Browning FN Mauser 308 Norma Mag

[Scamaniac]

A family friend who no longer moose hunts dropped off this rifle for me to move along. I know he had fallen with it 20 years ago so did a thorough inspection. Little ding on outside edge of end of barrel. No biggie. But found a crack in the stock at the wrist. Also noticed corrosion creeping up from the stock and thought of salt curing stock issues. Had thoughts of stock repair until removing it and confirming it's a salty one. Heartbreaking! I'm not positive but I believe the L69 after the serial number makes it a Safari manufactured 1969. Sights are good. Bore is excellent. Bottom metal and trigger assembly escaped corrosion.
If I wanted to keep it I suppose the best idea would be to pin and seal the stock and keep shooting it. But it's really more gun than I need considering I haven't moose hunted in 15 years. So my questions are, is the stock garbage? What's this rifle worth without a stock and the salt damage to the bottom of barrel and action? I just gave the rust a 5 minute scrub with a toothbrush and wd40. Thanks for your insight.

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[rgg_7]

Definitely a salt wood browning. stock cracked or broken at wrist - could be repaired however you still have salt wood issue. Great rifle. See lots of corrosion on exterior. How's the bore? What are the plans for the rifle?

 

[FLHTCUI]

Google Atr's Gun Shop.
He was a Browning Gun smith back in the day.
He trashes known salt wood as there is no way of curing the ailment of said wood.
He has lots of videos of repairs he and his sons have done.
Not saying you need to send it to him, but it may give you some ideas.
Rob

 

[kamlooky]

Ol`gal hazz thuh new worn awff'er.
Bush tramp with lotsah s'periance.
If'fin the innards are good, gitt'er sand blastitted and some box liner Linex dun.
Find nudder stawk and gitt'er back in the bush.

 

[Scamaniac]

Thanks for the responses guys. The bore is excellent. My father knows the 2 previous owners and neither reloaded and it was carried a week/ year moose hunting for it's first 25 years then sat in storage. It did go for a tumble with the second owner which cracked the stock. The action and barrel and calibre are very robust but far exceed my requirements for a hunting rifle. I'd prefer to sell it but I'm really struggling to come up with a fair starting point for pricing. It will be a project for someone but I'm hoping it's not me.

 

[rgg_7]

This would be "a labour of love" to restore. Stock needs to be replaced. The metal draw filed, polished and reblued. The success of the restoration with depend on the metal condition - it looks deep on the barrel. That would be my only concern working on something like this. A good project you might get $100 -150 for this.

 

[FLHTCUI]

This would be "a labour of love" to restore. Stock needs to be replaced. The metal draw filed, polished and reblued. The success of the restoration with depend on the metal condition - it looks deep on the barrel. That would be my only concern working on something like this. A good project you might get $100 -150 for this.

And the wood is a write off regardless if it was repairable...
No need to pass on the misery of salt wood to another Browning owner.
Rob

 

[billdick]

Its biggest value would be sentimental if it has any with you. I'm the type of guy that would buy it and just use it the way it is. It is perfectly functionable and would easily put food on the table or a good time off the bench.

 

[mbogo3]

Mine is an actual mauser 98 FN action with the claw extractor and two gas vent holes in the bolt ?