Browning AB3, A-Bolt III Owner's Manual
A-bolt® III
Bolt-action Rifle
owneR’s manual
Important operating instructions for:
BROWNING® A-BOLT® III
BOLT-ACTION RIFLE
If you have any questions or comments regarding your
new firearm, please contact us.
Browning Consumer Information
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050-9326
Phone: (801) 876-2711
browning.com
Please use the space below to record information about
your new firearm.
Model __________________________________________________
Serial Number ____________________________________________
Purchased From __________________________________________
Date of Purchase __________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A
BROWNING A-BOLT III RIFLE
We are pleased that you have chosen a Browning A-Bolt III rifle. The
Browning A-Bolt III is the newest version of one of the finest boltaction rifles ever built. Accurate and lightweight, the Browning A-Bolt
III is the next generation of A-Bolt rifles, and has been designed to
maximize shooting performance.
With a reasonable amount of care, your A-Bolt III rifle should give you
many years of dependable, enjoyable service.
CONTENTS PAGE
State Warning ...........................................................................................2
WARNING: You are Responsible for Firearm Safety .............................2
General Description and Operation .......................................................9
Nomenclature .........................................................................................10
Serial Number ........................................................................................10
Operation of the “Safety” ......................................................................10
Cocking Indicator ..................................................................................11
Bolt Lock Override Button ....................................................................12
Initial Cleaning .......................................................................................12
Inserting and Removing the Bolt ..........................................................13
Ammunition ...........................................................................................15
Magazine Capacity .................................................................................15
Loading ...................................................................................................15
Firing ......................................................................................................19
Unloading ...............................................................................................20
Mounting a Scope ..................................................................................21
Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions ...............................................22
Maintenance of Oil Finish Stocks .........................................................26
Service or Repair ....................................................................................27
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STATE WARNING
According to state law, California requires that firearm manufacturers,
distributors and retailers include conspicuous, specific warnings with
firearms sold in that state.
WARNING: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
FIREARM SAFETY
Failure to heed any oF the Following warnings could result in
serious injury or death.
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities.
How seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference
between life and death.
There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm.
At all times handle this firearm, and all other firearms, with intense
respect for their power and potential danger.
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Please read and understand all of the cautions, warnings, notices,
proper handling procedures and instructions outlined in this owner’s
manual before using your new firearm.
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 and 11 for instructions
on the operation of this firearm’s “safety.”
Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with your firearm’s
mechanical “safety” devices, it starts there. Always treat this firearm
with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.
Some firearms do not have a mechanical safety. Many target
firearms, lever-action firearms and pistols do not have manual
“safety” mechanisms. Therefore it is critical to read and understand
the owner’s manual for every firearm which explains the safe
operation of the firearm.
While it is a good idea to “test” your firearm’s mechanical “safety”
periodically for proper function, never test the “safety” while your
firearm is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction.
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3 whenever you handle any FirearM, or hand it to soMeone,
always oPen the action iMMediately and visually checK the
FirearM’s chaMber to MaKe certain that the FirearM is
coMPletely unloaded.
Make certain the firearm does not inadvertently contain any
ammunition. Remember, merely removing the magazine does
not mean the chamber is unloaded. Always keep the chamber
empty and the “safety” in the on safe position unless shooting
is imminent.
4 always wear ear and eye Protection when shooting.
Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing
damage. Wear hearing protection (shooting ear plugs or muffs)
to guard against such damage.
Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles.
Allow proper distance (eye relief) between a scope and your
eye when firing a scoped pistol, rifle or shotgun. Do not use
unorthodox shooting methods that could cause the rearward
travel of the slide or bolt of a firearm to contact your eyes, face
or hands. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of
your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris
and ejecting cartridges could inflict serious injury.
Always wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning
any firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned
parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
5 KeeP all FirearMs unloaded during transPort, even
when stored in a holster, gun case, scabbard or
other container.
6 droPPing or jarring a loaded FirearM can cause
accidental discharge.
This can occur even with the “safety” in the on safe position.
Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting
activity to avoid dropping any firearm.
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7 hunting FroM elevated surFaces such as treestands
is dangerous.
Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling a firearm. The
following rules should always be observed by you and those you
hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe
and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded
when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always
make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand,
or dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand.
Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even
with the “safety” in the on safe position.
8 store your FirearM and aMMunition seParately, well beyond
the reach oF children.
