There are a very few premium bolt action rimfire rifles being produced these days, which is a shame. A rifle with so much utility deserves the respect of a finely finished walnut stock and blued steel parts and refined accuracy. A quality rimfire can do many things better than a larger centerfire.
A rimfire rifle is a terrific tool to use when instructing new shooters in the areas of safety and marksmanship; virtually no recoil, low report and mechanical accuracy that can challenge a new shooter to rise to a rifle’s potential. A rimfire rifle can dispatch varmints and harvest small game. Under normal ammunition supply circumstances, a rimfire is the rifle of choice for recreational target shooting where there is a population density consideration or where low cost/high volume shooting is the objective.
The Browning T-Bolt is a unique rimfire in that it is a straight pull bolt action rifle. No lifting motion, the bolt handle is pulled straight back to eject and empty, then pushed straight forward to close and lock the breech. The cycling motion is very similar to a Blaser, K31 Swiss or Mannlicher M95. It is fast cycling and the bolt handle never gets tangled in a scope’s eyepiece.
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Browning T-Bolt Target/Varmint |
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| Manufactured | Miroku Japan |
| Model | 025176204 |
| Type | Straight Pull |
| Caliber | 22 Winchester Mag |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 |
| Barrel Length | 22“ |
| Rifling | 1:116″ |
| Weight | 5.50 Lbs |
| Overall Length | 40.25“ |
| Stock | Walnut |
| Hardware | Blued Gloss |
| Length of Pull | 13.50″ |
| Drop at comb | 0.625″ |
| Drop at heel | 0.625″ |
| Rear Sight | Clean |
| Front Sight | Clean |
| Scope | Drilled & Taped |
| Rings | Not Included |
| Trigger | 3 Lever Adjustable |
| Trigger Pull | 4 lbs. 2 oz. |
| Safety | 2 Position Tang |
| MSRP | $799 |
| Online Retail | $644 |
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Also available in: 22 LR and 17 HMR and in |
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The Browning T-Bolt was initially manufactured by F.N. between 1965 and 1974. There was a basic T-1 version, $59.75, and a T-2 version with a 24″ barrel and checkered walnut stock $79.75. A small number were produced in a left hand version, all were magazine fed 5 shot repeaters. In regard to the quality of those firearms, each has a collector’s value at least 10 times greater than its original price.
The T-Bolt was reintroduced by Browning in 2006, the heavy barrel Target/Varmint version in 2007. There are currently Sporter and Target/Varmint weights, walnut and composite stocked, each available in left and right hand versions.
Not without refinement…
When the T-Bolt was reintroduced, it included a 10 round Double Helix™ rotary box magazine in place of the original model’s 5 shot magazine. One of the easiest magazines to load and most reliable, The Double Helix™ is torsion spring driven and interlocking gear timed. The magazine has a smooth bottom surface that fits flush with the T-Bolt’s stock.
Some folks would say “Big deal, it’s a magazine”, but the truth of the matter is, squeezing 10 rounds of 22 magnum ammo into a flush fitting magazine into a standard profile stock is a big deal, especially if it feeds reliably and is easy to unload without having to sacrifice a thumb in the process. Actually, it’s pretty entertaining even without the rifle… but perhaps that’s just me.
And then there are the swoopy scope rings…
T-Bolt rifles do not have sights, regardless the model designation. However, they are drilled and tapped for optical sight mounting. Mount systems are available through all of the mainstream mount hardware manufacturers as well as directly from Browning.
The rings utilized on the subject rifle are Browning pieces made by Talley, Browning Scope Mounting System #12338. With an MSRP of $88, I was able to purchase a set from Amazon retail for $47. Hard anodized aluminum, a base and ring integration, they are light but very convincing in keeping a scope where it belongs. Standard height rings will provide adequate clearance for a scope with up to a 42mm objective lens. For two piece base/ring fans, Browning also offers two piece bases, #12389, $55 ($32 Amazon) and matching rimfire rings, #12365, $75 ($44 Amazon).
The T-Bolt has a two position tang safety, that is easy to operate with a scope eyepiece nearby. That little stepped catch just aft of the bolt shroud is the bold release. The walnut stock is very clean. The satin finish gives the wood a low sheen oil finish look, the checkering is tight and appropriately placed, none of the typical rimfire cost saving materials or finish.
No, transverse, not Trans Am…..
If you are familiar with the long slide and camming bolt sleeve and rotating locking lugs of the K31 Swiss straight pull, you’ll appreciate the strength and simplicity of the T-Bolt’s design.
Pulling the hinged bolt handle back, frees the cross bolt from the recesses in the T-Bolt’s receiver, and allows the bolt to travel rearward for extraction and ejection.
Pushing the bolt handle forward strips a cartridge from the rifle’s magazine, homes the bolt and moves the transverse cross bolt into the locked breech position as seen below.
What might I do with this nifty rifle, Joe?
Pictured below, a 3/8″ group shot at 50 yards. Doesn’t seem impressive? Keeping in mind the real yard to Internet yard conversion factor, 50 real yards = 200 Internet yards, I’d say this is a good shooting rifle. With a good bullet selection that is varmint, target or game worthy when compared to an anemic, lead head, 22 long rifle round… far right, the 22 WMR can see a good deal of use.
| Ammunition | Bullet Grains |
Listed FPS |
Recorded FPS |
50 Yard Group “ |
| Hornady V-Max | 30 | 2200 | 2230 | 1/2 |
| CCI GamePoint | 40 | 1875 | 1853 | 3/8 |
| CCI TNT | 30 | 2050 | 2006 | 5/8 |
The 22 WMR is a 150 yard cartridge when fired from a rifle. Yes, I am sure there are folks who can wring a bit more out of it. With a 3″ ordinate a 40 grain factory load 175 yard point blank range is possible, however, retained energy isn’t much after 150 for small game and varmints.
The Browning T-Bolt is a very nice rimfire rifle. It is quite light for a target/varmint rifle, but well balanced and hand filling. Keeping with the notion that everyone should own at least one good rimfire, the Browning would be right up at the top of the list. At the moment, some predator and small game calls have arrived via UPS. The temperature has dropped, some snow has fallen, so I’m going to put one to good use.
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