I got busy this morning and mounted the Burris. I will use this set up and take my time searching out the long term optics solution.
My first 6mm Rem was a 788. Eventually sold it on, but still have two Rem 700's in that chambering. Great round. The AI version is even better. - danWho doesn't love the 6mm caliber?.....
I had one from 1978 to 1989. A Remington Model 788 in 6mm. I shot elk, WT deer, black bear, Mule deer, coyotes, a California Bighorn Ram, gophers, marmots, grouse, you name it with that 6mm. Then someone said, "hey, you can't shoot elk, sheep, or bear with a 6mm"! I said I can't. they said nope............
So being young, dumb, and full of c@m, I sold it for a Browning A-bolt 7mm Remington Magnum. I gotta tell ya, I should have kept that 6mm...
And now they are killing those same animals with the venerable 223 Remington.....
Oddly enough the closet caliber to my 6mm today is the 260 Remington and a 6.5 Creedmoor. Both of which I really like.....
If I hadn't foolishly sold it, I would still shoot 6mm today......
Hate to spoil it but those aren’t factory rings. The rear ring in the picture is a millet, and the front could be several different brands but not millet. This isn’t a huge surprise as those earlier 78’s used two different height rings. You could try WGP for actual original browning rings if it’s important to you.
My local gun shop told me they are one piece base/rings and different rings can’t be swapped out to make a change. You will see the Browning logo on the front base/rings so with that I would consider it a factory set up so I am reluctant to make any changes to it.
Your gunshop is wrong. I never said the bases weren’t browning, they obviously are. The rings are not browning. They are not one piece, the front is a standard dovetail ring and the rear is windage adjustable. Like I said your rear ring is forsure a millet ring and the front could be one of several brands. Like I also mentioned, WGP is about the only place that may still have original browning rings which came in a pack with the two different height rings required. Otherwise you needed to buy two sets of rings (two different heights) and use a ring from each set.
It looks like you may be correct. I contacted Browning who suggested I cal Ahlmans guns who they say are experts on the B78. A quick phone and email and I was sent a return email with the part number so leupold 30mm rings that fit on the bases. Apparently there were a few 1 piece base/rings that were used on the B78 and my pro at the gun shop may have come across this and thought mine was the same. Not sure.
This ^ in a nut shell . I've owned several B-78s and shared the same experience .Don, I was not trying to talk down your rig or argue with anyone - I was trying to help. But I don’t like repeating myself over and over, so this will be my last reply. Take it or leave it , doesn’t matter. Many of use shot the old B78 and have been through the mounting woes of dealing with the two height bases. I’ve used genuine browning rings, burris and leupold on B78’s I’ve known over the years.
The front and rear ring in your photo are clearly not the same brand, and the rear ring with its angular contouring is obviously a millet ring. (As a side note millet rings are notorious for leaving brutal ring marks on the scope)
If you want it to be all “original” you will need to find the browning made rings for the B78. They came with the two different height rings in one box. WGP in Edmonton was a huge browning parts dealer, if anyone in Canada still has a fresh set of rings it will be them. Unfortunately Erv retired so you may have a bit of a time getting the answers you seek.
That said, if you want to run different rings and don’t care if they’re browning, any “standard” rings (dovetail front, windage adjustable rear) will fit the bases. Redfield, Burris, leupold, browning, buehler, millet, etc etc. just keep in mind the issue is the different heights of the front and rear base. You will need two sets of rings to accommodate. If you remove the rings from the bases and put a straight edge on the top of the rear base, you can see and measure the height difference.
Good luck
Ps looking forward to the trigger adjusting thread…
I have a 4-12×40 Leupold Rifleman and its a really long scope. I know theres one on the EE right now for a very reasonable price.
