Browning B78 / 1885 barrel question

Tharjoe

Tharjoe

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I have an older Browning 1885 in 22-250 with a slender full octagon barrel. I have recently acquired an as-new slender full octagon 6mm Remington barrel from a Browning B78.

A quick question for the gunsmiths here: Would a gunsmith be able to simply unscrew the 22-250 barrel and screw the 6mm Remington barrel in its place? The case base and rim dimensions for both cartridges are the same, so the extractor/ejector should fit, but are the threads on the barrels the same? Will the barrel line up correctly and headspace correctly?

Thanks for your input!
Cheers,
Tharjoe
 
Tharjoe said:
I have an older Browning 1885 in 22-250 with a slender full octagon barrel. I have recently acquired an as-new slender full octagon 6mm Remington barrel from a Browning B78.

A quick question for the gunsmiths here: Would a gunsmith be able to simply unscrew the 22-250 barrel and screw the 6mm Remington barrel in its place? The case base and rim dimensions for both cartridges are the same, so the extractor/ejector should fit, but are the threads on the barrels the same? Will the barrel line up correctly and headspace correctly?

Thanks for your input!
Cheers,
Tharjoe
Click to expand...

BTT - Anyone know?
 
I've re-barreled a couple of "original" 1885 Winchesters, which these are based on. Never re-barreled a Browning B78 though, so here's my $.02.
I would expect that they'd both have the same (Metric) threads, should screw in and MIGHT EVEN "clock" properly. Still need to check headspace though, that may or may not work for you.
 
About all I can add is that I know of a book that was written that detailed the B-78/1885 new models and their differences from the originals. Pretty sure it was being advertised among the BPCR Shooters, and you could do a lot worse than to post over on a couple of their Forums, as I understand the BP barrels (on the new models) were pretty highly thought of in those circles. Castboolits maybe, in the "Singleshot Rifles" sub forum, or on the ASSRA one.
 
I have re-barreled may of these and have not come across a metric thread yet. But to answer your question about the switching from one barrel to the other, it is highly unlikely that the flats of the barrel and extractor cut will index perfectly and the headspace be spot on without any further work involved. With that being said every once in a while the stars line up and will prove the gunsmith wrong. D.H.
 
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