A-bolt stainless stalker? well made or not? (vs Savage and T3)
- Thread starter SanQ
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
dorm said:
Aah, the good old days before I moved away and lost my residency status and they closed resident hunting for caribou in my area.
I own a browning, a Savage, and have shot one or two T3's now. 
If you have half a brain in your head, the Browning Mag system is great. The only downfall is mags are around 65.00 each for extra's. And unlike DM's (detatchable mags) They dont just fall out, and assuming you put the prescribed number of rounds in the mag (not one more as most fit) it will fit on the floorplate every time.
Stubblejumper, you commented on how "Overdesigned" the mag an trigger system is... Please explain, seems like you havent had one apart.
THe trriggers are simple and smoothly adjusted. (Unlike a SPS, or a pre accutrigger savage) The problem was there was limited aftermarket triggers available for them. NOw there is about three, not to mention, for most A bolt trigger adjustments below three pounds, all you have to do is change a spring (oh, all of 5 minutes work)
The tikka and browning have very similarly adjusted triggers...
Another benifit of the browning rifle is weight. Its lighter, and has a far better factory stock than A SPS, SavageF series, or T3. (in synthetic or wood)
Every Abolt I've been behind has been a shooter. (not to say that the savages or Tikka's arent) Abolts and TIkka's have a similar short bolt throw, where the savage is much longer and not as smooth. Both the T3, and the Abolt have very smooth actions, and are available in a few different action lengths. The T3 one. I this a hinderance, not really, but worth mentioning.
Are Browning rifles more expensive than I'd like to see them? Yes, any gun is when its coming out of my pocket. Is it a few hundred bucks wasted?
Not even close. Go into a shop that has em all, (or two) and handle them yourself to see which you like the best.
If you have half a brain in your head, the Browning Mag system is great. The only downfall is mags are around 65.00 each for extra's. And unlike DM's (detatchable mags) They dont just fall out, and assuming you put the prescribed number of rounds in the mag (not one more as most fit) it will fit on the floorplate every time.
Stubblejumper, you commented on how "Overdesigned" the mag an trigger system is... Please explain, seems like you havent had one apart.
THe trriggers are simple and smoothly adjusted. (Unlike a SPS, or a pre accutrigger savage) The problem was there was limited aftermarket triggers available for them. NOw there is about three, not to mention, for most A bolt trigger adjustments below three pounds, all you have to do is change a spring (oh, all of 5 minutes work)
The tikka and browning have very similarly adjusted triggers...
Another benifit of the browning rifle is weight. Its lighter, and has a far better factory stock than A SPS, SavageF series, or T3. (in synthetic or wood)
Every Abolt I've been behind has been a shooter. (not to say that the savages or Tikka's arent) Abolts and TIkka's have a similar short bolt throw, where the savage is much longer and not as smooth. Both the T3, and the Abolt have very smooth actions, and are available in a few different action lengths. The T3 one. I this a hinderance, not really, but worth mentioning.
Are Browning rifles more expensive than I'd like to see them? Yes, any gun is when its coming out of my pocket. Is it a few hundred bucks wasted?
Not even close. Go into a shop that has em all, (or two) and handle them yourself to see which you like the best.
I have owned an A-bolt and did have the trigger apart to adjust it.It does require a spring change unlike most other triggers that can simply be adjusted with no parts required.And the trigger assembly does have more parts than most other triggers.As for the magazine system it is a true abortion of a design.It is detachable but with the stupid floorplate,it is not nearly as quick to use as magazines like the tikka or remington 700.Again,overdesigned with more parts than necessary.
I have a Stainless comosite stalker in 270wsm and I find it to be my favorite rifle awesome 3 rnd groups from 100,200, and 300 yrds. I can also ring the Ram at 500 yards every time at our range. As for the magazine it get a little getting used to but I like a lot. My trigger was/is fine right out of the box.
stubblejumper said:
Again Stubble, a Browning A bolt and Abolt II trigger is factory adjustable from 6ish to 3 ish pounds (some higher some lower) all with a twist of a single screw that doesnt affect lockup like on a factory remington or old style savage trigger. All you need to do is replace the spring under that screw to lower weight, or remove the trigger, and replace it with a new one (17.00 for a springkit, or 115 i think for a trigger). It adjusts just like a Tikka (one screw), but are different by design.
