Pretty Little Browning (Now with Scope)

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Today’s little gun project was mounting a scope to my Browning’s semi-auto twenty two.

21470-F22-B440-442-D-98-A2-D212-CE245-F62.jpg

This is a Leupold 4x28mm Rimfire and the mount is an old Redfield and the rings are Weaver Top Mounts with UTG dovetail adapters to fit the 3/8” rail. I didn’t want a huge scope or tall mount to throw off the proportions. The Weaver rings were rather frustrating to install as this style likes to cant the crosshairs when the rings are tightened, but all assembled I really dig it. Take care all.

-J.C.F.
 
Last edited:
Today’s little gun project was mounting a scope to my Browning’s semi-auto twenty two.

View attachment 1030731

This is a Leupold 4x28mm Rimfire and the mount is an old Redfield and the rings are Weaver Top Mounts with UTG dovetail adapters to fit the 3/8” rail. I didn’t want a huge scope or tall mount to throw of the proportions. The Weaver rings were rather frustrating to install as this style likes to cant the crosshairs when the rings are tightened, but all assembled I really dig it. Take care all.

-J.C.F.

I feel your pain! I just mounted a giant Hawke variable on one of my 10/22 project guns using a pair of low old-school Weaver rings -- took me five tries before I finally got the crosshairs squared to the receiver.

I also had to file down the top of the Picrail mount at the center to prevent the turret from bottoming, but I do like the way things came out in the end. Should have taken a photo this weekend, too late now.
 
Today’s little gun project was mounting a scope to my Browning’s semi-auto twenty two.

View attachment 1030731

This is a Leupold 4x28mm Rimfire and the mount is an old Redfield and the rings are Weaver Top Mounts with UTG dovetail adapters to fit the 3/8” rail. I didn’t want a huge scope or tall mount to throw off the proportions. The Weaver rings were rather frustrating to install as this style likes to cant the crosshairs when the rings are tightened, but all assembled I really dig it. Take care all.

-J.C.F.
Excellent match! :thumbup: That scope fits perfectly with the svelte lines of the Browning receiver.

I’m not a huge fan of gigantic scopes on compact “squirrel woods” type rifles, you’ve picked a winning combo to my eye. Plus the Leupold 4x28 will shoot well, the one I’ve tried was a great scope (It was on a 16” Bull-barrelled 10-22.)

Once you get it out to the range let us know how it shoots for you :).

Stay safe.
 
Like poster #4 I really liked that Browning model and as a kid I can remember looking at one or another in more than one gunshop... Never had the money, and now years and years later don't have the need for one. It is still a very good looking squirrel or rabbit gun...
 
Mom’s Miroku SA-22 came home in the late ‘80s and I can recall thinking it looked almost toy-like compared to my 77/22. That Ruger is long gone now and at 73 mom is still outgunning us all in the squirrel woods with her Browning.

Great combo J C F, I may have to gift a scope now that I see that.
 
I always was intrigued by those, just not enough to buy one. The quality is there and they were thinking outside the box when designing them.
 
I bought my BL-22 brand new from Wal Mart back in 1992 for $99.83! Oh, wait-mine says Norinco on the receiver. Nice little rifle that I wanted to keep light and trim and use the take-down feature to keep in a compact case, so no scope. The little rifle has been a trusted companion on many a canoe trip and camping adventure.
 
Last edited:
Today’s little gun project was mounting a scope to my Browning’s semi-auto twenty two.

View attachment 1030731

This is a Leupold 4x28mm Rimfire and the mount is an old Redfield and the rings are Weaver Top Mounts with UTG dovetail adapters to fit the 3/8” rail. I didn’t want a huge scope or tall mount to throw off the proportions. The Weaver rings were rather frustrating to install as this style likes to cant the crosshairs when the rings are tightened, but all assembled I really dig it. Take care all.

-J.C.F.




Awesome setup thanks for sharing!
 
I've had my little Browning since the 70's,

View attachment 1031095

It still has the same scope on it that Browning sold for these 22's, except Browning had their name put on the the scopes when they sold them.

DM
The "original" Browning branded scope like the one DM shows was a Redfied /4" tube with about a 28MM objective and were 4x . Redfield continued making them until late 70s and the last ones had duplex reticule. Redfield also made a 3/8 dovetail cantivered back mount that replaced rear sight on barrel so when broken down it went back to zero because scope was mounted on the barrel, a FAR better way to do it ! Those Brownin/Redfield 3/4 scopes are woth $300-400 these days and sell instantly on ebay.They were surprisingly brite for a 3/4" scope !
 
I think I need to do that to mine. As much as I wanted to keep it with open sights, open sights are no longer friendly to my 55 year old eyeballs.
I feel you pain! I now have to limit myself to pistols or scoped rifle due to bad R eye.
 
Those Brownin/Redfield 3/4 scopes are woth $300-400 these days and sell instantly on ebay.They were surprisingly brite for a 3/4" scope !

The Weaver "J" series were also 3/4" scopes that handled well on compact rifles and had optical qualities that belied their moderate cost.
 
The Weaver "J" series were also 3/4" scopes that handled well on compact rifles and had optical qualities that belied their moderate cost.
True, but not in the same class as the 4x Redield which was designed to be a high end .22 scope. Thesy got the better light gathering than the Little Weavers with larger bells . Even the J series Weavers were not as bright. Redfield tried hard on these, and Browning bought them for their .22s , rebranded.
 
I feel your pain! I just mounted a giant Hawke variable on one of my 10/22 project guns using a pair of low old-school Weaver rings -- took me five tries before I finally got the crosshairs squared to the receiver. I also had to file down the top of the Picrail mount at the center to prevent the turret from bottoming, but I do like the way things came out in the end. Should have taken a photo this weekend, too late now.

Replying to myself, I finally took a photo of this rig yesterday. With these old Weaver low rings, there's just enough clearance between the barrel and objective bell to fit the factory scope cover. The sight line is finally low enough to remove the raised Magpul cheekpiece insert and reinstall the original one.

Ruger10-22 HB Precision.jpg
 
Careful with the Weaver top mounts. If the big nut is on the wrong side it will scratch the receiver when you take it down. I expect other rings will do the same.
 
Replying to myself, I finally took a photo of this rig yesterday. With these old Weaver low rings, there's just enough clearance between the barrel and objective bell to fit the factory scope cover. The sight line is finally low enough to remove the raised Magpul cheekpiece insert and reinstall the original one.

View attachment 1032120

Sometimes the standard carbine’s rear sight leaf will prevent lower mounting. Wish Ruger had thought that out.
 
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