Browning Love?

[jb1069]

Looking through the classifieds and article on rifles I don't see alot of talk about browning rifles like the x-bolt, x-bolt ii or A-bolts. Is there a reason or am I just missing the right articles. The Medallion rifles look very nice and seem to be fairly accurate on the few reviews I have read or watched. What is the general opinion on Browning's?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Looking through the classifieds and article on rifles I don't see alot of talk about browning rifles like the x-bolt, x-bolt ii or A-bolts. Is there a reason or am I just missing the right articles. The Medallion rifles look very nice and seem to be fairly accurate on the few reviews I have read or watched. What is the general opinion on Browning's?

All excellent firearms.

I’m a real big fan on the old Belgian made Browning Safari rifles which were built on the Fabrique Nationale Mauser Series 400 actions until 1962.

The currently manufactured Japanese manufactured Browning firearms also leave very little to be desired.

Until recently, the Browning X Bolt was offered in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. But that’s discontinued now. Nowadays, the only Magnum caliber rifles being offered by Browning are either in 7mm Remington Magnum or .300 Winchester Magnum.

I would buy a Browning with absolutely zero hesitation,

 

[jpr9954]

When I went to the Eastern Cape last year, I brought and used my A-Bolt in .280 AI for everything but one animal. It performed admirably.

It was an older model with the BOSS system. I did take off the muzzle break in favor of the BOSS-CR .

 

[Ontario Hunter]

All excellent firearms.

I’m a real big fan on the old Belgian made Browning Safari rifles which were built on the Fabrique Nationale Mauser Series 400 actions until 1962.

The currently manufactured Japanese manufactured Browning firearms also leave very little to be desired.

Until recently, the Browning X Bolt was offered in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. But that’s discontinued now. Nowadays, the only Magnum caliber rifles being offered by Browning are either in 7mm Remington Magnum or .300 Winchester Magnum.

I would buy a Browning with absolutely zero hesitation,

I don't know about rifles but the Miroku Browning shotguns were as good if not better than Belgian counterparts. The Miroku A5s had more metal and choke tubes. FN made the barrels thinner to cut weight and only fixed chokes. Miroku barrels, even if they didn't have chokes and most do, are plenty thick enough to be threaded for them. FN barrels are too thin. Superposed was no better than Miroku Citori. And there again FN simply refused to abandon fixed chokes. Result is any old FN waterfowl shotgun with fixed full choke (the overwhelming majority) are useless for anything but shooting trap or maybe turkeys. Waterfowl requires nontoxic steel and thin FN barrels can't take the pressure. Browning told me I shouldn't be shooting steel in my FN Light Twelve with fixed modified!

Miroku also made thicker A5 fore end and added crossbolts to stop cracking. FN just made the wood thinner to lighten the guns. Result was barrel ring busts them to pieces when barrel is slammed forward at the end of cycle. Thicker wood and crossbolts helped but it remained a design flaw with old design A5 till end of production in 1998.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Plenty of our members are big fans and users of Browning Rifles. I search in other areas on AH should reveal that. I’ve used my A-Bolt in 7MM REM MAG with great success in Africa and North America. Eland, Gemsbok, Elk, Deer, Pigs, Coyote, Springbok slam, Warthog And many other PG!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I don't know about rifles but the Miroku Browning shotguns were as good if not better than Belgian counterparts. The Miroku A5s had more metal and choke tubes. FN made the barrels thinner to cut weight and only fixed chokes. Miroku barrels, even if they didn't have chokes and most do, are plenty thick enough to be threaded for them. FN barrels are too thin. Superposed was no better than Miroku Citori. And there again FN simply refused to abandon fixed chokes. Result is any old FN waterfowl shotgun with fixed full choke (the overwhelming majority) are useless for anything but shooting trap or maybe turkeys. Waterfowl requires nontoxic steel and thin FN barrels can't take the pressure. Browning told me I shouldn't be shooting steel in my FN Light Twelve with fixed modified!

