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.