WARNING: READ AND PRECISELY FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT AND THE OWNER’S MANUAL INCLUDED WITH YOUR FIREARM BEFORE PERFORMING ANY CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES OR INSTALLING OR REMOVING OPTICS OR ACCESSORIES. PLACE THE “SAFETY” OF YOUR RIFLE IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. COMPLETELY UNLOAD THE MAGAZINE, OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR THOSE AROUND YOU!

WARNING: DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE.

WARNING: WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVING OPTICS OR ACCESSORIES OR PERFORMING ANY CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO YOUR RIFLE TO KEEP PARTS, SOLVENTS OR OTHER AGENTS FROM CONTACTING YOUR EYES, RESULTING IN INJURY.

If your rifle owner’s manual is missing, contact the Browning customer service department immediately at (800) 333-3288 for a free copy, or download one online at browning.com.

The SA-22 Challenge is a variant of John M. Browning’s original autoloading rimfire rifle. Although the SA-22 Challenge model loads and operates identically to the standard SA-22, there are differences regarding cleaning and maintenance procedures. 

Please refer to the owner’s manual that was included with your rifle and this supplement for instructions for the correct cleaning and maintenance procedures for your SA-22 Challenge rifle. 

WARNING: BEFORE PERFORMING CLEANING PROCEDURES, PLACE THE “SAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN DISASSEMBLING AND CLEANING YOUR RIFLE TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF SPRINGS, SPRING-TENSIONED PARTS, SOLVENTS OR OTHER AGENTS FROM CONTACTING YOUR EYES, RESULTING IN INJURY. 

WARNING: KEEP ALL AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE CLEANING AREA. NEVER TEST THE MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF YOUR RIFLE WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

SOME CLEANING SOLVENTS, LUBRICANTS AND OTHER STRONG CHEMICALS SUCH AS THOSE FOUND IN INSECT REPELLENTS, SUNSCREENS, ETC. MAY DAMAGE THE FINISHES OF YOUR FIREARM. USE CARE TO PREVENT CHEMICALS FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH FINISHES WHEN CLEANING YOUR FIREARM. 

Your SA-22 Challenge rifle will function better and more reliably over a longer period of time if it is properly maintained and kept clean. Clean your firearm after every day of shooting, and more often if it becomes excessively dirty. A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the firearm and oiling key parts. Regular maintenance will also include cleaning the barrel. 

Cleaning the barrel of the SA-22 Challenge requires removing the breech block from the rifle. Because the Challenge model cannot be taken down like the standard SA-22, the cleaning procedures vary slightly. For complete cleaning procedures, refer to the instructions in the complete owner’s manual.

1. Make sure your rifle is completely unloaded and the “safety” is in the on safe position.
2. Place your rifle with the trigger guard facing up in a gun vise or on a table or other safe/secure location with the top of the receiver upward. Protect the finish with rags or other padding.
3. Remove the screw on the bottom of the forearm using a snug-fitting, gunsmithing-style screwdriver. Carefully pull the forearm away from the barrel. 
4. With the forearm removed, follow the instructions in the complete owner’s manual to remove the breech block, clean the barrel and replace the breech block into the rifle. 
5. Carefully install the forearm to the barrel, lining up the hole in the forearm with the barrel attachment. Carefully tighten the screw that secures the forearm using a snug-fitting, gunsmithing-style screwdriver.  

WARNING: THE ADDITION OF A RECOIL REDUCING MUZZLE BRAKE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES NOISE AND MUZZLE BLAST. YOU, AND EVERYONE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FIREARM, SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR HEARING PROTECTION TO HELP PREVENT HEARING LOSS OR DAMAGE AND SAFETY GLASSES TO HELP PREVENT DEBRIS FROM INJURING THE EYES. 

WHEN USING A SUPPRESSOR, ALWAYS WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION. EVEN THOUGH SOUND IS REDUCED WHEN USING A SUPPRESSOR, THE NOISE LEVELS ARE STILL SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. BE AWARE THAT USING A SUPPRESSOR INCREASES THE BACK PRESSURE IN THE BARREL WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS FIRED. THE INCREASE IN BACK PRESSURE MAY CAUSE DEBRIS FROM THE CARTRIDGE TO EXIT THE EJECTION PORT OF THE FIREARM AND CONTACT YOUR EYES, EARS AND FACE, OR THOSE OF ANYONE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FIREARM. THE INCREASE IN BACK PRESSURE MAY ALSO RESULT IN THE DEPOSIT OF ADDITIONAL DEBRIS IN YOUR FIREARM; ACCORDINGLY, AN ACCELERATED CLEANING SCHEDULE FOR YOUR FIREARM MAY BE NECESSARY. 

