Mr. Tatume:

I am familiar with the Browning 1885 in its BPCR configuration, which does not have the hanger. It is my understanding that the hanger supports the ejection mechanism, and from your description also supports the forearm wood, ala the Ruger #1.

One can only guess at the source of the accuracy issues, but the first place I would look is at the forearm wood. Generally speaking, with a two piece stock you don't want the forearm to touch both the action and the barrel. Target rifles are built with the wood firmly bedded to the barrel and with a very slight gap between the wood and the action face. .010" is plenty. The "part time" free floating of your barrel certainly is not going to help accuracy, especially with a light barrel.

It might be worth examine the system to see if it is possible to bed the wood to the barrel and free float the hanger.

The barrel sight problem can be solved easily enough with a sight base mated to the octagon barrel, an express sight island like is seen on British stalking rifles. Have a look at the offering of NECG to get an idea. A ramped front sight could be fit the same way.

I have recently read that a product called Citri-Strip will safely remove polyurethane and epoxy finishes and is available in home improvement stores. Perhaps the refinish is something you might tackle yourself.

Glenn