First rifle 7.62/.308

[kennyc]

stickledown was the busiest I've seen it, last time there was just 3 of us!

[shugie]

I'm still contemplating the options for this. I looked at a Musgrave which seemed well used with quite a high price tag for an older rifle, and I've seen them advertised for up to £850. The Parker-Hale 1200TX is a good bit cheaper. I want something I can use with aperture sights and a scope.
Why is the Musgrave expensive, and is it worth the extra?

[Gaz]

The Musgrave is a true target rifle action (i.e. it's a solid lump with a slot in the side to feed/extract cartridges) and still competitive with a decent barrel. The Parker Hale 1200TX is, for all functional purposes, a Model 1898 Mauser, a la German Army of the 20th century. They'll shoot OK with a good barrel, but there's precious few of them with original barrels on that still shoot straight. Like, for example, our club one, which struggles to hold the inner...

Go for the Musgrave. It's a stiffer action and it'll shoot straighter. If you do get a 1200TX, bear in mind that Norman Clarke bought all of Parker Hale's original barrel stock, so if you need a new pipe and want one that's correct for the rifle, he's the man to go to. They're going for about £400ish.

[Steve E]

If you want a rifle that you can use aperture sights and a 'scope on to shoot all distances go for a paramount/swing or musgrave.If you look on the notice board on the back of the Range office at Bisley there are often adverts for rifles for sale at quite often very reasonable prices. In fact there is a Paramount being advertised for under £800 that has a almost new barrel on it. You will have to buy a separate rifle specific rail for each of them. The actions should already be drilled and tapped for the fitment of a 'scope rail. The rails themselves are not cheap £150-£200, unless you can find a second hand one. Norman Clarke makes rails for the above rifle's and Fultons often have them as well.


Steve

[shugie]

Thanks for that information, it makes sense and I shall have a look at the notices in the Range Office when I next get to Bisley. Maybe the Paramount ad will still be there, although that does seem a lot more reasonable a price than what I was seeing on Saturday.

When looking at these rifles, what should I be looking at to determine their condition? I was told that there needs to be a sharp edge to the bore at the muzzle, are there obvious pointers to condition to be seen on, for example, the bolt?

[Steve E]

Shugie
Rifles are always cheaper when sold privately compared to dealers.
Buying a rifle from its owner, you can get a true idea of what usage the rifle has had, how many rounds the barrel has had through it, when it was fitted and by whom. Target rifle shooters tend to look after their rifles very well even if the stock finish often looks a bit tatty.
On Paramounts the bolt should close and open 'snugly but will often be tight to open on a fired case. Its a minor design flaw that has no impact on accuracy or reliability. (My Paramounts bolt is very tight to open on a fired case but causes me no concern).
Look at the locking lugs on the front of the bolt,( there are four) to check that there are no burrs or obvious signs of galling. Look at the cocking piece to ensure that the sear edge is straight and sharp. Cocking pieces can be replaced. If buying privately ask to test shoot the rifle preferably at 300, 600 and 1000 yds. Most sellers will be happy for you to do this, though you will probably have to pay for the target hire.
I am happy to let you have a go with my paramount (its not for sale) for you to get a feel of these rifles if we can find a date on the NRA Range Office Target.

Steve

[shugie]

Shugie
Rifles are always cheaper when sold privately compared to dealers.
Buying a rifle from its owner, you can get a true idea of what usage the rifle has had, how many rounds the barrel has had through it, when it was fitted and by whom. Target rifle shooters tend to look after their rifles very well even if the stock finish often looks a bit tatty.
On Paramounts the bolt should close and open 'snugly but will often be tight to open on a fired case. Its a minor design flaw that has no impact on accuracy or reliability. (My Paramounts bolt is very tight to open on a fired case but causes me no concern).
Look at the locking lugs on the front of the bolt,( there are four) to check that there are no burrs or obvious signs of galling. Look at the cocking piece to ensure that the sear edge is straight and sharp. Cocking pieces can be replaced. If buying privately ask to test shoot the rifle preferably at 300, 600 and 1000 yds. Most sellers will be happy for you to do this, though you will probably have to pay for the target hire.
I am happy to let you have a go with my paramount (its not for sale) for you to get a feel of these rifles if we can find a date on the NRA Range Office Target.

Steve

That would be excellent, no one in my club has one for me to try, I think there's a range office day towards the end of the month, morning of Sat 23rd June, 300/600 on Century, would that be any use for you? I've only just joined the NRA, so haven't yet used the Range office Target, so it would be good to see how well that works as well.

Hugh

[Steve E]

hi Shugie
Have to check my shift rosters for work so you may have to be patient for a while, I'll see what I can do. Checked the NRA notice board this PM and there is a Paramount advertised for £1250 ono and a Swing MK3 for £750 ono. I think that both adverts have been there since last years Imperial Mtg so the rifle may have gone but then again they may be available. Forgot to write down the contact numbers of the owners. Give the Range office a call and you may be able to get someone to pop round and get the contact details for you.

Steve

[olliecampbell]

Im planning on heading down to Bisley this weekend if you need anyone to take notice board advert pictures for you?

[shugie]

Im planning on heading down to Bisley this weekend if you need anyone to take notice board advert pictures for you?

Yes please, if you don't mind doing that. I was meant to be on Stickledown on Sunday but will actually be at Cheltenham racecourse for the Wychwood festival, the kids love it.

What sort of length are Swings/Paramounts and the like, my cabinet door aperture is 49", so anything a lot longer will be a challenge. Not to say I can't another cabinet at some point though.