Western Field M780 rifle

[rockrat]

Saw one of these today at our show. The bolt is a three lug bolt, kind of like a rem 788, but lugs were at the front of the bolt. Did Browning make these guns? I don't know who else has a three lug bolt (6 lugs total). Anyone know anything about these guns.

The gun is probably from the late 50's to late 60's.

[Uncle Grinch]

I think these were made by Mossberg in the late 50’s.

[MUSTANG]

I have a Montgomery Ward Westernfield (made by Mossberg) M780 in .308 Winchester. My dad gave it to me as a Christmas present back in 1970. Have a 7X Bushnell scope on it from the same period. Well made even though it was a "Economy Gun" during it's time; probably much better than many of todays manufacturers. I get 1 to 2 MOA' out of it, sometimes slightly less than 1 MOA. Shoots cast quite well up to 2200 fps. Stock is "Pressed Checkering (part of the economy of the time) rather than cut checkering.

I put a slip on Pachmayr Butt Pad on it to reduce felt recoil as it seemed to have a stout kick to the shoulder; the butt pad improved my shooting and left fewer bruises as I aged and that became an issue. Out to 500 yards it shoots better than my rack grade M1a1's and other .308 Winchesters I have.

[rockrat]

Thats what it is, a 308. Might have to take a closer look at it tomorrow. Its in pretty good shape. Has a 4x bushnell on it.