Browning 78 questions from some one who knows nothing.

[cflier]

I have the opportunity to buy 3 Browning 78's.  One is a 6mm Remington, the second is a 25-06 and the third is a 7mm mag.  I have two Ruger # 1 b's and I  like them very much.  How would a Browning model 78 compare in quality and value to the Ruger # 1?  The price quoted is $550 apiece for them.  They seem to have beutiful wood, especialy the 6mm Rem.  I seem to remember somewhere that they are very difficult to work on.  Any information or opinion you could give me would be most appreciated.
thanks,  cflier

[Graybeard]

I rate quality far better than the Ruger. I've owned both. The Brownings are usually quite accurate and very nice. Taking the falling block out is as I understand it a major mistake. One I've not made since I was prewarned. Never saw any need anyway.

I'm sure you'll be very happy with them. I'd be sorely tempted to buy one in 6 MM for that price myself, or even the .25-06 but the magnum wouldn't even interest me. I just don't do magnums.

[Alaninga]

and it shot factory Winchester 90 grain ammo into 1/2",,,believe it or not. Sold it to buy more guns,,,and more guns,,,and then more. I sell even nice rifles to be able to afford "the next one".

[PeterF.]

I'd say that, at $550-per, you can't go wrong.  Unless they're really "beaters" (and a guy who has 3 is probably more a collector than a beater-type), you can always get more than you paid for them.  And I think you'll find they're really nice guns.  As you note, they're tricky to take apart (that's discussed elsewhere on ythis forum); but, as Graybeard says, you probably won't have much need to ... they're pretty straightforward to clean and care for without any disassembly.  Of course there were 2 types made: with medium-heavy round barrel and octagon; and various calibers. I don't know that any were especially "rare", although the 45-70s (with iron sights) were apparently the most common.  Personally, I'd think the 25-06 would be really neat ... but that's just me (I wouldn't mind a 30-06 either).  There's a couple of guys on GunsAmerica who deal in B-78s ... some used and some NIB; they're notoriously over-priced, but their's are all priced between $1200 and $1500.  Other individual sellers seem to price their's from $800 on-up.  Sounds like a nice opportunity to me.

[cflier]

I bought the 6mm Remington and the 25-06.  Both are in absolutely cherry condition.  They both have the octagon barrels.  The wood is highly figured and beutiful, and they both came with 4 x Leupolds.  On top of that I talked him into $ 500 apiece for them.  I passed on the 7mm Rem. as the wood was very badly scratched up, the barrel was round,  and the scope with it was a Weaver probably between 40 and 50 years old.  Nothing wrong with old Weavers.  I've got a couple of them but the deal just didn't seem as good to me.  Thanks for the comments and if possible keep them coming.  Like I said, I know nothing about Browning B 78s other than they preceeded the 1885 high wall and low wall.  Would the B 78 be more like the high wall or the low wall?  thanks again,  Mark

[PeterF.]

Congratulations.  With the scopes, and in the condition you describe, I'd guess you've already doubled your investment.  The B-78 is a HiWall and many (most) of the parts of the B-78 are interchangeable with the more-recent 1885 HiWall (according to the parts list on Browning's web site).  The differences are in the buttstock and the action sears.  The differences between the HiWall and LoWall are principally visible in the area at the top of the receiver surrounding the falling block; on the LoWall, it's cut away more. The newer LoWalls are also generally smaller, overall; and the action has only an extractor, but not an ejector (which the B-78 & 1885 HiWall has).  There are other companies making reproductions of the original Browning-designed Winchester 1885; and they are perhaps even more authentic to the original than the more recent Browning B-78 and 1885 HiWall; for one thing, the newer Brownings all use coil springs, while the originals (and those repro's) have flat springs. As far as I know,  all the B-78s and the newer Browning/Winchester 1885 HiWalls and LoWalls have been made by Miroku in Japan.  Anyway, congratulations again on your new toys.  Have fun. My only suggestion is that you may want a more powerful scope on the 25-06; that puppy can reach out there.

[WW1]

I 'll say you got a heck of a buy...I never see the Brownings out west here at the gun shows for under $650 and most run $750-$800...I gave $795 for my older 45-70 and love it...I also have the Ruger...I like both guns and use the ruger with a scope and the Browning with open sights..I find the Browning sights fit my eye better than the Ruger...only thing I found was I didnt care for the Browning with a scope...my friend has the old 6mm with scope, and without an extension ring I cant get the right eye relief, without shortening the stock...my neck is short.....hahaha... just my view....
WW1