Author Topic: Browning 78 - WOW! (Read 1322 times)

LJOHNS · « **on:** March 10, 2004, 02:39:58 PM »

I just picked up my new (to me) 78 in 6mm Rem and I am soooo impressed with the quality of this rifle. I am guessing that it hasn't had more than a box of shells through it. I won the bid on gunbroker.com for $715 and if this baby shoots as good as it looks I will keep it for life! :lol:

Are there owners manuals available through Browning? I would also like to know how to adjust the trigger. This gun has Pachmayer swivels installed, did they come from the factory that way?

RonF · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2004, 01:17:20 AM »

Congratulations, Les! That's a pretty darn decent price, and I'm glad you found what you wanted. Hope it shoots great and does what you want.

RonF

LJOHNS · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2004, 01:22:29 AM »

Thanks Ron. I think this is just what I was looking for! Good all around cartridge for varmits and deer (a little more zip than a 243 and almost that of a 257). Now I need to get some good glass to set on top this beauty. :grin:

Can you tell I'm excited?

RDS · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2004, 02:40:49 AM »

LJOHNS
Congrat's, that's a great deal on a 78! I just finished a No1V in 6MM (my first 6mm). I am in the early stages of testing handloads for it, but I am very impressed with this round. Enjoy that fine rifle!
RDS

PeterF. · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2004, 12:34:53 PM »

As a fellow owner of a '78, I congratulate you on your good luck (and obvious taste

). I recollect there's been some discussion on this board about adjusting the B-78 trigger ... the jist of which is is ain't easy and you can definitely go too far in an unsafe direction. You may be able to search "the archives" here. Here's a few other tips: 1) B-78 accuracy is often affected by forearm pressure on the barrel, and some folks toy with putting some sort of pressure point between the forearm hanger bar and the barrel. 2) The action is quite different from the newer 1885s ... and apparently more complicated. 3) Don't even THINK about taking the action apart; trying to put it back together has been known to make grown men (and skilled gunsmiths) cry. Good luck with your new toy. Peter F.

LJOHNS · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2004, 12:58:06 PM »

Thanks fellas. I ckecked the forearm and it is free floating. The trigger is a little strange, there seems to be a lot of free travel before it makes up. I don't have a manual yet and don't know which adjustment screws do what. I guess I will have to play with it some. Any suggestions?

gewehrfreund · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2004, 03:33:55 AM »

B78 trigger adjustment is a trial and error affair, even with the factory instructions. The key is getting a decent letoff without going too far which inactivates the half-cock provision (at least on my B78). Once you get it where you want it, locktite it, and leave it that way. BTW, the trigger only operates properly with pressure from the attached stock, or pressure that simulates a bolted on stock. I found this out the hard way as well.
While not perfect, I think the B78 trigger is better than the later 1885, although there is a pretty good after market fix for the 1885 that I have on a current low-wall rimfire.
As for disassembly/assembly; it's not a cake walk, but it is not as terrible as some make it sound, if you have a certain level of mechanical skill. There was an article in one of the single shot publications some years ago that dealt with this subject and a modification that made it easier to reassemble, but unless you plan to shoot black powder (and need to strip the action for cleaning on a regular basis), I don't think this is worth the trouble.

LJOHNS · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2004, 03:57:19 AM »

Mine doesn't half cock. Maybe that's the first place to start. I have no doubts that I could take the action apart and get it properly reassembled. It may take a little studying but I am sure I could figure it out. The action is really very clean and doesn't need taken apart, at least not any time soon.
The trigger assembly is another mater. How does stock pressure make a difference?

gewehrfreund · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2004, 09:11:54 AM »

I can't tell you which screws do what at this point since I haven't played with mine for quite some time, but back off on each until you get a half cock, then, when you find the right one, turn it in slowly until you hear (or see, if you have the stock off) the sear slip out from under the half cock cut off bar. It sounds complicated, but it's pretty obvious if you study the trigger mechanism for a while. The unfortunate thing about this trigger is that moving one screw tends to change all the other screw relationships.
The trigger plate is separate from the receiver, and there is a little play in it, which is why you have to maintain pressure on it (or keep the buttstock on while adjusting) in order to get a true indication of the trigger adjustment changes.
If you do a web search for "Browning 78" you should be able to come up schematics, articles, etc. This is how I found out most of my information on this rifle. Good luck.

PeterF. · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2004, 11:56:09 AM »

I want y'all's opinion. I took the hint (just out of curiosity) and went Google-searching against "Browning 78" and came upon a brief discussion of putting a hammer extension (like on a lever action) on a B-78. One guy said an extension for a Winchester 94 would work. With the scope on mine, I can see the desirability of having such a thing (not much thumb clearance in there); but, given the way the trigger drops down into "the works" when you load it, I'm darn if I can see how a trigger extension would fit/work. Any experience or opinions here?

arty · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2004, 02:24:00 PM »

peter f,

i cant see how an extension would work either. the mounts on the 78s were pretty high and the only time i have trouble is in the winter when i've gloves on.

as far as ljohn's troubles, you dont have to take the action apart to solve the problem(probably), you may need to take the buttstock off. i responded to you on the other 78 trigger thread. i have taken the 78s apart a few times, they are not bad. they look damned intimidating, but they are not like some folks would have you believe

LJOHNS · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:08:05 AM »

I got everything working well now. With the butt stock off you can easily see what is going on and make the necessary adjustments.

My scope mounts and rings have lost most of their blueing so I am going to have them redone and then get my scope mounted on this rig! Won't be long now. :grin:

Riverside · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:35:14 AM »

The 78's did come with the Pachmayr flush swivels. The wood was generally better than the 1885's and there was a choice of round or octagon barrels.

The one big improvement (in my opinion) was the inertial sear on the 1885. It makes the half-cock safety much safer.