Rifle: Browning A-bolt, reviews, opinions?

[CoElkHunter]

I would like to see actual data on this as I have multiple 60 degree bolt rifles, some over 40 years old and have never had a problem. Not to mention the (millions)? of Weatherby rifles with the same bolt throw.

Too bad someone couldn't make a CRF action with a 60 degree bolt throw? Probably not possible but it is an interesting concept?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Which generation of A Bolt. Not all are equal.

I had an older Stainless Stalker in 338WM from the early 90’s that shot lights out. I bought it super cheap, had to do a little work to it, ended up cerakoting it, replacing the stock and building a great elk rifle out of it. I’ve had a couple of newer ones and an older ones that quickly got sold because they didn’t shoot as well as I’d hoped.

I like the 60 degree bolt throw in them.

 

[Sarg]

Which generation of A Bolt. Not all are equal.

I had an older Stainless Stalker in 338WM from the early 90’s that shot lights out. I bought it super cheap, had to do a little work to it, ended up cerakoting it, replacing the stock and building a great elk rifle out of it. I’ve had a couple of newer ones and an older ones that quickly got sold because they didn’t shoot as well as I’d hoped.

I like the 60 degree bolt throw in them.

I’ve had lots of A Bolts - the II is the best I think, III is Elcheapo.

I bought my first (30/06 SS “Wood” Painted WTF) in 1988 It was the first Stainless “Synthetic” rifle we had in NZ, used it forever & so did my hunters, quite a few of them buying A Bolts after using mine.

I have 5 or so now, I really like the short bolt lift & the awesome safety, same as one of my old work rifles Ruger M77.

I think better as all round rifle in less than DG calibers maybe 338Win but the 30/06 configuration is great handling all round rifle .

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve had lots of A Bolts - the II is the best I think, III is Elcheapo.

I bought my first (30/06 SS “Wood” Painted WTF) in 1988 It was the first Stainless “Synthetic” rifle we had in NZ, used it forever & so did my hunters, quite a few of them buying A Bolts after using mine.

I have 5 or so now, I really like the short bolt lift & the awesome safety, same as one of my old work rifles Ruger M77.

I think better as all round rifle in less than DG calibers maybe 338Win but the 30/06 configuration is great handling all round rifle .

The 338Win I had was the same era rifle. Very well could’ve been from the 80’s. I got it cheap because after firing the brass would get stuck in the chamber. 3 shots and you couldn’t open the bolt without a rubber mallet and block of wood. 1/2” groups though. Took it to an old time gunsmith and a quick polishing of the chamber fixed it.

 

[TMac]

All my A-bolts have shot well. I like the magazine system and safety. Still have one of them. Two had the same issue, they can come unlocked when cycling the bolt fast and hard. Any bolt can do this I guess, but I’ve only had it with A-volts, three times. Once on a deer hunt, twice while cleaning the rifles. I was always tempted to use a rat tail file and make the cocking detent a touch deeper, never did.

If that happens, you can’t chamber the next round until you manually remove the bolt. Then use a bullet tip in the provided opening on the bottom of the bolt, and recock it to line up the lugs correctly to insert back into the rifle. So for DG, never an A bolt for me, otherwise not a big deal as long as you know the fix.

 

[mark-hunter]

Too bad someone couldn't make a CRF action with a 60 degree bolt throw? Probably not possible but it is an interesting concept?

Arguably, and as per factory claims, Sako 85 is controlled round feed, 60 degree rotation, three locking lugs.
The question is, never clarified: what is controlled round feed?

There are two options to define CRF:

1. Exclusively Mauser 98 style bolt, with long extractor, that holds the cartridge during process of controlled chambering? So, nothing else but M98 bolt?

2. Any other type of bolt, that mimics Mauser 98 operation?

Operation similarities:

If we take out the bolt from m98, and stick the cartridge into the long extractor, the bolt can cold the cartridge in horizontal position.
Apparently, Sako 85 bolt can do the same.

