Hi Pat,
I just signed up here yesterday and I'm still learning how to navigate the website. It just took me about 15 minutes to find out where to log in. But anyway, I saw your question about round top L579's. Back in the early 60's to the about the mid 70's, Browning used round top medium (L579) Sako actions to manufacture their fine Safari bolt action rifles. These were chambered for the .243, .308, and 22-250. A few of them were also made with intermediate small ring FN actions, but that's another story. I bought a Browning Safari Sako in .243 when they first came out and it was beautifully made. The finish on the stock had a depth to it that Browning was famous for back in those days. I wish I had kept it. Some of these rifles, unfortunately, were fitted with stocks that had put through a process that used salt, of all things, to expedite the drying process, and as you know, salt and metal equals rust. The ordeal of trying to identify the the "Salt" Brownings goes on to this day. I recently bought a Browning Sako in .243, and it appears that it is a salt, but somebody got to it in time and glass bedded to action and free floated the barrel, so the metal is fine. Many of them developed rust over the years.
Something else about those round tops: I found it very tough finding mounts for it. It seems that there are many mounts around for the small ring FN's, but not for the round top Sakos. Through a lot of trial and error, I finally located a new/old stock Redfield JR. one piece mount #51144, the correct Refield mount for the rifle. Weaver mounts seem to be a bit more obtainable for it, but I'm an old Redfield freak.
Well, back to trying to learn to navigate this site. I asked a couple of questions in my first post, and members Hayseed 51 and Stonecreek were kind enough to share some information with me, but I haven't been able to figure out how to reply. I'll get it done. Hang in there, guys!
Betop