Late this year or early in 2009, Browning will release a new A-Bolt Target rifle. The new A-Bolt Target rifle represents a whole new direction for Browning — no doubt spurred by the success of Savage’s F-TR and F-Class Target rifles. The A-Bolt Target will be offered in both matte blued and stainless versions, in three calibers: .223 Rem, .308 Win, and 300 WSM.
Featuring a laminated wood stock (with adjustable comb), heavy-contour 28″ button-rifled barrel, and single set-trigger, the new Browning should be effective in F-TR (target rifle) class. (Sorry, Browning hasn’t released the set-trigger’s end pull-weight.) With detachable box magazines, and a quick 60° bolt lift, these rifles may also proove popular with tactical shooters (though tac guys may want to shorten the barrels). The .223 version also would make a nice varminter. The .223 has a 1:9″ twist while the .30-caliber guns come with a 1:10″ twist rate.
The Browning A-Bolt Target rifles have some nice features normally found on custom rifles. The action comes glass-bedded in the stock. According to press releases, the buttoned barrels will all be hand-chambered for improved accuracy. The stocks features a satin finish with nice checkering on the grip. The varmint-style forearm looks rigid enough to work well with a bipod, but we think the forearm should be longer for better weight distribution (longer “wheelbase”). The stock is not 3″ wide, so you’d probably want to mount a 3″-wide sled if you shoot this gun from the bench or in F-Open class. What’s all this cost? MSRP for the stainless .223 and .308 rifles is $1489, while the matted blued guns in the same calibers are $1269. 300 WSM versions cost $30.00 on top of those prices for stainless and blued respectively.
Specs for Browning A-Bolt Target Stainless Model
Sure hope the trigger will drop down below 1 or 2 lbs. and fit in my Abolt II 22/250 varminter otherwise the drop at the heal sucks RANDY
Comment by Randy — October 16, 2008 @ 1 pm
Need a better cartridge selection from the get go if they want to run in the f-class game.
Comment by esboom — October 16, 2008 @ 2 pm
Not breaking any 21st century ground with those caliber choices.
Comment by Joe Clement — October 16, 2008 @ 2 pm
The forend looks awfully short…wonder how it will balance in the bags. Optical illusion because of the long barrel?
Comment by Mike — October 16, 2008 @ 5 pm
I think that stock design leaves much to be desired. If they are truly going after target shooters, than the stock should have a longer front end to ride the bags, and a much steeper grip. Right not the stock just looks like an overweight sporter stock.
Comment by Marksman — October 16, 2008 @ 7 pm
Anyone tell them to change the twist on the 223 barrels?
9 twist is not going to excite any potential user. 7 twist or at least an 8 twist.
Forend is definitely on the short side likely making it very nose heavy/tippy.
Looks like a wannabe rifle with little effort to actually make a competitive rifle. That stock design is right off the production floor but with an adjustable comb – yeah.
I am sure lots of varmint hunters will be pleased.
The Savage F(O) stock is the shape stock designers should work off. The F(TR) isn’t so hot either but another story.
When would the 300WSM ever be used in F class? Most events prohibit magnums…at least in Canada.
Look forward to seeing shooting results and how that trigger works. Could make a decent beanfield rifle in 300WSM.
Jerry
Comment by Mysticplayer — October 16, 2008 @ 7 pm
Agree on the .223 twist rate… and the fore-end length. Way too short, going to be a handful to control on bags or a bipod w/ that big pipe sticking out front.
Then again, anybody remember what Savage’s original designs for the F/TR and F/Open stocks looked like (yuck!!!). Similar (but uglier) thing – someone got the idea that a F-Class gun might sell well. Unfortunately said person was apparently not a competitor themselves, and it took some work to get things straightened out.
I hope Browning does get this one out the door… while I have somewhat of a vested interest in the Savage platform, a little competition is always good. I’ve always thought it unfortunate that the Browning A-Bolt has never been taken too seriously – it is one slick looking action!
And Jerry… here state-side there are very few places that restrict the caliber other than what is listed in the official rules – .35 cal and under. On some of the more squirrelly ranges a good heavy gun (take advantage of *all* of the F/Open weight limit) in .300 WSM pushing a 210 VLD… can be a force to be reckoned with.
Comment by Monte Milanuk — October 16, 2008 @ 8 pm
MM, as a newly reformed recoil whimp, pushing a 210gr bullet would be more fun then I would care for. If I was going to go this route, why not a 180gr Berger 7mm set up? Way less recoil and equal performance.
Plus I suspect that the WSM chamber would be too ’short’ to allow the 210gr VLD’s to be seated properly anyways.
I commend Browning to trying to do new things. ALL manf should consider match rifles as an excellent halo product. BUT… actually take the time and understand what the rifle should look like.
Otherwise, it will be poorly received, loose money and discourage further development.
Biggest problem, manf are not going to put in the effort to really provide a trued action. I think there is thought that by putting on a different stock, and longer barrel, they can jack up the price for more margin.
A single post on a competition site like this would have garnered all the info any designer/marketer could ever need to deliver what customers would buy.
This will make a nice varminter, beanfield rifle. Likely a complete flop in the F class circles especially at these cost levels.
Jerry
Comment by Mysticplayer — October 17, 2008 @ 11 pm
.223 needs 1 in 8 twist to run 80gn projectiles and 1 in 7 for 90gn. This oversight makes you wonder about how much consultation with F-Class experts occurred in this project.
Also, the inclusion of 300WSM seems odd. Savage was pretty much on the money in offering 6.5-284 and 6mmBR for F-Open.
Comment by Alan Fraser — October 18, 2008 @ 7 am
“Also, the inclusion of 300WSM seems odd. Savage was pretty much on the money in offering 6.5-284 and 6mmBR for F-Open.”
Neither of which are Browning/Winchester flagship cartridges… ;)
All joking aside, it didn’t surprise me much to see that cartridge choice – Browning has always been pretty heavily committed to the WSM/WSSM line of cartridges.
Comment by Monte Milanuk — October 18, 2008 @ 6 pm
Have they mentioned if they would offer it in left hand?
Comment by Sean — October 26, 2008 @ 6 pm
to all of you if you actually take the time to check the browning websight this rifle is offered in a 1 in 8 twist in the .223 and 1 in 10 for the .308 these specs are from browning websight. I cant say that i know F-class shooting at all but the .223 and .308 will be fun target and varmint rifles. The 300 win mag i have to say i dont see the logic in that, as this is supposed to be for cyote whackin not killing elk (who in there right mind would want to walk through elk country with a 13lb. stick anyways)just thought i would correct the twist read error. :)
the Model A-Bolt Target
Action Type Short Action
Magazine Capacity .223 – 5 magazine capacity .308 – 4
Barrel Length 28″
Nominal Overall Length 47 3/4″
Nominal Length of Pull 13 3/4″
Nominal Drop at Comb 5/8″
Nominal Drop at Heel 5/8″
Nominal Weight 13 lbs.
Rate of Twist .308 1 turn in 10 ” Rate of Twist .223 1 turn in 8 ”
Wood Finish Satin Finish
Additional Description Adjustable Comb
U.S. Suggested Retail $1,269.00
Comment by Geoff Gambier — February 21, 2009 @ 2 am