just got a Browning Safari 30-06 today - numbers?

[ApacheCoTodd]

This just came my way today and as I sold my Winchester Model 54 last month - this will fill the slot nicely if I keep 'er.

What I know; Ser. no. 6L 384XX, Mauser action, 30-06, Safari, non salt stock or already repaired.

What I don't know, feel free to throw any clarifications for any of the following:

Whether it is Sako or Mauser actioned.

Age (Brownings info does not include Mauser/Sako actions).

Name - I've seen High Power (Blue Book).

Long or short extractor - I'm inclined towards long as I can't imagine it being much longer.

Are the rear sight and front sight hood readily available? I like the Safari look.

 

[BrocLuno]

Can't answer your questions, but it's a fine rifle

 

[GooseGestapo]

It's the FN action. Very,very nice rifle.
Does it have the double taper barrel.? I always thought that was a neat feature.

I was in my early teens when these were making their run. They had one at AeroMarine Supply in Birmingham, AL in EastWood Mall near the airport. They were the only shop that had reloading supplies within 100mi and that' where I got my powder and ect.

I would lust over having one of those at the time.

I ended up with a MkX Mauser in .30/06 10yrs later and killed my first deer with it. Still have it, and it's now a .338/06. Took my first elk with it too, about 30yrs after the first deer.
I'm sure you'll enjoy the rifle. A coworker's dad had one in .270. Supposedly it's taken over 300deer, several dozen elk, a shiras moose and several black bear. It showed a lot of "honest" wear..... But was still a thing of beauty.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Goose - Thanks for the FN confirmation.

Double taper?... Yep, I think it's kinda cool too. especially with the stock fitting them so nicely.

Funny that you mention the "honest wear". It is absolutely one of the things which caught my eye about this and the same fella's Citori. These are beautifully made Belgian Brownings but were used a lot and as such have all the patina of a well cared for yet not babied firearm. As I mentioned, I had sold my Winchester because though it moved me much like this -06 does, I couldn't get past the ham-fisted holes drilled into the receiver by a PO. This rascal will get uber-cleaned and hopefully shot next week just to check.

In the end it looks like I scored a nice tri-fecta off this as along with the Citori and this High Power rifle, I got a too sweet Hi Power pistol from 1988 as well.

 

[supercalvin56]

Browning High Power rifles. There were three grades; Safari, Medallion, and Olympian. Upon introduction in 1959m all rifles were produced by FN in Belgium. The Safari Grade was the first of the line in 1959. In 1959 the standard Safari calibers were built on the large ring Mauser actions. These were the .264 Win. Mag., 270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., 30-06 Spring., 300 H&H Mag., 308 Norma Mag., .338 Win. Mag., 375 H&H Mag., and the .458 Win. Mag. In 1960 the .243 Win. and the .308 were introduced on the small ring Mauser action. These rifles are at a premium. There were a few large ring rifles produced in .243 Win. and .308 Win. These are really rare. In 1964 the Sako medium length action (L579) was introduced. These were produced in .22-250 Rem., 243 Win., .284 win., and .308 Win. Sako also provided barrek=led actions in the small action (L461). The calibers were .222Rem., &222. Rem. Mag.,
Note that Sako was the only manufactureer that could stand up to the FN requirements. Sako did not produce finished rifles for FN.
The medallion and Olympian Grades followed in 1960.

Your 30.06 was produced in 1966 and has the long extractor. It was made before the salt problem. The sights could be difficult to find....good luck.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

No salt, the age and long extractor - Excellent info 'Calvin. '66 is cool to know. Let the hunt begin for the rear sight before my vision deteriorates beyond it being useful. I'm thinking those weirdos at the "Big Reno Show" will square me away.