Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing rechambering B-78

I decided to step out of the bolt action world and picked up a Browning B-78 in 30-06 for what I think was a decent price. It's a 26" octagonal barrel. So,...it got me to thinking that 26" of barrel would be useable with a larger case and I happen to have a 300 H&H reamer here. Can the '06 extractor be modded to work with the .532" case?..or do I have to source a new one? I've rebarreled a few bolt actions, never something like this.

Dennis Olson in Plains, MT is your Huckleberry. If it can be done, he could do it or tell you how. Browning recommends him for work on those rifles...

Sounds like a nice change.. One of my pals had a 78 rechambered from 06 to .300 win.. I don't know the issues, but didn't seem difficult from what he told me...

The way the B78 extractor works, you may have to remove about 25 thou from the engagement claw. There is a chance there is enough clearance in the hole to allow it to snap past the larger rim without alteration but you won't know until you try. Not a big deal, in any case. I think the Browning offers a little more latitude in this regard than does the Ruger No.1. It's been roughly 30 years since I've worked on a 78. How do you like that trigger? GD

greydog

I don't have it in hand yet. Expecting it mid week.

I've done some research on the B78 and the trigger is reportedly not one of the best and tricky to adjust.

I'll likely not mess with it if it is acceptable.

The rifle is arriving with a Redfield Ultimate Illuminator 3-9 scope mounted so I may just shoot it as an '06 before I do anything with it seeing as it is all set up.