Browning AB3 thoughts?

Joel

Joel

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Wondering what you guys who own a Browning AB3 think of them?

Handling one right now that isn't mine, but for a budget rifle still available for $640 in some places, it seems pretty nice. Typical fat bolt, 3 lugs of bolt body diameter design, keyway so the bolt rides along the bolt release like a Ruger American, etc. Decent although not great trigger, plastic mag etc. Cast bolt handle but it actually attaches through the bolt body.

Are they a pretty good rifle to own? Certainly seems to be a step above some other guns at that price point but maybe there's something I don't know? Ditto for the XPR
 
I almost bought one but with a little research I read that they have a lot of plastic polymer parts even in the trigger group, maybee true maybee not ? so I bought something else. There must be a reason they are in this price range.
 
bunny said:
I almost bought one but with a little research I read that they have a lot of plastic polymer parts even in the trigger group, maybee true maybee not ? so I bought something else. There must be a reason they are in this price range.
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Can confirm they do after taking this one out of the stock.

Buckmastr and NAA have a point about the regular A-bolt being better if you can find a deal on a nice one, it seems. Too bad, otherwise it seems like an OK bargain gun, but suppose theres a lot of (not very) used guns that are much better.
 
Had a couple, 270 and 308, still have the 308, brother took my 270 lol.
Well made and finished, good synthetic stocks, walnuts usually pretty nice as well, recoil pads are good quality, they come factory glass bedded, accurate, light, mags are good quality, the trigger is plastic yes, but it's just a lever that pulls on a pretty ingenious sear system, the springs that are on the trigger can be tweaked for a pretty decent pull.
No real complaints with the 2 I've had, I'd buy another if the price was right.
 
I had one in 6.5. Didn't keep it long only because I wanted something else, no fault of the rifle. It was an impulse buy since browning had $100 rebate on them and it was a little over $500. Couple little things I liked compared to the XPR if I remember. The position of the safety was one and I think the mags held 1 more compared to the XPR. I put a McCarbo trigger spring in and got it down to 2.2-2.3 lbs. If I was looking for a budget gun I want to give the stevens 334 a whirl providing a spring kit comes out for it as well. Its the only negative I'm hearing about them so far.
 
BigUglyMan said:
I always like the Composite Stalker too. There was one in a local shop in 8mm Short Mag for about $500, but I need another rifle, and bullet diameter, like I need a hole in the head.
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Scored this vintage gem at my local shop not too long ago. It's in .308 Win & was priced where I couldn't pass it up.

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NAA.
 

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AB3 seem to be just as accurate as a ABII, so other than a dread of polymer parts (like on any modern production) they seem ok
time and more use will prove it out , still waiting for something to fail
 
I'd take the AB3 over an axis, 783, ruger american, etc, pretty much any of the budget rifles.

I haven't personally held an XPR to compare, but i assume they would be similar. The browning buttpads they use are head and shoulders better than anything else you'll get included on a rifle out of the box.

Like Nomad said, if you're actually seeing one for $640 you'd best get it quick before it's gone.
 
dand883 said:
I'd take the AB3 over an axis, 783, ruger american, etc, pretty much any of the budget rifles.

I haven't personally held an XPR to compare, but i assume they would be similar. The browning buttpads they use are head and shoulders better than anything else you'll get included on a rifle out of the box.

Like Nomad said, if you're actually seeing one for $640 you'd best get it quick before it's gone.
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They definitely seem like the keeper vs those others to me too.

nomad 68 said:
Exactly where are AB3's still selling for $640?
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Al Flatherty's but they're $750-ish now. They were about $100 cheaper when I posted this thread.
 
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I prefer the A-bolt II with the drop plate magazine myself.
I regret selling the 300 Stalker,now have an X-bolt and a Brno 21H and have yet to replace the A-bolt II.
But what fits you physically better and your wallet too.
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
I prefer the A-bolt II with the drop plate magazine myself.
I regret selling the 300 Stalker,now have an X-bolt and a Brno 21H and have yet to replace the A-bolt II.
But what fits you physically better and your wallet too.
Rob
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Gonna jump on it if you ever see another?
 
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