Hi All, just wondering what your opinions are about these two rifles and which you think are better? Seems like they're going for about the same price right now.I myself would go with the Safari but I'd like to hear what you all have to say!

I really like FN mausers, but some of the Brownings have that nasty saltwood. Pre-64s are also pure goodness. A fellow(or gal) would be served well by either.

Good comparison! I have had both and hunted with both. Safaris in .222, .243, 7mm Mag, 308 Norma. Pre 64 M70s in .243, .264 Mag., .270, .30-06, and 300 H&H/300 Weatherby. I loved all of the guns, Safaris for their beauty and craftmanship, Winchesters for their design and pure functionality. The Brownings seemed heavy and had delicate finishes. The Winchesters seem to get better with age and use. The Winchesters always seemed a little more inherently accurate as well. I've since sold all of the Safaris and still own the Winnies. What does that tell you! Can't go wrong with either.

I will have to cast my vote the same as lundtroller and for the same reason's plus the Brownings seem to have a finish problem, where as after 20-30+ years the finish would crack/check.

I have also owned a bunch of both and the safe is full of winnies at the present.

Both good guns, but M70s are the best. They feed smoother and have a better safety. My current Mauser is an H&R Ultrarifle in flawless condition made in the sixties on a commercial FN action. The only M70 in the safe is a Classic Compact that my wife claims as hers. It is a super-sweet little rifle in 308 Win caliber.
_

Watch out for salt wood stocks. Pull the butt plate screws out and see if they are rusty before you buy one. You can't go by date of manufacture, because there was a stock recall when the problem was discovered, and some have been factory replaced. That said, the pre-64 winchester 70 is my choice.

The Browning would be a good second or third choice...

M70........

I own and shoot both. In fact, I just took delivery of a minty Safari in 3006. Both are wonderful rifles. The Safaris are closer to the Super Grade variant in my opinion.

Attention to detail is better in the Brownings, particularly when compared to the latter pre-64s. I pefer the iron sights on the older Safaris but the sight on the 458 Africans is just great. Accuracy's a toss up. I've never owned one that wasn't a sub-MOA shooter. Where the Model 70 has it all over the Browning is in the safety, but that is a matter of personal taste. Given a choice between three rifles of the same caliber, my choices would be:

1. Super Grade
2. Safari Grade
3. Model 70 standard
4. Model 70 Featherweight

jorge

My vote is for the pre-64.
Bear in Fairbanks

Pre-64 Model 70. Other than the Supergrade, I prefer the Standard Grade model with the monte carlo stock.

While the FN action is a fine one, I see a lot of elderly Brownings with a cracked, almost checked finish. If they're not salt, you can always strip and refinish, and the underlying wood is usually better than on M70s for figure. I'm pretty much a M70 man, but wouldn't kick a nice Safari grade out of the safe, even if I had to make a winter project out of the stock.

Well I'm down to one pre64 Standard grade 30-06 (straight comb) and one Safari 30-06 and I pulled them both out to clean and look at them today. Both nice guns but I'd have to go with the Safari. It's a 65 and so is pre saltwood, but yes the finish is crazed, it's going to get a new coat of finish. I do like the Winchester's safety better but other than that the Safari is so nicely finished and fitted (except for the crazed finish) that I think it's hard to beat. The stock with cheekpiece fits me better and I really like the fact that the extractor is undercut in the front of the bolt.I like the fact that the Winchester has a steel floorplate and trigger guard but don't like that it is two pieces.Both nice rifles though!!

Are you a time traveler?

ten years ago I bought an entire collection of FN Browning Safaris for my Dad, it was his 60th anniversary, he has hunted around the world and like the FN's but you won't go wrong with the pre-64 is just preference

Nope, just lucky I guess. Oh and I wear the real James Bond watch... jorge

I hunt with Browning Safaris all the time.They are superbly accurate and extremely well made.Just watch out for salt wood.Yes,the finish on a lot of them is getting a little soft after 35-40 years,but just take care of them.

I've got 5-6 out of my collection (which is extensive)that I hunt with on a regular basis,and only one doesn't have the origanal finish,due to the previous owner abusing it and refinishing it and reblueing it twice before it got to me.Good thing all the deer and bear I've killed with it didn't know that.....

Dollar for dollar,the Browning is the better rifle.I like Model 70s and have a couple,but I'll take a Browning over one anyday.

WB.

Brownings are not the only guns with salt wood. I had a Ruger No 1 that went back to the factory for a new buttstock and a reblue.
I have a 30-06 that was a saltwood gun, I reblued it and now it is a hunting rifle and not a safe queen. I might just put an oil finish on the stock now. I don't like that cracked shiny finish much. I don't need to baby it though. I wish Browning would make these in Japan and sell them again.
whelennut

If I didn't have one it would be the other. Both superb rifles. Kind of a blonde/brunette or P51/P47 sort of question.

Here's my 64 Browning in a photo snapped yesterday on the Spring bear opener here in Washington. It will be out again today as soon as I can get going.



DJR

No, you see, you went into the future, all the way to the year 3006 to take delivery. Of course you meant to say that the rifle was chambered in .30-06. Little attempt at humor on my part.

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.