What's your opinion of Browning FN Mausers? The local gunshop has a nice one in .375. Are there any noted problems with both the big ones and smaller calibers? Are the new CZ's better?

Best,
QD

I have an original (pre-1950's) FN 30-06 Mauser that is a great rifle in all respects. If I needed a 375 H&H and could get a really nice Browning or original FN for under $1300 or so I'd but it right now.

Are the new CZ's better?!?!?!
Uh . . . no.
Are the new CZ's, dollar for dollar, a better value?
Probably, depending on what you can get the FN for. But, like Ed said, if the weapon is in good condition and anywhere around $1000-$1300USD . . .BUY IT!

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

I have Browning Safari Grades in calibers ranging from 222 to 458.

Is the CZ better than the Safari Grade Browning?Let me put it this way-more time and effort was put into the stock of a Safari,than is put in a whole CZ rifle.

A Safari in 375 in mint condition is worth $1500,regardless of whether it is a LE or SE model.

My only reproach against the original, Belgian made, FN-Browning Safari is that it's no longer made...

If I remember right, Browning made a batch of riflres on leftover Mauser actions in .458 and .375 in 1997 and advertised these in their European catalogue as the last Browning Safari Rifles or something of the sort. Would that they would emulate Holland and Holland and go back to making these wonderful guns again like H&H have gone back to making .600 NEs!

I'm afraid that, as with many FN Belgian made guns, the FN Safari "mould" is broken. What is listed today in their catalog is an expensive, look alike made by Dumoulin in Belgium. Not bad, but not the real McCoy. BTW, Dumoulin was first class... before they sold their Cy. and name.

Original FN Brownings in the Safari grade are quite desirable. I have one in .375 H&H and it will shoot 1 inch groups all day long. They tend to be quite pricy in the $1000-$1300 range. I have heard that some of the .458's were made with stocks that were treated with a chloride containing material that corrodes the action and barrel. I'd ask to disassemble the gun before I purchased it.-Rob

Rob,

I think there is a whole era of Browning "salt guns" . . . regardless of model. I also think Browning might even still warranty stock replacement on guns from this era. I know they did at one time.

JohnTheGreek

Rob&John,
Browning used salt cured stocks between late 1967 until about 1973.They mostly were put on Safari Grades (all calibers),T-Bolts and Superposed shotguns,though some got on even the ultra-high grade guns such as the Olympian Grade.

For every five normal stocks put out in that time,there was one salt cured one.Be sure to watch for them.Tell tale signs are rust,and lots of it.

For a very short time,Browning offered to take back salt guns and replace the stocks.That was in the mid-70s.Try that now and they'll laugh then hang up.

Brian,

Thanks for the info! I knew a bunch of superposed shotguns were also "salt guns" and had suspicions about t-bolts as I have seen some real rusty ones but I worked in a gun store for a couple of years and saw so many rusty .22's I was never sure. Come to think of it, I saw a whole sh#*tload of rusty guns in general. What is with people and their inability to take care of their weaponry!

Regards,

JohnTheGreek

I've got a safari grade FN Browning in .375 H&H that I bought off a buddy for $1,000 Cdn. He figured he didn't need it AND his pre-64 Mod. 70 .375. It'll shoot Nosler 260 gr. under an inch. Good enough for moose here. I'll work out a 300 or 350 gr. load when I get ready to take it to Africa in a few years.

My buddy sold his cousin the mate to the .375 - a .338 WM. He took it to Africa 3 years ago, and the PH fell in love with it. The agreement was that the cousin bought if off my buddy and would sell it back when he got back from Africa. Never happened. Cousin wouldn't part with it.

I've got dibs on that rifle, whenever the cousin gets too old or tired of it.