Browning T-Bolt: A Straight-Pull Rimfire Rifle

by
posted on August 21, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Browning T Bolt

It was 1965 when Browning introduced a new bolt-action rimfire rifle, one with classic looks and performance to match. Small-caliber offerings were plentiful at the time, which played a big role in sales figures for those early Belgium-made T-Bolts coming in lower than expected. The company quit offering it stateside sometime around 1974.

It came back nearly 30 years later, and while the current models maintain the original’s quality build, they add the kind of innovation that quickly gained favor among rimfire fans. The rifle is fast, accurate and carries all the looks and feel that enamor enthusiasts to the Browning name.

As for speed, the bolt is push straight and directly into full lockup After the shot, a straight pull back is all thats needed to extract and eject. No twists and turns required to get the next cartridge into battery. This allows the user to maintain check weld during cycling, which is noticeably faster than tradition bolt actions.

T-Bolts also use Browning’s rotary, 10-round capacity Double Helix box magazine. An interlocking gear with torsion spring drive inside the design maintain timing for reliable and smooth feeding. They are easy to load magazines and translucent, allowing users to readily determine when it’s time to reload.

Each receiver is machined from a solid bar of steel, and come from the factory drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The two-position safety is mounted on the tang. Triggers aren’t what you find on the average rimfire, either. For one thing, they wear a light gold tone in Browning style, and let-off weight of the three-lever trigger is light and crisp. American Rifleman did a more in-depth video review of the gun in 2009 that’s worth watching.

Four models currently in production wear either 16", 16.5" or 22" free-floated barrels, depending on version. Chamberings include .17 HMR, .22 LR and .22 WMR. Stocks are all wood with checkering, and either a gray laminate or walnut with a satin finish.

The T-Bolt Target With Muzzle Brake comes with an accuracy enhancing, 16.5" bull barrel. The brake is removable. MSRPs run from $700 to $740.

The Laminated Varmint will set you back $960 to $1,019, depending on cartridge. It’s threaded barrel length, regardless, is 22 inches. A Target/Varmint starts at $700 and Sporter models begin at $750. Both have 22" barrels.

Latest

Gotw Heritage 92 Web
Gotw Heritage 92 Web

Gun Of The Week: Heritage Manufacturing 92

American Rifleman staff are on the range with one of the most iconic lever-actions ever created, except this one has a bit of a plot twist—it is a model made overseas and imported by Heritage Manufacturing.

The Armed Citizen® July 25, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Victory In The Air: One Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver's Story

A primary source investigation into the service history of a Smith & Wesson Victory revolver used by the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Firearm Industry Responds To Aid Texas Flood Victims

Only a few days after the tragedy struck, two of the firearm industry’s foremost companies were raising funds for the victims and organizations dedicated to providing support through devastating floods in Texas.

I Have This Old Gun: Woodward .500 Express Double Rifle

Produced by J. Woodward & Sons at the end of the 19th century, this double rifle, chambered for the .500 Express cartridge, was tailor-made for dangerous-game hunting.

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Saint Victor Pistols In 5.56 NATO & 9 mm Luger

Springfield Armory added two new pistol variants to its popular Saint AR-15 lineup, and the new models are chambered for 5.56 NATO and 9 mm Luger, respectively.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.