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Browning BBR 30-06 - Price Check

HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
I have the opportunity to pick up a BBR in 30-06. From the one picture that I have seen it looks to be in pretty good shape. I have not seen it in person yet.
The seller is asking $375 (w/base and rings).
I checked the completed auctions and it looks like this is a pretty good price.
I know some of these were made with salt-wood stocks.
Can someone tell me the SN# range of the ones with salt-wood?
Anything else I should know before going to look at it?
Thanks in advance.

Edit: Anyone???
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Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know anything specific about the BBR's, other then they were produced after the "Salt Wood" problem. I believe the production dates for the "Salt Wood" rifles and shotguns were approximately 1967-1973 and most all were Belgian manufactured or stocked.

    Check the proof marks and country of origin of the rifle your going to look at. If it's not Belgian,"Salt Wood" won't be a factor.
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  • Old GunnyOld Gunny Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    For HTR 52- Most of the Belgian mfg. Brownings from about 1965-1973 may have salt wood problems, the three Browning models most prone were: The .22 Automatic (the take-down model with 19" barrel, most of the Superposed over/under shotguns, and the FN Mauser style BA rifles in all grades, Safari being the most common. Any Browning not made in Belgium, which woudl include the BLR, did not have that malady, so you should be OK. I am a dyed-in-the-wool BA rifleman, but if I were to have a lever rifle in a mid-range cal. (30-06 or .308) I'd pick the BLR. Can't say if that's a fair price without checking the Blue Book and various auctions, if it has Buehler or Leupold bases and rings, it's worth more than with say, Weavers, but that's just my opinion- Hope this helps.
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  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    Well, I picked it up. It has some "character marks" on it, but I still think I did ok. The original price was without scope, but the seller stated that it wasn't worth the effort of removing it. It is a Bushnell Trophy 4-12AO. The base and rings are Redfield.

    Here are some pics.

    P1150091.jpg
    P1150090.jpg
    P1150088.jpg
    P1150079.jpg
    P1150078.jpg
    P1150071.jpg
    P1150070.jpg
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  • I.ShuteI.Shute Member Posts: 647 ✭
    edited November -1
    I'd say that you got a very good deal on this rifle if the barrel's not shot out. Those character marks wouldn't mean squat to me and probably others who want a good hunting rifle that would last a lifetime,- could outlast the hunter.
    A hunting rifle is a tool, not a piece of valuable art. I got a new Browning BAR Safari ll with B.O.S.S. in .338wm and on the first trip out when crawling under a tree on a pile of rocks it caught on a limb and fell off my shoulder and got a few nicks. That thing will out-last me and I love it just much as when I opened up the box.
    Enjoy it.
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