Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Pre 64 Winchester model 70 vs FN Browning Safari rifle

Ohhhh, I get it :), although I imagine we won't have any guns left by the year in question! Nice watch BTW...jorge

Thanks Jorge. I like it more every day.

Pre-64 M70 gets my vote. The Browning may be a better rifle but I'm not interested in finding out. Life is too short.

Here is an old thread I stumbled across. Interesting topic to me because I like both rifles, but am more likely to buy the Browning.

I have seen some pre-64 model 70s that I would like to buy but I know there is so much I don't know about them that I would be like a sheep waiting to be sheared. Issues like correct pad, barrel length, sights, D&T holes, ect. This coupled with the fact that many gun guys make used car salesmen look honest, has stopped me from buying.

The Brownings have not had such a cult following, nor were manufactured with as many permutations, that people deliberately mess with them. Yes, there is the salt issue, but I have found them to be easier to evaluate.

The itch for the pre-64 M70 is definitely there, just a 270, 300 H&H and a 375H&H would probably remedy the situation. Some day will do it.

What do you think?

Pre 64 model 70 for me...

Winchester.

I'd go with the browning if it was me, but I'm a M98 freak anyway(the FN action has MUCH better gas handling in the event of a case rupture than the Pre 64 ever thought of having)...

The fit and finish goes to the FN product and gun handling in many calibers to the Winchester product. For me the choice depends on caliber. For example in .375 or .458 I would take Browning while in .30-06, .300H&H or .338 I would take the Winchester. In small calibers like .243 the Sako actioned Browning holds edge over Winchester.

Amen brother. I've never been lucky enough to own the Browning but have a few rifles on FN Mausers. Had three pre-64 Winchesters for a while. They're long gone.
Come to think of it, all my custom and semi-customs are based on Mauser action. The pre-64s just never really turned me on.
Paul B.

I have owned and used FN Brownings, LE only, four of them, two .30-06s, one bought new in 1967, my first working rifle on BC fire lookouts, one .375 and one .458.

As WORKING rifles, from the factory, the .30-06s were too heavy, stocks too bulky and the ejector housing is crap, while that FN trigger is NOT equal in dirty, wet field conditions.

The .375 holds one LESS round than a P-64 and does not feel quite as lively to me, I have had three original 70 .375s, still have one and a custom shorty, so, four all told.

The .458 was the nicest for its cartridge and I only sold it as to make it meet my specs, I would need to spend more than I wanted to at the time.

Each to his own, but, for the .300 mags, especially the .338WM and .375, I prefer the P-64 as they came from the factory.

The inexpensive FN actions from old Huqvarna 50s and
Musketeer rifles are superior in ejector bolt stop to the Brownings and are the same in other respects plus cost a third as much...

I also loath those little side safeties in cold,wet BC hunting.

I agree with SNAP. Between those two, pre 64. The FN Browning has that stupid spring ejector housing. Not fully Mauser 98.

Have owned, and hunted with, several of each and prefer the Pre-64 hands down. Lighter, better balance, more reliable and far more accurate. Plus, no salt wood surprises.

There's a Safari in 375 at my LGS. I have difficulty walking out of the store without it.
If I didn't have a P64 375 I think it would have already followed me home.