Browning .257 Ackley - Any Idea What It's Worth?

[blaxsun]

I inherited a Browning .257 Ackley not that long ago and it's just been sitting in my gun room. I'd estimate it's at least 20-25 years old, but I don't have a clue what it's worth. The barrel/action is marked:

Browning Arms Company Morgan, Utah & Montreal P.Q., Made in Japan
Browning Medallion (with some engraving on the action)
.257 Ackley Imp.

There are some scuffs and one slight scratch on the stock, so I'd estimate it's in good condition (it's definitely seen use). Barrel seems fine and no apparent rust anywhere. The Burris scope is an older 3x-9x that while sporting a few dings and scrapes, looks to have clear optics.

Hunting rifles aren't really my forte - so could anyone knowledgeable give me a rough idea of what it would be worth or if it's even desirable? Thanks in-advance.

 

[mike Crawford]

I am not a browning type of guy .. But I have a model 70 featherweight in 257 ackley improved.. with the elite scope and gun it set me back 900 dollars so I would think the browning should be close if not more being a medallion ,, being some one made it an improved most likely made it worth less

 

[reomack]

A-Bolt Medallions are very nice rifles indeed. I have heard folks make snarky remarks about the removable magazine and even a few complain about the trigger but the examples I have owned fit me well and were very accurate. Fit and finish are quite good. With that scope, which doesn't really add much value, and in the condition you describe I would put it between $600-$750 American.

 

[SuperCub]

Without a good look at the chambering stamp, it would be my guess that it has been given the "AI" treatment aftermarket.

AFAIK, Browning never did make the A-Bolt in 257AI but I have been wrong before.

 

[nomad 68]

Without a good look at the chambering stamp, it would be my guess that it has been given the "AI" treatment aftermarket.

AFAIK, Browning never did make the A-Bolt in 257AI but I have been wrong before.

I would think the pool of prospective buyers would be made quite a lot smaller due to the AI treatment. If it was a regular .257 Roberts, I would suspect you'd already be flooded with pm's.

 

[BigUglyMan]

It's definitely aftermarket. The 257 AI is a great little chambering but even in it's non-AI trim it's not particularly popular (should be, but isn't) so the AI version is even less desirable to all but rifle cranks like us. For me it would be a perfect rifle to break my daughter in on centerfire shooting and, to me, that particular rifle is heavier than I would want for her to use huinting so you're only hope is finding someone who wants a light recoiling rifle but can still carry full-sized rifle weight. But mark my words...someone wants it, for sure.

 

[blaxsun]

Thanks for all the feedback - it has indeed found a new home.

 

[SuperCub]

It's definitely aftermarket.

My A-Bolt is factory marked on the RHS of the barrel for the chambering. This one is on the left.

If not for the 257R that I already own, I would be happy to own the one in the OP.

I once called the LGS asking about the A-Bolt in 257. I was told they had one in stock and drove 2 hr (one way) to buy it. As if by a miracle, that 257 was sold by the time I got there and I was a suckered by the old bait & switch scam.