Push feed rifle, needs to close the bolt, before extraction and ejection.
Controlled round feed rifle (m98) does not need to lock the bolt to extract and eject. Rifle can be emptied just by moving the bolt forward and backwards, without locking.
Sako 85 can do the same, without locking.

So, if the answer to above question is 2, then arguably, sako 85 is CRF with 60 degree bolt rotation.
If the answer is 1, then sako is not CRF. In that case I doubt that 60 degree rotation can be designed on m98 system.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Very accurate rifles. An owner will not be disappointed.

 

[Rafiki]

Wonderful rile. I have a .243. Very, very accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a couple SAKO’s and a TIKKA. The A Bolt helped me get to SAKO. I love my SAKO’s too!

@NIGHTHAWK
We may have to start calling to @Dr Ray brother.
He loves his sakos. Don't know why they are just an overpriced tikka
Bob

 

[Sarg]

@NIGHTHAWK
We may have to start calling to @Dr Ray brother.
He loves his sakos. Don't know why they are just an overpriced tikka
Bob

Oh Bob that’s not right bud, the Sako 75 & 85 are a long way above a Tikka, way less plastic bits & much better over all rifle & I have both, I don’t like them in DG calibers either as had too many jam on my hunters, biggest culprit 375H&H but I do love them for normal hunting, do prefer the A Bolt magazine & safety but the trigger on the A Bolt doesn’t compare to Tikka or Sako even when worked over !

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Oh Bob that’s not right bud, the Sako 75 & 85 are a long way above a Tikka, way less plastic bits & much better over all rifle & I have both, I don’t like them in DG calibers either as had too many jam on my hunters, biggest culprit 375H&H but I do love them for normal hunting, do prefer the A Bolt magazine & safety but the trigger on the A Bolt doesn’t compare to Tikka or Sako even when worked over !

@Sarg
Combining the best bits of the Sako with the best of the bits of the browning and combining the name would give you a rifle that no-one would ever buy
Imagine walking into a gunshop and asking for, wait for it,
a BRAKO.
First two letters if browning and last letters of Sako.
Now that I would pay money to see
Imagine sitting around a campfire during a safari and someone asks you what brand your rifle is.
Imagine the looks and laughter when you said it's a BRAKO A85 African in ✓✓✓✓ calibre
Bob

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@Sarg
Combining the best bits of the Sako with the best of the bits of the browning and combining the name would give you a rifle that no-one would ever buy
Imagine walking into a gunshop and asking for, wait for it,
a BRAKO.
First two letters if browning and last letters of Sako.
Now that I would pay money to see
Imagine sitting around a campfire during a safari and someone asks you what brand your rifle is.
Imagine the looks and laughter when you said it's a BRAKO A85 African in ✓✓✓✓ calibre
Bob

You love to crack yourself up... Although, most of the time I'm laughing with you!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You love to crack yourself up... Although, most of the time I'm laughing with you!

@NIGHTHAWK
Can I interest you in a slightly used BRAKO A85 light weight in 375 Ruger. for your next safari.
20 inch barrel, synthetic stock and5.5# in weight
Light weight, easy to carry all day on those long hunts. Does recoil a bit.
Bob

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
Can I interest you in a slightly used BRAKO A85 light weight in 375 Ruger. for your next safari.
20 inch barrel, synthetic stock and5.5# in weight
Light weight, easy to carry all day on those long hunts. Does recoil a bit.
Bob

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Masterfully Hijacked. Puts those 9/11 guys to shame

 

[Fatback]

I hunted exclusively from 2005 to 2021 with a LH Stainless Stalker Browning A-bolt in 300 Win Mag with a 26 inch barrel. I call her the “Decorator”, since that rifle is responsible for about 90% of the taxidermy in my house. I have shot whitetail, mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, caribou, dall sheep, black and brown bears, elk, aoudad, leopard, kudu, oryx, black and blue wildebeest, springbok, sable, eland, lechwe, etc….you get the idea. For the bigger stuff I shot 200 grain TBBCs loaded by Federal and for the smaller game I shoot 180 grain Nosler Partitions, also loaded by Federal. So if your friend has the type of success me and quite a few others have shared then he will be glad he got one.

