Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots First Browning B-78

Saturday I took on trade a B-78, which I had been considering picking up one or a High Wall if able.
I have no experience with these, and was wondering if there are any quirks I should be aware of ? This gem is in 7mm Rem Mag, which was not my choice of caliber ( had one before), factory octagonal barrel, with Browning marked bases and rings. I may consider rechambering, but like the looks of the barrel. It appears to be well cared for and in really good shape, I can only find one very small spot in the bluing and a couple minor scratches in the finish.

All my firearms have scratches and dings. It means they get used and are not safe queens. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You are going to like it, for sure!
I have only round take offs, but I think Old badger may be doing one up soon, and will have a 22/250 octagon barrel available.

Cat

I know a fella that has one that he had rechambered to 7STW. Uses it for varmints; with an old dual-image military rangefinder.

If you want to see the damage it does to critters, pack a lunch. It'll be a LONG walk.

Bought one when they first appeared in the seventies, a .22-250 with the octagon barrel. Nice wood, well made for a Jap gun. Shoots well, five rounds one ragged hole at 100 yards. It has succeeded in sending quite a few 'chucks to marmot paradise.

This one wears a Redfield range finder 6 to 18x scope. Had a problem with a failure of one of the Browning supplied scope mount rings. Screw broke through a flange. Attempted to get a replacement and got a run-around. Browning couldn't supply a replacement and they referred me to their vendor who, as I recall, was Burris. Called Burris and got nowhere. Luck struck when I found a set of rings at a gunshow.

My experience with the rifle has been positive, it shoots exceptionally well and has a great appearence. In retrospect I would prefer to have the heavier round barrel.

Don't take it apart. Its not a high wall and its pretty unpleasant to put back together.

I had one in 7mag around 1980 and shot it a bunch, nice enough rifle. Killed lots of deer.

SS

SS,
I thought the High Wall was a "reissue" of the B-78.
The bluebook (23rd) has a statement to that effect.

Like I said, my first one, looking for info, any and all appreciated.

The 1970's era Brownings look like a high wall but there were several changes to make manufacture easier. The internals are different. If you compare an original to yours side by side you'll see some external differences as well.

SS

Sharpshooter,

Are you saying then, that the Browning 1885 and the B-78 are two different rifles? And parts are not interchangable?

Reason I ask, is that I own rifles in both incarnations.

thanks,

Grasshopper

Grass, I was not speaking about the differences in the two Japanese made high wall look alikes. I was talking about the differences between the the Jap's and the original Winchester high walls.

The new 1885 is different on the outside than the B-78, I am not sure about the internal differences. Either way they are different from the originals.

SS

There ARE differances ( subtle though they may be) between
the B'78, and the B'85...........triggers, for one.

Sharpshooter's dead right.............. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Without John Stepp's kit...........stripping, and reassing these(either one) requires two hands, and a tentacle with an eyball in the end of it. Here's a link re. John's kit

link:https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=671309&an=0&page=1#671309

GTC <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

That link won't work for me...........

Back up in this forum's archives, 3 months or so.......thread titled 'Good News for B78, and B85 operators.

worth checking out.

GTC

I should have been more clear in my statement, the Bluebook and I are referencing the latest version from Winchester.
I apologize for taking so long to reply, been out of town for a few days.
Thanks to all for the info.