Take prudent safeguards to ensure your firearm does not become
available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. Store
all firearms in secure, locked cases or a gun safe. Keep your firearm
unloaded when not in use.
9 beware oF barrel obstructions.
Mud, snow and an infinite variety of other objects may inadvertently
lodge in a barrel bore. It only takes a small obstruction to cause
dangerously increased pressures that can damage your firearm
and cause serious injury to yourself and others.
beFore checKing For a barrel obstruction, be certain
your FirearM is coMPletely unloaded, there is not a
live cartridge in the chaMber and the “saFety” is in the
on saFe Position.
After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely unloaded,
open the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure
it is clear of obstructions. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how
small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as
described on pages 23-26 of this owner’s manual.
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10 be alert to the signs oF aMMunition MalFunction. iF you
detect an oFF sound or light recoil when a cartridge is
Fired, do not load another cartridge into the chaMber.
If your rifle fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
for a minimum of 30 seconds. Rotate the ejection area of the
firearm away from you, carefully open the action and remove the
cartridge from the chamber. If the primer is indented, the defective
cartridge should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If
the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a
qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction corrected
before further use. Glance down the barrel to make sure that no
obstructions remain in the barrel. Completely clear the barrel
before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions
can cause extensive damage to your firearm and possible serious
injury to yourself and others.
11 never insert a cartridge oF the incorrect caliber into
any FirearM.
The caliber of your firearm is marked on the barrel. Store all
cartridges of different calibers in completely separate and wellmarked containers. Never store cartridges of mixed calibers in
a common container or in your pockets. See page 15 for more
information on the correct ammunition for your firearm.
12 exaMine every cartridge you Put in your FirearM.
We cannot assume any responsibility for the use of unsafe or
improper firearm and ammunition combinations or damage or
injury caused by damaged ammunition. It is your responsibility
to read and heed all warnings in this owner’s manual and on
ammunition boxes. See page 15 for more information on the
correct ammunition for your firearm.
13 use only saaMi aPProved aMMunition.
The barrel and action of this firearm have been made with
substantial safety margins beyond the pressures developed by
established American commercial loads. Nevertheless, we can
assume no liability for incidents which occur through the use of
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cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or which develop pressures
in excess of commercially available ammunition which has been
loaded in accordance with standards established by the Sporting
Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI).
14 MaKe sure oF adequate ventilation in the area that you
discharge a FirearM. lead exPosure can occur FroM
discharging FirearMs in Poorly ventilated areas, cleaning
FirearMs or handling aMMunition.
Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm and other serious injury. Wash hands
thoroughly after exposure to ammunition or after cleaning
a firearm.
15 do not snaP the Firing Pin on an eMPty chaMber, the
chaMber May not be eMPty!
Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded firearm,
even though you are certain the firearm is unloaded.
16 KeeP your Fingers away FroM the trigger while loading
and unloading until shooting is iMMinent.
17 be sure oF your target and bacKstoP, Particularly during
low light Periods.
Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or
hard objects.
18 always unload your FirearM’s chaMber beFore crossing
a Fence, cliMbing a tree, juMPing a ditch or negotiating
other obstacles.
Never place your firearm on or against a fence, tree, car or other
similar object.
19 be deFensive and on guard against unsaFe gun handling
around you and others.
Don’t be timid when it comes to firearm safety. If you observe
other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely
suggest safer handling practices.
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20 be certain your FirearM is unloaded beFore cleaning.
Because so many firearm accidents occur when a firearm is being
cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your
firearm is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.
Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the
mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition.
21 teach and suPervise FirearMs saFety to all MeMbers oF
your FaMily, esPecially to children and non-shooters.
Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage
enrollment in hunting and shooting safety courses.
22 never drinK alcoholic beverages or taKe any tyPe oF drugs
beFore or during shooting.
Your vision, motor skills and judgment could be dangerously
impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to others.
23 read and heed all warnings in this owner’s Manual,
on aMMunition boxes and with all accessories that you
install on your FirearM.
It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information
on the safe handling procedures of your Browning firearm.
We assume no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe
or improper firearm accessories or ammunition combinations
are used.
24 Practice Periodic Maintenance, avoid unauthoriZed servicing.
Your firearm is a mechanical device which will not last forever,
and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection,
adjustment and service. Browning firearms should be serviced by
a Browning Recommended Service Center or by our Service
Facility in Arnold, Missouri. We cannot assume any responsibility
for injuries suffered or caused by unauthorized servicing,
alterations or modifications of Browning firearms.
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