good barrel for Browning 3006 A-Bolt 2 stainless

[SDHNTR]

Gunsmith was able to get the barrel off with no problems. I located a factory barrel, it is for a A Bolt2 3006 white gold medallion I am 95% sure that 22"stainless barrel is the same one as the A Bolt 2 stainless stalker model used?

You have the opportunity to put a quality match grade custom barrel on now. Why screw a factory barrel back on? A quality barrel will easily give you the 1” accuracy you’re looking for. A factory barrel may or may not. Now is the time to do it right, imo.

 

[Operator]

I am already over budget, most of the custom barrels were in the upper 300$ range plus more expense in gun smithing, all my previous A bolts were 1" shooters, this barrel is threaded and $199, I know a custom barrel would be better but this is a 500yd or less hunting rig. Last but not least it would have been difficult to get a custom barrel and have it ready and work up a load by this elk season.

 

[Wrench]

As to the bolt, if you're concerned, you can dye pen and or mag it. If you have the barrel off and there's no indication of setback on the lug abutments, the bolt is likely fine. What I would look for is gas cutting on the bolt face.

For screwing a factory tube on, I would see if it indexes and headspaces without work, if so....should save you money. If it needs to be spun a thread....I'd punt and call bugholes/redhawk/precision....etc and get a tube in the mail.

Your setup time is 60+% of your cost. If you have to pay that, might as well spin up a winner.

 

[Operator]

I haven't seen any gas marks or cuts on the bolt face. It looks like the previous owner was working up low pressure probably sub sonic loads when this happened. I looked at custom tubes but I am over budget for the elk hunt plus this is a basic hunting rifle get it muddy, leave out in the rain and scuff it up kind. I won't be shooting much over 450yds all my previous A bolts shot right around 1" some a little less some about 1 1/4" . If I did get a custom barrel it would go on a different action.

 

[mossyoak52]

What caliber was the old barrel chambered in?

 

[mossyoak52]

I haven't seen any gas marks or cuts on the bolt face. It looks like the previous owner was working up low pressure probably sub sonic loads when this happened. I looked at custom tubes but I am over budget for the elk hunt plus this is a basic hunting rifle get it muddy, leave out in the rain and scuff it up kind. I won't be shooting much over 450yds all my previous A bolts shot right around 1" some a little less some about 1 1/4" . If I did get a custom barrel it would go on a different action.

Why ? nothing wrong with the Browning action

 

[Operator]

It was 3006, I agree the action is fine 60* bolt throw is nice just not alot of stocks for them.

 

[Operator]

Follow up on getting a barrel, got a Browning white gold medalion barrel 216$ with tax, had the gunsmith bead blast it and the action to match. It was short chambered so he finished it. I finished breaking it in, it copper fouls much less than the damaged barrel, and so far with my 180gr accubonds over 57gr imr4350 getting 2775fps with 3/4" 3 shot groups average. I was looking at custom barrels but wait times was the killer, I am very pleased with the factory replacement my stainless stalker shoots like the others I have had.

 

[SDHNTR]

Glad you have a successful outcome

 

[Operator]

Thanks, I am too. My first elk hunt is this fall so getting the rifle done in time was the most important consideration.

 

[492slayer]

I had a browning A-bolt 2 stainless stalker once that I wanted to rebarrel.

Turns out Browning A-Bolt 2 stainless barrels have a nasty habit of pulling the threads out of the action when they are removed.

I wound up selling the gun, as it was fine, just didn’t like the caliber.

Speak with local gunsmiths before buying a barrel for one.

Then buy a blank and have it installed & chambered.

Dave

Have you thought about contacting Browning in Utah and see what they can do?

 

[Bigdave]

That was many years ago, that gun is gone.

Traded for a howa 1500 that I still own today.

 

[Doc Holliday]

You rebarreled to another 30-06?
How did it do on your elk hunt?

 

[Operator]

Yes I have 3006 components and dies. I like the 06 it is right inbetween the 308 and 300win mag, my loads 180gr hornady interlock SPBT are at 2800fps and shooting 3/4" groups. I tried the 180gr accubonds just didn't do as well and the availability steered me away. As for my elk hunt 12" of snow fell the day before I arrived, we road in 6miles on horseback to our drop camp 9600' elev. The terrain was to steep in the areas we needed to hunt to safely utilize it and the elk were already moving to lower elev. from the flattops, we only saw tracks from a couple of elk that moved through our area at night, we saw the tracks in our tracks that we made the evening before. I may try again this year?