Rebarrelling a Browning B78

[TimS]

As the title states, I’m contemplating this for my 6mm Rem to. .284 Win. Would like a Bartlein or Krieger blued in octagon. Has anyone done this or is it cost prohibitive? Thanks

 

[shortgrass]

Depends on what you call "cost prohibitive".

 

[Cloudrepair]

What size is the shank and thread

 

[Cloudrepair]

Or tenon

 

[Stan Taylor]

The tenon is .937 OD,shank length is .910 long,1-20 T.P.I if I have the data on any action we have worked on its in this book there are a few brand new actions I don't have information on but the most part this book is worth it's weight in gold to me I don't have to take a bunch of measures.

 

[shortgrass]

I feel shank specs shouldn't be a major concern,, not to a gunsmith/machinist anyway. I keep a note book, much like Stan does, and take and record measurements whenever I receive a re-barrel/barrel install job. Where the 'concern' about cost is with the octagon barrel. First, I'd call Bartlien and Krieger and inquire about them doing the octagon and their pricing and lead times for doing the work. I don't see any mention of octagon barrels on either of their web sites. If neither company offer octagon machining, now you are in the aftermarket 'world' looking for a gunsmith/machinist who will cut the octagon from a blank for you. I'd not expect a "give-away" or WalMart price for that work. Itll definitely cost more than fluting. There will be a lot of hand work involved after machining a blank to octagon shape, no matter who does the machine work. Draw filing and polishing. After that, it's a matter of basic barrel fitting to action. You left out a lot of the 'particulars' of what it is you desire. Are you wanting integral front/rear site ramp(s)? I will add, that when bluing the action and barrel need to be blued at the same time in the same solution if you want them to match perfectly. I would suggest slow rust bluing for a set-up like you've suggested. There may be some 'issues' with the extractor because of the rebated rim of the .284 cartridge, but I haven't investigated that subject very deeply. personally, I'd lean more toward the .280 Rem. of .280 Ackley Improved, which would eliminate any extractor/extraction concerns, and there is no magazine length to be concerned about with a single shot rifle.

 

[Aero]

I would agree that only you can decide what cost prohibitive means. A few other costs not mentioned are the extractor cut itself, timing the octagon correctly, and scope base holes although the holes would be needed on a round barrel as well. Also, there is a little extra time involved for stripping a B78 down to the bare action and reassembling than is needed for most bolt guns.

I don't know if Krieger or Bartlein will do octagon. Seems like Krieger used to. I will say that I just finished up a rebarrel on an original 1885 where the owner wanted to duplicate the original Win #1 octagon contour. I will not mention the barrel maker, but they send out the blanks to be octagoned. Absolutely piss poor job that required a whole bunch of extra time draw filing to correct and they didn't seem to think it was an issue. Not something I'm thrilled about doing.

Also not sure about how the extractor/ejector would work with the 284. I did a rechamber on a later Browning 1885 some time back from 270 to 27 Nosler and thought I would have to do much more to make it work than what it really took, but the rebated rim may create issues. I also like the 280AI idea

 

[DickE]

McGowen does octagons. My experience is they are very good barrels.

 

[shortgrass]

McGowen does octagons. My experience is they are very good barrels.

AAAH! But he specified Krieger or Bartlien. If either would cut the octagon it would be done before rifling. But face it, the type of rifle we are speaking isn't exactly a BR rifle, and a button rifled barrel would make a fine 'hunting' rifle.

 

[dellet]

Lilja will also do an octagon contour.

 

[AckleymanII]

A fellow on here named Iornworker just completed a similar project, send him a PM.

 

[drover]

Just something different to think about. A few years ago a friend has his B78 rebarreled, he found the cost of the octagon barrel to be prohibitive so he went with a round barrel and the rifle looks just fine and shoots great. It comes down to whether you want to retain the origianl look or want a shooter at a reasonable cost.

drover

 

[TimS]

Wound up going with a Brux 28” octagon in 6mm AI.

 

[sdean]

Wound up going with a Brux 28” octagon in 6mm AI.

Who did the work?

 

[TimS]

Lee Shaver. Did an excellent job. He also did wonders for the trigger. Highly recommend.

 

[jackson1]

Another cost to add, on a B-78 is drilling and tapping the barrel for a scope mount.