Author Topic: E.A. Brown M97D rifle  (Read 2325 times)

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Offline bgjohn

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« on: April 25, 2005, 02:11:25 PM »
I just ordered one of Browns M97 "Standard" rifles in caliber 6.5 BRM. He's attempting to produce a rifle with a number of standard desirable features to cut the lead time on delivery. I'm hoping it's as nice as the BF pistol I already have.
JM :grin:
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline smk

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2005, 04:54:38 PM »
bgjohn,

I ordered a 25-35 AI in November and am real curious to get the rifle. I have never actually seen one, I just like falling blocks so much I had to have one. Let us know how yours works when you get it and I'll do the same !      :grin:

Offline bgjohn

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Lead time......
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2005, 02:52:59 AM »
You ordered in November? That's been the problem. It takes too long to get one. I have a BF pistol in 219 DW and love it. Very accurate. I ordered another BF pistol in December in 22 Hornet. I haven't seen it yet. I guess the quality makes the wait worth it. You should be getting yours soon. Let us know about it.
JM
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline fortress49

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2005, 09:04:45 AM »
Hello,

I recently "discovered" the M97D rifles and became interested in them.  (I like single shot rifles)  What do you feel is the advantage of the M97D over say a TC Encore or NEF handi-rifle.  Can it shoot better?  Is it better quality that will last longer?  From reading the other forums on the TC and NEF, they both have strengths and weaknesses.  

Why would I want to spend more than double for a M97D over an Encore and 5 times what an NEF would cost?  

Both the NEF and Encore are capable of sub MOA shooting.  Both are light rifles, etc...What is the allure of the m97D.  Just curious to hear from those who have them.

They look very nice to me and I was wondering...should I save up or not...

Matt

Offline bgjohn

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Quality
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2005, 01:41:47 PM »
I'm so impressed with the quality of the BF pistol that I bought used. I ordered another BF and the M97D (same action). Two of my friends ordered BF's also upon seeing/trying mine. It's a custom made gun and costs no more than a Ruger #1. You can buy something cheaper if that's what you want.
JM :grin:
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline ryback770

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they look nice but...
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2005, 04:16:05 AM »
not being a reloader, and buying most of my ammo from the cheap sources, I'm not enamored with the calibers I see on their web page.

I'm VERY surprised that their "standard gun" comes only in .223 or 30/30..
(did I see that right?)

you guru's fillus in on this...THANKS!!!
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins." - H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Offline bgjohn

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another caliber..........
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2005, 05:53:32 AM »
The "standard rifle"  also comes in 6.5 BRM which I have on order. Ballistics are similar to the 6.5x55 Swedish round. The custom ones come in many different calibers. Check it out. The standard rifles come in their most popular calibers.
JM
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline fortress49

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2005, 06:54:54 AM »
I also am very impressed with the 6.5 mm BRM ballistics.  But, being new to reloading, I don't know how difficult it would be to reload this cartridge.  So far, all I have reloaded is my .38 and .357.  Any ideas?

The custom guns do not come in many "standard" calibers.  It seems this rifle is mainly for wildcat cartridges.  I noticed that the custom gun is not offered in 6.5 x 55 SE which would be similar to the 6.5 mm BRM.  I wonder why?  Is it because of pressure restraints?

Matt

Offline bgjohn

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Wilcat reloading.......
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2005, 08:29:00 AM »
Loading for most wildcats is not that difficult. Most are just "fireformed" in the gun. Most everything I shoot is a wildcat. 6mm TCU, 6.5 TCU, and 219 Donaldson Wasp. The only cartridge I load that you can buy at the store is 22 Hornet and that is so expensive I load it myself for my silhouette shooting. I believe E. A. Brown sells loaded ammo in most of his calibers. Check the web site.
JM 8)
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline smk

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2005, 06:23:09 AM »
I got my 25-35AI M97D last week and it is a really nice rifle. I got to do some case forming and a little shooting and it appears to have great accuracy potential for the few groups I shot through it. These rifles have a very small action (it's just a BF pistol action converted to a rifle) and are light even though they have a fairly heavy barrel. The largest case they can accomadate is a 30-40 Krag. Most chamberings are based on 30-30 or .222 case heads. Nothing based on the standard 8X57/30-06 etc. case head will fit in these guns.

Offline bgjohn

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Good
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2005, 07:59:01 AM »
Glad to hear that you got it. 6-7 months for delivery? It sounds like a good setup. Keep us informed.
JM
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline pastorp

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2005, 11:15:25 AM »
SMK, What is the weight of your new rifle. I love light rifles with a slight weight forward feel. Thanks, Byron
Byron

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Offline smk

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2005, 05:36:06 PM »
pastorp,

My rifle weighs 7 lb 4 oz with a Weaver KT15x scope. It has a 23 " barrel and does have a slight weight forward balance. If you order the custom rifle, you have a choice of barrel lengths so you could alter the balance however you want. It's a nice rifle, very small and compact with excellent workmanship and a great trigger.

Offline bob allen

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2005, 04:18:02 PM »
I finally have my 97d on the bench.A 6 PPC.After fireforming 50 rnds.(which showed promise)I proceeded to work up loads using an old lot of H335 that needed to be used up.70 grn.bullets of all the major makers are being used to start with.The Speer tnt were the worst at 1'' at 100 yds. Sierras and Nosler B.T. at 5/8 to 3/8. Hornaday around 3/4".
    Upon recieving the rifle I tried using my RCBS dies and found they would not size the base small enough to fit the chamber(Lapua 220 russian) on calling ,Mr.Brown himself recomended a Redding FL size die and their seating die also.Problem solved! Although I found it to work better if the shell remained in the die for a few extra seconds dwell time.
 this is absolutly the tightest chamber I have ever worked with.Some rnds. were slow to extract and a clean chamber is nessesary(H335 being somewhat dirty)I expect newer and different powders to burn cleaner.
  So far no complaints.In the next few weeks I expect to shoot some custom bullets and some heavier ones.This rifle has a 26''barrel and I am using a BSA scope at 14 power.There is no doubt in my mind that this gun will shoot better groups after break in and normal load development.Then off to the corn and hay fields.....................................
                                                                                Bob Allen

Offline OnAim

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model 97D arrived!
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2005, 02:39:37 PM »
I saw my 6.5brm saturday at the local gun shop.  looked really nice and can't wait to shoot this weekend.  Unfortunately I'm waiting for my FED approval (as usual I have to wait).  

I plan to begin with the load recommendation on eabco site:  Hornady 140gr Amax, Hodgdon 4831SC powder...  I'm pretty new to reloading, so would be interested in any load data you can share.

I'm relatively new to the shooting sport, but will be competing against my son at 100yds (he is shooting a Ruger v1 .223).  I'll post my results

Offline OnAim

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E.A. Brown M97D rifle
« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2005, 03:17:33 PM »
Had a chance to shoot the M97D today and was very pleased.  Once I played around with the sighting a little was able to put three shots into a 7/8" circle at 100 yds (from a sand bag)..... I'm relatively new to shooting (at least since I was a kid), so that was pretty good for me.  The rifle is a good looking piece!  Trigger was nice and crisp.  Workmenship excellent.

My son and I are graduating from shooting shotgun shells at 50 ft with .22's to the 100 yd range.  I saw a couple guys putting shotgun shells into a card board box (only the brass base showing) and shooting from 100yds...That may be our next game!

So far I'm very happy with the gun.  Looks like it was well worth the wait!