Although I had several things higher on my priority list the last time I went to the big Tulsa gun show I still noticed quite a few of the Browning Safari rifles when looking for pre-64 Win 70's. I don't know too much about them but was wondering if anybody would like to offer up their opinion of this rifle and how it compares to some of the other oft-mentioned rifles (Win 70 pre-64, Mauser 98 actioned rifles, etc.)?

Why am I interested? I'm thinking of going to Tulsa again this spring and I also saw an interesting version (Browning .458 Win Mag Safari 1963 ) on auction.

Thanks in advance.

Reed

if it's a 1960s rifle, they probably built it on an FN Mauser action.

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When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

Reed,

The Browning High Power Rifle series was made from late 1959 to 1975,in three grades-the Safari,the Medallion,and the Olympian.The Safari was the "hunting" grade rifle,belive it or not.

Long action calibers were made on a version of the Mauser 98 action,with a sliding saftey.Short action calibers such as the 222,22/250,243,ect.,were made on Sako actions.

In 1967 they changed from the CRF Mauser 98 to the "Supreme" push feed version.Also,starting in 1967,some rifles were put out with salt-cured stocks.Keep a very watchful eye for these-they literaly rust away from the inside out.If you see ANY rust on the recoil lug caps or around the action or barrel where the stock touches,pull it out of the stock and check for further rust.If it has rust on the underside of the barreld action,run away VERY quickly!

I collect the Browning High Power Rifle series.IMO,they are one of the finest made production rifles of all times.I have a Safari Grade in 458,made in 1972 with a push feed action.It is VERY accurate,as are all my other Safari Grades.I have them in 222 through 458.

The only problem with a Safari Grade 458 is that they made it on their 24 inch standard contour barrel,so they are rather light.My current one weights 8 3/4 pounds with a 4x Leupold-that's light for a 458.I had one a few years back that weighted only 6 3/4 pounds and cracked in the tang.That sucker KICKED like you wouldn't belive.

If you want one,you better buy it now.Prices have gone sky high in the last ten years or so,and they increase every year.A Safari in 458 with the LE (pre-67)in mint condition will command $1500 now.A post-67 in the same caliber and condition,will run about $300 less.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

[This message has been edited by Brian M (edited 01-03-2002).]

Reed,
Brian M gave you some good info on the salt guns. If you look in the Blue Book of guns at your public library, it will list the salt gun series by serial number and also the different prices for a short or long mauser action. Be sure to check for salt by removing he barrel. The early 60's rifles are extremely well made, have one in 300 Win Mag. Good Luck!

Reed and Paul,

DO NOT pay any attention to the pricing of the Browning High Power Rifle Series in the Blue Book Of Gun Values.The prices are off by almost 15 years.Sure wish I could find a mint Safari Grade in 257 Roberts for $1250,I'd have one.In reality they run $2500 or so.

Also,something I forgot to mention-after 1967 the Long Extractor did stay on the 30/06 and 270,why we'll never know.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

Caliber, assuming mint condition, heavily influences price in the Safari series. Outside of rare ones, like .308 Norma, .284, .257, or some of the metrics which were sold in Europe, the large calibers like .458, .375, and .338 bring the biggest bucks. A .270, .30-06, or .308 will sell about like a pre-64 Winchester in the same caliber. Even with collectors out there, the market is a bit thin for the premium guns, so don't expect to pay $1200 for a .458 and turn around a couple of months later and get your money back out.

OK, another question.

Can the action from a '63 in 458 Win Mag take it (i.e., is it long enough) if rechambered to the 450 Watts or 458 Lott? Also, would you consider this sacrilege to rechamber this rifle if it's in good condition?

Just kind of curious.

Thanks for the information and thanks in advance for any future information.

Reed

Hi guys,

Auction Arms has one for sale. Check it out with the following link.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=2199147

Reed,

I assume you are trying to get that 1963 one that's on Auction Arms?If I had the $$$ you'ld be in trouble.I tried to trade the guy out of it but he wanted money.

If you rechamber that mint,beautiful Long Extractor 458 to Watts or Lott,I will personaly fly all the way from California to St. Louis and kick your butt.

I don't belive it is long enough,as it is just a standard '06 length action.The 300 and 375 H&Hs used the same action,but "opened up".If you wanted to spend the $$$ to have a GOOD gunsmith do that,it would be possible.

Also,you absoluley DON'T want a Watts or Lott in that light of gun.Trust me,a 500 at 2150 FPS from the heaviest Safari 458 I've owned (8 3/4 pounds with scope),will just about jar your fillings loose.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

That's why I phrased it that way as I wouldn't want you getting on a plane without necessity these days.

I didn't think it would be possible with a simple rechamber and it's not cost effective for what I had in mind anyway. Also, I sure thought the porting would drive collector value down significantly. I think I'm more interested in the 375 or 416 variants anyway. Hopefully I'll find something suitable at Tulsa this spring but I may just end of going from scratch with my gunsmith.

Thanks for all of the great information.

Reed

Reed,

Well,thanks for thinking about me first.

The porting does hurt the value BUT the condition,wood figure (a pretty Safari usualy goes for more than a plain one),and the fact that it is a Long Extractor gun makes it worth a minimum of $1300,and possibly $1500 if someone really wanted.

You will have no luck finding a Safari Grade in any 416 caliber,as they were never made.They did make quite a few in 404 Jefferys for the European market,but the few that are here in the states run in the same price range as the Olympians do.Ray Atkinson at one time owned a Safari Grade in this chambering.

You should be able to find a Safari Grade in 375 H&H no sweat at the Tulsa show.BTW,more Safari Grades are sold at that gun show than any other,as most big Browning dealers/collectors go to it.Have always wanted to go there,but I will have to save up a large amount of $$$$,as otherwise I'd probibly sell my car while I was there and ride home with all my Brownings on a Grey Hound Bus.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

Hey Brian,

All the $$$ are in the bank everywhere. I suppose you could get a loan and buy that rifle. It should be a piece of cake for a small loan like this. I did that on several occasions (not to buy guns though) and it worked every time.

Cheers!
Ming

Ming,

Nope,never done that,never will.My view on buying guns,cars and the like,is that if you don't have the money to buy it outright,then you don't buy it.

For those who would want to do that,it's a great time as interest rates are only 7% or so.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!