A Browning Show Rifle

By Joe Berk

This is the fourth (and at least for now, the last) in a series of blogs on Browning bolt action rifles (the other three articles were on a .223 A-Bolt Micro Medallion, a maple-stocked 6.5 Creedmoor X-Bolt), and a .22 Long Rifle A-Bolt I used in metallic silhouette competition).  The .223 A-Bolt and the 6.5 Creedmoor X-Bolt are very accurate.  The .22 Long Rifle A-Bolt was pretty, but its accuracy was less than I thought it should be so after trying several different brands of .22 ammo I sold it.

This .308 Browning A-Bolt caught my eye for several reasons:

• • It is a stainless steel Gold Medallion A-Bolt in .308 Winchester with an octagonal barrel.  At the time, stainless steel rifles were popular, and I always thought octagonal barrels were cool.

• • I like the .308 cartridge.  It’s one of those cartridges that are inherently accurate, and I never owned a .308 that didn’t shoot well.  I already had the dies and plenty of brass.

• • I like the Browning centerfire bolt action rifles.  I knew from my experience with the .223 Micro Medallion that they are accurate.

• • My buddy Baja John and I spent a day at the range with his stainless steel octagonal .25 06 Browning.  I liked it and I knew I wanted one.

• • The walnut is exceptional.  The photos speak for themselves.  I’m a sucker for pretty walnut.

The photos below are the ones that appeared in the Gunbroker.com ad.

As an aside, Browning rifles and shotguns are manufactured in Japan by Miroku.  Miroku is an interesting firearms manufacturer for several reasons, one of which is that they did not make guns for the Japanese military during World War II (at least not that I could find any reference to).  The other modern Japanese gun manufacturer is Howa; that company made rifles for the Japanese during the war (the Arisaka rifle).  I own several modern Howas; they are excellent rifles (as are the Brownings made by Miroku).  Miroku got its start making hunting guns in 1893, and then in 1934, they started manufacturing whaling harpoon guns.  Today, Miroku manufactures rifles and shotguns under their own name and for other companies (including Winchester).  Based on my experience and observation, the Miroku Brownings are high quality firearms.

I know, I’m getting off track with the above info on Miroku and Howa. Back to the Browning .308, the topic of this blog.  Here’s the description of my .308 as it appeared in the Gunbroker.com auction:

You are bidding on a brand new Browning White Gold Octagon Medallion in 308 Winchester, this is absolutely New In The Box. These rifles were shot show specials from several years back. They feature octagon barrels, gold accents on the receiver, stunning wood and highly polished bolt handles. These are very stunning rifles and very rare. * I am thinning the herd, selling those items I just never get around to shooting. As I am again beginning to sell a lot of items I will take them to my gunsmith 1x per week for shipment, usually Saturday morning. My gunsmith is a farmer so it may then take a day or 2 to process and ship them. All guns are shipped to an FFL dealer only. It is your responsibility to send your funds and a copy of your dealer’s FFL (e-mailed legible copy is ok). I will NOT call, fax or spend time chasing down your dealer’s FFL. I will hold shipment until you send an FFL. If sending an FFL is a problem for your dealer either find another dealer or please don’t bid. * Any damage in shipping will be the responsibility of the shipping company. All products are shipped fully insured and will ship by FEDEX. Items paid for by Postal MO will ship right away. Those who pay with a bank check or personal check will wait up to 10 days to clear. I only ship to FFL dealers. I do not end auctions early so please don’t ask. I will also not take less than the minimum bid price!! * I am looking for one rifle for which I would consider working out a trade, it is a SAKO Mannlicher in .375 H&H. Otherwise I do not have an interest in trading. * All auctions need to be paid within 7 days of the end of the auction to avoid negative feedback. Once the firearm is received I would appreciate your feedback. I will always leave feedback for those who do the same. Thank you for looking at my auction, good luck!

[Information added 5/9/2012 6:59:47 AM]  I want to comment on a couple pictures; First, there is NO scratch in the stock it is just the flash creating that impression. Secondly, there is a slight reddish cast in the finish but the flash distorts the look in the one picture. The gun looks like the more brownish pictures in real life. It is a very highly figured stock.

Based on the above, it appeared the seller was firm on his price (he used two exclamation points in his admonition regarding lower offers).  I would have paid the $1399, but I come from a long line of people who believe you should never pay the asking price, at least not immediately.  Disregarding his warning, I wrote to ask if he would consider a lower price, and the answer came back in seconds:  No.  Well, that was quick, I thought, impressed with his resolve.  I was getting ready to respond with an “okay, I’ll pay the $1399” when a minute or two later another email floated in.  He would take $1275.  Done, I typed, and I hit the send button.

You might be wondering how this rifle shoots.   That would be something you and I have in common.  I’ve never fired it.  I’m considering doing so, however, and that would require adding a scope, rings, and mounts.  I may get around to doing that sometime in the near future.

What do you think?  Should I mount a scope and shoot this beauty?

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