Browning SA-22

[Potashminer]

I recently came into this little guy - I ended up with the cantilever scope base - the base is stamped "BROWNING", although made by Talley, and needs Talley Rimfire rings- thank you Prophet River for the parts!! Unlike most other rimfires, that base attaches by two screws to the barrel - it has a stud under the rear scope ring that presses down on that receiver top. I did not try, but I do not think the take-down feature works once a scope base is installed. The scope is a 4x28 Leupold rimfire scope. Two pictures.

 

[RRCo.]

Fine little rifle aren't they? One of JMB's best. Pity no one has scaled them up for .22 magnum. Too many people have fractured the butt by holding onto that when turning in the barrel, especially if the screw collar is a click or two too far towards the receiver and she binds.

What are your thoughts on them PotashMiner?

 

[Potashminer]

I have not even fired this one yet - I only got the scope installed tonight - not nearly as familiar with it as the mid 1970's Ruger 10-22 that is here - so far, I am thinking that the SA-22 will retire that Ruger. I am too old to worry about quick change magazines, etc., so the tube magazine on the SA-22 is just one less thing for me to forget to bring, or to lose.

 

[guntech]

I have found that with the Browning take down .22 - after assembly it takes about 5 shots for it to settle in and group well... I also found you could simply #### and let the bolt slam forward about 5 or 6 times before loading it, and it would be settled in.

I had one that was a great shooter.

 

[riversrest]

The scope mount attaches to the rear sight threads. Didn't know that the original Browing mount would would need "rimfire rings" ?

The Weaver 60A doesn't require "rimfire rings"...

 

[tiriaq]

I have a couple of little Brownings. One is a rebuild. Action from a Belgian, barrel from a Japanese, restocked and reblued. The other is an older, slender one in .22Short. One of a batch Century brought in from England.
They are great little rifles. Although I think most folks have had an ejected case go up their sleeve...

 

[Jay]

I have a 1967 vintage Browning SA22 that I got off the EE here, I treasure it.

They really are such light, easy to shoot & reliable little 22's.

Cheers
Jay

 

[45CAT]

It will still “take down” with the scope mount attached. The Weaver 60 mount is shorter than the Browning mount. I didn’t use Talleys on mine, used basic rimfire rings. The Browning “one piece” with the bull barrel shoots like a laser, heavy but accurate. So powerful they put on a muzzle brake

 

[Katorian]

have one and what a fantastic 22 my grandson will inherit ..as well have 2 of the Norinco JW 20 itsa clone works great BUT a clone

 

[kamlooky]

They are a treasure.
Easy to clean too.

Nice score.

 

[DCahill]

I like this 22 and your new scope setup.......congratulations. I have the earlier one from Remington; a model 24 in 22 short. I can't get a scope on it though. I sourced an original Browning scope made by Redfield (same size as the 3/4" Baby Redfield but nicer design or shape) but it won't fit as it needs a rail to attach. I'll need to source a newer Browning 22 to use it.

 

[Potashminer]

The scope mount attaches to the rear sight threads. Didn't know that the original Browing mount would would need "rimfire rings" ?

The Weaver 60A doesn't require "rimfire rings"...

This one has serial number 7T 76###, so I think it was made in 1967 in Belgium - it has no "rear sight threads" - the rear sight is in a dovetail cut into the barrel - you drift out that rear sight. There is a threaded hole ahead of and behind that dovetail - is what that scope base screws in to. Those threaded holes had plug screws installed - nothing to do with holding the rear sight in place, at all.

As per the Browning website, they call for "their" specific rings for that base. From Prophet River, apparently Talley makes the bases and rings that Browning sells - they also sell the identical, under their brand name. The base that is stamped "BROWNING" came in a Talley package - Part No. 252731. The rings came in a Talley box - Part No. 22RFL. The more common M1003 rings that came first do not fit - too wide front to back to fit into the recesses on that scope base - has to use the Talley rimfire rings, although I think the M1003 rings could be milled narrower to work, or the notches on that base might be able to be milled to elongate.

There should be a picture showing that the M1003 rings will not fit that base.

 

[riversrest]

^^ Thank's for the info Potash.

There's two screw holes (plugged) one ahead and one behind the rear sight dovetail.

Yes, the rear sight needs to be driven out in order to install the scope base. Some models of the SA-22 feature a fold down rear sight whereas the JW-20 clones have fixed rear sights.

