Browning Safari rescue ? yes or no

sigp226

sigp226

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Hi guys,

I have a Browning Safari bolt was loose, I know bit uncommon my father in law used to hide the bolt of is firearms and we never find the bolt of the safari after he past away.

so question is, I found commercial mauser 48 bolt should I invest and get new bolt and get headspace done or it is a waste of money? expected spend about 300$
second question would it be accurate enough to hunt after this kind of fitting?

what are your thoughts.

thanks
Sigp226
 
sigp226 said:
Hi guys,

I have a Browning Safari bolt was loose, I know bit uncommon my father in law used to hide the bolt of is firearms and we never find the bolt of the safari after he past away.

so question is, I found commercial mauser 48 bolt should I invest and get new bolt and get headspace done or it is a waste of money? expected spend about 300$
second question would it be accurate enough to hunt after this kind of fitting?

what are your thoughts.

thanks
Sigp226
Click to expand...
It was your father's rifle so yup get the bolt IF it is correct for the rifle.
Yes after it has been headspaceed properly it will be fine to hunt with if the barrel is in good shape
Cat
 
The M48 is an intermediate length action and the bolt won't interchange with the Browning.

Tradex has commercial model 98 bolts, but the rifle would still have to be headspaced.
 
9.3mauser said:
The M48 is an intermediate length action and the bolt won't interchange with the Browning.

Tradex has commercial model 98 bolts, but the rifle would still have to be headspaced.
Click to expand...

This the one I spotted the commercial at tradex.

that help make my mind I decide to place order and I will get head space done by our local gunsmith.
 
iron cat said:
It was your father's rifle so yup get the bolt IF it is correct for the rifle.
Yes after it has been headspaceed properly it will be fine to hunt with if the barrel is in good shape
Cat
Click to expand...


Thanks make sens to me also this was my initial thought. I get bolt on order tomorrow.
 
You are playing an "odds" game - there must be a dozen or more 98 Mauser here, like your Browning Safari, that will interchange bolts and pass a Saami GO and NOGO headspace test. And the odd combination that will not. Almost always due to wear within the receiver seats, not the bolt lugs themselves. But, the Safari, I think, was made to be "scope ready" - so you want a "scope friendly" bolt handle - like many Parker Hale or FN sporters were. The military rifles were not. Then you also have to get correct bolt face - most belted magnums are larger diameter face and the external extractor is adjusted accordingly. And then figure out what you need for a safety - older ones were on the bolt shroud and used a particular type of trigger; more modern ones had the safety as a part of the trigger. Which also sometimes drive which version of cocking piece that you need on the firing pin.

Older mausers are pretty much a study in the idea you can get most anything done if you have dollars enough. Even your description of a "Browning Safari" - that could have been a military rifle re-done to be a sporter rifle, or it could have been an re-branded FN sporter made in Belgium - both versions were sold in North America. I would say that there is 75% chance that a Parker Hale or FN commercial 98 bolt would pass headspace, without issue, if it had same size bolt face and extractor. That may or may not have a safety that works with your trigger.
 
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Potashminer said:
You are playing an "odds" game - there must be a dozen or more 98 Mauser here, like your Browning Safari, that will interchange bolts and pass a Saami GO and NOGO headspace test. And the odd combination that will not. Almost always due to wear within the receiver seats, not the bolt lugs themselves. But, the Safari, I think, was made to be "scope ready" - so you want a "scope friendly" bolt handle - like many Parker Hale or FN sporters were. The military rifles were not. Then you also have to get correct bolt face - most belted magnums are larger diameter face and the external extractor is adjusted accordingly. And then figure out what you need for a safety - older ones were on the bolt shroud and used a particular type of trigger; more modern ones had the safety as a part of the trigger. Which also sometimes drive which version of cocking piece that you need on the firing pin.

Older mausers are pretty much a study in the idea you can get most anything done if you have dollars enough. Even your description of a "Browning Safari" - that could have been a military rifle re-done to be a sporter rifle, or it could have been an re-branded FN sporter made in Belgium - both versions were sold in North America. I would say that there is 75% chance that a Parker Hale or FN commercial 98 bolt would pass headspace, without issue, if it had same size bolt face and extractor. That may or may not have a safety that works with your trigger.
Click to expand...

Lot of info thanks, Rifle is a FN browning made in belgium in 270 winchester. I still try to figure out year of manufacture with prefix (6L). Safety is a curve ball I didn't see it coming with my lack of knowledge on Mauser action. cross my finger odds will be on my side.
 
Might want to search Internet for pictures of a Browning Safari - look especially for detail about the bolt handle shape and safety - compare to what is on your rifle now. Often, auctions have decent enough pictures to show you what you want to end up with? At same time, might want to find write-up about "salt wood" Brownings - hopefully yours is not from that era, but something you should likely know about?
 
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