Thread: BSA centrefire variants

Mathias

Your Posts are extremely interesting. For one, they have finally cleared up for me the ongoing (global) confusion about the BSA 'Hunter' models of the 1950's. Technically speaking, the only 'Hunter' models were the short action .222 and .22 Hornet models with 'Hunter' stamped on the outer chamber. However, your .220 Swift is the FIRST non .222 or .22 Hornet I have ever seen so stamped 'Hunter' by BSA. I would therefore suggest yours is a VERY rare Rifle!

Also, your Viscount Box labelled 'Hunter' (which I have also never seen before) 100% proves that the old timers on this Forum are right - i.e. throughout the 1950s ALL of the BSA centrefire Rifles of whatever calibre WERE called 'Hunters'. They may not have been stamped 'Hunter', but they were called 'Hunters'. It's great to have this FINALLY clarified.

I don't pretend to know everything about older BSA Rifles, but I do know quite a bit and can talk about them all day!! :-)

My current BSA Collection includes all original, mint .222 and .22 Hornet stamped 'Hunters', original mint Viscount/Regent Featherweights in .243 and 30-06, and a very interesting and original 1956 7x57 Viscount/Regent from South Africa which in its life has taken a LOT of big game out there.

SARVO sold an unfired, 100% mint US-market .222 Hunter on this Forum 2-3 years back, and I regret not buying it.

The older BSAs were generally excellent, accurate and beautiful Rifles, which is why the NZ Cullers blew most of their original barrels out! In fact, I think the main reason the NZ Cullers eventually moved to the Sako Vixen as a preferred shooter was its slight weight advantage (although it was/is also incredibly accurate), and because the Hunters had been so thrashed!

Originally Posted by Copelli

Mathias

Your Posts are extremely interesting. For one, they have finally cleared up for me the ongoing (global) confusion about the BSA 'Hunter' models of the 1950's. Technically speaking, the only 'Hunter' models were the short action .222 and .22 Hornet models with 'Hunter' stamped on the outer chamber. However, your .220 Swift is the FIRST non .222 or .22 Hornet I have ever seen so stamped 'Hunter' by BSA. I would therefore suggest yours is a VERY rare Rifle!

Also, your Viscount Box labelled 'Hunter' (which I have also never seen before) 100% proves that the old timers on this Forum are right - i.e. throughout the 1950s ALL of the BSA centrefire Rifles of whatever calibre WERE called 'Hunters'. They may not have been stamped 'Hunter', but they were called 'Hunters'. It's great to have this FINALLY clarified.

I don't pretend to know everything about older BSA Rifles, but I do know quite a bit and can talk about them all day!! :-)

My current BSA Collection includes all original, mint .222 and .22 Hornet stamped 'Hunters', original mint Viscount/Regent Featherweights in .243 and 30-06, and a very interesting and original 1956 7x57 Viscount/Regent from South Africa which in its life has taken a LOT of big game out there.

SARVO sold an unfired, 100% mint US-market .222 Hunter on this Forum 2-3 years back, and I regret not buying it.

The older BSAs were generally excellent, accurate and beautiful Rifles, which is why the NZ Cullers blew most of their original barrels out! In fact, I think the main reason the NZ Cullers eventually moved to the Sako Vixen as a preferred shooter was its slight weight advantage (although it was/is also incredibly accurate), and because the Hunters had been so thrashed!

Hugh Bradley, Stager Sports had many early BSA spare parts a few years ago. Remember him stating he had a Viscount 7x57 with "Hunter" on the action. Only one I.ve heard of.

Got a BSA CF2 270 coming in the mail as we speak. Its my first rifle so excited to get my hands on it. Interesting reading about a bit of the history of the BSA rifles

Here is what I use in BSA's today.
1&2 243 Majestic, well worn, my everyday rifle.
3&4 223 Hunter, MAB 1-10 stainless barrel all cerecoated.
5&6 222 Hunter medium weight barrel, has no bolt so shares with .223. Was rebarreled in England before purchased so know little about it.

Excellent, reliable Shooters tetawa - the 223 Hunter is particularly interesting, and nice.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Here is what I use in BSA's today.
1&2 243 Majestic, well worn, my everyday rifle.
3&4 223 Hunter, MAB 1-10 stainless barrel all cerecoated.
5&6 222 Hunter medium weight barrel, has no bolt so shares with .223. Was rebarreled in England before purchased so know little about it.

What make are the mounts on the bottom photo ? We bit high but look to fit the dovetails

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

What make are the mounts on the bottom photo ? We bit high but look to fit the dovetails

They are Sportmatch from Gunworks, like Parker Hale only come in 2 heights so anything scope wise over 40mm objective forces you into the highs.

Originally Posted by tetawa

They are Sportmatch from Gunworks, like Parker Hale only come in 2 heights so anything scope wise over 40mm objective forces you into the highs.

Cheers tetawa, I went to Gunworks and asked about the Sportmatch as I have a set on a 22. They told me that Sportmatch only come in 15mm.
I thought that I could machine a slice off some standard dovetails and screw + loctite those onto the BSA dovetails to bring them up to a standard height and thickness then use the leupold PRW rings.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Cheers tetawa, I went to Gunworks and asked about the Sportmatch as I have a set on a 22. They told me that Sportmatch only come in 15mm.
I thought that I could machine a slice off some standard dovetails and screw + loctite those onto the BSA dovetails to bring them up to a standard height and thickness then use the leupold PRW rings.

Was thinking of machining down an old set of PH rings ( bottom half) then fitting a picatinny rail to them, easier to fit a night vision to the rail.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Cheers tetawa, I went to Gunworks and asked about the Sportmatch as I have a set on a 22. They told me that Sportmatch only come in 15mm.
I thought that I could machine a slice off some standard dovetails and screw + loctite those onto the BSA dovetails to bring them up to a standard height and thickness then use the leupold PRW rings.

For reference, BRNO 600 & 601 rings fit the BSA dovetails once you machine off the recoil lug on the rear ring set. I have a set of Aussie Hilver rings that I did that to for my 222 Hunter. Another option to consider.

These old Kowa 4x scopes were good as well , as you can see it has been well used but glass still clear , Parker Hale mounts

Originally Posted by Lucky

These old Kowa 4x scopes were good as well , as you can see it has been well used but glass still clear , Parker Hale mounts
Attachment 178557

Got a very nice 4x one of those with slightly fatter sniper reticle with ph rings and several sets of bases from red rover (rip) last year. Good price too
Havent shot through it yet though

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...ing/3261320880

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...ing/3261320880

Looks very nice, when last advertised he stated that came from BSA factory without checkering, seemed unusual.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Looks very nice, when last advertised he stated that came from BSA factory without checkering, seemed unusual.

I very much doubt that