I’d like to see some pics of those rifles.
If I knew how to post photos I would take a picture and send it.
Looking at a Safari grade Belgium made (or Finland make ) Browning is about as easy on the eyes for a man as looking at a photo of Marilyn Monroe in a vintage swimsuit. Modern rifles skimp and skim everywhere possible. No so with a Safari Grade Browning.
All the bumps, rolls and curves are right where they should be, in abundance. Full figured like MM. No skimp and skim, none. The wood to metal fit is tight and even so with the double stepped down pencil barrel, which were match grade.
Hand lapped at the factory, so smooth, the barrel just does not foul at all even with Barnes bullets. The earliest ones had a black but plate hand carved out of Cape Buffalo horn.
The checkering is fine and finely done, all by hand of course. Mine has a highly figured Frech Walnut stock not from that "salt era" production run. The bottom metal is all alloy to lighten up the rifle which is does well.
The bottom of the bolt knob is flattened and fineley checkered there.
I have had many pre-64 model 70's and by comparison they look cheap.
The only bolt action rifle made by Winchester that is the same league is the adorable model 54. Made in the wealthy roaring 20's before the Stock Market crash of 1929. They are a work of gunsmithig art. Such a great dark midnight sky blue finish never produced again,
For so many years my only two rifles were my Safari Grade Browning and my model 54, both in 30-06. My model 54 is a peep sight only with a factory installed period Lyman Apeture sight, with African leaf sights for dangerous game.
So sweet with the model 54 bolt standing out proud for fast handling if charged by some African game that bites and claws.
The scope base on my Browing is the pre-leopold Redfield one piece bridge mount, with ever so functional flip up fully adjustable peep sight. Almost inpossoble to find one anymoe. I found that one is a dusty old gun shop in Alaska.
The scope is a restored El Paso Weaver fixed 4X. I did not have the scope body reblued, parts of it are down to bare metal from going in and out of a custom sadlle scabbard I hade made. Both of these rifles fit me so, so perfectly. I have been shooting them since I was a pup. 52 years I have had the Safari Grade Browning and about 40 years with the model 54.
52 plus 40, 92 years total, In four more years that wil be a total of 100 years of my use with both of them.
The big game I have taken with these two rifles,,,,Wow,,,what great experiences,,,Desert Bighorn Ram no less,,,125 yards. I know how to crawl,,doulble kneed Carhart pants rule.
Over the past sevaral years I have become solid and tight with a young family. The husband is a elk hunting guide, with a 5 year old son. Lovely wife, Happy family.
After elk season he is freed up and we hunt for upland birds together. We take turns keeping out eyes to the ground while the other scans for elk and bighorn sheep,,,just to keep out eyes trained.
I used to be a hunting guide too when I was his age. We swap tips and stories and both of us agree too many hunters think they can shoot farther than they really can and most are out of shape. They are trying to make up with bigger bullets for s bigger belly.
Also we both are thrilled to track wovles and lions. We bear them only good will and are grateful to have them keep the wilderness wild. Neither of us would ever hunt them.
The elk we hunt are truly wlld too, no feedlots, plenty of low elevation public land for winter grazing. So rare. Also the elk here were not transplanted,,,been where we are since their ancestors cross the land bridge between the new world and old 15,000 year ago
This young hunter/guide does not know it yet, but that Browning Safari Grade rifle, the model 54 Winchester and the custom saddle scabbard are going to his when it's for me leave this lovely Mother Earth and meet up with Father Sky.
Hopefully he and his son with enjoy them both for another 100 years of combined use.
Mustangs Rule
