Browning B-78

[danny]

I will be looking around for a B-78 in a varmint cartridge. I have been looking for a good basic informational page but have not found one yet. I noticed that some come with round barrels, some come with octagonal barrels. What is the difference between the two aside from one being round, and the other being octagonal?

Danny

 

[jwv2001]

What cartridge are you looking for? I have Browning 1885, so I have no experience with the Winchester. Accuracy wise, I wouldn't think a round or octagonal would make any difference. I noticed from another post, that some had cheek rests and some didn't. I was wondering why they would put a cheek rest on a basically ambidextrous rifle?

 

[danny]

What cartridge are you looking for? I have Browning 1885, so I have no experience with the Winchester. Accuracy wise, I wouldn't think a round or octagonal would make any difference. I noticed from another post, that some had cheek rests and some didn't. I was wondering why they would put a cheek rest on a basically ambidextrous rifle?

Some varmint cartridge, basically up to and including things like 6mm Remington, .25-06. I have not been able to find an informational page detailing all of what they offered.

Danny

 

[jwv2001]

One thing I know is, that these rifles shoot. Get the right person to sweeten the trigger and the rifle gets comfortable.
The fact that they are so accurate is that they are a single shot without a bolt and a receiver to deal with. You put the cartridge into the chamber with your finger and that's it. Good Luck in your search.
When you finally get one, you will wonder why anyone would have sold it.

 

[AlNyhus]

The original Browning B78's had three barrel options. Octagonal, sporter round barrel and heavy round barrel. Most common were the 22-250's, 6MM Remington, 25-06 and 30-06. 7MM Rem Mag is less common and the 243W is the least often seen. There were also B78's in 45-70.

The later Winchester verions of the B78 are the 1885's with stock and finish changes. They all have octagonal barrels.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[JRanum]

Al hit it on the head. Only thing I can add is the heavy round barrels were drilled and tapped in a 3rd location further down the barrel so you could use old fashioned scope bocks rather than the modern style.

Sometimes youll see them with Canjar triggers which can be much lighter than the factory trigger.

And they can be found with knock out wood, so if your not in a hurry wait for a beauty.

 

[JRanum]

And when I say knock out factory wood I mean this…

 

[V509]

I have a B78 in 2506 with oct barrel. The one or two I have seen with round have been a much heavier barrel
B78 on the right. Stock has cheek pad. Left of it the 1885s have plain stock

 

[jwv2001]

One other thing I would add, don't let the prices scare you away. I personally don't
think the prices aren't ever going down. If you can afford it, buy it.

I have a B78 in 2506 with oct barrel. The one or two I have seen with round have been a much heavier barrel
B78 on the right. Stock has cheek pad. Left of it the 1885s have plain stock
View attachment 1633773

Three have English grips, When did they change the stock design to a pistol grip?

 

[V509]

The one on the right is a B78. To the left is Winchester 1885. Far left is Browning BPCR
The partial seen rifle on the right is a Browning low wall in 22 Hornet

 

[Hal]

And when I say knock out factory wood I mean this…View attachment 1633760View attachment 1633761

That is the BEST factory wood I’ve ever seen on a factory gun.

Hal

 

[AP2020]

I will be looking around for a B-78 in a varmint cartridge. I have been looking for a good basic informational page but have not found one yet. I noticed that some come with round barrels, some come with octagonal barrels. What is the difference between the two aside from one being round, and the other being octagonal?

Danny

I had a B78 in 22-250 with a 12x Leopold.

Another rifle I should have never sold! Lol

 

[danny]

I had a B78 in 22-250 with a 12x Leopold.

Another rifle I should have never sold! Lol

I have some of those stories, too.

Danny

 

[nakneker]

And when I say knock out factory wood I mean this…View attachment 1633760View attachment 1633761

WOW!

 

[COLT45SA]

What cartridge are you looking for? I have Browning 1885, so I have no experience with the Winchester. Accuracy wise, I wouldn't think a round or octagonal would make any difference. I noticed from another post, that some had cheek rests and some didn't. I was wondering why they would put a cheek rest on a basically ambidextrous rifle?

The original Browning B78's had three barrel options. Octagonal, sporter round barrel and heavy round barrel. Most common were the 22-250's, 6MM Remington, 25-06 and 30-06. 7MM Rem Mag is less common and the 243W is the least often seen. There were also B78's in 45-70.

The later Winchester verions of the B78 are the 1885's with stock and finish changes. They all have octagonal barrels.

Good shootin' -Al

The Winchester versions were built in Japan by the people that built the Browning B-78, Miroku. Winchesters could be bought with 1/2 round/1/2 octagon barrels. Winchester versions have a long tang which you will need if you ever want to try a tang-peep sight. And by the way, Miroku built stuff is as accurate as he!!~!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

And by the way, Miroku built stuff is as accurate as he!!~!

Agree!
Not extensive by any means, but my Miruko 12ga & 20gs O/U's, B78, Win M92 and a Win 1885 Low-Wall all demonstrate excellent and well executed high polish and blue like the old Smith's, and fit and finish like it was done by skilled craftsmen here in the 'old days'. And all are considered off the shelf items.

 

[COLT45SA]

I had a B78 in 22-250 with a 12x Leopold.

Another rifle I should have never sold! Lol

"DITTO"~! I had them in 22-250, 243, 30-06. and 45-70. Miroku made them and others and I've never had anything from Miroku that wasn't far above average as far as accuracy is concerned~! My WRA 1885s shoot "lights out"~!

 

[sacre]

I have 1885's, most are pistol grip which I prefer. Most of mine also have tangs. All are accurate!!

 

[danny]

Was .223 ever a B-78 chambering?

Danny

 

[JRanum]

No