New Rifle Time

[SFD2015]

Alright, so it's time to put the Remington 770 away and step up my level of rifle. I have pretty much decided on the 7mm Mag. Now, just looking for some insight on the brand.

I am leaning towards the Browning A Bolt, X Bolt Stainless Hunter and the Winchester Model 70.

I am leaning towards the Browning A or X because I prefer the box magazine. I also prefer a stainless steel barrel. Having said that, and because nobody here has EVER been shy about sharing opinions on rifles, what do my fellow Hunt-Wa peeps think about these choices? I know that a rifle is a very personal thing, so I am looking mainly for people that have experience with these rifles and more importantly with either Winchester or Browning customer service. How are they? Did they leave a poor taste in your mouth? Did you have any concerns while shooting these rifles? Do you prefer a wood or composite stock and why?

I know, I am asking allot, but I figured that my research should also include peoples experiences and opinions!

Thanks all!

[PolarBear]

Out of the three... X Bolt

[Bob33]

I recently purchased a Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker in 270 WSM.  To date I've taken six shots at game and killed five antelope and one elk with it.  I have not done enough testing to convince myself of its accuracy potential yet.  Stainless is nice but a bit overrated.  Same with synthetic.  You can do fine with wood and chrome moly if you take care of them.

[hoyt2002]

the winchester model 70 is my favorite out of the 3. I've only HAD one rifle with a sinthetic stock and hated it. felt like a toy and didn't shoot better than anything else i have. so my vote is model 70 wood stock

[birdwacker]

Check out the TC Icon or venture they guaranty 1moa and mine does it with all loads tested.Also the weathershield finish is 50 times more rust resistant than stainless steel.

[deleted BGS]

I have 2 browning a bolt stainless stalkers! Black synthetic stock stainless barrel, box mag, floating barrel. I have one in .270 and the other in .300wsm. Love them both. The grip is perfect for my hand, its a feel thing. Custom checkering through out the gun. THe bolt and throw of it is sooooo smooth!! The saftey is nice, its a slide up one for the thumb. I love both calibers, i have a boss like muzzle break on the .300 and it has less recoil than my .270. Shot 2 bears this summer one shot each (200 lbs) with the .300 and several deer one shot with the .270.  Overall great guns and worth the price!

[high country]

all are solid choices. do you prefer a timeless classic that has a proven failsafe history and lots of aftermarket support for accesories, a trendy new style rifle that may or may not become the new wave, or a combo of the two.....

[Bofire]

of those the Winchester, do a search for the Browning factory, there is none and has never been one. it is a low bidder design built firearm.
Carl

[Rick]

Of those choices,I'd go Winchester. Never been a fan of Brownings.

Synthetic stocked for sure. I don't buy safe queens. My rifles are tools. Would you buy the wrong tool to work on your car?

Wood stocked rifles are the wrong tool for the NW IMO.

[wsmnut]

I bought a new Model 70 last year.  Best rifle I own.  I got the new Extreme Weather Stainless.  Very smooth action, and safety.  Awesome shooter.  I own them in both stainless and blue, wood and synthetic.
The synthetic is lighter.  I still wipe them down after using them or hunting with them, whether they are blue or stainless.

Good Luck.  You have several good choices!

wsmnut

[Wacenturion]

Browning Medallion A Bolt in a limited 2007 gun show run.   They didn't make a lot of these....just so many in different calibers.  Made for Browning by Miroku of Japan....enough said.  Octagon barrel, Grade III  wood, etc.  I have two in .325 WSM.  Great feel, balance and quality....lot of gun for the money.  Here's one in 7mm mag on Gun Broker..........used, like new with scope...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=203374062

[swanny]

Being that I just looked at the Browning X-Bolt and the Winchester's tonight...I would say X-bolt. The bolt was smooth and it felt really good in my hands.

[SFD2015]

Thanks to everyone for their input... I am taking it all in.

I have never purchased soemthing from Gunbroker, how does it work? Can I choose a gun shop to have it shipped to? Any FFL holder?

[norsepeak]

just bought a Tikka T3 lite in 7mm, stainless.  Great price, and great gun, very accurate and lite, might be another option..

[carpsniperg2]

Thanks to everyone for their input... I am taking it all in.

