Browning A bolt vs X bolt…..

[Grumpystilskin]

Love the way these rifles handle to me. Is one better than the other? Anyone have experience with either?
Thanks, Tom

 

[Parks22]

Love the way these rifles handle to me. Is one better than the other? Anyone have experience with either?
Thanks, Tom

I have an original A-bolt (280 Rem.) and a mountain pro X-bolt (300 PRC). Personally, I prefer my A-bolt but like the stainless of the mountain pro for western Oregon. I'm not sure if there's much of a difference besides bolt fluting? from the A-bolt and A-bolt2...The AB3 bolt is gritty from tool marks and fit and finish seems very poor from the few I have handled. X-bolt Mountain pro fit and finish is great, 300 PRC feeds and ejects well, accuracy is good with multiple handloads. I've never been a fan of plastic mags, but I haven't had a problem.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I love my old A-bolts. Both of them are my main hunting rifles (.243 & .300 WM). They are both close to 30 years old. Those 2 have accounted for 70+ critters

 

[Machingeaneer]

I currently have and enjoy both but safe would tell you I prefer A-Bolts (.25-06 SS, .270 WSM, and .300 WSM) over X-Bolts (7 rem mag). Both actions are very good in my opinion but I really like the all-metal floor-plate dbm on the A-Bolts.

 

[180ls1]

They are both great, I believe the X's generally have a faster twist which you may want.

 

[sdupontjr]

The original A-bolt and A-bolt II (I own an Abolt II) are fantastic rifles and shoot very well. I'm in the south and back in 1994 when I got my Abolt II Medallion 7mag, every country guys truck had a Browning Deer head in the back window of some sort. When the AB3 came it, it was a disaster. My nephew had one in 270 and the craftsmanship of that rifle compared to my AB II wasn't even on the same planet. Then the x bolt came. Supposedly trying to recapture that appeal of the Browning rifle. I never owen one but from those who did and still do, the action was made thinner and not as stout as the older models. Thus the change to 4 screw holes for rings compared to 2 on the older models. The biggest grip through the damn near 30 years I've owned mine was the lack of aftermarket parts for the Abolt & Abolt II. Some complained about it, while folks like me were all in the same boat of "why mess with a great thing". If I were you, find an older abolt and have it re-barrelled to whatever you want or leave it as is. Also, the older abolt / abolt II mags can be modified if you reload.

I modified my 7 mag magazine to allow for seating out much further, thus more powder and more velo. because the 7 mag is neutered anyway.

 

[5MilesBack]

I modified my 7 mag magazine to allow for seating out much further, thus more powder and more velo.

How far out are you loading? My A-bolt is a 7mag I bought in the 80's. My most accurate load to date is loaded at 3.323" COAL with the 168gr Berger CH. Seems like I remember measuring my stock mag out to at least 3.4", but who knows......it's been awhile.

 

[sdupontjr]

Yes, stock mag was 3.4xx". O don't have my notebook in front of me but if I remember, the action measures 3.714" and my modified mag allows for 3.700". Don't quote me on those numbers until I can verify in my book. But the Abolt II came with the BOSS system. Now I don't like the radial brake because it's loud as you know what. I have the CR brake on mine, but its still a tuner.

Funny think is lots of folks want to clown that "ugly" tuner on the end of their barrel, but will quickly mention how the Erik Cortina tuner is a fantastic invention. Browning had this back in the 90's and I'f memory serves me well, they bought it from Winchester.

But anyway, with the CR Boss and a modified mag, I can seat out to lands and work back. Develop a load that has great velocity with no pressure signs, then I will tune the BOSS system to that particular load for accuracy. Even with H-1000, I'm running a pretty stout load that prints tiny holes.