Question for Owners of Browning A-Bolts and BAR

[Claybuster]

I know these rifles have a combined detachable magazine and floor plate.

Will the rifle work properly if the magazine is inserted in the well and the floor plate closed on it or does the magazine have to be attached to the floor plate before it is inserted into the mag well?

 

[Steeleco]

Interesting question. I had to go play with mine to find out!! After 6 tries, I'm unable to close the floor plate without the clip being snapped in place first.

 

[300winman]

Bar and A-bolt

Clay buster,Both of these units have to have the clip clicked into the floor plate as that is the only thing that will hold the clip in place.Otherwise the clip will not stay in rifle by itself.

 

[stubblejumper]

And that is the reason that many of us will not own these rifles anymore.The system contains more parts than necessary,and is the slowest detachable mag system to load that I have ever used.

 

['Boo]

Next summer you can buy the latest version of the Browning bolt action rifle - the X-Bolt. It features a centre-feed detachable magazine with no floor-plate. (Browning has listened to all the #####ing! ) Now Browning will be able to get a share of the road-hunter market with a fast loading centre-fire bolt action rifle.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

And that is the reason that many of us will not own these rifles anymore.The system contains more parts than necessary,and is the slowest detachable mag system to load that I have ever used.

Yep, slow as hell. Another reason I sold mine.
The idea of having a spare mag is defeated, if it takes a lot of screwing around to use it. Try to do it without looking down and turning the rifle over. It can be done, but there sure are easier designs. About time they dropped it and got a regular design.

 

[Bold Badger]

The browning magazine and combined floor plate is the worst of both. The rifle is good.

 

[stubblejumper]

The browning magazine and combined floor plate is the worst of both. The rifle is good.

The magazine system is a part of that rifle,so if it isn't a good system,the rifle as an assembly isn't very good.

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

Aside from road hunters why does anyone need to load a magazine quickly??? unless you are using it for high volume varminting it makes no diifference but to each his own.

 

[Bold Badger]

stubblejumper, let me restate in a different way. I do not like the floor plate clip system, and if that were my only criteria, I would think as you, that the rifle as an assembly was not good, but I have owned many A bolts and like them for their shooting qualities. I am with Turkeyslayer says, and until such time as Browning gets their act together, I will enjoy my A-bolt as is.

 

[Claybuster]

Aside from road hunters why does anyone need to load a magazine quickly??? unless you are using it for high volume varminting it makes no diifference but to each his own.

It does make a difference in my situation.

I live in a rural area and it is legal for me to have an unloaded gun out of the safe for varmints and predators. I keep a detachable magazine separate but nearby for quick loading. Currently I'm using a Sako 75 in .223 but was considering a .22 Hornet. The two main options were the Ruger 77/22H or the CZ527. For various reasons I don't care for either rifle and was wondering about the Browning Micro Hunter but it appears it appears won't be suitable.

Thanks to all those who provided answers.

 

[stubblejumper]

I would think as you, that the rifle as an assembly was not good, but I have owned many A bolts and like them for their shooting qualities.

If the a-bolt offered more accuracy,or better triggers than the competition,I might put up with the magazine system.However since many other rifles are just as accurate,or even moreso,and have better triggers,I will avoid the a-bolt.

 

[Bold Badger]

Claybuster:

I also live in a rural area and the a-bolt is a real stinker to load without turning on the porch light. No problem during the day though. At night it is not an issue because I do not plan to shoot that far and that is why God invented the smooth bore.

 

[Bold Badger]

stubblejumper:
I do not wish to hijack this thread, but I avoid Remingtons.

 

[dcan]

I use mostly Remingtons with the ADL system in other words no Clip, no floorplate.
I can single load rifle and have an aimed shot off faster than most people with clip.
As the old saying goes "one shoot one kill"
Don

 

[Claybuster]

I use mostly Remingtons with the ADL system in other words no Clip, no floorplate.
I can single load rifle and have an aimed shot off faster than most people with clip.
As the old saying goes "one shoot one kill"
Don

Great. And if a second coyote is in the field what then? It's the potential need for a second or third short that makes the detachable magazine the preferred option for me and, yes, I've had to take more than one shot at times.

If all that was ever needed was one aimed shot then a Ruger #1 would be even faster.

 

[Covey Ridge]

If all that was ever needed was one aimed shot then a Ruger #1 would be even faster.

Might be a pretty good shot, but I doubt if it would be faster? To load a scoped #1 and get off a shot faster than single loading a scoped bolt takes a lot of practice not to mention fingers that are under 50 years old

If you are looking for a slick light porch gun, I would suggest a cheap plastic tikka. Might not be much to look at but clip inserts positive and quick and cyles rounds into the chamber about as well as any I have tried.

 

[Claybuster]

Might be a pretty good shot, but I doubt if it would be faster? To load a scoped #1 and get off a shot faster than single loading a scoped bolt takes a lot of practice not to mention fingers that are under 50 years old

If you are looking for a slick light porch gun, I would suggest a cheap plastic tikka. Might not be much to look at but clip inserts positive and quick and cyles rounds into the chamber about as well as any I have tried.

I shot a Ruger #1 for several years and practiced with it but my fingers were under 50 at the time.

Tikka is a good choice and I used one for a while until I traded it on a very pretty Sako Model 75 which has a better magazine and can be top loaded. It's doing porch duty these days.

 

[beretta boy]

CB

You might want to look at a Tikka or maybe a Remington SPS DM. Both come in a range of suitable calibers. ( .270 and under)
Either will "shoot well enough to very good" and both have detachable mags that can
be inserted in a hurry. Although to me, they are both "utility guns" ... rather than fine rifles, they suit the purpose for critter control 'round the house.

PS I too live out in a rural area ... and occassionally have a chance or two
at a 'yote ... off the front porch or out in the "back 160"
( don't shoot out the front 40 at all ! )

 

[John Marshall]

Unless the coyotes are shooting back I think you'll be fine with browning system. I have an Abolt and it has never been a problem?