(your telling me a remington DM is a simple design? C'mon now
) The TIkka is simple and most savages ar blind mags.The Mag well again, is foolproof if you follow the maglimits. 4 plus 1 does me fine, with a spare mag in my pocket. On a low bipod shooting prone, it clears the ground fine for magchanges, and in 6 years, I havent bent, or broken a part on the magsystem yet. (and my 243 comes out alot, its accurate as hell and a hair over 7lbs with a 5-15x50 3200 on it, its light, and points well).
I've met a few guys over the years that have had various dislikes about the Abolt, and a bunch of converts too. I guess its like any other this Vs that arguement.
I appreciate the technology for a few reasons.
One mans garbage is another mans gold I guess.
Of course it is,since there is no stupid floorplate to deal with.You simply squeeze the release and remove the mag,then push a fresh mag into place.With the a-bolt you must push the floorplate latch and drop the floorplate ,then unlatch the magazine,then latch a fresh mag to the floorplate,then close the floorplate.How much money would you be willing to bet that you can change a mag in your a-bolt as fast as I can change one in my 700?How about just installing a mag?
I have shot or owned all of the above... The Browning Mag system is the best of them all. You can load them three different ways, over the top like a closed well, under by changing mags or just push the shells in while it is attached to the open floor plate. Another huge advantage to the A-bolt is the anti-bind bolt, which has a non-rotating bolt sleeve with a rotating head and three locking lugs rather than the usual pair. This allows a short 60 degree bolt handle lift for fast cycling and increased scope clearance. It also has a recessed bolt face with a plunger ejector. The small extractor is built into the front of one of the locking lugs. A gas escape port vents into the magazine well. My Varmint Stalker is easily the most accurate of any bolt I own right now and the quality, fit/finish and materials used in these rifles is outstanding. The triggers and safeties on the A-Bolts are excellent and very simple in design and function. I had mine set to a crisp two pounds with a turn of the screw and a lighter spring in about five minutes. ( Thanks Darryl! )
I am a huge T-3 fan, my other main rifle is a Stainless Synthetic they are great and are much better value and quality than the Savage which I give the lowest marks.
Overpriced is a relative term... I think in the case of Browning rifles you get what you pay for.JBRO
I am a huge T-3 fan, my other main rifle is a Stainless Synthetic they are great and are much better value and quality than the Savage which I give the lowest marks.
Overpriced is a relative term... I think in the case of Browning rifles you get what you pay for.JBRO
SuperCub said:I totally agree that it would be only a half wit that would like that mag system!!
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stubblejumper said:
You guys certainly know your stuff... the facts and knowledge that you put into your arguments are astonishing.
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
BIGREDD said:
I was waiting for that.
I, like Bigredd, own both a Browning A-Bolt (.270) and a T3 Camo SS (.300WM) and I love them both. I am so used to the mag on the browning, that it doesn't slow me down at all. On the other hand, I also like my T3 as I now have three mags for it that drop free in an instant (.300 WM cartridges are big, so unfortunately the two large cap mags only hold 4 rounds - and the one which it came with holds 3).
Both are very accurate and always go BANG!!
BR -------> I am only too pleased to astonish you once in a while!!BIGREDD said:You guys certainly know your stuff... the facts and knowledge that you put into your arguments are astonishing.
I have an A-Bolt. I like the rifle overall, in fact in many respects, it is my favourite, but the mag system could be simplified and still be just as usefull.
What other "facts and knowledge" are required other than personal experience?
.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I have an A-Bolt and use it as my primary moose rifle. The rifle shoots extremely well when I do my part. I find the mag a little slow, but when you're walking, who cares? I'm a fan of the mag system. I get to replace the floorplate on average of twice a year on customer's rifles, due to overzealous application of the mag.
Browning ss stalker
Well better late than not at all, have a browning ss stalker in 300 wsm it is my primary elk /moose gun. Yes the mag is a pain until you get used to it,but out of the box with the trigger dialed down it was a great gun and I have a few other brands in the safe.Looking at a new varminter and looking at browning and Tikka again.Why did I buy browning in the first place? I have a Gold hunter shotgun that has yet to let me down ,and when I get to be a grandfather [hopefully in this century] I can show my grandson my 'ol browning'
Well better late than not at all, have a browning ss stalker in 300 wsm it is my primary elk /moose gun. Yes the mag is a pain until you get used to it,but out of the box with the trigger dialed down it was a great gun and I have a few other brands in the safe.Looking at a new varminter and looking at browning and Tikka again.Why did I buy browning in the first place? I have a Gold hunter shotgun that has yet to let me down ,and when I get to be a grandfather [hopefully in this century] I can show my grandson my 'ol browning'
