JG26Irish_2
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2023
- Messages
- 808
- Reaction score
- 2,153
- Location
- United States
- Media
- 15
- Member of
- Bluegrass Safari Club, SCI
- Hunted
- RSA-Limpopo, Free State, USA - KY, WV, TN, ND, SD, NM, TX
Not all of the Belgian Browning Hi-Power rifles of the 60's had salt contaminated wood. The only safe way to be sure is to inspect the rifle closely. Look for rust around the cross bolts and the trigger guard and pull the action and inspect the underside of the action and bbl using proper gunsmith screw drivers.
When I was prepping for my 1st Safari, I already owned a lovely FN Browning Medallion Grade in 308. It was made in 1963 with the CRF action and the stock was salt free. I wanted a 416 Rigby but settled on a Safari Grade FN Browning in 375HH for a matched pair. The 375 was made in 1969 and being aware of the salt issue, I had it inspected before shipping it from Alaska to my local FFL. It was also salt free but...
At the time I was unaware that FN made these for Browning in both CRF and Push feed designs and mine turned out to be the Push Feed action. It shot great and looks fine but I wanted a CRF for Africa for the simple reason this was going to be my Buffalo rifle.
I took it to Africa once for a PG hunt but learned why the push feed is not the best option for Africa and other dry dusty climates. The dust and grit gets all over and into the rifles as the days go by. I disassembled my rifles every night and cleaned them with a dry cloth and canned air to try to keep them dust free but the little ejection plunger in the push feed got so gritty that it jammed up enough that it would barely eject a spent round until I cleaned it again. The CRF never missed a beat. That is the real difference but it also does not apply to most North American hunting unless you are down in dusty Texas, New Mexico or Arizona type climates. I bought a CRF rifle for DG hunting but kept my Belgian 375 because it is such a nice rifle.
P.S. The Push feed is not all bad. You can fill the mag with 4rds and then push down on the cartridges and slide in one more round to get a total of 5 into the rifle. You can single feed rounds into it one at a time by simply dropping them into the action and closing the bolt. Some bullet shapes may not feed well but this is also true of some CRF rifles. My Browning does not like the North Fork cup point solid at all. Just keep them clean and lube them very sparingly especially if you are hunting dry dusty places and they will serve you just fine. If you are hunting animals which will hunt you too or try to kill you if you piss them off, then spend the extra money to get a CRF rifle in a proper caliber and don't look back. It is cheaper then even on night in the intensive care ward and don't even get me started on the price of a decent funeral.
My matched FN Brownings are below. 375 is on the left and 308 on the right
When I was prepping for my 1st Safari, I already owned a lovely FN Browning Medallion Grade in 308. It was made in 1963 with the CRF action and the stock was salt free. I wanted a 416 Rigby but settled on a Safari Grade FN Browning in 375HH for a matched pair. The 375 was made in 1969 and being aware of the salt issue, I had it inspected before shipping it from Alaska to my local FFL. It was also salt free but...
At the time I was unaware that FN made these for Browning in both CRF and Push feed designs and mine turned out to be the Push Feed action. It shot great and looks fine but I wanted a CRF for Africa for the simple reason this was going to be my Buffalo rifle.
I took it to Africa once for a PG hunt but learned why the push feed is not the best option for Africa and other dry dusty climates. The dust and grit gets all over and into the rifles as the days go by. I disassembled my rifles every night and cleaned them with a dry cloth and canned air to try to keep them dust free but the little ejection plunger in the push feed got so gritty that it jammed up enough that it would barely eject a spent round until I cleaned it again. The CRF never missed a beat. That is the real difference but it also does not apply to most North American hunting unless you are down in dusty Texas, New Mexico or Arizona type climates. I bought a CRF rifle for DG hunting but kept my Belgian 375 because it is such a nice rifle.
P.S. The Push feed is not all bad. You can fill the mag with 4rds and then push down on the cartridges and slide in one more round to get a total of 5 into the rifle. You can single feed rounds into it one at a time by simply dropping them into the action and closing the bolt. Some bullet shapes may not feed well but this is also true of some CRF rifles. My Browning does not like the North Fork cup point solid at all. Just keep them clean and lube them very sparingly especially if you are hunting dry dusty places and they will serve you just fine. If you are hunting animals which will hunt you too or try to kill you if you piss them off, then spend the extra money to get a CRF rifle in a proper caliber and don't look back. It is cheaper then even on night in the intensive care ward and don't even get me started on the price of a decent funeral.
My matched FN Brownings are below. 375 is on the left and 308 on the right
