shooters and built for quality and durability. I'm lucky in that my experience with them is that they shoot fantastic out of the box. On both my cheap 223 Abolt varmint and my Eclipse-1000 in 7WSM, which has fantastic fit and finish, I'm hard pressed to improve them. The only things I'd like to see from Browning is for them to adopt a barrel swapping method like savage as Browning barrels are hard glued and it takes real knowledge to get the barrel off the first time without damaging the gun. After that you can rebarrel a fine action. I like A-bolts as that is all I have right now. Secondly, triggers, you can only work their trigger to where you want it, no jewel upgrade option. I wish Jewell would make a trigger for Browning A-bolts and Savages too.

All that being said, if it were to happen and Browning makes guns like my A-bolt Eclipse-1000, I wouldn't build another custom rifle for hunting and target shooting.

They are super quality typically. Remember, their parent is FN and owns a bunch of gun companies and sells around 50% of all rifles in the world.

Long live FN and John Browning...

 

[Riptide]

I also have had great success and accuracy with Browning, but I've stayed with the A-Bolt. Sure, I danced around a few X-bolts and held hands with them and maybe saw a movie or two, but I've found as a general rule that when something is "new and improved" it just means that the company found a way to cut corners in manufacturing without sacrificing too much performance...and to me, the X-bolt just feels like a cheapened A-Bolt. That's my personal opinion though.

There's a high chance that the rifle you're looking at will do exactly what you want it to do, right out of the box. However, as was stated earlier, because of the relative nastiness of barrel swaps, I will probably be buying more Savages in the future. I think that's the primary reason why smiths don't particularly enjoy working on Brownings. As far as Savage goes, I like the accutrigger (not everyone does), and the flexibility and changing of calibers is a real bonus...but I won't be selling any of my Brownings, ever.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

So what does that tell you, when speaking of a bunch of guys who are not content with 1" groups at 200 yards?

I like browning rifles, but there are quirks that I can't live with. Such as a 3.4 inch magazine on a 300 win mag. Accurate for sure but I don't like not having the option to load them longer. And the price for a standard rifle is a bit steeper than many that will either shoot as well or better. All I care about is if it fits good, feels good and puts many rounds into a tiny little space. Couldn't care less what it looks like. I do own a Browning rifle. it is a .243 and yes, it is the prettiest gun in my safe.

Yep, my abolt ss 300 win has a mag that will hold 3.47" rounds, but the bullet is in the rifling at 3.48 or so with a hornady; so I'm at 10 to 15 thousandths from the lands and at mag length. I'd have to dig out the rifle and re-measure to be exact, but I really don't care for a pipe that will hold .3" 3 shot and 1" 10 shot groups. If rem and win would shorten the throats on the 300's they build, a longer mag well would be of no concern.

 

[7mmRemMag]

My brother has an A-Bolt Stalker in 270wsm and it has become his favorite gun! He won it with a $20 raffle ticket he bought LOL imagine that! I wanted one in 270wsm as well but didn't want to wait either so I ended up buying mine in 7mm Rem Mag. It shoots great out of the box, the action is smoother than any of my other rifles. I love the short bolt throw. My only complaint was the trigger, even adjusting it to the lightest setting wasn't good enough. However, after some advise from a few of the guys on here, I ordered the timney trigger spring kit for about $25 and it works like a charm now! I personally have never handled an x-bolt though.

 

[cwinner]

I love my A-bolts!! With a cheap trigger spring upgrade from timney and a 20MOA base from NEAR manufacturing they are hard to beat....plus the short bolt lift (60 degree) makes them work better with bigger optics and slicker actions to boot over a Remington!!

I have had two re-done with new tubes but agree you need to find the right gunsmith. One of two of our local guys will not touch them due to the difficulty removing the old barrels......I also inlet the forends a lot and install some cut off pieces of carbon arrows and fill with glass bedding, stiffens them up a bunch and makes a really nice sub MOA shooter.

The only real downside is the lack of a detachable box magazine IMO.