Miroku also made thicker A5 fore end and added crossbolts to stop cracking. FN just made the wood thinner to lighten the guns. Result was barrel ring busts them to pieces when barrel is slammed forward at the end of cycle. Thicker wood and crossbolts helped but it remained a design flaw with old design A5 till end of production in 1998.

Hi, Ontario Hunter. Always love your feedback.

But I do believe that Browning fitted at least a few Belgium made A5 semi automatic shotguns with polychokes from the factory from 1952 until cessation of production of A5 shotguns in Belgium in 1975.

I have a rare Fabrique Nationale flyer from 1952. Check this out.

 

[Nicaburns]

Brownings are an excellent choice! The only one that has been lesser quality in my experience is the AB3 which was marketed to compete with the cheaper rifles on the market. Abolt 1&2 as well as Xbolt has been outstanding.

 

[KuduKiller]

The last few trips to SA I have used a Browning Hells Canyon topped with a Vortex PST2 in 6.5 Creedmoor. My some took everything from Jackal to Kudu with it and I have taken Mountain Zebra, Lechwe and a few other including a baboon at just shy of 400 yards. I love this set up!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Hi, Ontario Hunter. Always love your feedback.

But I do believe that Browning fitted at least a few Belgium made A5 semi automatic shotguns with polychokes from the factory from 1952 until cessation of production of A5 shotguns in Belgium in 1975.

I have a rare Fabrique Nationale flyer from 1952. Check this out.
View attachment 673122

Polychoke was crap. Dad had one on his Model 11. Whatever I dialed it to made almost no difference in pattern. Cutts Compensator was the next best thing to choke tubes but an awful monstrosity to look at or stand next to in a duck blind or next trap station. Browning could stick those boogers on the end of their thin barrels. But when choke tubes were developed, FN simply refused to tool up. They mistakenly felt consumers preferred lighter weight shotguns (lightweight shotguns = better shooter is a silly myth that persists to this day). Miroku was on the ball from the get go. They made the Citori with tubes first. Besides being more practical than FN fixed choke Superposed, it was cheaper. To the best of my knowledge, Browning never offered a choke tube A5, not even in Magnum Twelve. Not until production of them was shifted to Miroku. By then Miroku had developed their proprietary Invector chokes (that Winchester and Mossberg produced under their own brand).

Similarly, FN had to know about the design defects with A5 (stock attached with tang screw and bare wood contact inside the fore end). But they never fixed either issue (Remington did when they introduced 11-47). Why? Maybe because it would mean changing the "classic" looks of the gun. Or maybe they preferred selling replacement stocks and fore ends? Maybe FN also preferred selling extra barrels instead of cheap choke tubes?

 

[Zinz]

Early Browning Safari rifles with the CRF actions are so nice. I inherited Papa’s .270 and hunt with it every opening weekend. It points so nicely and the action is like butter. I would love one in .375 or .458… they come up occasionally in the auctions, but better bring your wallet.

Took this dandy blackbuck out near Del Rio a few months after dad passed away.

Ed Z

 

[375er]

If you run across a Browing BBR, the predecessor to the a-bolt grab it, but not before you tell me where it is!

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I’ve not had much experience with browning rifles but I am a huge fan of their BPS shotguns, basically a rip off of the Ithaca 37 another favourite of mine. The shotgun I carry most is a 20 gauge BPS It came with a 28” field barrel but I was able to find a 22” smooth bore slug barrel. Perfect for walking woods roads with slugs if you jump large game and shot for partridge.

 

[mark-hunter]

What is the general opinion on Browning's?

I have Browning B525 shotgun, I wouldnt change it for anything.
In my clay shooting club, they swear on Browning shotguns, as the best and most durable shotguns.

But Browning rifles are not overly present in my local hunting community.
Recently I came in touch with and A bolt, that a friend of mine purchased. And from a few handlings that I had with him on a range, I have overall positive opinion. Before he purchased, I asked on the forum about it:

Thread 'Rifle: Browning A-bolt, reviews, opinions?'

