My Beautiful 1969 FN Browning Belgium 30-06 Safari High Power Rifle

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May 24, 2013
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A bit of a back story here: when I was 17 years old I bought my first centerfire rifle. Living in the MidWest I used my Grandpa’s Model 94...But I had had been reading Jack O’conner since was 12 and wanted a bolt gun. I wanted a .270 Remington MDL 700...but the local gun store (Marathon gas station/Sporting Goods) had a MDL ADL 700 .308 on a great sale price - BUT sitting right next to it was nice new Browning Safari 30-06! I lusted over the Safari, however I had just bought my 1969 Camaro SS and my date/gas fund was pretty low - hence I purchased the ADL.

But I always wanted that Browning. I looked for years for a like new one at a reasonable price point. In mean time I did find a very nice 1954 MDL ‘94 without a screw touched, but has appropriate scabbard wear.

I had no idea but a very good friend of mine that I didn’t know at the time brought the pictured Safari 30-06 that he bought new when I was 17...He shot it 3 times and put it in his safe after a thorough cleaning. He asked me if I wanted to buy it!?!!!

It does have few very small handling marks but otherwise appears unfired and is at least 99%. Being a 69 dated rifle I was concerned about it being a “salt” stock since it is European walnut (most went through this hurried drying process through the early ‘70’s). But it is 100% clean and escaped that dumb process.

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Thanks gents, I told him what they were going for $$ but he insisted on 1/2 the going rate; so now I am looking for a nice period scope to top it off.


A vintage Leupold would look great on it
 
Well, Vintage Gun Scopes found an age appropriate Redfield, Denver USA traditional crosshair 4X that is labeled “Browning”, manufactured during the 60’s at Browning’s behest.

They took it apart, cleaned it, put in new front lens, seals/glue, did a nitro purge and sent it to me.

I put it together with a set of high gloss Talley rings to finish the package.

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