Just found a Browning Mountain Rifle in a gun shop. .50 cal. Nobody there could answer any questions. Pewter nose cap and rough browned barrel and hardware almost like parkerised. Single set trigger. Any idea what twist rate it should be?
Browning Mountain Rifle
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MikeChapin
58 Cal.
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As I remember they were round ball twist, 1:60 or 1:66. A friend of mine from the the local club picked up two of them at Friendship last year. It seems those are poping up all over the place.
The Browning Rifle is a very fine rifle ,almost custom quality, and definitely a collectable piece.
If it is in good shape and under $500, you got a good buy.
They don't make them any more, and they are much better than most production muzzleloaders today.
Best Regards
Old Ford
If it is in good shape and under $500, you got a good buy.
They don't make them any more, and they are much better than most production muzzleloaders today.
Best Regards
Old Ford
What the other guys said . . .
Fullstock58
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I have been looking for a browned model in 54 for some time, very scarce.
I have the steel mounted Browning in 54 caliber and have shot a couple deer with it in the last few years. It almost shoots too good that the challenge has gone out of hunting with it. I will probably retire it and use my flintlock next season. They are very good rifles and also very accurate. I don't think you'll be dissapointed with it.
These rifles were made in the late 70s and early 80s. They did not sell well and were over priced. The later ones were made up from parts and were a little rough.
The early ones were Browned metal or Brass. They were cut in .45,.50,.54 Cals. The early ones had Biss Titus barrles made in Heber City Utah. The later ones were what ever they could find. I think the stocks were made in the wood working shop at Morgan, Utah.
They looked good. But after most folks found them to be poor shooters the sales dropped. They were sold thru all kinds of surplus programs etc.
Browning had an auction in Ogden, Ut. years ago and sold off what was left of the parts. And so was the end of just another so so production M/L.
The BMR has some followers but as a shooter don't expect too much.
As a collectors item they made a number of these for the Morman Church. They were numbered and sort of fancy these go for over a $1,000.00 usally.
The book that came out with the rifle as I recall stated the load for the .50. The load stated was for a .495 ball with a .020 patch Most of these guns had loose bores.
As I live near the Browning HQ in Morgan, Ut. I have seen and shot many of these rifles. Yes some of them were OK mostly they were not . Near the end we were buying these for about $75.00 so everyone had a BMR.
The stocks had to be fiberglassed if you shot a lot of heavy loads or the barrels would get loose in the channels. :hmm:
The early ones were Browned metal or Brass. They were cut in .45,.50,.54 Cals. The early ones had Biss Titus barrles made in Heber City Utah. The later ones were what ever they could find. I think the stocks were made in the wood working shop at Morgan, Utah.
They looked good. But after most folks found them to be poor shooters the sales dropped. They were sold thru all kinds of surplus programs etc.
Browning had an auction in Ogden, Ut. years ago and sold off what was left of the parts. And so was the end of just another so so production M/L.
The BMR has some followers but as a shooter don't expect too much.
As a collectors item they made a number of these for the Morman Church. They were numbered and sort of fancy these go for over a $1,000.00 usally.
The book that came out with the rifle as I recall stated the load for the .50. The load stated was for a .495 ball with a .020 patch Most of these guns had loose bores.
As I live near the Browning HQ in Morgan, Ut. I have seen and shot many of these rifles. Yes some of them were OK mostly they were not . Near the end we were buying these for about $75.00 so everyone had a BMR.
The stocks had to be fiberglassed if you shot a lot of heavy loads or the barrels would get loose in the channels. :hmm:
I suppose your mileage has varied, the one I have is a tack driver and I've used it for several primitive matches over the last couple years. It's biggest limitation is the stock sights, but if I do my part it has given excellent groups that have one a few matches. Mine is an early one though and perhaps the barrels were better than. Around here they have a tendency to bring damn good money, probably more than they are worth, but people like them.
Desert Ratxx
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I saw one in the local Cabela's yesterday. It was part of a 4 gun set, there was a Browning Hi-Power, a Browning over/under and a Browning Lever Action and a set of 3 Browning knives. All brand new in presentation cases and evertyhing. All the guns looked real fancy with some inlays and what not but the price made me think :shake:
They wanted $11,999 for everything.
They wanted $11,999 for everything.
JOHN L. HINNANT
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Good Evening Kgs113,
The JBMR in 50 caliber has 1-60' rifling twist. The 45's have a 1-54", and the 54's have a 1-62".
Best regards and good shooting,
John L. Hinnant
If you are not an NRA or NMLRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.
The JBMR in 50 caliber has 1-60' rifling twist. The 45's have a 1-54", and the 54's have a 1-62".
Best regards and good shooting,
John L. Hinnant
If you are not an NRA or NMLRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.
Thanks for the info. Have had to do a little work on the gun. The barrel wanted to move back and forth. Needed to be bedded along with the tang. It appears the muzzle has been coned in the past. I hope it was done well. It looks like it takes a big ball. Any recommendations on size and powder loads?
Thanks.
Kevin
Thanks.
Kevin
There was 2 of them at the lil gun shop in Lancaster OH (is that Rt. 37? cannot remember) but bores were filthy on botth of them, and also one at the nice gun shop on the north end of the old 33 bypass in Lancaster.
Also there was 2 at the Birminghan AL at the last large gun show at the civic center. They all ranged from $400-500. Have never shot one but they appear to be a well made rifle.
:thumbsup:
Also there was 2 at the Birminghan AL at the last large gun show at the civic center. They all ranged from $400-500. Have never shot one but they appear to be a well made rifle.
:thumbsup:
A few years ago I bought a .50 cal. from Mid-South { closeout } and really wanted a ,54 cal. which wasn't available. The quality was OK but the balance and fit were lousy so gave it to my son and he came to the same conclusion. Somehow it just didn't feel right. Built a "Hawken" from Pecatonica and the "feel"and balance were excellent and this rifle has killed a few elk. If Browning had researched and designed a rifle that duplicated a Hawken they probably would be in business today.......Fred
WE kicked this one to "near" death it looks like now a few yrs back, John H above will know the story behind it BUT the thing we ended up with was the BMR was not a poor copy of the Hawken but a copy of the real Browning Mountafin Rifle from back then. Hope this helps. Fred :hatsoff: (it seems some rifles got made real good and some thrown together, Im sure with a target load o 120on the 54cal and hunting load of 150 thy must o been built stout. ( the 50 cal is 120 ) red :hatsoff: from the Hawken forevergrp..... :rotf:
