Thread: BSA centrefire variants

Originally Posted by Mathias

I had a Viscount rebarreled by Steve Blenkarne of Truflite fame in 257 Roberts Imp, was my main hunting rifle for years and took most of my best trophies with it.

Had a few barrel jobs by Steve also after Tony passed on, had a 257 Imp chamber reamer which I sold recently to a local guy who did his own chambering.
257 Roberts was a favorite of mine, Tony Hawkins rebarrelled a Browning BAR in it for me.

Well I have a nothing-to-write-home-about CF2 in 222. The last gasp attempt by BSA (the CF2) to survive that most agree they got quite wrong. Nevertheless, while I am not keen on traipsing it around the hills it is beautifully made, slick except for the feed of the small cartridge which requires precision placement in the magazine, and deadly accurate. Paid $450 for it a couple of years ago with a Bushnell Banner scope on it. Not something I intend to part with. Will watch the thread with interest.

Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

Was that back in the days when he is was using Pacnor or once he started making his own.

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Mine was an Olympic barrel which he also imported from the US, shot really well.

A friend of mine has a .257 Roberts Viscount. Only one I've ever seen. Quite heavy. I had a 7x57 years ago which shot very well with 139gr. Hornady projectiles but needed a gun bearer to carry it. Gave it to my son to use.

Moderators - can you sticky this BSA thread for ready reference.

Originally Posted by Mathias

Here's the picture of the Viscount 7x57 for sale with original box and Pecar scope I might add. Now this box marked as Hunter could well have been how they were delivered to NZ and how most of us know them as BSA Hunters. I certainly knew them as that, as I had two uncles from that error, one was a Govt culler & the other a meat hunter on and off.
Attachment 178247

I should add that I did actually see in the flesh 20+ years ago a Viscount 308 in a red box like this, that the original owner showed me. Never had a scope fitted and had 6 rounds fired from the original Winchester ammo that came in yellow boxes in those days. I tracked it down about 10 years ago and he had given it to his son in law and it was in a bad state to say the least, box was gone.

Man that is a great way to advertise an old rilfle , Pecar scope and boxes as well , incredible…. I have’nt owned a BSA for a few years now but I used a 7 x 57 Viscount (always called it a Hunter model back in the day ) same as the one above for a long time , I did a stupid thing and had it restored and it lost all its charm so I sold it .
Had a 3006 Majestic for a while as well , lovely light stalking rifles , the ones with the muzzlebreak were not the best on the hearing though.

Here’s a add from American Rifleman Magazine in 1960 for BSA Majestics , 6 Lb 3 oz and a timber stock , thought it would be good info to have with this thread .

@Lucky good literature there. It supports what @Arthur McBride was saying in promoting the monarchy to the yanks with the Royal line. I see they were quoting the same weight for the Royal Featherweight as the Majestic. These rifles were way ahead of their time when it came to lightweight hunting rifles and I think it was all too new for the yanks that were so used to their 8+ lb rifles from Remington & Winchester, hence why I think the Monarch & CF2 went on to a burger & fries diet and gained a few lbs.

On a side note, the Monarch 1st pattern, which is essentially a Majestic with new trigger & heavier stock can be made into a fine rifle to be appreciated. I saw one that a talented stock maker gave a make over and whittled down the wood and reshaped it to be a 6.5lb rifle with lovely detail. Certainly a possibility to create again as there are a few original Monarch's appearing for sale a realistic prices.

I see a $12 adapter to use if you didnt want the loudener???? wonder just what they were??? I dont think loudeners were screwed on so ant adapter would have to go over it to block vents.....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I see a $12 adapter to use if you didnt want the loudener???? wonder just what they were??? I dont think loudeners were screwed on so ant adapter would have to go over it to block vents.....

They were a slip over shroud with a pinch bolt to clamp on the barrel, known as a range adaptor.

Had one, came on a Mini 14, didn't know the origin for many moons.

wonderful......pity browning didnt supply them with the early BOSS systems.... pretty sure the interaction with one of those started the tinitus ringing for me. they later supplied non ported ones....I recal trying coke can and insulation tape to one in .30/06 on range in PLPT to try and tame it....it simply blew it apart...we made fella shoot alone while we all retreated with earmuffs ...man that was LOUD.

@Mathias , yes I agree they were ahead of there time for a lightweight rifle , as you say most sporting rifles were 7 1/2 Pound bare or more , this thread has got me wanting one again now .....

Originally Posted by Lucky

@Mathias , yes I agree they were ahead of there time for a lightweight rifle , as you say most sporting rifles were 7 1/2 Pound bare or more , this thread has got me wanting one again now .....

Yeah I want at least two back that I sold

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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!