 

[LWPhunt]

Have him throw it up, some rifles shoulder for each person different. I own many browning rifles, for a variety of reasons. but the first one was because after throwing up dozens, it came up the nicest.

 

[mark-hunter]

Apparently the new model A-Bolt a friend is buying is with 20 inch factory barrel. 30.06

So it means improved version, as a reference to some of previous comments on "longish" barrels of earlier models.

All in all, it seams good choice.
I think I will be present on his initial test of the rifle. Will post here my first impressions soon.

My friend is a bit "naughty" type, and does not follow every recommendation I make, especially on glass quality. He will fit some budget scope.

But as it usually turns out to be (me being right ), soon - by next season, he will be considering higher quality glass. So, we will see.
Zeroing and test, first.

 

[mark-hunter]

So, guys.
I was on a range (as mentor) with my friend sighting in his new Browning A bolt, which he purchased, partially due to mostly positive feedbacks from you boys on this thread.

The rifle was bore sighted earlier, I just double checked with laser.
It was good to start, printing hits on target several inches low, which we easily corrected.
.
So, rifle, brand new, out of the box, out of the shop. First range session.
My impressions:
Trigger reasonably soft (for factory rifle), no complains.
Stock very well made, with palm swell, and very nice checkering (24LPI I think). Very pleasent to hold in hand. Free floated barrel
Two position safety, works very quiet.
Iron sights Battue. (they will be tested next time on the range)
Barrel 51 cm (if I am not mistaken, but in any case short and handy)
Magazine, metalic (a rarity in factory rifle these days).
Feeding works a bit stiff, and to chamber a round it will ask for a strong push - this detail will need some polishing or just good old fashion hard use to get it worked out.
Recoil, easy - like a baby - I was expecting a stronger kick, considering caliber 30-06, and shorter barrel. But all in all very soft kick, probably due to well designed thick recoil pad on rifle but.

Scope, 3-9x56 Hawke. (I think it will be replaced at some point), but still usable for range conditions and probably good enough for normal light conditions during a hunt. QD mounts, not sure the type.

Accuracy - fantastic!
1 moa or a bit less. Ammo: Hornady superformace 180 grain SST.
Picture of target attached. (1 square on target is 1 cm)

My first impression, excellent value for money, and very good entry level rifle for a novice hunter. It can easily become, a working rifle for many years of field use.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

So, guys.
I was on a range (as mentor) with my friend sighting in his new Browning A bolt, which he purchased, partially due to mostly positive feedbacks from you boys on this thread.

The rifle was bore sighted earlier, I just double checked with laser.
It was good to start, printing hits on target several inches low, which we easily corrected.
.
So, rifle, brand new, out of the box, out of the shop. First range session.
My impressions:
Trigger reasonably soft (for factory rifle), no complains.
Stock very well made, with palm swell, and very nice checkering (24LPI I think). Very pleasent to hold in hand. Free floated barrel
Two position safety, works very quiet.
Iron sights Battue. (they will be tested next time on the range)
Barrel 51 cm (if I am not mistaken, but in any case short and handy)
Magazine, metalic (a rarity in factory rifle these days).
Feeding works a bit stiff, and to chamber a round it will ask for a strong push - this detail will need some polishing or just good old fashion hard use to get it worked out.
Recoil, easy - like a baby - I was expecting a stronger kick, considering caliber 30-06, and shorter barrel. But all in all very soft kick, probably due to well designed thick recoil pad on rifle but.

Scope, 3-9x56 Hawke. (I think it will be replaced at some point), but still usable for range conditions and probably good enough for normal light conditions during a hunt. QD mounts, not sure the type.

Accuracy - fantastic!
1 moa or a bit less. Ammo: Hornady superformace 180 grain SST.
Picture of target attached. (1 square on target is 1 cm)

My first impression, excellent value for money, and very good entry level rifle for a novice hunter. It can easily become, a working rifle for many years of field use.

View attachment 650048

I love a success story!