Browning Produces New Target Rifles in .223, .308, 300 WSM
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
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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
Need a better cartridge selection from the get go if they want to run in the f-class game.
Not breaking any 21st century ground with those caliber choices.
The forend looks awfully short…wonder how it will balance in the bags. Optical illusion because of the long barrel?
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.
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
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.
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
.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.
“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.
Have they mentioned if they would offer it in left hand?
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
Price is pretty close to a very nice used heavy barrel custom bench shooter. 28in barrel and set trigger has to have sold at least a few.
Agree that the 1:9 twist for .223 has taken it out of running for any long distance shooting where 80-90gr bullets rule. Although, the 69gr-75gr bullets will be happy at < 600 yards. It is a limited run niche gun.
Truing a receiver is labor intensive and therefore $$$. Also a bigger divergence from manufacturing standards of a mass producer which can lead to all sorts of problems and costs. It's easy to slap difference parts together.
British F t/r class fellah won with 1:14 twist with 155gr Palma bullets. Where 168, 175 and 180gr have been the standard. So, "Bob's your uncle" on 308 Win twists at 1000 yards.
I see the blued models go for 1200 on gunbroker and the SS ones for 200 more.
A 25 WSSM model would make a great distance varminter for those that want more punch than a 22. But not sure it would be that much better than a Rem 700 VLS or Savage 12 for almost half price.
A 6 XC and 7mm WSM are great for F open class. The 7 and 300 are in line with Browning's stance on WSM and WSSM.
Don't forget Kimber has a MacMillan-stocked 308 for 1.8k and an adjustable MacMillan for another 400.
i think it looks good.it reminds me of the rem 700 vls.it should of had a 24 or a 26 inch barrel instead of the 28.this rifle will serve its purpose in many ways except for walking through the bush but any rifle suks when they 10 lbs and over.the 300wsm is a great long range performer in my eyes for hunting(i have one).my friend shoots a 338 laupa for deer lol but only extreme ranges like 600 and over and that gun weighs twice as much as the browning.of coarse he never walks with it.it stays in the back seat until he has to use it.so if your using this rifle like my friend does i think its a good choice but cheaper
Hey everyone, i waited forever for it to be available but it was worth it. It has an adjustable trigger from 7 to 14 ounces and regular setting is from 4 to 6 pounds etc. It is heavy and but my .308 is a tack driver and i am getting with a Z-1000 Zeiss 6.5x20x50 scope at 600+ yards 1″ groups etc with 168 grain matched Remingtons. This thing for a store bought or retail target rifle is a tack driver. When i combine it with the Zeiss calculator it is a no brainer and just nails everything i shoot and with exceptional accuracy. My friend and his Reminton 700 cant beat the groups i get and several of the target shooters here have commented on its ability and shared they would never have guess but see it as a very decent entry level target shooter. The reason i bought it was because our local Browning rep said they had this 308 and the zeiss tack driving at 1000+ yards hence the reason i ordered it almost 2 years ago. I havent had the chance to shoot it at 1000 yards as of yet but when i do i do believe it can be a very decent shooter at those yards, but i will have to see yet!
Cheers
Andy
So, does the BOSS system make any difference with the 223? and why is this one of the first target 223s i have seen with the barrel stamped 5.56 and 223, (aside from the ar family)
I think the rifle in stainless is absolutly gorgeous. I shoot 200 yd bench and a .223 with the set trigger my be my choice for a rifle next season.
This rifle was not on my radar when doing inquiries and readings on a good factory rifle to “enter” competition shooting.
It came to my attention when I cancelled the order of a Tikka T3 that was on order and paid in full and 14 weeks after paid no sign of any rifle…so I cancelled after trying hard to contact Tikka/Sako without any luck. Great guns (they say) but obviously they lack any customer service..so I’m glad to have not chosen Tikka before it was too late.
Just like a car – its only as good as the service you get when you need it.
That’s when I was suggested to get a Browning Target rifle in 308. Well I had to read a new article I didn’t know about…and if you search the web for this rifle there is little info out there…
I’ve been a long time fan of Rem700’s (since I bought my Sendero 7mmRemMag)…then I had great success with Ruger M77 with their 338RCM compact magnum..no regrets with those….
But I chose the Browning here…cause of its features and overall design…28″ target barrel – heavy – single set trigger, nice laminate stock that’s adjustable….a lot of nice features.
Anxious to get it next week and mount its new companion – a Burris XTR 312 ballistic mil-dot illuminated scope with burris signature zee rings.
Gun is being pieced together for 1000yard shoots.
Cheers
The 1st time I saw this Rifle I knew I wanted one badly , Since I owned many Brownings before I knew I couldn’t go wrong with this one … I purchased this at a great price and I got it in .308 .
The only thing I didnt like was the fact that I only found out about the set trigger after I purchased it , push forward and it becomes 9 oz pull . There is nothing mentioned about the set trigger in the manual and even Browning themselves didnt have a clue about it , well that was Browning USA who didn’t have a clue to the set trigger .
Browning Canada told me that this option was only available in Canada and Europe ..
Overall its an Excellent shooter I reload and use Lapua casings and let me just say , I think 3 shots in 1 hole at 100 yards is awesome , anything I put in it gives me just that ! out to 200 yards I can do 1/4″ and 1/2″ grouping most of the times .
I have No regrets but with the Millet scope and bases and rings rifle does weigh a good 18 lbs with that weight it almost feels like your shooting a .22 cal .
Cheers !
Forgot to mention , I also mounted a 20 moa picatinny rail on it , this caliber .308 with a 28 inch barrel needs that in order to shoot out to 1000 yards .
I haven’t had the chance to reach out to that distance yet ! I’m hoping to be able to do it soon ..
Cheers
bought an abolt target 223 1 in 9 twist 75 grain leads ,going out to try it .