New hog slayer

[Speckmisser]

Finally! It took a while, but she's here.

[attachment=43230:attachment]

Browning A-bolt Stainless Stalker in .325wsm. I topped her off with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40.

Had a few hours and 60 rounds to kill at the range this past weekend. Mostly shooting to get close to zero and collect some brass for reloading. Had two boxes of Winchester Power Points in 220 gr. They shot pretty good. Then switched to 200 gr Accubond. They shot pretty good too.

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Best group. Several other good groups followed. Oddly enough, most of them had a flyer like this. I generally blame myself.

Gonna be reloading some 200gr TSX in the near future. I'll work on those a little more diligently, and see if I can't eliminate those flyers.

 

[BirdDawg]

very nice.

 

[BrysonHesperiaResort]

[attachment=43233:attachment]
WOW, nice groups- we'll see you in October!

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrysonHesperiaResort @ Jul 17 2007, 07:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

[attachment=43233:attachment]
WOW, nice groups- we'll see you in October![/b]

Oh yeah...

 

[Hitechhunter]

Sweet....

 

[Rick]

Nice - was the flyer consistent, as in the second or third shot always being outside the group?

I had a Howa in .270 WSM that drove me nuts. The second shot would always go out about an inch or a little more, then the third shot would touch the first! It would give a group of about 1 1/2 inches - certainly good enough for hunting but frustrating for a compulsive accuracy nut like me. I went through different powders and bullets like crazy - I tried to alter the bedding in various ways. All to no avail. That was just the best the gun would do, I suppose.

Anyway - nice caliber. I am not an A-bolt fan, but one of the guys hunting with us in Africa had a .325 and it worked well on all the game he shot.

 

[Speckmisser]

Hiya Rick,

The flyer seemed somewhat consistent on the third shot with the 200gr Accubonds. However by that time I'd already fired about 50 rounds through this rifle, and it IS a BIG gun...even with the brake on it. So it's entirely possible that by the third shot of each group, I was starting to lift my head or jerk the trigger.

The groups with the 220gr powerpoints (which I shot prior to starting on the Accubonds) weren't quite as tight, but there weren't any flyers there. Go figure...

I'll be working harder on consistency when I try out the reloads in a week or so...if the flyers continue I'll have to figure out what to do. They're still within a 2" radius which is certainly minute of hog/elk...but I'd like to eliminate it if I can.

As to the A-bolt, I've heard a couple of folks express some issues with it, but my experience with this and other Browning rifles has all been very positive. Too late, of course to make any difference in my purchase, but were there specific reasons you're not much of a fan?

I do like the caliber, though. Pretty impressive cross-over between the attributes of the 300 win mag and the 338 mag. Yeah, a little hefty for most hog hunting, but the pigs won't care... and I think it'll be great for elk.

 

[beastslayer]

Wow!

With that HUGE scope and front appendage, is it still legal (or fair)?

I'm just envious.

Congratulations Speck.

On the flyer. Experiment on cooling off the barrel.

 

[beastslayer]

Dang double post.

Sorry.

 

[Redneck75]

I've got an A-Bolt 30-06 with the BOSS on the end and I absolutely love it. I think you picked a great rifle. I noticed with mine, it shoots great, usually cutting 3 shots without a problem at 100 yards-when I do my part. After about 10 shots though, my group starts to open up a good bit. I'm lucky to get it into an inch and a half at that point. Yes, that's with a cold barrel too. If I clean it, it goes right back to cutting shots again. Did you see anything like that with your new A-Bolt? I had a gunsmith tell me it's because Browning cuts their rifling sharper than the others which makes it foul quicker and that it's pretty common but I didn't know if there's any truth to that or not. I just know I have to clean it every 10 shots or so.

 

[One Track]

Very nice Amigo. That should be the last gun you ever have to buy, (for elk.) Does it kick like a 300 win mag, or worse?

 

[LETSHUNT]

very nice rifle you have very good taste. i my self own three of them 300wsm,30-06 and another 300wsm. i love them rifles. they shoot like a dream with the boss. good luck with your new toy.

 

[sidepass]

Very nice! I like them big holes the 325 makes ,I'll have to look closer at the A-bolt as I still want to add a 25-06 to the collection this year.

sidepass

 

[Rick]

My friend lost a big bull elk when the bolt jammed on his A-bolt. He could not close it.

My brother is a gunsmith, and he has shown many of them taken apart - it appears to be a "needlessly complicated" bolt action and trigger. Look at all the small parts and springs, and then look at most other common bolt actions.

Just my two cents, and each of us has their own tastes. I do not mean to detract from YOUR joy with the new rifle. I hope you have many years and great hunts with it. Personally, I don't think it is overkill at all on big pigs!

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey Rick, no worries... you're not raining on my parade. What you describe is the same thing I've heard from others, including some fairly well-known gun writers, and it makes sense. I still like the A-bolt, though. Just hard headed, I guess.

It was a close decision between the Browning and the Kimber Montana. The deciding factor was the BOSS. I could have had an after-market brake added to the Montana, but past experience with the BOSS really sold me (have it on a .270 Medallion).

OneTrack, the recoil is there, but with the BOSS it's really manageable. After all these years shooting that mule of a Savage 30-06, I have to say the .325 is actually more comfortable to shoot. It still lets you know you touched it off, though, especially after three boxes of ammo.

This does round out my collection. The only possible thing I can think of one day adding is a nice double rifle. However, until I can just drop $10K or more on the one I really want, that probably won't happen.

 

[Railguner]

They ain't pretty but they CAN shoot. Nice RIG, fun round. WR

 

[DEERSLAM]

Nice rig...can't wait to see what it will do for you.

 

[Speckmisser]

Mike, I can't wait either...

Right now it looks like my first, best opportunity is gonna be October. Gonna go over to Deedy's and see if I can put an end the legend that is Wilbur... or one of his big cousins at least.

I may take it a time or two in A-zone, but I just can't see shooting a little blacktail with this cannon. Next year, there'll be an elk hunt for sure.

 

[Franklin3]

Congrats Speck that is a beauty for sure. My .2 I dont think you can do better for your dollar Id love to shoot the .325wsm myself I think its gonna prove to be a real popular cartridge. I just stepped up to the .300wm this year and have been having a lot of fun playing around with various ammo brands and such.
I found that my groups were much like yours. two shots touching and a flyer. consistently everytime! I was able to eliminate the flyer by the following process.
1. cleaned the rifle thoroughly before shooting.
2. had my son (Woodpusher) do the shooting. Amazing no flyers! sub 1" @ 100yds shooting factory ammo.

So that told me two things.

1. The R1 is capable of shooting sub 1" groups with factory ammo. i dont care what the autoloader nay
sayers have to say.
2. The eyes and nerves of a guy over 50 arent as sharp as a guy whos 28 cuz no way he's a better shot
than me!

As much as it hurt my ego to realize that I cant hold it on for three shots i console myself with the knowledge that i only need one.
have fun with the browning Im sure your research has led you to a super performing rifle. if you want I can ask Woodpusher to take three shots for ya? bring it down to his place. check out the view its improving!

 

[Speckmisser]

Franklin, I think you're onto something with that second point... too bad we can't check out the theory about only needing one shot off your boy's back porch, though. Looks like a nice bull in that herd!