Browning A bolt for custom build? - The Firearms Forum

Hamish. · 07-22-2009, 05:47 AM

Can someone please explain to me why no one seems to use the Browning A bolt action and in particular the titanium action for custom rifle builds? I like my Browning A bolt stainless stalker but would like to build a lightweight custom on a titanium action. I prefer my A bolt over my friends Remington 700 and thought an A bolt titanium in 7mm saum with a 24inch fluted barrel in a nice lightweight stock would make a real nice light mountain rifle for hunting over here in New Zealand.

But it seems I might be mistaken

...

Helix_FR · 07-23-2009, 01:23 PM

simple reason- price. Grade 5 Titanium is highly expensive. In fact a block of titanium that would be required to mill a receiver for a A bolt would probably be close to 600.00. Plus you have to still mill it out of a solid block which is a feat in itself. Titanium (from what I remember in school when we were making small parts) was a very slow milling process. Its a very strong metal but its not forgiving at all. So unless people are willing to start shelling out 2000.00 for a receiver, you may be alone in your request.

fyimo · 07-27-2009, 07:24 AM

The Browning A Bolt is a really great rifle and I would guess that the action isn't chosen for custom rifles by the makers of these gun is that the customers of these guns generally want an action as close to a pure Mauser type with claw extractor as they can get. Look at the screaming that happened when Winchester dropped the claw extractor in 1964.

I own on custom rifle that was built on a K98 Mauser action with a douglass premium barrel and a beautiful wood stock built in the early 80's. I got the rifle in an exceptionally good deal and to replace it today would cost many thousands of dollars. I had a sister gun to this one in 25-06 that I gave to my son.

I own and enjoy my stainless Browning A bolt in 30-06 with a wood stock so don't think I'm not a fan of Browning A bolt rifles.

Marlin · 07-27-2009, 08:34 PM

My eldest son has a Browning A-Bolt in .270WSM that will pattern at 300 yards within the area covered by a quarter. He is very pleased after it was tuned by his gunsmith.

07-22-2009, 05:47 AM	#1
Hamish. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Browning A bolt for custom build? Can someone please explain to me why no one seems to use the Browning A bolt action and in particular the titanium action for custom rifle builds? I like my Browning A bolt stainless stalker but would like to build a lightweight custom on a titanium action. I prefer my A bolt over my friends Remington 700 and thought an A bolt titanium in 7mm saum with a 24inch fluted barrel in a nice lightweight stock would make a real nice light mountain rifle for hunting over here in New Zealand. But it seems I might be mistaken ... --> Last edited by Hamish.; 07-22-2009 at 06:21 AM..

07-23-2009, 01:23 PM	#2
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,671	Re: Browning A bolt for custom build? simple reason- price. Grade 5 Titanium is highly expensive. In fact a block of titanium that would be required to mill a receiver for a A bolt would probably be close to 600.00. Plus you have to still mill it out of a solid block which is a feat in itself. Titanium (from what I remember in school when we were making small parts) was a very slow milling process. Its a very strong metal but its not forgiving at all. So unless people are willing to start shelling out 2000.00 for a receiver, you may be alone in your request.

07-27-2009, 07:24 AM	#3
fyimo V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 187	Re: Browning A bolt for custom build? The Browning A Bolt is a really great rifle and I would guess that the action isn't chosen for custom rifles by the makers of these gun is that the customers of these guns generally want an action as close to a pure Mauser type with claw extractor as they can get. Look at the screaming that happened when Winchester dropped the claw extractor in 1964. I own on custom rifle that was built on a K98 Mauser action with a douglass premium barrel and a beautiful wood stock built in the early 80's. I got the rifle in an exceptionally good deal and to replace it today would cost many thousands of dollars. I had a sister gun to this one in 25-06 that I gave to my son. I own and enjoy my stainless Browning A bolt in 30-06 with a wood stock so don't think I'm not a fan of Browning A bolt rifles.

07-27-2009, 08:34 PM	#4
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Browning A bolt for custom build? My eldest son has a Browning A-Bolt in .270WSM that will pattern at 300 yards within the area covered by a quarter. He is very pleased after it was tuned by his gunsmith. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*