A-Bolt pros and cons

I own 2 A Bolts 1 in 300WM Medallion and a 338WM Stainless Stalker. Have had them for 20+ yrs.
The first thing i did to them when i bought them was rebed them and reworked the magazine to fit longer hand loads and the triggers to 2.5 lbs. They shoot .75 MOA with handloads, the 338 is the more forgiving and shoots all loads that i have tried to the same point of aim.
Overall I have been very happy with them they are reliable and I have never had an issue with them but preferr the 338 for its knock down power and have packed it every year since i bought it. I have shot everything from packrats to Moose with it, from 20 yds to 750yds. Recoil is heavy for a light gun but i never noticed it when a critter was in the X hairs.
 
I've seen people badmouth the T3 due to having a large percentage of plastic, yet oddly enough, I see very few people badmouth Browning about it's very innappropriate use of alunimum; especially on the bolt body. As for the rest of the metal, it is my impression that it is not properly heat treated. I heard a rumor many years ago that a batch of A-bolts was delivered to an Okanogan dealer that actually had the barrels installed crooked; I don't doubt this. I will never own another; period, though I think that the X-bolt may be a different rifle.
Mike
 
I have one in Left hand .300WM, and it is accurate and reliable. Under an inch at 100 with Federal 'cheap' hunting ammo.

The only bad thing (as noted before) is the floorplate/mag setup. Pick ONE!!!
 
chuck nelson said:
An expensive over engineered piece of junk.
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As compared to what? Pretty reasonable gun for the money. More $ than Win, Mossberg, or Remington but those guns have pretty s**tty quality control if you're not willing to spend several hundred more after purchase to "accurize" them.


chuck nelson said:
Did I stutter when I said they're junk?:D
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No. We just think your opinion -- not backed up by anything as it was -- is irrelevant and stinks of anal orifice.:welcome:
 
This is me, a bear, and an A-Bolt

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This is me, an antelope, and an A-Bolt

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So I'm curious as to what you consider "not backed up by anything" to be?
 
Have one of the originals from 80's,never let me down. Probably 1000+ rounds through bbl.
Unlike others have stated, I think a tang safety is great since it's completely silent. Try taking the safety off silently on a factory Win M70.

Some say the Blaser R93 & Sauer 80/90 are overengineered as well.

If someone has evidence of an A-Bolt's failure, please report.

I think it's personal preference. They're no better or worse than other guns in that price range.

My $.02
 
bearkilr said:
Have one of the originals from 80's,never let me down. Probably 1000+ rounds through bbl.
Unlike others have stated, I think a tang safety is great since it's completely silent. Try taking the safety off silently on a factory Win M70.

Some say the Blaser R93 & Sauer 80/90 are overengineered as well.

If someone has evidence of an A-Bolt's failure, please report.

I think it's personal preference. They're no better or worse than other guns in that price range.

My $.02
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The trigger on mine broke clean off right below the stock line. Cost me a good whitetail.
 
Unlike others have stated, I think a tang safety is great since it's completely silent. Try taking the safety off silently on a factory Win M70.
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Try moving a tang safety after being caught in freezing rain.Been there,done that.
 
I shot a friend's 7mm Magnum A-Bolt at the range. I preferred my Savage. Something about it just didn't feel right, and to add injury to insult, it actually cut my hand upon recoil.

To each their own I suppose.
 
I've owned a couple over the years and have never had anything break nor malfunction on my "pieces of junk". My first rifle was a gold medallion in 300 wm. Absolutely stunning piece of lumber on that one. I like the mag personally, it definately isn't going to drop out on you. I will agree with the recoil issue though it was never a problem in the field. I went home from the range many a time with a purple shoulder after putting a box through it. Accurate as all get out though. The problem is you'll always find people who have had a bad experience with a factory rifle and will form their opinion based on their one bad experience and shout it out like it's the gospel. It's not (unless you're talking the Rem 710 of course). For every thread you start on pretty much every major manufacturer you're going to get some people who know it all because they've had a bad experience. Just the nature of the beast. My recommendation would be to handle one and see how it feels to you, if you know someone who owns one try and get out to shoot it. If it works well for you personally and fits you well, go buy one.
 
They're fan following in my town is absolutely horrid. Every schmuck who hunts slaps a buckmark sticker on their truck and says "My rifles the best because it's a Browning.". I will not own one because of this reason among the others people have stated *cough*mag abortion*cough*.
 
The magazine isn't a handicap if you get used to it.

For years the A-bolt occupied a lower rung on the price scale - priced similar to savage more than remington, ruger, winchester.

In the last 10 years it was re-marketed and re-priced as a premium grade action / rifle - which it ain't.
 
I like the abolt.Got one in 325wsm,left handed micro hunter.The lower bolt lift is nice,mag system is a little on the fragile side maybe,but it functions well.Shot very well right out of the box.being a micro it is a nice light rifle to carry but you pay for that in recoil when you start pushing 200grn+ bullets.But its my hunting rifle, sees less than 50 rounds a year so to me recoil is a non issue.
 
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