[Ace Laserna]

Hey everybody,

I'm in the market for a new long range hunting rifle chambered in .300 Win Mag. The two I'm torn between are the 25th Anniversary Browning A-Bolt stainless or the Weatherby Mark V Accumark. Does anyone have any experience with these 2 rifles? Need any advice on accuracy, quality, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Ace

 

[Shawn Crea]

Hello Ace, and welcome.

I don't have the 25th anniversary A-Bolt, but have an A-Bolt stainless stalker in 338 Win Mag that's approaching 20 yrs old. A good rifle that has served me well for deer, elk, and caribou hunting; mostly elk.

I can't throw any dirt on the Weatherby, or the Browning. Fit/feel should be your primary factor, then price. Good luck.

 

[Ace Laserna]

Thanks for the reply. It's a tough decision for me.
Basically I'm looking for a 26" barrel rifle with the best quality and accuracy I can get for under $1,600.
This is a completely new ballgame for me. I've been whitetail hunting in VA all my life where all I've used is a Ruger M77 .308 or a slug gun (depending on county laws) and longest shots have been 200 yards. I'd like to eventually head west and do some elk and Mulie hunting so I'm trying to get my ducks in a row.

Thanks,
Ace

 

[Jakeway]

I have no personal experience with the Weatherby, but my A-Bolt II is the most accurate rifle I've owned, and it was actually a bargain price when I bought it. Some don't like the looks or feel of the Browning, but I know if I had a budget of $1600, I;d get a Browing and spend whatever's left on the best scope I could.

 

[MontyF]

I haven't own an accumark but I also have a Browning A-bolt stainless stalker in 25-06. It's not the most accurate rifle I own but it's right up there. To me it is the perfect fit and inspires confidence just holding it. Don't think you could go to far wrong with either choice. Handle them both and go for the one you like.

 

[Ace Laserna]

Thanks for the replies fellas. the Weatherby is $750 more than the A-Bolt, so I was leaning toward the A-bolt. Just wanted to see if the higher pricetag for the Weatherby is justified. I'll go try to find one in a shop so I can see how the feel in hand.

Thanks again,
Ace

 

[Ace Laserna]

I see the T/C Icon weathershield is priced reasonbably as well. It alsoi comes with the MOA guarantee. UNfortunately it only comes in a 24" barrel. What are y'alls opinions on the Icon? Do you think there would be a big difference in the 24" vs the 26" barrel?

 

[teacherboy]

How about the new X-bolt? It's supposed to be a real step up from the A-bolt. I've looked at the stainless hunter, it's a real beauty. Beautiful walnut with the stainless action/barrel.

 

[Rem700nut]

Ace, if your looking for .300wm's with 26" barrels, you might want to take a look at the Remington 700 Sendero. Top quality rifle, and they put the 26" barrels on them for the .300wm. You really can't go wrong with any of the other choices mentioned as well.

 

[big dan]

i wouldn't worry about the 2" of barrel length, it seems to me that 24" was the intent of the winchester engineers when they designed the cartridge.
i have a ruger ss/syn 300 win mag that i have shot over the chrono and i can assure you you are not giving anything up... and i'd add the ruger to your list of rifles to look at as well, mine has been very accurate with just about everything i've fed it.

 

[Abolt.270]

I have never owned a weatherby, but the Abolt is very accurate. I also like the short bolt throw for quick follow up shots if need be. There would be little (almost unnoticeable) difference in the 24" to the 26" barrel. Also as others have said, try them out for yourself. Fit and feel are very important. Then perhaps look at the details of the rifles, factory trigger pull (which you will probably want to adjust anyway), degree of bolt lift, magazine access (hinged floor plate, top loading, detachable box, ect.). Rate of twist may be something else you want to pay attention to. Good luck and buy the one you like.

