A-Bolt or X-Bolt?

I find stock fit on the X-Bolt is better for me than the A-Bolt. I also think that the A-Bolt stock is less than beautiful, but the X-Bolt stock is downright ugly, or at least not to my taste.
However, I own an A-Bolt and will be keeping it; it's been my go-to for 20 years.

I'd love to hear more about the three brand new A-Bolts that blew up at the same place. Interesting.
 
The A-bolt Brownings I have owned were very accurate rifles.
However, the magazine system is an abortion if I ever saw one.

I also felt the triggers were a bit of a bust.
I actually saw two A-bolts with the trigger broken just at the top of the bottom metal.

I cannot speak for the X-bolt, since I do not own one, but the reports are generally positive.
They feel decent in the hands, and the triggers are definitely better.

Time will sort it out. At this time, I own no brownings, by choice.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
pilot2001 said:
Oh god no ! I have a $5000 custom rifle and I've had an A-bolt and I can tell for certain that there is no comparison !!!

Myself and several other friends have had nightmare experiences with A-bolts , the 2 major ones were one had the barel banana at the range brand new during break in. The action blew up on another one at our range during break in. I had one come brand new from the factory with barrel pitting so bad it would never shoot. Browning basically told me to f$$ck off. Luckily the shop I bought it from went good on it. Several other that would never come close to shooting.

As for the x-bolt , heard lots of good things about it. But for me it says browning on the side
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OK pilot2001, if you have had that bad of an experience with them you have a right to dislike them. I have 9 different Brownings and have had zero issues with any of them.
 
Click link for "Historic Firearms"
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder-historic.asp?f1=001B


blargon said:
The abolt is still in production, with 11 different configurations.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f1=001B
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Yes they are still shown as availale on Brownings web site but they are listed in the historic firearms section also, and it says "All firearms shown here are no longer in production". I think they still have them listed as available because dealers and factory still have them in stock. But I think as soon as they are gone that may be it for the A-Bolt, and that is a shame,..they are a good rifle.

"CLICK LINK AT TOP OF PAGE"
 
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kamlooky said:
I would choose the X-Bolt as I can't get over the crappy way the A-Bolt mag
clips in there.
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Interesting. I actually quite like the A-Bolt mag system and don't find it a hassle to pop in and out as required. I like having the streamlined floor plate feel, but with the convenience of a box mag.
 
The x-bolt is one of the smoothest and easiest mags to remove or insert, sits flush as well. As for strength, I ran one of my mags over with my diesel 2500, still works perfectly, try that with a metal DM, lol.
 
I have an X-Bolt Hunter in 30.06, my first and only hunting rifle. Got my first deer with it last season - light weight, well made, smooth action. I like the detachable mag especially when you are road hunting. When I was at the store I had a choice of 30.06s to choose from, Remington 700s, Tika T3 lite, and the xBolt. I could not see any reason why the other rifles cost more money - It was between the Tika and the Browning because I wanted detachable mag. The Tika was too lite IMO for felt recoil and I liked the 4 screw pattern for the scope bases on the X. And I like the wood finish on the Hunter. Accuracy is awesome with my reloads.
 
I have the X Bolt in 243, seems like a decent shooter. I like the operation of the bolt, very smooth and nice short throw on it, and I do not mind the bolt unlock button at all...pretty good idea in my mind. Magazine is slick, and seems tough enough for polymer. I have the composite stalker with the grey stock, not really keen on the colour but that can be fixed in a hurry with some Krylon. Anyone know if Boyds is making stocks for these yet? The factory "glass bedding" leaves a little to be desired, it seems more like hot melt glue because it is pretty soft. I am going to be bedding another rifle soon so I will likely re-do this while I am at it. Overall I am pleased with the rifle, enough so that I am shopping around for a LH version in either 243 or 7mm-08 for my son.
 
I have no experience with the x-bolt, but have an a-bolt micro medallion for 15 years now. I find it to be a classy well made rifle. The bluing is outstanding; this has been my main sheep rifle for years and spend many many multi-day hunts in the rain, with no rust at all. (End of every hunting season the rings are rusty here and there but the rifle is clean) I am not a fan of DM's, they have no function for where I hunt, but I really like the a-bolts hidden one, functional and well made. My browning has always been accurate, and not picky with what I feed it. It has counted for much game over the years, though now it is semi retired as most of the time in the field I am carrying one of my husqvarna's.
 
winchesterjones said:
Yup a bolt typo lol

Anyway to make it detachable ?
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Not sure if I'm misunderstanding you or what. Are you saying you don't know how to detach the mag from the floor plate?
If so it is very simple to detach. Open the floor plate, grab hold of front of mag (end closest to bottom of rifle) and pull clear of floor plate (back towards trigger gaurd), and off it comes. The front is held by a nub on the front of magazine that snaps under a piece of spring metal on the floor plate. The back of mag has a tit that fits in a groove in the back of the floor plate. To reatach mag just slide tit in groove and snap front down on floor plate.
 
Tabacco Brook said:
Not sure if I'm misunderstanding you or what. Are you saying you don't know how to detach the mag from the floor plate?
If so it is very simple to detach. Open the floor plate, grab hold of front of mag (end closest to bottom of rifle) and pull clear of floor plate (back towards trigger gaurd), and off it comes. The front is held by a nub on the front of magazine that snaps under a piece of spring metal on the floor plate. The back of mag has a tit that fits in a groove in the back of the floor plate. To reatach mag just slide tit in groove and snap front down on floor plate.
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I'll have to take another look at it, but i'm almost positive it can't be removed from the floorplate? either way i'll have to take another look at it this weekend and i'll keep ya posted!
 
winchesterjones said:
I'll have to take another look at it, but i'm almost positive it can't be removed from the floorplate? either way i'll have to take another look at it this weekend and i'll keep ya posted!
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If your mag can't be removed from the floor plate then there is something wrong. They definitely will detach as described by Tobacco Brook.
 
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