Browning B78

[greenrivers]

I have been looking at the prospects of owning one in .223. I have no experiance with the rifle or the caliber and would appreciate any comments by those owning them. Thanks for any help.

[mannyrock]

 
   I have never owned one.  I researched them at length a while back, when I was looking at falling blocks.  They seemed to be great rifles, but the main negative is the trigger and trigger system.   The trigger system used by Browning/Miroku on these models was apparently an extremely complex, oddball affair.  Unless you are an absolute expert, they are nearly impossible to take apart and put back together again.   Many owners complained that the trigger was not the greatest in the world, and was heavy.  But, there was no way for them to adjust or work on them, and the great majority of gunsmiths were totally unable to work on them either.
    I would buy a snap cap in .223 and carry it around to gunshows.  If I found a B78, I would dry fire it several times on the snap cap to see how the trigger feels.
 
Best, Mannyrock
   

[hillbill]

is the bp 78 the exact same action as the old winchester hi wall? ive heard both are a real bear to take apart. i have a hi wall thats way over a 100 yrs old and it shows no signs of being taken apart.
 
browning also made a low wall replica in 243 but im not sure if they made it in 223? the hi wall action seems a bit of overkill for a 223?

[mannyrock]

  No, the B-78 was totally different from the Winchester 85, and that was the problem.  Overcomplicated, overengineered, and I believe no external hammer.
 
   My understanding is that the Winchester 1885 is actually fairly easy to take apart and put together again, once you have the right tools.
 
   Browning currently makes a Winchester 1885 rifle, and perhaps thats what you should look into.  They've made them for about 10 years now.  Very pretty rifles.  And I think they come in a satin walnut finish, instead of the high-shine plastic finish that Browning puts on most of its rifles.
 
  I also understand that Browning is "re-introducing" the Browning 78, but that it is not the same rifle in any fashion as the original B-78s.   Apparently, it has a simplified trigger system.
 
  Hope this helps.
 
Mannyrock

[Rangr44]

.
FWIW, I learned how to take apart & service my B78's because I thought to purchase a Field Service Manual from Browning.

The early (1970's) B78's have both a easily-adjustable trigger (IF you have made the correct 2-pronged tool from a small screwdriver), AND an external hammer - the M1885 was simply an upgraded/improved B78, with a different, non-externally-adjustable trigger & heavier barrels.

The NEW B78's, OTOH,  have shorter bbls than the originals ( 24" v 26" ), and are just renamed M1885's.

I owned several older B78's, when they were first introduced, and can tell you their tapered octagonal bbls were a joy both to shoot & behold. (The .45-70's had a straight octagon 24"bb  w/iron sights, though)
 
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[greenrivers]

You are very right, the Browning 1885's are a thing of beuty. One with the satin finished walnut and tapered octagon barrel followed me home today. It is in 22-250, a caliber that I have had good experiance with and am all set up to reload for. Though it has been a long while. It is a used rifle, but shows no sign of abuse aside from a small scratch in the stock finish. I am in hopes that it will perform as well as it looks. This is a rifle I have admired for a long while. Now to scope it and get it on the range. I will post the results soon I hope. Thanks for the help.

[OK hunter]

The Browning 78 and 1885 are more alike than they are different.  The 78 is the first John Browning rifle, introduced in 1878.  It was improved and introduced in 1885, thus the model nomenclature.  Both have external hammers.  Current models differ in a few ways.  The 78 has a RH cheek piece and a pistol grip.  the 1885 Low Wall also has a pistol grip but no cheek piece.  The 1885 High Wall  has a straight grip. 


They were offered in 2 barrel configurations; round or octagonal.  The round barrels were heavy contour and often associated with varmint calibers.  Most came without open sights although the Traditional Hunter models came with a scalloped buttstock and open sights.


They are beautiful rifles and are a joy to shoot.  Some of the models are quite rare, as only a limited number were made.


I hope this helps.

[eastbank]

i own and shoot several high and low wall browning 85,s and winchesters. this browning low wall in 260 rem. sure is a joy to shoot and is a nice light carry hunting  rifle. there are no marks on this rifle,the photo,s don,t do it justice. eastbank.

[OK hunter]

Oh my...Very nice.  The 260 is the most expensive Low Wall to find.  Love the 260 and the Low Wall isa great rifle to shoot it with.

[greenrivers]

Thanks for the info guys. I have since scoped and sighted in the rifle to a sixty yard target. So far the mud has not dried enough for the hundred yard. But this is a very promising rifle. The last three could be covered by a thumb nail. Starting to load for it and find what it likes now. The same shop had a comemorative model in 30-06. I did not care for the gold inlay, but the upgraded wood and scroll work on the reciever were beutiful. So many rifles, so little money! Man that would look good sitting beside the Springfield and the BAR in the safe. Even better in the woods this fall.