The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Browning FN Mauser hi power Safari grade rifle

xcc_rider · March 25, 2016, 11:30 PM

I apologize for resurrecting this old thread but I was given a rifle some years ago and found this thread while I was doing some research on it.

It's a Browning bolt action in 22-250 with a 4366Z5 serial number, Monte Carlo stock, stepped/pencil 22" barrel, Redfield 3x9 scope (gonna have to put a longer range one on it), rings, mount and engraved trigger guard and plate. The stock, checkering, bolt and barrel all look the same or similar to the FN Safari grade rifles and it states "Made in Finland" stamped on the barrel so im thinking its a Sako action? There isn't any provision for a front site on the barrel (no screw hole or anything).

I went to the site listed in the first post and according to it the rifle was built prior to 1959 (due to the 4 digit serial number and no letter prefix, if I read it right) and that dating it cannot be done by the serial number.
The only reference I can find for the "Z" on that site is a 1969 Safari grade rifle.
Then on another site I found a post about a similar rifle in .243 with a 4 digit SN and a Z4 suffix which they said was a 1964 dom, Sako action and FN barrel.
Another site listed a 22-250, made in Finland/Sako action, 4 digit sn and suffix of Z5 as a 1965 dom.
Confusing... But I'm thinking it's a Safari grade, Sako action, FN barreled, 1965 dom rifle and no salt wood. Or am I confused???

Besides that I don't know much about the action/bolt as compared to the Mauser action and would appreciate any guidance or info I can get including anyway I can find an approximate date of manufacture.
Anyways, let me know if there's anyway I can help you help me. (Including any pictures that can help identify it)

I'm not worried about a value or anything. I was given the choice of several rifles and chose the 22-250 to supplement my .223 varmint rifle so I plan on keeping it until all the varmints in the southwest are gone...
Thx in advance, dan

March 25, 2016, 11:30 PM	#20
xcc_rider Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2016 Posts: 169	I apologize for resurrecting this old thread but I was given a rifle some years ago and found this thread while I was doing some research on it. It's a Browning bolt action in 22-250 with a 4366Z5 serial number, Monte Carlo stock, stepped/pencil 22" barrel, Redfield 3x9 scope (gonna have to put a longer range one on it), rings, mount and engraved trigger guard and plate. The stock, checkering, bolt and barrel all look the same or similar to the FN Safari grade rifles and it states "Made in Finland" stamped on the barrel so im thinking its a Sako action? There isn't any provision for a front site on the barrel (no screw hole or anything). I went to the site listed in the first post and according to it the rifle was built prior to 1959 (due to the 4 digit serial number and no letter prefix, if I read it right) and that dating it cannot be done by the serial number. The only reference I can find for the "Z" on that site is a 1969 Safari grade rifle. Then on another site I found a post about a similar rifle in .243 with a 4 digit SN and a Z4 suffix which they said was a 1964 dom, Sako action and FN barrel. Another site listed a 22-250, made in Finland/Sako action, 4 digit sn and suffix of Z5 as a 1965 dom. Confusing... But I'm thinking it's a Safari grade, Sako action, FN barreled, 1965 dom rifle and no salt wood. Or am I confused??? Besides that I don't know much about the action/bolt as compared to the Mauser action and would appreciate any guidance or info I can get including anyway I can find an approximate date of manufacture. Anyways, let me know if there's anyway I can help you help me. (Including any pictures that can help identify it) I'm not worried about a value or anything. I was given the choice of several rifles and chose the 22-250 to supplement my .223 varmint rifle so I plan on keeping it until all the varmints in the southwest are gone... Thx in advance, dan Last edited by xcc_rider; March 26, 2016 at 01:41 PM.