The "best" Browning

I agree the original FN built was the best. As for the others I am not a fan of the A boltII. People have mentioned the convenience Of the detachable rifle. This spring Holding the front of the mag in place will compress and break with a mag load of heavy recoilling cartridges. I dislike the multi piece bolt construction. I believe 7 or 8 pieces for the bolt itself without the spring or sticker in the bolt. I have been brought several after someone tried to completely strip the bolt. The shape of the stock is out of proportion for me. The Bolt is a definite improvement in my opinion The mag is more convenient. I happen to prefer a drop floor plate. AS mentioned the BBR is heavy and fells like a club.
Neil
 
nowarningshot said:
Never had a xbolt, just got my second abolt, the first was a 22 hornet, the second is a 338 wm.

A couple of years ago i had a thread about overvalued/undervalued firearms. The abolt is very undervalued, the xbolt is too recent to call. The abolt typically sells for 5-600, which is really not that much more than a new entry level rifle like a axis or rem 783.

The bbr was heavy, very good, and the stock was very prone to crack in the tang by the safety.
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you read my mind on the abolt and bbr. i had a 25-06 bbr as my first serious high powered rifle. 8 lbs w/o scope and a 22 inch barrel! don't know what they were thinking on that one.. lots of muzzle blast. high gloss stock was almost too pretty to hunt with. very solid beefy action that screamed quality.
the stock chipped right behind the bolt with just a small bump. As it was pushing 10lbs scoped and loaded I sold it with no regrets.

i love the abolt mag system and any decent DBM really. conversely I don't care for hinged floor plates. just a pain to use, fiddly and drop your ammo wherever. i once had a sako and pushing that little release button was annoying and difficult. i got rid of it for that reason. beautiful rifle otherwise.
 
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Something that no one has mentioned is that Browning originally brought out the Xbolt as a less expensive alternative to the Abolt. It was sort of the first of the wave of starter rifles but has morphed into whatever it is now. IMHO the Abolt is superior to the Xbolt. I have owned two Abolts, One in 30.06 and the other in 280 and have shot a friends Xbolt. Still have the 280 and still hunt with it. Took it to Montana to hunt elk in the Bob Marshal wilderness just last September. I also have a 700, a model 70, some Savages, a model 94, plus a bunch of other rifles including a couple of custom builds and the one remaining Abolt is just about my favorite.
 
I have a 60's vintage belgian safari in 300 wm ,a 70's BLR in 308, a new t bolt in 22lr, a belgian challenger pistol from the 60's, a nomad pistol from the same period, & a beautiful maple x bolt in 30-06. I guess i like brownings. The challenger is my most favourite ever pistol, & the x bolt is the nicest rifle ive ever packed around. Light & beautifully balanced. The bolt & magazine are wonderfully smooth & feed perfectly. Shoots 3/4 inch with factory stuff & 3/8 with my handload. Also love the recoil pad.
 
The best Brownings are the Safari Grade bolt actions by far. I have 4 of them and they shoot lights out, not to mention the amazing fit & finish and beauty. My 222 shot a 3/16" 4 shot group one day (I pulled the 5th as I was so excited). Great triggers and bolts as smooth as butter. They are my favorites in the stable by far.

I also have a browning A bolt 22 that shoots really well but the bolt isn't so smooth, maybe it just needs to be worked in.
 
gobigorgohome said:
I've gotten a lot of flak lately from buddies over this but.... I can't be the only one that doesn't like the X-Bolt! Are they a "decent" gun? I guess so. Are they, "tack driving, shoot the wings off a fly at 1000 yards" great, like a lot of guys think they are? Absolutely not. I feel like Browning slacked in quality after their original A-Bolt and A-Bolt 2 design. Not that the original A-Bolts were flawless, but to me, they seemed stronger, better built and could take more abuse. I can't be the only one who thinks this!

What do you think is the "best" Browning?
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i feel ya, my friend has a original A bolt, thing it tough, strong, looks good and made well.......... i had a A bolt 2 an the finish was different and could tell there was not as much love put into it as the original A bolt....
the 3s... well need i say more? to keep up with the race to the bottom i guess they went this route..

the X bolt, seems that it has a unique fit? something about it doesnt fit me really well, which is an interesting thing ive noticed is how short the A bolt 1-2 is for LOP, an the X bolt is the other way around.. anyone else agree to this? (X bolt looks like stretched out A bolt) :D


do i like em?? i do like A bolts originals............. the X bolts seem fine for those who fit............

i think its without Doubt, the BAR was the best Browning...
 
gobigorgohome said:
I've gotten a lot of flak lately from buddies over this but.... I can't be the only one that doesn't like the X-Bolt! Are they a "decent" gun? I guess so. Are they, "tack driving, shoot the wings off a fly at 1000 yards" great, like a lot of guys think they are? Absolutely not. I feel like Browning slacked in quality after their original A-Bolt and A-Bolt 2 design. Not that the original A-Bolts were flawless, but to me, they seemed stronger, better built and could take more abuse. I can't be the only one who thinks this!

What do you think is the "best" Browning?
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Massey Ferguson, John Deer or IH, what ever floats yer boat cause one is splitting hair when it comes to arguing about non events.
But, what do I know being a West Coaster and all.
Rob
 
"Best Browning":

Belgian Browning Safari Grade .375 H&H Magnum
FN Supreme Mauser 98 action.

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I am a big fan of Browning shotguns, but I will never own another Browning rifle. The fit and finish is good, but I hate the triggers, and the bolts contain more parts than I like. On the other hand, the older Belgian Brownings, were nice rifles.
 
The triggers are what you make them. Like a Remington or Tikka or Winchester.
A new spring and some tinkering.
The trigger on my Abolt is 2.5 lbs, safe, and as good as any hunting trigger out there imo.
 
All I own are Browning’s semi’s.....and all are super accurate.....I’m not the best shooter in the world ...but for all the loading I do ...holy Hanna all 1” or less for grouping.....I swear by these rifles....like there modo says ...browning the best there is ....
But like anything else you get good ones and lemons ....so as long as your happy...by all means ...happy shooting ...
Another fact everywhere I go weather it’s shooting at the range or out hunting ...people commit on my rifle ...oh nice .....oh Jesus....etc..etc.....I say buy what you can afford and what you like
Again happy shooting
 
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