Need some feedback on Browning A Bolt 204

Stalker

Stalker

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I have the chance to pick up a Browning A Bolt in 204 with 116 rounds through it, but I haven't heard much about them. Does anyone have any first hand experience with them as far as accuracy and whatnot? It's a beautiful gun priced right with lots of accessories, I'm just don't want to drop my cash on something that could have been better spent.
 
Seems like it may have been on this mesage board that there were some people who are not Browning fans. Some of them may put in their two cents. I only have one Browning in my safe and it was impressively accurate right out of the box. Well, Ok, I did some trigger work and may have messed with the bedding a bit.
 
Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter in 204? Yeah, those have a reputation for being very accurate. I told my local gunshop owner I'm good for one if he ever comes across one. They don't make them anymore.
 
I have an A-Bolt 'Varmint' Stalker in 204, 24" barrel. I put a light Timney trigger spring in & have used it mostly in a SD dogtown. For that use I like it & things have been fine.

If the price was right I'd buy it regardless, otherwise it may depend on your intended use.
 
Can't speak for the 204 but I have an A-Bolt Micro in 243 that's killed everything I've pointed it at.
I've yet to hear of an A-bolt that wasn't a shooter.
 
I have a A bolt stalker in 7RM and dad has the same gun in wood/blued. They are both about 20 yrs old and still shoot great and have held up very well.
 
Its not just this forum. You'd be hard pressed to find any forum wirh many Abolt fans. Seems the problem is there lack of consistency. Coupled with the fact that if you get a bad one there isn't much you can do to change it. Not many aftermarket prod out there, stock and such.
 
I been lurking on gun forums for a long time. I have NEVER heard of the browning bolt actions being recommended to anyone, not even once. The brownings are around 800 bucks in teh shop I work at. For only 200 or 300 more your getting into kimber and sako. For a lot less a tikka, savage, or cz will likely keep up with any of them.
 
Originally Posted By: TripleDeuce660I been lurking on gun forums for a long time. I have NEVER heard of the browning bolt actions being recommended to anyone, not even once.

Really? Well, if I'm not mistaken, I just read three people who actually own A-Bolts recommending em.
The only one's who aren't seem to be those that are just regurgitating what they've read from a complete stranger on the Internet.

Truth is, they're actually very desirable in the small cal world for converting to the 17AH, and now the 17HH.
Guess it depends what web-site you're "lurking" on, but there's a whole bunch of guys over on Saubier with A-Bolts that wouldn't trade em for love nor money, and they'll buy all the 22H A-Bolts you can get your hands on sight unseen.
 
I've got 2 A-bolts, one in .280 and one in .223 both shoot as good as I can, I just changed out the trigger springs. The .280 is about all I hunt Antelope, Bear, Deer, and Elk with, bought it new for $600.00. While people "have been lurking on gun forums", my A-Bolts have been stacking up clover leaf groups and a freezer full of meat!
 
I didn't realise there were so many versions of the A Bolt. The one I am looking at is actually a Hunter II. Jusding by most of the feedback I've gotten and all the accessories it comes with I think it's worth giving a shot. If it doesn't work out, down the road it goes. Thanks guys
 
Stalker

That Hunter's a nice piece.
You'll probably want one of the trigger springs mentioned above. Ernie the Gunsmith sells em for about 25% of the price of the Timney's. (About six bucks IIRC)
Luck
 
Originally Posted By: mtngroanI've got 2 A-bolts, one in .280 and one in .223 both shoot as good as I can

+1

I wouldn't choose an A-Bolt for a custom build, but for an all around hunting rig, there's nothing wrong with em.

JMO
 
My main hunting bud has the very gun you are asking about and it is a shooter. It is also a really nice looking gun. Personaly I'm not a browning fan because of their action, but the couple I have been around have been very very accurate. That said you can't really go wrong if you aren't gonna use it for a build.
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteStalker


You'll probably want one of the trigger springs mentioned above. Ernie the Gunsmith sells em for about 25% of the price of the Timney's. (About six bucks IIRC)
Luck

That's where I got my springs, easy to do also.
 
Originally Posted By: mtngroanOriginally Posted By: RePeteStalker


You'll probably want one of the trigger springs mentioned above. Ernie the Gunsmith sells em for about 25% of the price of the Timney's. (About six bucks IIRC)
Luck

That's where I got my springs, easy to do also.

I did one for a buddies XBolt. BIG differance.
 
+2 for Ernie springs. I put one in my A-bolt and it was a piece of cake and really helped. In fact, I'm sitting on an extra one if somebody wants to PM me and offer a few bucks for it.
 
Unfortunatly, I bought the Timney two spring kit before I learned about Ernie's.
frown.gif
18.00 back then and a LOT more now days.

I'm a trigger snob, so I also paid an old smith 25.00 to stone mine. Money well spent though, as It's as good as any of my old school Remmy's or RB's now.
 
RePete I think what tripleduece was trying to convey is true. While I'm sure there are fans of some model Abolts generally you don't read much fanfare about them. Doesn't mean they suck. They just don't bring much to the table if purchased at retail price.
If you happen on one at a good price then yes sir buy it.
Lets face it. Not many people buy what gets the job done . If that was the case we'd all be using 22lr and a 30-30. Most now adays want options, add ons,etc. The fact that the aftermarket world has never warmed to the Abolt is the only reason Browning doesn't sell more than they do. The rifle it's self is good.
 
I've never owned a 204 but I have owned a couple of A-bolts. I wish to this day I would have kept the 30.06. It was as accurate as any rifle I have ever owned. It was even as accurate as my custom build.
 
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