A-BOLT® BOLT-ACTION RIFLE OWNER’S MANUAL Important operating instructions for: CONTENTS PAGE BROWNING® A-BOLT® State Warning ...........................................................................................2 BOLT-ACTION RIFLE WARNING: You are Responsible for Firearm Safety .............................2 If you have any questions or comments regarding your General Description and Operation .......................................................9 new firearm, please contact us. Nomenclature .........................................................................................10 Browning Consumer Information Serial Number ........................................................................................10 One Browning Place Operation of the “Safety” ......................................................................10 Morgan, UT 84050-9326 Phone: (801) 876-2711 Cocking Indicator ..................................................................................11 browning.com Initial Cleaning .......................................................................................12 Inserting and Removing the Bolt ..........................................................12 Please use the space below to record information about Ammunition ...........................................................................................14 your new firearm. Magazine Capacity .................................................................................15 Loading the Magazine ...........................................................................15 Model __________________________________________________ Loading the Chamber ............................................................................18 Serial Number ____________________________________________ Firing ......................................................................................................21 Unloading ...............................................................................................25 Purchased From __________________________________________ Mounting a Scope ..................................................................................26 Date of Purchase __________________________________________ Trigger Adjustment ................................................................................27 Adjustable Comb System .......................................................................30 Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions ...............................................33 THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A Maintenance of Oil Finish Stocks .........................................................38 BROWNING A-BOLT RIFLE Models with Special Finishes ................................................................38 We are pleased that you have chosen a Browning A-Bolt rifle. The Browning A-Bolt is one of the finest bolt-action rifles on the market Service or Repair ....................................................................................39 today — it is also one of the most accurate. The Browning A-Bolt represents a new generation of A-Bolt rifles, designed with improved features for superior performance. With a reasonable amount of care, your A-Bolt rifle should give you many years of dependable, enjoyable service. 1 STATE WARNING Please read and understand all of the cautions, warnings, notices, According to state law, California requires that firearm manufacturers, proper handling procedures and instructions outlined in this owner’s distributors and retailers include conspicuous, specific warnings with manual before using your new firearm. firearms sold in that state. 1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE CERTAIN IT IS UNLOADED. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition. 2 NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM’S MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE. LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A “SAFETY” CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION. The word “safety” describes a firearm’s trigger block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. Mechanical “safeties” are designed to place your firearm in a safer status, and no guarantee can be made that the firearm will not fire even if the “safety” is in the on safe position. Mechanical “safeties” merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your firearm’s muzzle in an unsafe direction. See “Operation of the Safety” on pages 10-11 for instructions on the operation of this firearm’s “safety.” WARNING: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with your firearm’s FIREARM SAFETY mechanical “safety” devices, it starts there. Always treat this firearm with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. FAILURE TO HEED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN Some firearms do not have a mechanical safety. Many target SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. firearms, lever-action firearms and pistols do not have manual “safety” mechanisms. Therefore it is critical to read and understand As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. the owner’s manual for every firearm which explains the safe How seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference operation of the firearm. between life and death. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. While it is a good idea to “test” your firearm’s mechanical “safety” At all times handle this firearm, and all other firearms, with intense periodically for proper function, never test the “safety” while your respect for their power and potential danger. firearm is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction. 2 3 3 WHENEVER YOU HANDLE ANY FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE, 7 HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREESTANDS ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION IMMEDIATELY AND VISUALLY CHECK THE IS DANGEROUS. FIREARM’S CHAMBER TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE FIREARM IS Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling a firearm. The COMPLETELY UNLOADED. following rules should always be observed by you and those you Make certain the firearm does not inadvertently contain any hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe ammunition. Remember, merely removing the magazine does and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded not mean the chamber is unloaded. Always keep the chamber when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always make empty and the “safety” in the on safe position unless shooting certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or is imminent. dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even 4 ALWAYS WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. with the “safety” in the on safe position. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear hearing protection (shooting ear plugs or muffs) 8 STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION SEPARATELY, WELL BEYOND to guard against such damage. THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Take prudent safeguards to ensure your firearm does not become Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. Store Allow proper distance (eye relief) between a scope and your all firearms in secure, locked cases or a gun safe. Keep your firearm eye when firing a scoped pistol, rifle or shotgun. Do not use unloaded when not in use. unorthodox shooting methods that could cause the rearward travel of the slide or bolt of a firearm to contact your eyes, face 9 BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS. or hands. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of Mud, snow and an infinite variety of other objects may inadvertently your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris lodge in a barrel bore. It only takes a small obstruction to cause and ejecting cartridges could inflict serious injury. dangerously increased pressures that can damage your firearm and cause serious injury to yourself and others. Always wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED, THERE IS NOT A LIVE CARTRIDGE IN THE CHAMBER AND THE “SAFETY” IS IN THE 5 KEEP ALL FIREARMS UNLOADED DURING TRANSPORT, EVEN ON SAFE POSITION. WHEN STORED IN A HOLSTER, GUN CASE, SCABBARD OR OTHER CONTAINER. After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely unloaded, open the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure 6 DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED FIREARM CAN CAUSE it is clear of obstructions. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as This can occur even with the “safety” in the on safe position. described on pages 33-37 of this owner’s manual. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid dropping any firearm. 4 5 10 BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. IF YOU cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or which develop pressures DETECT AN OFF SOUND OR LIGHT RECOIL WHEN A SHELL IS FIRED, in excess of commercially available ammunition which has been DO NOT LOAD ANOTHER SHELL INTO THE CHAMBER. loaded in accordance with standards established by the Sporting If your rifle fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction Arms and