Value/opinion of a Browning 30-06 Rifle?

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nasko

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Hi, I got this rifle off an elderly neighbour and am not sure what is the value of it. It appears to be a Browning a-bolt model. It is a 30-06 and is in pretty good/excellent condition to my newbee expertise. However, it does have a couple of small nicks to the stock, the scope is Bushnell. According to him it has not been shot many times and was kept well. Contrary to most people here I am not a gun nut, I see them (guns) more as a tool to go hunting with and for that, I think, I prefer a rifle that needs less attention (stainless steel and synthetic stock, more modern scope). Hence, I am considering selling it. What would you say it is worth if I were to sell it including the rings and the scope?
On the opposite, if I were to keep it, what is your opinion of this rifle? I got a Savage 116 in 30-06, is this better/worse than the Savage? If I were to keep it I would prefer the rifle to be without the iron sights, how easy is it to remove them? If it is a much better gun than my 116 I would probably try to get a new synthetic stock and a scope for it. Any recommendations/opinion?
Cheers, much appreciate all the help. Although not a gunnut yet, I enjoy the forum very much and have learned quite a bit. Apologize in advance if the photos are not imbedded properly, I tried to show the biggest nick of the stock in the last one.




 
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Way better gun then your Savage, the rings and scope are not worth much....
May as well sell the rifle if you don't see the benefits/value in the Browning vs Savage. $700 +/- should be doable on the EE.
 
nasko said:
Thanks for the reply. It is in fact an A-bolt model, correct? How easy is it to remove the iron sights?
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You are looking at the rifle. Isn't there just screws holding the rear sight to the dovetail? I there is, very carefully, with a PROPER screw driver, remove the screws. One is likely below the slide.
Won't the front sight just be a slide in dovetail? If it, using a brass punch, and the rifle properly held against a back stop, tap the sight out, from the left side of the rifle.
 
H4831 said:
You are looking at the rifle. Isn't there just screws holding the rear sight to the dovetail? I there is, very carefully, with a PROPER screw driver, remove the screws. One is likely below the slide.
Won't the front sight just be a slide in dovetail? If it, using a brass punch, and the rifle properly held against a back stop, tap the sight out, from the left side of the rifle.
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Hi, Yeah, there are 2 screws. I just wanted to make sure that this is the the proper way to do it, if I were to attempt it.
 
I just wanted to clarify my initial post. I do appreciate fine craftsmanship, I just view reliability as most important, especially in a hunting rifle. I am also a newbee and don't really know much about guns. Just wanted to clarify that.
I purchased the 116 a couple of years ago when I got my hunting license. It has been a good gun to me. I can definitely see that it is not on the same level as my friends Tikka's or Sako A7, but it has been OK and as a novice shooter it shoots well. This Browning sort of fell in my hands and am trying to decide which gun to keep. On the question about the sights, I just prefer the look of the rifle without the iron sights, just looks bit cleaner. Cheers for the responses so far.
 
Shame on you if you sell that rifle.
Maybe it was given to you because the original owner tought that you would "honor" it more than him.

Secondly, it is in very nice shape.

Re-glass it if needed, but keep that gun and go kill a big game animal next hunt.

That is the best "thank you" you could give the fellow.
 
Mush said:
Shame on you if you sell that rifle.
Maybe it was given to you because the original owner tought that you would "honor" it more than him.

Secondly, it is in very nice shape.

Re-glass it if needed, but keep that gun and go kill a big game animal next hunt.

That is the best "thank you" you could give the fellow.
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I disagree.... And I am as sentimental as they get..... But if I gave som one a rifle that didn't suit their needs, I would rather they sold it and got a what they wanted or needed rather than having my gift languishing in a safe doing nothing..... Jmop
 
Take that scope and rings off it. Shoulder the rifle and work the bolt. You will notice the bolt has a 60 degree throw. It has a tang safety which is handy. I would keep the browning and sell the savage. Put a leupold scope on it.
 
Leave the sights on it.
Learn to shoot with them, or at least try them out when you
pull them eastern donut holed riser rings awff.
One day you may wish them sights were still on there if you're out
hunting and end up with a pewched scope.
Just say'in izz awll.

Me?
I'd rid the Savage and keep the Browning. Different class of rifle.
 
Browning A-bolt is a decent rifle and this one appears in nice condition. . Value is most likely around $600 to $650. . If it were me I'd like to have the scope mounted lower down closer to the action. . Weaver bases and rings would do just that but the rear sight may need to come off. . You may be able to plug the screw holes with sight screw plugs. . The scope is not top end but would work okay. . It looks like an older bushnell sports view. . I've used them and they do the job.
 
Browning A-Bolts are fine rifles. IMHO, leave the sites on (as others have mentioned). I have both A-Bolts, X-Bolts and Savages. I would take the Browning over the Savage. Fit and finish is much nicer.
 
Thanks everyone for the opinion. Just so I am clear, this neighbour lives a few streets over and was selling his rifles, I managed to see the ad on kijiji and was there in time when he had only this rifle left. I paid his asking price... Just so there is no confusion it is not a gift that I am disrespecting.
On another note, there is a nice Backcountry Vanguard Series 1 that a member here is selling. How do you think the Browning compares to that?
 
OK, there is a settlement, with a post office, named Nasko, in a fairly remote area that used to be a good moose hunting area. I thought maybe you lived near by.


nasko said:
H4831, no I have not chosen the name because of BC geography.
Cheers
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funny coincidence :)
I am originally from Bulgaria and my first name is Atanas, but there it is common to call people named Atanas Nasko. Hence, my name here... It'd be cool to visit this place in BC one day, even if not to hunt.
Cheers
H4831 said:
OK, there is a settlement, with a post office, named Nasko, in a fairly remote area that used to be a good moose hunting area. I thought maybe you lived near by.
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