Comments on the Browning Safari Magnums?

Do the stocks, and double bolts hold up to the 458 Mag?
Anyone converted one to 458 Lott?

s

Had a thread on this a couple of months ago.

http://www.nookhill.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=003164

Thanks.
Couldn't find it...
Still can't figure out if the conversion is a real good idea(to the Lott).

One of the other posts about reliability in stopping rifles at the PH trials said this was THE gun for reliability, and function.

s

[ 07-15-2003, 00:55: Message edited by: Socrates ]

I owned a Browning Safari .458 Win. Mag. about twenty years ago, and it was a great rifle, and I should never have sold it. Here are my thoughts:

Don't convert a nice old Safari to .458 Lott; to do so is like painting a tattoo on the Mona Lisa....

If you're looking for a .458 Browning Safari, buy only the long extractor version - not the "Supreme" action with the hook/Sako-type extractor.

Next tip, buy the early version with the non-folding rear sight. The later versions (after the mid-'60s) featured folding leaf rear sights. Folding sights do not work on dangerous game rifles. If you do buy a Safari with the folding rear sight, replace it with a milled-steel aftermarket rear sight that does not fold.

Final thought: The Safari is so well built and fitted that you should never have a problem with split stocks - that is, if you keep the screws tight!

AD

I agree with Allen, they are good guns but be carefull of salt wood....

They can be openned to the Lott, but may devalue the gun some but maybe not, depends on the customer your selling to...These guns are fairly common and bring about $1200 to $1500. average. Also keep your eyes out for a good early FN, they are simply pre Brownings and they are the best of the lot....

It is always a good idea to glass bed the recoil lug and tang in any 458 or up...and in a Lott you had better and add barrel lug....pick a stock that is proper through the wrist....

Ray: Found a gunsmith to bore it out for 100 bucks, and he has a good rep.

What should adding the extra recoil lug, and bedding it run?

Around here, it's been about 75-100 to bed a gun.

I'm trying to decide if I'd be better off with the FN, and I think it's about a 1967, 2 bolts through the stock, and no salt. 950. Or, the guys would sell me a 458 CZ550 for 750. Then similar work. On the one hand the CZ might take more work, but it would have more rounds down the pipe. It also might cost a whole lott more money to do the stock, etc.

Guns been there for about 9 years.

I'm considering a trade, but changed my mind.

375 is a fantastic stock, and rifle, and drives tacks.etc.

If I'm beating this to death, it's because I'm getting real close to buying, and I hold most of my guns, all of mine actually, for a very long time.
s

Socrates,
I have one,love it.I collect Browning Safari Grades and have them in 222 through 458.I agree with everything Allen had to say (mostly-see below),and I'll had this-

#1-GET IT BEDDED WELL.Despite what Allen said,they ARE prone to stock cracking in the tang,even if the screws are tight.I've had two 458s and two 22/250s crack in the tangs,and the screws were tight.The one 22/250 cracked and it was still unfired!

#2-I'd strongly suggest NOT rechambering it to Lott.Why?Safari 458s are LIGHT-anywhere from 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 pounds,far too light even for the Winchester round,let alone the Lott.You will find that full power Winny loads with 500s will kick plenty hard,and you WON'T want the extra velocity of the Lott.Plus,if your 'smith bungles the rechamber job (not uncommon),you just ruined a good,accurate barrel.

You've been himming and hawing over this rifle for,what,over a year now?If you want it,get it NOW or otherwise someone WILL buy it out from under you just when you decide you want it.Sure,it's been sitting on the shelf for nine years,but that doesn't mean someone who's never been in the shop before doesn't walk in there tomorrow and buy it.

Brian.

Brian:
Whats the mag capacity on the Browning 458?

Wonder if it takes much work to get the Lott to chamber?

Part of my reluctance is as soon as I buy it, I KNOW CZ will chamber for the lott in the CZ 550...

s

[ 07-20-2003, 00:56: Message edited by: Socrates ]

The old Safari rifles were beautiful.
If I found a .458 in good shape, with no salt-treated wood, I would snap it up in a heartbeat.
I am still regretting the .300 winnie that I let slip by a few years ago, for a paltry $450.
(kicks self, hard)

Three down,one up the spout.

Don't matter if CZ chambers for the Lott or not,it still ain't half the rifle the Browning is,and in a few years,if you don't like the Browning and haven't monkeyed it up by rechambering it,you could double your money easily.

Brian.

Socs- I see these things all the time at gunshows, A bit pricey at $900 and up but not hard to find. Ray is absolutely right, A new barrel mounted recil lug , crossbolting and glassbedding is absolutely necessary for a 458 Lott. Some rail work will be necessary for feeding, but not a problem. You've been obsessing about this for months now. Just do it!-Rob

Socs,

You say you KNOW CZ will chamber for the lott soon. Where did you here this, have you e-mailed the Factory. And if so how far away is it I want a lott soon and will buy a cz .458 and have it reamed but if there bringing one out well I might as well wait (if its not to long.)

Ray has hit on my Major reluctance in this entire issue: Custom gun maker costs.

First, around here, none of the local guys really want to do it. I did find an excellent smith, close, that has a few options, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, yesterday.

Options that came up. He has a customer with a 458 CZ 550 already modified for the Lott. Buy that rifle, and finish the project.

Second: Maybe has a 458 CZ barrel around, install that on my CZ 550 375 H&H, bed it, and the recoil lug is already added.

The problem with the Safari Browning is it's 950, plus tax, so really 1050. Add the kick eze pad, recoil reducers, custom bedding, and new lug, plus better sites, and I'm near 2000 dollars, or over.

Perhaps I should just save the money, and have
Ray shop, for a small % I hope, and buy someone else's custom project, for 25 cents on the dollar. This reminds me of building and selling custom race cars, and how little money you get out when you are done.

Cats. I have a 5 pound feral kitty, and she has figured out how to open sliding doors, so she can claw, and climb my expensive suits.

Excuse me, I have to go...

s