Remington 700 vs. Browning A-Bolt

sage_yote

sage_yote

New member
I'm trying to decide what my next rifle will be in a 30 cal. or something similar and am wondering which rifle is better;more accurate, better trigger, better action, etc. Please don't tell me neither and mention another brand/model, these are the two I am trying to decide between, I know Tikka is great, just got one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif, I know Savage is accurate (and ugly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif) etc etc. Thanks for you help/advice in advance.
 
I prefer the Remington. I will be buying a M700 CDL this year, I just haven't figured out which caliber I want. Remington also has a new Model 7 CDL that should be a dandy. The LSS Mountain Rifle seems to be a really good shooter too. Heck, you can even get a controlled round feed Mauser action this year from Remington. Seems they're importing the Charles Daly or Interarms Mark X (sorry - forgot which) action for a new Big Green offering this year. Remington has dropped the ugly J-lock on the bolt, redesigned the trigger & safety for reliablity, and they're capable of excellent accuracy. Lot's of choices in after market gee-gaws too.

The A-Bolt's shoot, no doubt about it, they're accurate. However, it seems that some of their internal parts, the trigger included, are pretty soft and wear quickly or are prone to breakage. I don't care much for the bolt design either. That is a personal thing, but the parts breakage is a real concern. I keep running into this on various gunsmithing forums and do think there is some validity to it.
 
I've had both I like em both the 700 is easier to do a trigger job though I do like the A-Bolt clip setup If it were me I'd go 700 I cant say exactly why I guess its the Ford v Chevy thing I just like the 700 better. My father and a friend have an A-Bolt in 300 win mag and they love em I dont think either will dissapoint you If it were me I'd be looking at price. my .02
 
I have the Browning A-Bolt SS LH with the Boss in 30-06 and it is one of the most accurate factory rifle i have owned, right out of the box and doing nothing but shoot it. It will group the Nosler 165 Part with IMR 4350 and the Fed 180 Part HE loads into th same 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups. You can mix them up in the mag and can tell which bullet is in the group. The Boss works but it is loud and requires hearing protection which should be used with any rifle with more noise than a pellet rifle. My 700's shoot very well but require rebedding to get their best grouping. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
abolt3.jpg
 
remington 700..... theres a reason theres so many benchrest records held with 700 actions. im sure there are a few a-bolts that shoot well. but at a given benchrest match, no one shooting seriously will be shooting one.

guess youre gonna have to decide if you want a hunter or a hunter and a shooter in the same gun. just my $.02. ill never own another browning bolt gun.
 
I have owned both, and I still have the 700's. I have a Browning shotgun, but I will never own another A-Bolt. Just my personal choice.
 
I personally like the 700's too. In the last 4 months I have gotten a 700 sps in 22-250 and a 700 LSS in 300 RUM. They are both dang good shooters. We have an A-Bolt, but I have actually never shot it. The only A-Bolt I have shot the bolt screwed up on after about 10 rounds.

Kyle
 
I think you would do fine with either. I have 3 A-Bolts and have not had any problems & been very pleased. The most recent I just got is in 300 WSM. I wanted something for an upcoming bear hunt. I didn't know much about the 300WSM but was intrigued after I looked it over. The A-Bolt trigger is adjustable but the low end is near 4lbs. A medium or light replacement spring (Timney) from MidSouth Shooters supply or others does a great job & is easy to do. The removeable mag on the A-Bolt is also a nice feature. I have never had an interest in the BOSS system, not even the new CR type. I have done well just trying out a few loads. I just got a few Sierra 180 grn Gamekings to try & some 165grn to share with my 308's.

Buying some resemblance of American Made is usually a good thing.
 
no ? about it rem 700 i got 3 and love them all and shoot better then 1"moa with them all.. all mine are the model 700 vs. heavy barrels and h.s stocks
 
I've had better luck with Rem. Last Browning I owned was a BAR 30.06 that was made in Belgium. Not sure where they make the BAR's now. I tell you what that BAR was a shooter for a semi-auto, but heavy as a boat anchor. I can always seem to make a 700 shoot with a mimimal amount of work.

Take care,
HS
 
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They are both great rifles. I have one of each. If all you want to do is lighten the trigger, the A-Bolt is much easier. Just remove the trigger guard and turn a screw. According to the manual it should drop it to about 2.5 lbs. The 700 has one of the strongest actions on the market though. Can't remember the numbers now, but it would take something like stuffing 10 30-06 cartridges into the chamber to make the action come apart. The 700 has a lot more options for custom upgrades available.
 
Ditto, on the options and up grades on the 700 as ihocky2 stated. I own one A bolt, and it is an A-bolt slug gun. Most accurate slug gun I've ever seen. I however, prefer 700's. As stated, Little effort in getting them to shoot well. Butcher
 
I own an A-Bolt 25-06 that is a real tack driver. Used it in Wyoming to take 5 antelope. The only problem I've ever had with it (and it cost me a shot at a mule deer) was the trigger guard screw worked loose and kept a round from chambering into the action. I tightened it up and it worked loose again, several times. Finally I put a little locktite on it and that solved the problem. It's the only A-Bolt I have ever owned, but I currently have 6 Remington 700s. I don't like the trigger on the A-Bolt, but I've learned to cope with it. Have considered replacing it. The 700s, as everyone else has mentioned, are more 'user-friendly' when it comes to customizing. Two of my 700s have been rebarreled and are extremely accurate shooters. If I had to choose but one, I would go with the 700.
 
Rem 700 for me, the A bolt is a close second, but it's still second in my opinion. I prefer the heavier bbl varmint models, but for an out of the box gun, the 700 is at the top of my list.
 
I have 6 remingtons all will shoot better than I can shoot them . But I kind of like the looks of the A Bolt.If I would have had the $ I would have been packing the A bolt in a .204 out of Rocky Mtn. Sports a couple of weeks ago.JC......
 
Thanks for all the advice and information. One thing I don't like for sure is the made in japan part of browning /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif. I'm going to go with a Remington, IMO much better action and I just like it better, and it's made in America. Anybody have anything they want to say go ahead i'm still interested in your advice.
 
From what I understand if you ever want to rebarrel a 700 no problem, but the Browning barrels are pressed on instead of threaded on. Just something to think about to help you decide
 
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From what I understand if you ever want to rebarrel a 700 no problem, but the Browning barrels are pressed on instead of threaded on. Just something to think about to help you decide




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Browning barrels are threaded. I know, as I have removed mine on an A-Bolt micro hunter in 223.
 


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