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

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.

Also, the inclusion of 300WSM seems odd. Savage was pretty much on the money in offering 6.5-284 and 6mmBR for F-Open.

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

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.

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