[bunzo351]

This morning I got up early, took my grandson to school, and then I wandered into the local gun/reloading/archery/ammo store and took one more look at the Browning Model 78B in 22-250 w/octagon barrel. This time I didn’t come away empty-handed!

Brought ‘er on home I did! I ain’t gunna tell ya’ll what I paid for it, but lets just say it was under $1000.00, and it has a Redfield 6-18x40 scope on it that, as near as I can figure, is worth about $150.00, maybe $160.00.

The wood is excellent but does have a couple of scratches, but the metal is all near perfect.

I am not much for photographic creativity, so please excuse my lack of skills, especially where the camera strap is in front of the lens.

I took ‘er outside, and the cheek piece fits right onto my chubby little jowl just perfect and it settles in against my shoulder like it was custom made for me. The balance is perfect for offhand-unsupported target acquisition and the Redfield scope appears to be bright, clear, and more than adequate for whacking varmints.



I am more than open to suggestions for 22-250 loads.

For the diehard Ruger fans, I’m sorry, but you do have to understand this is the design the #1 Ruger is based on, and as we all know, the #1 was Bill Ruger’s baby. He loved that rifle, and so do I.

 

[rman]

Wow! That thing is a work of art. I've always admired those single shots from Browning. Don't care what you paid for it - it's worth it!
Tom

 

[white dog]

My brother bought a #1 ruger in a varmit caliber. I can see the relationship. they are both beautiful rifles. I kinda figured that would work on you until you had it. Good man.

 

[gunman42782]

Fine looking single shot! Looks really good!

 

[Baldy]

Hey Bunzo I think your hitting the big time with that beauty. Got to let us know how it shoots.
Send it to me and we'll send you back some gator tail and swamp cabbage of corse I'll have to keep for further test and such.Good luck with her.

 

[bunzo351]

In order to avoid the trouble of sending the Browning somewhere for independent analyses, I did the following:

Today (Thursday, 26th) was one of those rare autumn days in Michigan where the sun shines and the temperature rises; and what that means of course, is that with a new rifle in my grubby little hands, it’s time to head for the range. Along about 1030 I grabbed my stuff, threw it in the car and headed for the decrepit range about a half hour north. By the time I got there the temp was about 50 degrees with no wind.

It’s only got two benches with four shooting stations, so it is always nice to only find one car there when you drive up, and today was a one-car day. Things are looking good even before the shooting starts!

Walked back in to the range, uummm…. about 300 yards or so through the woods, got to the empty table and started to set up. The guy that was there was just getting ready to leave so it looks like I got everything to myself. Cool

I had twice as many 45gr as I did 55gr so the logical place to start is with the 45gr. I pull the lever down of the falling block action and think, dang! This is smooth! Load one up, line it up through the Redfield and, Bam!

Smooth!

This process goes on for thirty rounds scattered over three targets. There are occasional trips downrange to check the targets, and seeing how’s I’m lazy; I just circle the holes and leave em for later analyses. Before I left, I also took out the P90 and cranked off a couple of magazines of cast lead 230gr. I can also readily see that the P90 is shooting quite a bit low at 25 yards. Gunna have to work on that.

About that time a couple of other shooters arrive with a couple of Savage varmint rifles, so naturally there has to be a little discussion of ranges, loads, and group sizes. I have to explain that I just got the rifle yesterday and only have factory ammo to work with and the group sizes will get better than the ¾ inch on the targets I was clutching in my grubby little hands.

After I got home and took a close look at the targets, I can see that some of the ¾ inch groups are actually a result of one flyer; the other two are in the same hole. I have a feeling that if I did my part better and got some loads it liked, it would eventually produce ¼ MOA. I should also note that it only did this with the 55gr Remingtons, it didn’t do as well with the 45gr Winchester. They produced mostly a little under MOA.



Decrepit Range:

I found some .30-06 brass in a mess like this:

 

[2400]

Congrats on the new gun, it's a beaut! I posted a load in the other thread but here it is again.
Remember I worked this load up in MY gun, it should be fine in your Browning. It's on the warm side, so reduce it and work up.

This is an accurate load that I've used in several different 22-250's, hope it works for you too.

42 gr H-414, Rem 9 1/2M, 52 gr Sierra BTHP, Nosler brass

 

[bunzo351]

Thanks.

I saved it. I gotta start somewhere.

 

[Baldy]

One thing for sure I think you got yourself a shooter there Bunzo. Now looks good and shoots good, it don't get no better than that. Good luck with her.

 

[RNettles]

Nice lookin' rifle... Congrats!

 

[Dwane]

Nice looking rifle in one of my favorite calibers.

 

[Taurus_9mm]

Very sweet looking rifle. I bet she shoots just as nice.