As mentioned, I didn't know that the original Browing base calls for it's own rings. I haven't scoped my SA-22 but drove the rear sight out of my JW-20 and installed the Weaver base.

I put a scope on it first but then opted for a red dot sight. Accurate enough out to 35 yards on grouse and rabbit.

Using a red dot instead of a scope leaves me enough room to wrap my hand around the receiver and pull the bolt back with the index finger while carrying. I wasn't able to do that with a scope on it. In addition, overall take down length is reduced by using a red dot. It fits better in my pack...

Last but not least, for the fun of plinking, I made some "speed" loading tubes (aluminum, 7mm ID, 10 rd. cap) for feeding the babes...

 

[Hitzy]

I always wanted one of these, but was always offended by the prices lol. Very neat awesome design, way over built for 22lr, could shoot 5 million rounds and never break a thing in the action.
So when the NOS Nork versions were around for $189, I grabbed several. Lots of cleaning and smoothing up was required, but they work and are accurate. I scoped one, one just irons, and one for parts. Scoping these makes them kind of ugly and takes away the sleek handyness of them, but it does improve the chances of hitting what you are aiming at.
I shoot the #### out of the one with irons still, really fun.

 

[RRCo.]

A "scout" scope arrangement or a low profile red dot like the old Armson OEG is what they really need IMHO, but no really ideal mounts exist, yet. A LER scope like Leupold M8 2x would also be good.

 

[Quigly]

I've heard a lot about older rifles that were very good shooters, but that the newer ones are hit and miss when it comes to functionality. Case in point, I had one. Bought it brand new about 6 years ago. The thing would not fire more tan two consecutive shots without jamming. I tried everything to improve functioning, bit nothing seemed to make it better. I finally gave up and sold it. Maybe the person who bought it was able to solve the problem.

 

[tiriaq]

I brought in a couple of the Chinese clones for my shop. Took a lot of work to keep them sold, specifically the feed path. After being worked over they were OK, but it took a while to reach that point.
Just like the BRNO clones. Some were quite respectable out of the box, others were really rough.

 

[Potashminer]

I always wanted one of these, but was always offended by the prices lol. Very neat awesome design, way over built for 22lr, could shoot 5 million rounds and never break a thing in the action.
So when the NOS Nork versions were around for $189, I grabbed several. Lots of cleaning and smoothing up was required, but they work and are accurate. I scoped one, one just irons, and one for parts. Scoping these makes them kind of ugly and takes away the sleek handyness of them, but it does improve the chances of hitting what you are aiming at.
I shoot the #### out of the one with irons still, really fun.

Yep, I agree with what you wrote - unfortunately, my eyes just will no longer deal with barrel mounted rear sights any more - an aperture rear seems to still work, and scopes seem to always work - so I am sort of stuck having to modify from "sleek" and "handy", to be able to use them. The previously mentioned Ruger 1022 has got a Williams aperture on the receiver - this little Browning does not seem to have any provision for that, unless I drill and tap. I installed an aperture sight on my elderly Winchester 94 carbine, and am considering to drill and tap to put one on the Ithaca M49 in 22 Magnum.

 

[laurencen]

some years ago picked one up off EE new in box at the time pricey but today would be a steal, plan on giving it my grandson when he reaches 16

 

[45CAT]

^^ Thank's for the info Potash.

There's two screw holes (plugged) one ahead and one behind the rear sight dovetail.

Yes, the rear sight needs to be driven out in order to install the scope base. Some models of the SA-22 feature a fold down rear sight whereas the JW-20 clones have fixed rear sights.

As mentioned, I didn't know that the original Browing base calls for it's own rings. I haven't scoped my SA-22 but drove the rear sight out of my JW-20 and installed the Weaver base.

I put a scope on it first but then opted for a red dot sight. Accurate enough out to 35 yards on grouse and rabbit.

Using a red dot instead of a scope leaves me enough room to wrap my hand around the receiver and pull the bolt back with the index finger while carrying. I wasn't able to do that with a scope on it. In addition, overall take down length is reduced by using a red dot. It fits better in my pack...

Last but not least, for the fun of plinking, I made some "speed" loading tubes (aluminum, 7mm ID, 10 rd. cap) for feeding the babes...

Leupold sells a rail that has a “cut-out” so you don’t have to remove the rear sight,fits neatly over it