Nov 1, 2024

A friend of mine wants to buy A-bolt rifle by Browning.
Cal. 30-06, general purpose hunting rifle, for average hunting distances (up to 200 m)

I have no experience with it. He is fresh certified hunter, first hunting rifle, he has no hunting experience, just high expectations. Choice of rifle he makes by brand reputation, overall looks, and retail price.

What do you guys say about this rifle?
Do you have experiences with this rifle or some other informative comments?

Any info appreciated, to know what is he getting himself into!

Later edit:
African perspective.

I am working on him to...

• mark-hunter
• Replies: 94
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

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[ThreeJacks]

This is my Browning FN Safari in 300 H&H, made in 1959 (I think the first year of production).

 

[HookMeUpII]

Somehow, somewhere along the line, I ended up with a bunch of Brownings.

X-Bolt Medallion White Gold Maple in 300WM (Africa PG gun)
X-Bolt Speed Long Range in 300WM (USA big game gun)
X-Bolt Medallion (new production) in 375HH (Africa cape buffalo and large PG)

The 375HH is a special production made for one specific retailer I happened upon. It's actually on it's way to my FFL. As soon as I saw it, as soon as I saw the price, I bought it. If you want the details, feel free to PM.

They have incredibly smooth actions. They come with adjustable triggers, I believe, in most models, from the factory. They make them in tons of formats from composite stocks, wood stocks, and now are making them with CF barrels as well. They've really stepped their game up. My Long Range has additional twists and a different format barrel as well as kind of a slick cheek riser.

I've found my 300WM's to be very accurate. I took the White Gold to RSA in 2023 and you can read the report on here.

Their customer service is top notch. I had an issue with the stock on my White Gold Maple and they replaced the stock, free of charge, paid for shipping, and the whole lot. I assumed I was going to be in trouble being it was a special production, nope.

The only downside? I think the barrels on the 300WM are a bit long. My 300WM's are huge guns. They're like 50" or more in OAL. They're getting a little better with 24" offerings. The 375HH is 24" which makes sense. The only other downside is they're push feed vs CRF. However, CRF is not terribly common in the market these days with only a few manufacturers coming back to it.

I also have 2 shotguns from them as well.

Browning Silver SHOT Show special vintage camo in 12g
Browning Gold Hunter in 20g I bought for my son, used

 

[Fatback]

I have a left handed Browning A-bolt in 300 Win Mag that I bought new in 2005. I have hunted all over North America and in Namibia several times with this rifle. It has always preformed great. I’ve taken everything from brown bear to pronghorn to eland to spring buck with mine. I call this rifle “The Decorator” since about 90% of the taxidermy in my house is a direct result of me squeezing the trigger on this rifle. I’ve sort of put her into semi-retirement the last few years in favor of some of my Model 70 rifles but I usually try and shoot something here at home with it every fall. This has been a wonderful rifle and I’ve made so many great memories with it.

 

[coreydb]

I have a selection of browning rifles spanning the decades and no matter where they were/are made, they perform superbly. No hearsay, no brother in-law's opinion, or "I heard someone say" second hand opinions. The current round of X-bolts are absolutely among the smoothest I ever owned. I killed many animals with mine, the trigger on my last X-bolt came with a very smooth 2.5 trigger pull and a .5 moa; this is a hunting rifle!. Proof is in the pudding, not opinion.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Until recently, the Browning X Bolt was offered in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. But that’s discontinued now.

There is one exception, PM me if you're interested.

 

[Flbt]

Looking through the classifieds and article on rifles I don't see alot of talk about browning rifles like the x-bolt, x-bolt ii or A-bolts. Is there a reason or am I just missing the right articles. The Medallion rifles look very nice and seem to be fairly accurate on the few reviews I have read or watched. What is the general opinion on Browning's?

I like the blr especially in 358 and the take down on 325 wsm

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

There is one exception, PM me if you're interested.

Does that exception come in left handed?