Browning A-Bolt Identification? Bausch and Lomb Scope? Value?

9

9ne

Member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Lower Mainland
Recently picked up a Browning A-Bolt and I can't seem to find what model it is. My first decent hunting rifle and looking to clean it up a bit. Serial number 52606PN7L7. Number 52606 made in 1989 model L7L? Can't seem to find L7L on any model list. Bausch and Lomb scope worth saving?

Rings have some surface rust on them, will clean them up. Sugguestions? Or replace?

Don't know much about this gun so any information/personal experiences would be great.

Other markings:
PAT. 4723369 A-BOLT CAL. 30-06 ONLY
BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL MADE IN JAPAN

Pics attached
 

Attachments

  • 20221123_195042_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195042_resized_1.jpg
    61.6 KB · Views: 275
  • 20221123_195034_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195034_resized_1.jpg
    75.8 KB · Views: 272
  • 20221123_195024_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195024_resized_1.jpg
    63.3 KB · Views: 274
  • 20221123_195333_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195333_resized_1.jpg
    106.7 KB · Views: 275
  • 20221123_195304_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195304_resized_1.jpg
    40.4 KB · Views: 273
  • 20221123_195252_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195252_resized_1.jpg
    47.9 KB · Views: 269
  • 20221123_195352_resized_1.jpg
    20221123_195352_resized_1.jpg
    107.8 KB · Views: 272
Last edited:
Nice looking setup. I would say you have an A bolt 1. The stock throws me a bit, I’m wondering if this was a special run with laminate stock, or if someone replaced it with a Boyd’s or similar. Does it have browning stamped on the recoil pad?

The old Balvar scopes have a pretty decent reputation. If it works for your eyes in low light and holds zero it will serve you well for many years.
 
Any insight on the model 7L7? Closest I can find is 717. Maybe the "L" means Laminate Hunter?

2G7=Gold Medallion
217=Medallion
L17=Medallion Left Hand
2M7=Micro Medallion
717=Hunter
E17=Euro-Bolt
7S7=Stainless Stalker
LS7=Stainless Stalker Left Hand
7C7=Composite Stalker
 
Why not? said:
You made The Deal Of The Week! :dancingbanana:

Ted
Click to expand...

Agreed

I had an original A Bolt in 7mmRM, stupidly accurate with 120gr Hornady SPs and 150gr Nos BTs with IMR 4350.

Mine had a particularly nasty habit of over travelling it’s 60o bolt angle and detent/stop if you got even the slightest bit over zealous while cycling. When it happened on a follow up shot on a Bear after a clean miss, I was done with it and sold it.
 
9ne said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes it does have browning stamped on the recoil pad. Paid $400 for the setup + 40 rounds so thinking I did alright.
Click to expand...

That was a great deal! Something like that would be listed for twice that amount or more on the EE.

B&L Balvar as good scopes. I've had a couple with no issues. Bright and worked well.

Those laminated stocks are nice, work well but tend to be a bit heavy. One could trim a bit of weigh with Talley LW mounts, a smaller scope (2-7ish) and a LW sling.
 
Other than cleaning it up, I wouldn't change anything about it.

I like those B&L scopes!

Email Browning & ask them about the rifle?

Cheers
Jay
 
Why not? said:
You made The Deal Of The Week! :dancingbanana:

Ted
Click to expand...

I can not agree more.
This is the deal of the week for sure.
I do not recall there being a laminate stock option back in '89 and think it might be an aftermarket stock as mentioned earlier.
I have read on Rimfire Central guys talking of an A-Bolt .22 with a laminate stock and again I have not seen one. (not an expert here)
From the pics the stock appears to fit well, and compliments the set-up...maybe a blk leather sling ;)
A Medallion Grade gun would have highly polished metal works and the wood would also be of some dark wood with a glossy finish if original.
The laminate guns generally would be stainless and a matte finish from my recollectioning.
Anyway you slice it , it is a nice gun at a good price a good combo and will serve you well.
Oh, that hockey puck for a recoil pad will get old fast.
Dont listen to Kamlooky when he suggests a flipflop of a recoil pad not matter how soft it feels :).
Browning will sort out your mystery with an email as mentioned also.
Ohh and it will shoot lights out as far as you can reasonable see too, read accurate.
Tight Groups and Good Hunting.
Rob
 
Last edited:
I had the twin to that rifle back in 1991. It came with that stock.
If I remember correctly, the bolt had some sort of rotating guide on it. (almost like the claw extractor on a controlled round feed rifle).
It was a good rifle, but I didn't like the way Browning did the "removable magazine" by having it fasten on to the floor plate.
 
Awesome, thanks for the responses, makes me feel good about the purchase! Email has been sent to Browning, will update once I hear back an answer. Anyone have suggestions/magic tricks to remove surface rust from the rings?
 
9ne said:
Awesome, thanks for the responses, makes me feel good about the purchase! Email has been sent to Browning, will update once I hear back an answer. Anyone have suggestions/magic tricks to remove surface rust from the rings?
Click to expand...

The most thorough way of doing it is to remove the scope and rings from the rifle. Use a rifle solvent if you have it on the rust. Plain gun oil will work too if you're patient.
This will allow you to get under the rings too.

You made a great buy on a great rifle. Owned plenty and love 'em!!

Cheers
 
Nice rifle and unbelievable price. Browning made those laminate a-bolt 1 hunter rifles early on. I have one in 300 mag and it is very accurate
 
I did end up getting a response from Browning if anyone was interested, here it is. Seems it was custom ordered/a special edition. Thanks for the input guys!

"Hello, Thank you for your question...
Your firearm was probably a special edition/ run with a laminated stock. Sometimes dealers or wholesalers will order a special make up with the features they want. I'm not able to bring up anything specific with your serial number.

Have a great day! CA"
 
9ne said:
I did end up getting a response from Browning if anyone was interested, here it is. Seems it was custom ordered/a special edition. Thanks for the input guys!

"Hello, Thank you for your question...
Your firearm was probably a special edition/ run with a laminated stock. Sometimes dealers or wholesalers will order a special make up with the features they want. I'm not able to bring up anything specific with your serial number.

Have a great day! CA"
Click to expand...

interesting..
good score tho Abolt ia for Awesome- Bolt gun
 
Nice gun and the B&L scope is worth 75 percent of what you paid for the whole issue. Those scopes are optically superior to a lot of much more expensive scopes availble now. VERY bright and clear edge to edge.
 
Maybe this one?

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/78C0100

I had a very early model A-Bolt Stainless Stalker and traded a buddy the synthetic stock for his Medallion stock, then I removed the gloss varnish finish and recoated in linseed oil. I'd like to think I was the first to own what Browning much later called the "White Gold Medallion". One of the first guns I traded on here. If someone has serial number 63502NZ7S7, shoot me a PM, I'd like to buy it back!

Nice find you have there!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom