Belgium Browning Sako Safari Grade .338 Win. mag 24” Bolt-Action Rifle
LSB#: LSB250520NP002
Make: Browning
Model: Safari
Serial Number: 65675L73
Year of Manufacture: 1950’s-1970’s
Caliber: .22-250 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by internal magazine with hinged floorplate.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, and has one proof mark. The right side of the barrel is marked “65675L73 / CALIBER .338 WIN. MAG. ONLY”, and the right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number “65675L73”. There is engraving on the hinged floorplate and the trigger guard.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass bead blade dovetailed into a ramp. The rear sight is an adjustable U-notch sight. The receiver is topped with a one piece Browning scope base, with 1” scope rings.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one piece monte carlo style stock that is glossed, checkered walnut with semi-pistol grip, ventilated Browning rubber buttplate, and sling studs front and rear. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the trigger to the buttpad. The checkering is sharp. There are a couple small dings in the stock. Overall, the stock rates in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the barrel. Some minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish.The finish is strong throughout all metal surfaces. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Belgian-made Browning Safari Grade rifle in .338 Winchester Magnum is a classic example of postwar sporting rifle excellence, pairing the refined aesthetic and craftsmanship of Fabrique Nationale with the precision of a Sako short extractor Mauser-style action. Built for dangerous game and large North American game alike, the Safari Grade in .338 Win. Mag. delivers power, reliability, and elegance in one hard-hitting package.
The rifle features a 24” barrel with factory iron sights—a hooded brass bead front blade and an adjustable rear notch—and is topped with a one-piece Browning scope base and 1” rings for your choice of glass. The gloss-finished, checkered walnut stock is fitted with a Monte Carlo comb, semi-pistol grip, and a ventilated Browning recoil pad, with only light dings detracting from an otherwise Excellent condition profile. The sharp checkering, tight inletting, and restrained Monte Carlo lines reflect the elegance of FN’s mid-century sporting design.
Mechanically, this Safari Grade rifle is crisp, with strong bluing across the receiver and barrel, clean engravings on the trigger guard and floorplate, and a bore that rates 9.5/10 for brightness and definition. With its flat trajectory and heavy terminal energy, the .338 Win. Mag. remains one of the finest all-around big game cartridges ever produced—and this rifle is built to handle it with style.
For those who appreciate true quality in wood and steel, and for hunters preparing for elk, moose, or African plains game, this is a top-tier rifle from a golden era of firearm production—clean, functional, and collector-worthy. Please view our photos, and thank you for bidding! Good luck! – J.D.
