Rifle: Browning A-bolt, reviews, opinions?

[mark-hunter]

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 take him one day in the future to Africa. He is biting the bait!
So, this rifle can one day go for safari. Any shortcomings for African plains game?

 

[K-man]

Hello. My first safari rifle was an a-bolt in .375 h&h. Absolutely accurate and a dream to shoot, so much that I bought another in .25/06. I really like the shorter bolt throw (60 degrees) The only down side I have seen Is they generally have long barrels that may get hung up in brush. I have since gone the Blaser route for traveling.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I had a Browning A-Bolt in 300 win mag. It was a straight shooter and I took my first moose and deer with that rifle. The only thing that I didn’t like was the length of barrel. It was quite long for the bush we hunt. I traded it for a black powder rifle to extend my hunting season, or I would still have it. It’s not a bespoke rifle but a great working tool that should get the job done.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I have one in 30-06 that has been serving my family well for over 20 years now.
It was my daughters first rifle.
It's taken many mule deer, whitetail deer and a few antelope.
My grandson is using it now.
No complaints

 

[slam8031]

I have an abolt 2 in 7mm rem mag and another in 375 h and h. Both are left handed. Both are very accurate. Both have found tremendous success in North America and Africa. Tell him to Buy it!!! Hunt with it!!!

 

[Altitude sickness]

They are usually very accurate rifles. And can be bought for a song.
Here is the A bolt in 7 rem mag I gave to my Son in Law
He is practicing during a NM elk hunt. Shooting a Steel Ram and Buffalo at 520 yards standing using a Bog death grip tripod.

 

[BeeMaa]

The Browning A-Bolt is a very good rifle. I also agree that the barrels tend to be a bit long, not to mention that this particular rifle has been discontinued. Browning replaced it with the X-Bolt and I believe they are on their 2nd generation of that model.

If he's looking to stay budget minded and still have a top shelf rifle, might I suggest the Tikka T3x. I like having integrated rails on top of the receiver, plus they are crazy accurate out of the box.

For a first hunting rifle, he's are making a wise choice 30-06 but could also step up to a 300WM if he wanted. My preference is stainless and synthetic, but with proper care timber and blued steel will be just fine. Options from Tikka abound including camo and laminate stocks as well.

 

[mark-hunter]

Thank you boys! You are wonderful support!

 

[375er]

I also agree, I have a .375 a-bolt that I have hunted with for over 30 years. No problems ever in all the years. Tell him to get it, go hunting, and don't look back.

 

[Altitude sickness]

The A bolt has a tang 3 position safety also. Which is very handy and silent

 

[BJH65]

I’ve had a 270 Browning A-Bolt for years, it’s a very accurate minute of angle rifle at 100 yards.

Browning A-Bolts came with 26 inch barrels in magnum calibers and the handier 22 inch barrel in non magnum calibers.

The original A-Bolt and A-Bolt II have an interesting magazine setup. The mag assembly swings out, then you can detach the actual mag and snap another in place.

Browning still makes a bargain basement A-Bolt III, that is not of the same quality as the original A-Bolt and A-Bolt II and takes a different mag but still a serviceable entry level rifle.

 

[Rider717]

My first rifle was a first generation .30-06 A-bolt. Have used it on everything from whitetail to kudu. Always an accurate easy shooting rifle. After hunting in Argentina and renting a Tikka T3x .30-06 I bought one. Very accurate out of the box and light weight. Either one would be a great first rifle.

 

[375er]

Hell, good forever rifle, not just a 1st rifle.

 

[Kevin375]

I had the opportunity to try on target a Browning A-Bolt III in .243 Winchester that belongs to my neighbour. The finition is not at the same level than previous versions but for the price, it remains a good rifle.
With the only ammunition he gave me, Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 95 gr, the rifle held the half MOA each time.

 

[cash_tx]

The first and second generation A-bolts are fantastic rifles. That Miroku steel makes them the Hatori Hanzo of hunting rifles. ;-)

 

[Doug3006]

Everyone I know who owns an Abolt loves them. The couple I have owned were really accurate and dependable. It has always surprised me that Abolts just don’t seem to receive the attention that Winchesters, Sakos, Weatherbys, and other brands seem to get. Browning makes a fine rifle.

 

[DJStang]

I like the original A-bolt for a entry rifle. They can be found cheap, and are a well made rifle from Miroku.

I have 4 of them: 338 WM, 300 WM, 7mm RM, and 375 H&H. All of mine have the BOSS system, which makes for a shorter barrel, but the same overall length of a standard barrel. Mine shoot MOA, and like most ammo (not too picky) when you adjust the BOSS for that particular load.

Here's the 300 WM with a mule deer I took in the Frank Church wilderness in Idaho. That was quite the trip.

 

[leslie hetrick]

i have a older A bolt SS left hand in .280 and it is indeed a fine rifle, it has never left me down.

 

[BigSteve57]

My wife's deer rifle is a Browning A bolt in .243. It's an OK rifle but I never considered it a very accurate rifle (see below) and the bolt isn't as smooth as I would like. But it's a relatively inexpensive rifle and good for someone starting out. It's also very light which my wife likes. My wife has taken lots of game with it and it's never jammed, failed to feed or fire. You don't get Blaser quality unless you fork out $$$. So I'm not complaining.

As @BeeMaa mentioned the barrels are indeed a bit longer. After trying to get to the bottom of why my wife's rifle wasn't as accurate as I thought it should be I contacted Browning. It seems that Browning figured out that the light barrel of this (and I assume other rifles in the A bolt line) rifle had a tendency to "whip" when fired due to the barrel's slightly longer length. The barrel, being a bit longer created a harmonic motion. Browning offered to have me send the rifle back with the solution of lopping about an inch off the barrel's length. We declined.

EDIT: As all rifle barrels vibrate to one degree or another, Browning came out with the BOSS system to address barrel vibration:

What is the BOSS?
"Browning's Ballistic Optimizing Shooting System (BOSS) is a patented breakthrough in rifle accuracy. When any rifle is fired, the barrel goes through a series of vibrations as the bullet leaves the muzzle. The variations of these vibrations greatly affect the accuracy of the rifle. Controlling these vibrations will greatly control the accuracy of the rifle. Browning's BOSS allows you to control the vibrations of your barrel so you can shoot groups you didn't think possible."
REF:
https://www.browning.com/support/faq/boss-system.html

 

[buckmarkhunter]

I have a handful of browning rifles they work great. I personally prefer the a bolt over the x bolt. I use nightforce optics and rings, put my scope in my backpack on the plane then when I get to camp use the torque wrench to proper spec and it’s on.