Santa Fe Hawken or Browning JBMR ?

Curious about what the general thoughts are on the Santa Fe Hawken in comparison to the Browning Mountain Rifle. I like the close to original look of both. The Santa Fe is a little more plain looking which is likely more “authentic” but its bore is actually .53 and not .54. This is something Uberti/Western Arms seemed to have done unknowingly and the rifles shoot a .52_ prb.
But what are your thoughts on which would be the way to go…. since a GRRW is looking hard to find and extra $$. Thanks much.

I want to like the Browning, but I can't get past the ram's horn at the breech.

Songwriter said:

I want to like the Browning, but I can't get past the ram's horn at the breech.

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True, not historically accurate but it has cool factor. Or it did until a min ago.

Songwriter said:

I want to like the Browning, but I can't get past the ram's horn at the breech.

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I don't like that either!

Sage1 said:

Curious about what the general thoughts are on the Santa Fe Hawken in comparison to the Browning Mountain Rifle. I like the close to original look of both. The Santa Fe is a little more plain looking which is likely more “authentic” but its bore is actually .53 and not .54. This is something Uberti/Western Arms seemed to have done unknowingly and the rifles shoot a .52_ prb.
But what are your thoughts on which would be the way to go…. since a GRRW is looking hard to find and extra $$. Thanks much.

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If you can get the balls for the Sante Fe Hawkin it would be my choice! The Browing doesn't have double triggers which I like!

Given the choice, I would probably opt for the Santa Fe Hawken. The .53 caliber bore is not a problem. Production made moulds are readily available in .520” and .526”, as well as cast balls in both sizes and swaged balls by Hornady in .520”. The Santa Fe Hawken is not a perfect replica of the original St. Louis rifles, but it is pretty close. That may not matter to a lot of people, which is fine, but it matters to me.

The Browning JBMR is a nice, solidly built modern muzzleloader with traditional styling. Browning designed their own hardware (the buttplate is massive), breeching system (internal and external), and lock. The Browning rifles are said to be extremely accurate shooters. I don’t care for the ram’s horn on the snail but I understand a lot of people like it. Some original rifles had single set triggers, like the JBMR, and I don’t have a strong opinion on that one way or the other. I don’t know if the JBMR trigger has to be set to fire or if it can be fired unset. There can be some advantages in having a single trigger instead of two in a hunting situation, especially if it can be fired unset.

The JBMR’s Achilles’ heel, and the real deal-breaker for me, is that they are notorious for breaking mainsprings, and replacements are virtually nonexistent. A forum member once sent me photos of the inside of a JBMR lock in un-cocked and full-cock positions. The distance that the lower leaf of the mainspring has to swing is quite impressive. I think it is likely that the Browning lock design just stresses the mainspring too much. I contacted L&R locks a while back and asked if they had considered adding a JBMR replacement lock to their RPL line, with better-engineered internals. I received a very cordial and courteous response, but they indicated they had all they could do just keeping up, as it is. There were no plans for a JBMR replacement lock in the future, and it was unlikely that there ever would be.

I will say that the JBMR has a lot of appeal. It is a nice looking rifle, for all of my criticisms.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Replacement parts for the Browning Mountain Rifle are becoming hard to find. The Santa Fe rifle lives on in the Pedersoli line up.

I would choose the Santa Fe. The 0.520 or 0.526 round balls are available. Some original rifles from Sam Hawken were bored for a 0.540 groove diameter. The 0.526" balls are correct for the rifles.

I own both. Parts are getting harder to find for either one.

Both are solid built rifles that aren’t around anymore unless through classifieds or auctions.

The BMR in my opinion is better for cold weather hunting with the single trigger that can be set for a lighter trigger pull by pushing it forward if so desired? Otherwise isn’t heavy if left as is.

The .53 on the Santa Fe doesn’t bother me because I cast my own balls using a .52 mould.

Lastly, as a collector/shooter, I’m proud to have both examples in my herd and wouldn’t sneeze at owning either one.

Respectfully, Cowboy

Cowboy said:

I own both. Parts are getting harder to find for either one.

Both are solid built rifles that aren’t around anymore unless through classifieds or auctions.

The BMR in my opinion is better for cold weather hunting with the single trigger that can be set for a lighter trigger pull by pushing it forward if so desired? Otherwise isn’t heavy if left as is.

The .53 on the Santa Fe doesn’t bother me because I cast my own balls using a .52 mould.

Lastly, as a collector/shooter, I’m proud to have both examples in my herd and wouldn’t sneeze at owning either one.

Respectfully, Cowboy

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Thanks much, do you think the .52 is closer to a .50 or .54 in performance on big game?

Sage1 said:

Thanks much, do you think the .52 is closer to a .50 or .54 in performance on big game?

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I guess it all depends on what you’re considering big game? i/e Elk, Bear, Moose, or maybe big deer?

Anyway, growing up in Wyoming, I’ve hunted Elk, Bear, and some pretty big mule deer.

With all that being said? It definitely depends on the shot placement. Of course both caliber’s are more than capable and shoot pretty much a flat trajectory, the .52 is going to give you more knock down power than .50 caliber.

Bigger caliber = Better on Bigger Game.

Respectfully, Cowboy

To answer the @Sage1 specific question, the Uberti .53 (.52 ball) is way closer to the Browning .54 (.53 ball) than to a .50 (.49 ball) in weight and performance.

A 50 (0.490") caliber ball weighs 177 grains.
A 52 (0.520") caliber ball weighs 211 grains.
A 54 (0.530") caliber ball weighs 223 grains.

That's the data to back up @Songwriter's input.

Had/shot/enjoyed my Jon Browning for many years. Killed several dozen deer with it and shot it in club competition weekly for several years. Very accurate .50 steel furniture modern, not historically authentic rifle. Then ..Browning no longer had either service nor replacement parts and the first mainspring broke. Replacement mainspring broke the first time I cocked it. Supplier who bought Browning's parts said he only had a few mainsprings left. Bought a third. Cocked it and sold the gun. Unless someone has a source for mainsprings ......uh...well, that's my experience.

I had both, gave the Browning to a friend. Both worked fine for me.

I have owned both rifles and will take the Browning any day.

Bit the bullet...ordered a Gemmer in 54 flint.

I currently have a Santa Fe Hawken and really like it.
However, I'm certain I would be equally proud to own a JBMR, but it would have to be in 54 cal with iron hardware.