Winchester just isnt the same. The quality has gone to the $hitter.. and so has their popularity. Back in the day it was a no brainer.. but the browning gets the nod in this situation.
Kinda opinionated statements aren't they? I feel the exact opposite. Winchester quality controll is exelent in comparison to many manufacturers. As far as popularity I'd hardly call "the riflemans rifle" unpopular. If you need further convincing, re-read this thread & count up the votes for each, then see wich manufacturers " popularity is in the $hitter" as you so eloquently put it. In the end I'm happy with my choice, & I hope your happy with yours, but be very carefull making generalized statements in a "no brainer" blanket context. That may be your opinion, but its hardly fact.
I'm sure there are awesome, accurate, quality firearms from most major manufacturers out there. I'm equally sure there are a number of poor, inacurate, low quality firearms from those same manufacturers that slipped thru the cracks. Were not dealing with custom guns here. These are production firearms.
Both Winchester, & Browning make beautiful firearms with acceptable accuracy, & many different models to choose from, & so do many other manufacturers. It still comes down to personal taste,(fit/finnish/feel etc.) & intended use. Sometimes $ is a consideration when purchasing a firearm. Take ALL these things into consideration, & different people with different intended use for same firearm, & you eventually get controversy.
So, if you want a factory firearm pick one of "brand x", hope you get a good one, & be happy with your choice. If you get a lemon in any brand your probably not gonna be happy with your purchase.
With some brands, It's nice to know there's a huge array of aftermarket parts incase your intrests change, or incase you want to customize in the future, or if you should ever need a gunsmith to work on your firearm, or incase you are the one in a million who buys a lemon.
I personally cannot afford a custom firearm. I personally like to customize the firearms I do own to -my- style of hunting as I go, or can afford it. I personally own a handfull of Winchesters from most eras & have come to trust them for accuracy, quality, & reliability. So for -me personally- its a "no brainer" but that's kinda opposite of your "no brainer" huh....
Look man I wish you luck, & success with your chosen firearm, & I'm glad your happy with it. I have a Browning ill sell you if you wanna P.M. me. But your no brainer & mine are completely different. Opinions sometimes get riled up a bit when a person has different experiences. I'll gladly respect your opinion, & I meant no disrespect to you. We just disagree.
O.P. you are gonna have to weigh out what options you want/need, or don't want/need. After that buy wichever one fits your tastes, & style. Both Browning & Winchester make great firearms. Both make thier share of exceptionally accurate, acceptably accurate, reasonably a curate, & occasionally no where near accurate firearms. They are production firearms, so its luck of the draw. I have never owned a Winchester I couldn't get to shoot well, & will continue to buy Winchester firearms. It sounds like ishootkittens has never owned a Browning he couldn't get to shoot well. So it looks like you have pretty good odds at getting a good one with either brand.
Best of luck to you with whatever you choose in the end.