 

[Ace Laserna]

Thanks again guys. Your posts have been very helpful. I just looked into the X-Bolt series and found the stainless stalker carbon fiber. That is one sexy rifle! I've decided to go with the Browning. I haven't seen any weatherby's in shops so I've only handled the A-bolts and X-bolts and I like the look and feel. It seems everyone aboard is happy with their Brownings as well.
Now...I just have to narrow it down to the 25th anniversary stainless A-Bolt, stainless hunter x-bolt or the stainless stalker carbon fiber. I'm leaning toward the carbon fiber since it has the stainless fluted barrel and is under 7 lbs. It looks like it's a new rifle so it will probably be a while before I'll be able to find one. Couldn't even locate one on gunbroker.

Thanks again,
Ace

 

[gary0529]

Ace,
Let another Virginia boy chime in for Browning.
I find that my go to gun is a Browning A-bolt in .270 for just about everything short of big bear or groundhogs.
Exceedingly accurate, easy to carry, quick to chamber another round if needed, reasonably priced and besides that it looks good too!

Weatherby is good but you asked for opinions and here is mine-Browning.

Gary

 

[Tnhunter]

Another rifle you might want to consider is the Cabelas 50th anniversary M70 standard rifle reproduction. It's made to very closely resemble the M70 standard rifle (magnum chambering) that was made in 1961.



http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=107199180&WTz_l=Unknown;cat107268480

.300 Win mag only and only 750 total to be made. It looks like a great rifle.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home...8.uts?WTz_l=Unknown;cat107268480;cat107199180

 

[30-30remchester]

I dont have experence with either but from what I have heard, both are fine firearms. So the question is which to purchase. Well the Browning is made in Japan, the Weatherby in the USA. Lets see, humm, keep an American employed and be part of the economic solution or keep a forgnier employed and be part of the econocic problem. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

 

[hillestadj]

I dont have experence with either but from what I have heard, both are fine firearms. So the question is which to purchase. Well the Browning is made in Japan, the Weatherby in the USA. Lets see, humm, keep an American employed and be part of the economic solution or keep a forgnier employed and be part of the econocic problem. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

There you go, you've narrowed it down to the most important factor. On a side note, could you tell me where the Weatherby Vangaurd is made?

 

[big dan]

the vanguard is made by howa machine in japan.

in my opinion the weatherby is not worth the difference in money... regardless of who makes it!

i think that you will be very happy with your a bolt, i had one in the mid 90's and found it to be incredibly accurate and very well made. that carbon fiber model is intriuging... my 77 MK II 300WM doesn't weigh much over 7lbs scoped and i don't mind it from the bench at all. i did however put a limbsaver pad on it which helped a bunch for those t-shirt days at the range...

 

[Water-Man]

The Weatherby's has the better stock and absorbs more recoil. The Weatherby is also the more accurate of the two. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth the extra money.

 

[CCAguns]

A-Bolt or Mark V

I have experience with both. I can assure you that the Weatherby is a far superior rifle to the Browning A-Bolt. I'd rather have the Weatherby Vanguard than any A-Bolt. The Browning is pretty, and they shoot fairly well.

But as a quality rifle, the Weatherby is superior. My Mark V is an outstanding rifle. I've shot several Vanguards that I was truly impressed with. I should just get rid of my Browning A-Bolt (.338 Win Mag) as I find the trigger and bolt assembly to be poorly constructed and I understand the receivers are so soft that many gunsmiths are opposed to rebarrelling them for fear of galling the threads. It is accurate and I do like the short bolt throw, but you get that with the Weatherby. After three years of moderate to limited use, the A-Bolt does not rate highly in my opinion. Were it not for some sentimental value (I shot a nice caribou with it), I'd have gotten rid of it by now. I have two other .338's so I don't need this one.

Go with the Weatherby!

 

[bruceissippi]

I will second the Weatherby - I shoot a Vanguard in .300 Weatherby and my oldest son shoots an UltraLight Mk V in .300 Weatherby - both group 180 AccuBond loads into .75 inch 3-shot groups. Of the Browning A-Bolts I've had experience with ( admittedly only a very few ) only a .308 would reliably shoot moa groups.
The old FN mauser-based Brownings are, in my opinion, superb rifles - but they are now kind of hard to find.