Browning A-Bolt Barrel Swap?

[kevlar88]

I was considering using a MGW barrel also. I think the newer guns are 32 tpi. May have started that when they went to A-Bolt II?

Mine is an A-bolt II made in 1994 and has 20tpi threads. I'm not sure what year they changed the action threads to 32tpi.

 

[sdupontjr]

I considered this a while back. But even with all my Tikka's and Rem 700's, this 1994 Abolt II medallion is still the most accurate rifle I own. I had never played with the Boss system before until just this past year. I thought it shot well until I started loading for it.

Another thing about the Browning is the mag can be modified for longer COAL. If I remember, not my 7 mag loads can be a MAX of 3.715" and still cycle without any problems. So I modified my mag, and seated some 162 eldm out much further and shot a .311" group at 100. I just got my garmin so want to get some velo numbers on the load. I have no idea how many round have been down the barrel since 1994, but I know its alot.

Stock form


Modified

 

[CBB1]

I considered this a while back. But even with all my Tikka's and Rem 700's, this 1994 Abolt II medallion is still the most accurate rifle I own. I had never played with the Boss system before until just this past year. I thought it shot well until I started loading for it.

Another thing about the Browning is the mag can be modified for longer COAL. If I remember, not my 7 mag loads can be a MAX of 3.715" and still cycle without any problems. So I modified my mag, and seated some 162 eldm out much further and shot a .311" group at 100. I just got my garmin so want to get some velo numbers on the load. I have no idea how many round have been down the barrel since 1994, but I know its alot.

Stock form
View attachment 760102

Modified
View attachment 760103

View attachment 760101

You mind sharing more about modifying that mag. I have a 300wm that could use some more length


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sdupontjr]

It's actually very easy to do. The bottom of the mag has a removable floorplate. Remove the floorplate and pull the spring and guts out the bottom. I used a chainsaw file and Dremel with carbide burr bit.

1) stack 2 rounds in the mag and mark on the with a sharpie where the tips are. Then remove rounds.
2) Remove bottom floor plate of mag and then remove guts.
3) Now the mag should be gutted and can see through
4) VERY IMPORTANT - There are small rivets on the front end of the mag that holds the aluminum in place. You do not want to damage the rivets, because they hold the entire internal side and front piece.
5) File in the area where the line is most of the way down. This will allow the stacked rounds to clear as well. You'll notice how deep you need to go depending on how many the mag holds.
6) Once the groove is made, then I used the Dremel. Making sure to stay away from the middle where the rivet is.

Once I thought I had enough, I would blow out the shavings, put it all back together, and see if the rounds fit. If all 3 wouldn't, I'd go a little deeper.

My action measured 3.817" but my COAL to lands with the 162 eldms was 2.730". You just need to make sure that you don't Dremel it all the way to the outer shell because it's all one piece.



Got a little more length

 

[Salty]

I know this is an old thread. Thought I would share my setup for those who have held on to some of these old Browning A bolts.
I took my Dads browning A bolt medallion which has obvious sentimental value and shipped it out to my gunsmith for a new proof barrel in 7mm rem mag. 1:8 twist for the higher B.C bullets and I couldn’t be happier.
1/4” groups with my reloads and it still sports my Dads receiver / trigger!

 

[sdupontjr]

The engraving on the action is what grabbed my eye way back in 1994. I also sent my bolt to browning. I doubt they still do it, but if you sent your bolt to them, them would engrave your name on the bolt in the flat section. Almost like it's your "signature series". Mine shot so well I didn't mess with it until I got into reloading. And at 30+ years later, it still hammers.

Also, there isn't much out there for aftermarket parts, however, I replaced my trigger spring with a timney trigger spring and it way lighter and smoother now.

 

[Link13]

I know this is an old thread. Thought I would share my setup for those who have held on to some of these old Browning A bolts.
I took my Dads browning A bolt medallion which has obvious sentimental value and shipped it out to my gunsmith for a new proof barrel in 7mm rem mag. 1:8 twist for the higher B.C bullets and I couldn’t be happier.
1/4” groups with my reloads and it still sports my Dads receiver / trigger!

Man, that is pretty sweet! I have an old lefty A bolt .270 that was one of my first hunting rifles; I think I was 16 when I got it. Good to know some upgrades like this are possible. What kind of stock do you have it in?

 

[Oaks]

I know this is an old thread. Thought I would share my setup for those who have held on to some of these old Browning A bolts.
I took my Dads browning A bolt medallion which has obvious sentimental value and shipped it out to my gunsmith for a new proof barrel in 7mm rem mag. 1:8 twist for the higher B.C bullets and I couldn’t be happier.
1/4” groups with my reloads and it still sports my Dads receiver / trigger!

Nice! who did the smithing? Also what did you do about a stock?

 

[gostovp]

Nice! who did the smithing? Also what did you do about a stock?

Same. I have an Abolt I might be interested in rebarreling

 

[onlybrowning]

Same. I have an Abolt I might be interested in rebarreling

I have one at Hart barrels right now being rebarreled to .338 Federal. They reportedly have done lots of A Bolts. As far as the change in threads, I wonder if was when they went from the original ABolt to the ABolt II. Just a guess.

When I was calling around, there was one company, either Douglas or PacNor I believe that wouldn’t do stainless. Blued was fine. The same company would not do X Bolts…

For those wondering, JES also does not rebore Brownings.

 

[onlybrowning]

The engraving on the action is what grabbed my eye way back in 1994. I also sent my bolt to browning. I doubt they still do it, but if you sent your bolt to them, them would engrave your name on the bolt in the flat section. Almost like it's your "signature series". Mine shot so well I didn't mess with it until I got into reloading. And at 30+ years later, it still hammers.

Also, there isn't much out there for aftermarket parts, however, I replaced my trigger spring with a timney trigger spring and it way lighter and smoother now.

View attachment 916999

I had my first Medallion bolt engraved back in the early 2000’s at a “Things Remembered” store in a local shopping mall.

 

[Salty]

Hey Guys! Check out Francis Kuehl. He did an amazing job installing my Proof barrel. As for stock, I went with a McMillan A2 adjustable stock with lite weight carbon fill. This old rifle of my Dad has become my go to rig. In fact we just recently took it out to 1280 yrds. Needless to say this old Browning action is very capable.
Best Regards