I have never purchased soemthing from Gunbroker, how does it work? Can I choose a gun shop to have it shipped to? Any FFL holder?

yes you can choose the shop. But you need to talk to the owner first. Some charge a small flat rate fee around 25.00. Other will only take used guns. Because they want to sell you the new one. That is how my local shop is. Only used guns. So talk to your local shop, see what they charge and have at it. The ffl holders will have to exchange info and then you will have your gun.

[Wacenturion]

Thanks to everyone for their input... I am taking it all in.

I have never purchased soemthing from Gunbroker, how does it work? Can I choose a gun shop to have it shipped to? Any FFL holder?

Super easy.  You first get a local gun shop to agree to bring it in.  They in turn fax a copy of their FFL to the seller.  He ships to your shop.  Your shop usually charges a fee..$25-$50 to bring it in and do the required paperwork.  You also pay shipping...approx. $25-$30.  However....you pay no tax as you paid the seller prior to shipping (if out of state), so you save some there.

Just look at feedback and number of feedback's  on Gun Broker for the seller....usually most are gun shops, although many are just individuals. 

[87Ford]

Unfortunately, most FFL holders in Washington are now collecting use tax on interstate firearm transfers.

[MDGrand]

Unfortunately, most FFL holders in Washington are now collecting use tax on interstate firearm transfers.

This is true and such BS! I bought my 300 RUM, 700 XCR II and the local shop charged me tax.

I was wondering though.. my local shop did not know what the price was, they had to ask me.. What if you told them it was a gift?

As far as my choice:

I had a Browning Medallion A Bolt 30.06 and it was a slick nice accurate rifle. However, I would be careful to pay attention to the barrel length offered in Brownings. They often shop a few inches off their rifles. Especially in the case of a 7mm Mag, I would make sure I get at least a 24" barrel with a 26" barrel being preferred. Its on the edge of being considered a long action.

2nd thought:

You will want to consider what type of action you like the best: control round feed or push action. BOTH are reliable. However, if I had to choose one I like better and is unquestionably reliable it would be the model 70 mauser type claw extractor.

If it were me, I would go with the 7mm mag in the Win model 70 with the new MOA trigger. Get the most weather resitant package you can get, meaning synthetic stock and if you dont like the stock go look at Stocky's.com for a B&C or HS Precision... I guarantee you those dont feel like a toy when married to the rifle.

[Pathfinder101]

If it were me, I'd go with a Remington 700.
But, of the choices given, I think I'd go with the Browning A Bolt.  I have a good friend that I have hunted Montana with for the last two years that shoots an A Bolt in .270 mag, and I can tell you, it's a tack-driver.

[finnman]

Browning A-Bolt!!! A work horse of a rifle! If you can find the one you want available it will be cheaper than the X. A-bolt has a box magazine which I love, 60 degree bolt over the standard knuckle busting 90 degree of the Whinny.
I have owned A-bolts in 7MM-08, .308, 2 in .25-06, .280 rem, 7MM mag. and my newest addition is a limited run of Hunter A-bolts in .358 Win! They only made a 100 of them!
All have been very accurate, you just need to find the right pill.
I have owned Tikka, Ruger, Weatherby, Howa and NO WINCHESTERS!!! I don't care for them....

[GoldTip]

I have two Ruger rifles, two remington rifles, and one Browning A-bolt stainless stalker,all big game calibers.  Love them all or they wouldn't be in my safe to be honest.  Of the choices you listed, I would go with the Browning a-bolt in stainless syntheitc.

[2506]

without a doubt, the browning a bolt. have shot them, seen them, used them. I love them. In the A bolt stainless stalker. composite stock and stainless barrel. I agree with your choice of the 7mag.   

[Antlershed]

You can also now get the Remington 700 SPS (stainless) with a detachable mag... 

[Tony 270]

I had an ABolt. Felt great and was very accurate. Hear great things about the XBolts, never owned one myself. The Winchester Extreme Weathers are great guns too and quite accurate as well. Don't think you can go wrong, just choose what you like best.

[SkookumHntr]

-I have 2 A-Bolts! Bad Ass Guns!! My next gun will probably be a X-bolt in 7-08 for my daughter! Get the BuckMark!!

[woodswalker]

Winchester 70 stainless synthetic stock gets my vote for NW hunting.  The 30-06 and 300WM...maybe 338WM too.

[ribka]

x2 Tikka t3 stainless lite 300 win

[elkslayer069]

Ruger 388

[D-Rock425]

I vote for the Browning

[YoungBuck]

I have a write in vote: Christensen. If its in your budget.

[gadwall]

My vote is for a model 70 but be sure you get what you like