Author Topic: B-78 ?'s (Read 1151 times)

mam4061 · « **on:** August 02, 2004, 06:52:11 PM »

In 1985, when I was 12 years old, I would read every hunting and shooting magazine I could get my hands on. The infinite wisdom of a 12 year old decided that the ultimate deer, antelope and varmint gun would be the new Browning A-bolt in a 25-06.

Over the last 18 years, many deer(2-4 per year), antelope(1 or 2 per year), prairie dogs and coyotes aren't able to tell you anything different. After a majority of these animals died very quickly and all but 2 deer required more than 1 shot, I realized that I really didn't need a Bolt action rifle anymore, I should get one of these single shots.

A friend had just bought a Miller Arms (out of St. Onge, SD) single shot in 25-06 for a mere $4000 and a two year wait. I knew this was out of my league. So last fall I was at a large sporting goods store and they were just taking a Browning B-78 in 25-06 with a octagon barrel and Leupold VariXIII 2.5-8 in on trade. The guy was trading it in on a Benelli and the store was allowing him $700. The gun was in mint shape, not a mark on it.

I asked the guy why he was trading it in, didn't it shoot good? He replies, I don't know how it shoots really, I only sighted it in, but never shot it after that because it was to pretty of a gun to take hunting. I wanted the gun right then and told the guy I would give him $700. The salesman didn't want me messing up his deal that was almost done, so he said that the store would sell it to me for $720, because they would have to do the paper work. I agreed and am now the owner of a very fine looking rifle. After reading some of these posts tonight, I would say that I got a pretty good deal. :lol:

It didn't have the Pachmayr swivels, because the guy never used it so it took me quite awhile to find some swivels that would fit. The first time I took her out antelope hunting last fall, a nice 13 1/2" buck walked by at about 275 yards and got pancaked.

Now to my ?'s - Can anyone tell me how you take the fore end off and what to look for with regards to fore arm pressure. The gun shoots pretty good. Factory Winchester Super X 90 grain PEP have been delivering just under 1" five shot groups. I tried some Barnes X 90 grains X BT, but the best 4 shot group was just about 1 1/4". Does anybody have some other recommendations for bullets that shoot well and drop deer and antelope where they stand?

Thanks all, this forum is great

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2004, 06:54:49 AM »

mam like yourself I too have a B-78 in 25/06 w/octagon barrel. To my surprize and delight I recently learned that of the Brownings this one brings a premium price these days.
I had loads worked up for mine by someone that is both a handloading nut and a 25/06 nut. After some experimenting he found a load that shoots beyond my expectations. I have the target to prove it.
In my gun 51.0 gr of IMR 4350 in WW super (stainless) cases and 100 gr Sierra spitzer boattail bullets produced a 100 yard three shot group of .303". Thats the size after deducting .257 bullet diameter. A very small clover leaf.
I know what the fellow was saying about the gun being too pretty to hunt with. I use mine in fair weather only. The rest of the time I have an old Savage 99 in 308 Win that can get rained and snowed on without regret.
You have a nice rifle there. Take care of it. POW

DON IN VA · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2004, 05:35:18 PM »

:-)
Mam4061, My first question would be why do you want to remove the forend? If it's shooting well enough to satisfy you I wouldn't mess with it BUT........ if you're like myself and want to tinker or free float the barrel, you remove the screw (carefully with a screwdriver bit filed to fit) then you pull down and forward kind of at the same time. There's a about a 1/4" square rod (hanger it's called) that the screw goes into that holds the forearm on. If you want to float it you should use a large dowell rod with coarse enough sandpaper wrapped around it to remove some of the wood in the tight spots, and........you can experiment with different thicknesses of a shim drilled so you can lay it on the hanger over the hole where the screw goes to also increase the space slightly between the forearm and the barrel. It's a trick to get the shim to stay in place while reattaching the forearm. I used a dab of fingernail polish on the hanger before laying the shim on it and let it dry so it would get moved out of place so easily.
I have a B78 in .243 Win. that I bought new and has never been fired that I removed the stock from and completely stripped it and refinished, sealing with tung oil then about 10 or 12 applications of TruOil. It lightened the stock considerably which allowed the wood figure to be seen now. I've been thinking about selling it before I'm tempted to shoot it and spoil everything.

LJOHNS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:58:13 PM »

I have a near mint B78 octagon in 6mm that I bought a year ago and the barrel is free-floated from the factory with no pressure on the forearm. I haven't had time to work up a good load yet but it shoots sub 1" with factory loads. As for removing the forearm there should be a single screw on the bottom of the forearm. Just remove the screw and the forearm will slide off (toward the barrel). The shell ejection spring is housed under the forearm.

KENTDEP · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2004, 02:36:32 AM »

I had a B-78 in 25-06 too. I sold mine to a guy that was real happy to get it. I bought the gun used and beat up. The stock and forearm need to be refinished. I did that and turned a tidy profit. Then I took the money and bought a Marlin Guide Gun and a Winchester 63. Nice deal. I sold the gun off because I too thought that it was too pretty to carry in the woods and beat up.

Jay

djh · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2004, 10:37:00 AM »

Don't want to be a smart Ass, but if a gun is not a collectable, why have a gun you are not going to use regardless of how pretty it is?

Just asking.

djh

KENTDEP · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2004, 11:53:15 AM »

djh,

I sold my gun to make a profit. I had bought it to restore it and possibly use it as a back up deer rifle. Once it was done I thought that it would be a shame to use it and ding it up again. So I sold it and made a profit to buy guns that I would more likely use.

Jay

Oh one other thing, I do think that they are collectable. If they go up in value then they are collectable.

djh · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2004, 08:55:20 AM »

KENTDEP:

I understand:

This is my Browning 1885 High Wall Special in 45/90 caliber.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YE

AR TO ALL ON THIS FORUM.

KENTDEP · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2004, 12:58:01 AM »

Djh,

Nice picture. Looks like the reciever is color cased? If it is, was that original to the gun? If not, who did it?

Jay