Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Equipment Discussions
The A-Bolt Is Done
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Jon A" data-source="post: 112633" data-attributes="member: 319"><p>The makeover on my faithful hunting companion for the last 16+ years is finally complete:</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0019.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>I'm sorry if some of this is repeat material, but I figured it might be a good idea to put most of the info into a thread that the search function will turn up easily. Every now and then somebody asks here about A-Bolts and many more are likely afraid to ask after all the internet rumors about pressed in barrels, potmetal parts, no gunsmiths touching them, no aftermarket parts, etc.</p><p></p><p>Well, if you like them and want to build something, here were my results. Here are the specs:</p><p></p><p>16 Year Old Browning 2000+ Round A-Bolt 300 Win Composite Stalker Action</p><p>McMillan "Browning Classic" Stock, 50% Black, 35% Dark Grey, 15% White "Swirly," Medium Fill, Stainless studs, Thick Decelerator</p><p>26.7" Lilja #5 Contour Fluted Stainless Barrel, 3 Groove 1:9" Twist</p><p>Moyer's Steel Trigger (Totally adjustable for Sear Engagement, Weight and Overtravel) Installed by Me</p><p>Bedding Work Done (or at least, attempted by) Me</p><p>Barrel Work done by Kirby Allen, Allen Precision Shooting</p><p></p><p>The finished rifle weighs but 7 lbs 10 oz bare (it was only 7lbs 7 oz before I bedded the barrel channel). With a light scope and mounts it could easily go under 8.5 lbs with scope. With my heavy IOR (4-14X50 Tactical) and steel Badgers, it's just a touch over 10 lbs--but scope swaps are a 30 second deal, unlike barrel/stock/action swaps so I always have the option of losing well over a pound quickly if I get tired of carrying it.</p><p></p><p>My basic goal with this rifle was to have as much horsepower as I could shoot accurately (without a brake) from a rifle I wouldn't mind carrying. 240's at 3000 at this weight, I can handle, 300's from a big 338 at 3000...I'd need more weight and/or a brake. </p><p></p><p>Some more pictures:</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0007.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0022.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0053.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0054.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0148.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0152.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>The bedding job:</p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/BeddingFT.JPG" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0039.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0038.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0040.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0033.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0004.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0006.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>I've only had it out a couple of times with the new barrel, but it's enough to tell me accuracy isn't going to be a problem with this rifle. Kirby did well.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0045.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Working up a load for 240's:</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/First240US869Try.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>A couple 240 groups:</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/240869103.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/240100US869FIRST.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>It shoots 200 AccuBonds OK too:</p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/AccubondBreakIn2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/AccuBondBreakIn1.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>That should eliminate any fears that a 1:9 twist won't shoot "normal weight" bullets well.</p><p></p><p>That's all just in the first couple trips to break it in. I'll get some results at much longer range soon. But with the results so far, if I can't hit at LR I'm thinking it's probably not the rifle's fault....</p><p></p><p>Big thanks go out to Kirby, as that's obviously where most of the accuracy is coming from. He did an outstanding job.</p><p></p><p>So, if you like A-Bolts, see a good deal on one, etc, they might not be a bad choice--especially if looking to build a light/medium weight rig as the actions/<em><strong>ALUMINUM</strong></em> bottom metal are very light (but for a "heavy rifle" there are better choices). Bed it well into a good stock, have a good Smith screw on a quality tube, and you will likely be very happy with the results. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif</p><p></p><p>In short, I'm pretty **** happy with it. Hopefully this info will be usefull for some contemplating the same path.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jon A, post: 112633, member: 319"] The makeover on my faithful hunting companion for the last 16+ years is finally complete: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0019.jpg[/img] I'm sorry if some of this is repeat material, but I figured it might be a good idea to put most of the info into a thread that the search function will turn up easily. Every now and then somebody asks here about A-Bolts and many more are likely afraid to ask after all the internet rumors about pressed in barrels, potmetal parts, no gunsmiths touching them, no aftermarket parts, etc. Well, if you like them and want to build something, here were my results. Here are the specs: 16 Year Old Browning 2000+ Round A-Bolt 300 Win Composite Stalker Action McMillan "Browning Classic" Stock, 50% Black, 35% Dark Grey, 15% White "Swirly," Medium Fill, Stainless studs, Thick Decelerator 26.7" Lilja #5 Contour Fluted Stainless Barrel, 3 Groove 1:9" Twist Moyer's Steel Trigger (Totally adjustable for Sear Engagement, Weight and Overtravel) Installed by Me Bedding Work Done (or at least, attempted by) Me Barrel Work done by Kirby Allen, Allen Precision Shooting The finished rifle weighs but 7 lbs 10 oz bare (it was only 7lbs 7 oz before I bedded the barrel channel). With a light scope and mounts it could easily go under 8.5 lbs with scope. With my heavy IOR (4-14X50 Tactical) and steel Badgers, it's just a touch over 10 lbs--but scope swaps are a 30 second deal, unlike barrel/stock/action swaps so I always have the option of losing well over a pound quickly if I get tired of carrying it. My basic goal with this rifle was to have as much horsepower as I could shoot accurately (without a brake) from a rifle I wouldn't mind carrying. 240's at 3000 at this weight, I can handle, 300's from a big 338 at 3000...I'd need more weight and/or a brake. Some more pictures: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0007.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0022.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0053.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0054.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0148.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0152.jpg[/img] The bedding job: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/BeddingFT.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0039.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0038.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0040.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0033.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0004.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0006.jpg[/img] I've only had it out a couple of times with the new barrel, but it's enough to tell me accuracy isn't going to be a problem with this rifle. Kirby did well. [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/A-Bolt/PICT0045.jpg[/img] Working up a load for 240's: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/First240US869Try.jpg[/img] A couple 240 groups: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/240869103.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/240100US869FIRST.jpg[/img] It shoots 200 AccuBonds OK too: [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/AccubondBreakIn2.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.jonaadland.com/Hunting/A-Bolt/Targets/AccuBondBreakIn1.jpg[/img] That should eliminate any fears that a 1:9 twist won't shoot "normal weight" bullets well. That's all just in the first couple trips to break it in. I'll get some results at much longer range soon. But with the results so far, if I can't hit at LR I'm thinking it's probably not the rifle's fault.... Big thanks go out to Kirby, as that's obviously where most of the accuracy is coming from. He did an outstanding job. So, if you like A-Bolts, see a good deal on one, etc, they might not be a bad choice--especially if looking to build a light/medium weight rig as the actions/[i][b]ALUMINUM[/b][/i][b][/b] bottom metal are very light (but for a "heavy rifle" there are better choices). Bed it well into a good stock, have a good Smith screw on a quality tube, and you will likely be very happy with the results. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] In short, I'm pretty **** happy with it. Hopefully this info will be usefull for some contemplating the same path. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Equipment Discussions
The A-Bolt Is Done
Top