rebarreling of Browning A-bolt .223

[stevecrea]

I have a Browning A-bolt in .223 that needs to be rebarreled. However, I have received some information that the A-bolt may not be a particularly good candidate for rebarreling because of the threads in the receiver. Does anyone on the forum have any knowledge or information about this? My gunsmith discouraged me from rebarreling it, and suggested that I just trade it.

[glenn asher]

I have heard (NO confirmation) that the barrels are locktited in place to a fare-thee-well, and are a real bear to remove. I have even heard of actions being ruined by someone trying to remove the tube. Mind you, I've just heard about this stuff on the Internet, so I can't confirm any of it. Maybe your smith has heard the same things, and doesn't care to fool with them.
A-Bolts are either loved or despised, hardly anyone has no opinion of them. I don't like the stock, or the "funny-shaped" bolt handle, and I'm not too excited about the magazine arrangement, either, but I freely admit that I hear good things about the accuracy they display.

[stevecrea]

Glenn,
Thank you for that input. That may be the problem. In fact, when I called Browning and inquired if they would rebarrel it for a fee, they said that when they replace a barrel, they replace the receiver as well, because it is sometimes damaged.

Your points about the A-bolt are well taken. However, being lefthanded, my choices are severely limited. Browning does cater to us lefties at least some, uses a true super short action for .223, has a fast 60 degree bolt lift, and the A-bolts usually shoot quite well for a pencil barrel. The triggers are quite good if you spend a few bucks with a good smith and have them lightened and slicked up.

This little rifle has probably had 6000 rounds through it, many of which were hot sessions shooting rockchucks. So I cannot complain too much.