I'm going to build a prairie dog gun and will likely use a Browning 78. If I begin with a 22-250 or like case head size, will there be any gunsmithing required if I rebarrel the rifle to a .204 Ruger or similar case head sized caliber?

Unless you're particularly in love with the B78, you'd be better off finding a Browning Low wall in .223 and use it. Save changing out the extractor, and the low wall is easier to load and use for the small cartridge. The B78 in .22-250 is probably worth more than the Browning will cost.

dave

The 1885 Highwall was also made in .223. You can swap for one or buy just the extractor.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
The 1885 Highwall was also made in .223. You can swap for one or buy just the extractor.

I have one of the 1885 .223 high walls. My recommendation is buy the low wall. It's hard on your fingers to load the high wall a bunch.

dave

Good information, thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by ssdave:

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
The 1885 Highwall was also made in .223. You can swap for one or buy just the extractor.

I have one of the 1885 .223 high walls. My recommendation is buy the low wall. It's hard on your fingers to load the high wall a bunch.

dave

It is?
No one ever told me that.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:

quote:

Originally posted by ssdave:

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
The 1885 Highwall was also made in .223. You can swap for one or buy just the extractor.

I have one of the 1885 .223 high walls. My recommendation is buy the low wall. It's hard on your fingers to load the high wall a bunch.

dave

It is?
No one ever told me that.

No one told me either, I found it out after I bought and mounted the scope. I'd have been happier with the low wall. I prefer the high wall looks, I have several. But, the two low walls I have are much easier to use with the smaller cases. In the .25-06 and .45-70, no problem.

dave

I mostly shoot high walls with a tang sight in 45-70. With a little practice they are easy to load. And I have to shove each round all the way home against the rifling.