ENSURE THAT ANY MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR THAT YOU INTEND TO USE ON YOUR FIREARM IS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH YOUR FIREARM’S CALIBER. NEVER USE A MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR THAT IS DESIGNED FOR RIMFIRE USE ONLY ON A CENTERFIRE FIREARM. BEFORE INSTALLING OR REMOVING A MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR TO/FROM YOUR FIREARM, READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL AND ANY OWNER’S MANUAL INCLUDED WITH THE DEVICE, AND PRECISELY FOLLOW ALL INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPRESSOR OR MUZZLE BRAKE MANUFACTURER. DURING INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL, ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED, WITH THE MAGAZINE REMOVED AND THE ACTION IN THE OPEN POSITION. 

PERIODICALLY CHECK THE MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR TO ASSURE THAT IT IS TIGHT AND FIRMLY SEATED. BEFORE CHECKING, FOLLOW ALL SAFETY GUIDELINES PREVIOUSLY OUTLINED. ENSURE THE MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR IS COOL BEFORE TOUCHING IT.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR THOSE AROUND YOU!

The SA-22 Challenge rifle includes a removable muzzle brake that attaches to the barrel using ¹/₂" x 28 threads at the muzzle. The muzzle brake should be removed occasionally for cleaning. The threaded muzzle also makes it easy to add an optional sound suppressor. If you choose to use the rifle with a sound suppressor, follow the guidelines outlined in this supplement, in the complete SA-22 owner’s manual and those included with the sound suppressor.

NOTICE: BE AWARE THAT YOUR RIFLE’S POINT OF IMPACT MAY CHANGE AS THE HARMONICS OF THE BARREL ARE AFFECTED WHEN ADDING A MUZZLE BRAKE OR SUPPRESSOR, WHICH CHANGES THE WEIGHT AT THE END OF THE BARREL.

WARNING: BEFORE REMOVING THE MUZZLE BRAKE, PLACE THE “SAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

REMOVING THE MUZZLE BRAKE

1. Place the rifle in a gun vise, on a table or other safe/secure location with the top of the receiver upward. Protect the finish with rags or other padding.
2. Remove the muzzle brake from the barrel by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Clean the muzzle brake with gun cleaning solvent. A soft bristle brush and pipe cleaners may also be used to remove fouling.
4. Clean the threads at the muzzle with gun cleaning solvent and lightly oil the threads.

WARNING: BEFORE REMOVING THE MUZZLE BRAKE, PLACE THE “SAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

INSTALLING THE MUZZLE BRAKE 

1. Thread the muzzle brake onto the barrel, turning it clockwise until the muzzle stops against the barrel shoulder.
2. Hand tighten the muzzle brake.

WARNING: BEFORE MOUNTING A SCOPE, SIGHT OR OTHER ACCESSORIES TO YOUR RIFLE, PLACE THE “SAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE POSITION. OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

The SA-22 Challenge includes a Picatinny-style optics rail that makes mounting a scope or red dot optic easy. When mounting optics, follow all guidelines in the complete SA-22 owner’s manual and those included with the optics.

If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service Center.  

To locate a service center visit browning.com, contact our Customer Service Department or your Browning firearms dealer for the address of the Service Center nearest you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our Service Department in Arnold, Missouri. 

Parts listings, Firearm Service Center lists, service procedures, service/repair form and general product information are also found on the internet at browning.com. For technical questions about your firearm or service, contact:

When returning your firearm for servicing, you must do the following:

1. Be sure it is completely unloaded.

2. Remove any optics, optic mounts or other accessories.

3. Package it securely in a cardboard container.

4. Enclose the service/repair form available at browning.com or a letter that clearly describes the trouble experienced, the ammunition used and the repairs desired. Also include your name, e-mail address (if possible) and a daytime phone number where you can be reached.

5. Never return ammunition with your firearm. It is against postal and most commerce regulations.