Browning B78 or Ruger No1?

[awp101]

Mr Bradshaw's thread on the Colt-Sharps and some of the discussion therein got me to thinking (which is dangerous in and of itself). I've always figured when I got around to picking up a medium bore, rifle caliber single shot it would be a No1 in .30-06. Well, a little digging turned up a B78 in .30-06 very close to the price range of a No1 ($900 or so after shipping, FFL xfer fees, etc).

I've never really paid attention to the B78 because it always seemed the ones I saw posted and discussed were collectors pieces with prices to match. It never occurred to me there might be "regular" configurations and calibers. The meat and potatoes of the line if you will.

So here's some of the first questions I have:

Is it normal to be able to find a -06 B78 in the $800-900 range or is it a real find?
Is the B78 set up from the factory to be scoped?
Any quirks or benefits I should know about when comparing the two rifles?

Thanks!

[bradshaw]

AWP101.... perfectly sensible question, since the Browning B78 and Ruger No. 1 are vastly different falling block single shots. I am not the one to get technical here, but to start the B78 action is tight, whereas the No. 1 is loose.

B78
* Tightly fitted.
* Exposed hammer.
* Complex lockwork.

No. 1
* Not as closely fitted.
* Enclosed hammer.
* Simple lockwork.

As a woods rifle, the Ruger's tang safety is a bit faster, and the enclosed breech block does not admit of debris and water. Both rifles carry a powerful aesthetic. Choice is particularly personal.
David Bradshaw

[kings6]

$900 for a decent B-78 in any caliber is a good price. Just make sure it is the tapered octagon barrel and not the heavy round barrel simply for weight reasons. Everything except the 45-70 in the B78 line comes with scope mounting bases and many have the rings included. Two things about the B78 versus the Browning 1885 is the B78 has the more modern style comb and cheek piece and it comes with a shiney hard finish on the wood. The 1885 is a more classic style stock with a more "oil like" finish.

[bushog]

Browning 78 hands down. Try to get it with the rings.

You'll find out why if not...

The older 1885s have the same Pachmeyer swivel set-up as the 78s as well as the glossy finish.

I've been looking for a .300 Win and a .270 Win in the newer production (few years ago) run of B-78s and can't find one. These guns had 24" round barrels.

Kicking myself now...

[awp101]

Thanks guys!

After looking at the Browning ad again, I think I see why it is priced the way it is. The stock has a small crack near the upper and lower corners of the receiver and the forearm has a small one just above the bottom curve of the receiver. Interestingly all three are on the left side. That should tell me something but I'm not sure what. The finish looks pretty good overall but it's been hunted. The barrel is a 26" round barrel that appears to have a taper and it does have the rings.

Something I forgot to mention in my original post is whichever I go with will see the vast majority of it's use at the range so weight isn't super critical. I won't try to make it a BR rifle but it's not going to be hunted either unless some unknown relative leaves me a chunk of land, money or both. Having said that, the 78 appears to be slimmer and trimmer than the Ruger. Is that the case or just an optical illusion?

In the end I will still most likely end up with a No1 when the time comes but the information on the 78 is much appreciated. Now I have new quest when I go to to the next couple of shows to see if a screaming deal is out there...

[aciera]

In the 80s I looked at some 1885s and the octagon barrel was not timed right on the 5 in the shop. Dam frustrating.

[magnumwheelman]

this one looks like a deal... nice wood, comes with rings & bases...

www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=515449154

I've never really looked at these, but love single shots... I think I'd buy one of these before the plain wood #1's that I've been seeing lately??? I think I could do something easy with the splits in the fancy wood

[bushog]

Somebody dropped on it's butt...

[nolongcolt]

I realize that Bradshaw has forgotten more about most gun stuff than I will ever know, but I don't think I would consider the Ruger No.1, a fine rifle, as loosely fitted. If by that he means the little bit of play in the huge (falling) block of steel when the lever is closed, sure its there, but when that hammer falls, it ain't loose. I am a big fan of the No.1, I think its perhaps the prettiest of the modern single shot rifles, especially with sights and the Henry forearm, magic!

[ryan]

I agree. The Brownings (I've got two) are nice but to my eye, it doesn't get any better than the Ruger with the AH forearm when joined with a 26" barrel. A modern take on a classic British stalking rifle for sure, and there are a lot of them out there with pretty nice wood, too.

[rgp]

I always "liked" the Brownings and other High Walls but every time I had an opportunity to buy one I bought a Ruger No. 1 instead.

Lipsey's has a No. 1 Medium Sporter in .30/06 right now which would probably tip the scales in favor of a No. 1.

[awp101]

Oct 21, 2015 16:10:00 GMT -5 bushog said:

Somebody dropped on it's butt...

That's actually the one I was looking at but couldn't figure out how the damage occurred,thanks!

[bagdadjoe]

I had a 78 in 6mm and one in 45-70. I always lusted after the BPCR because it would take a tang sight. The regular B78 doesn't have a tang. Although I had a scope on the 6mm, I prefer irons on a 45-70.

[buck]

.300 Win and a .270 Win

I think I saw both on gunsinternational.

Which tends to be more accurate between the Browning and the Ruger?

[rkcohen]

awp101 - have both and love both of them.

if push came to shove though....i'd go with the ruger..

while i've never had any problems with either the b78 (30-06), b78 (45/70) or my rugers (#1 and #3s in 22 hornet, 22-250, 45/70, 475 linebaugh) i did a quick "google" and found that i could find parts online more readily - so that coin toss is simple logistics...

love both types!