Nikula 3-12x42 Illuminated Reticule Riflescope -info? Rifle ID?

Bought a rifle that came with a Nikula 3-12x42 Illuminated Reticule Riflescope, I believe made in China. A quick google search shows Nikula optics comprising mostly of monocular spotting devices etc. I don't have great expectations of it and certainly did not buy the rifle for the scope lol. Just wondering if anyone has experience of the brand. Is it worth spending time with or just replace it it with a known qty? Yes I will go sight the rifle in on the range with it - its on a 270Win. The whole rig looks like it has done no hunting or field work.

The rifle is a M98 (I think) Mauser action CAL 270Win in a Ramline Synthetic Stock. The only info stamped anywhere is on the barrel stating the calibre and then a line with the serial no. and some stamps.
The action looks very much like an Interarms M98 Zastava manufactured action I have. I know Zastava supplied actions as an OEM product to a variety of arms makers. This one has the level of finish and dark bluing that is very like what you would expect of Birmingham gunmakers like Interarms etc. Any further ID welcome.

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Try some very cheap ammo thru it,see how it goes for recoil and accurancy.Depends wether you want to shoot to 100 yds or 300yds.

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Originally Posted by Trout

Try some very cheap ammo thru it,see how it goes for recoil and accurancy.Depends wether you want to shoot to 100 yds or 300yds.

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Reloads I've made are cheapest I have lol. Tomorrow is the day (if its not pissing with rain- again) will let you know...

Im not expert but sometimes that thumb cut out was usually on military actions?

The little squiggly bit partly overstamped could be a Spanish mark. Santa Barbara made actions for commercial sales so did fn amongst others. The cutout and modified safety don't necessarily mean a repurposed action. Either way the action is a good solid one, I wonder if it's control or push feed not that any if this is relevant to a discussion on the scope

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

The little squiggly bit partly overstamped could be a Spanish mark. Santa Barbara made actions for commercial sales so did fn amongst others. The cutout and modified safety don't necessarily mean a repurposed action. Either way the action is a good solid one, I wonder if it's control or push feed not that any if this is relevant to a discussion on the scope

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The extractor engages the case rim and holds it on pickup from the magazine hence a controlled feed.

Also may be of interest, it has a fixed magazine floor. No apparent means of dropping floor plate to unload.

It has a military safety on the rear of the bolt too. Looks like a Parker-Hale / Santa Barbara post WW2 action in a modern stock Should shoot fine but will be heavy to carry.

Can't tell from pics but didnt the SB actions use a trigger mounted safety?

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

The little squiggly bit partly overstamped could be a Spanish mark. Santa Barbara made actions for commercial sales so did fn amongst others. The cutout and modified safety don't necessarily mean a repurposed action. Either way the action is a good solid one, I wonder if it's control or push feed not that any if this is relevant to a discussion on the scope

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Title says id rifle? The bolt release is the same as a parkerhale Ive got with that different coloured steel bit in it

Well I took it to the range today, had some other biz to conduct so it was last cab off the rank. I bought it at Ted's Auction on Sunday. Shot it today off a makeshift bench rest (front rest only), not sandbags, and only at 50m..so not exactly a range test according to Hoyle. I loaded the 4 rounds at the range with a Lee hand press from fired brass, so FL resized and decapped, Length gauged, chamfered, and loaded. 130gn Hdy Interlock SPs over 52gn Alliant 2700. Pretty excited at result. I changed nothing from collecting rifle post auction. Trigger is like a touch of around 2.5lbs and bang! No creep, no take-up, no grittiness. Average of four shots a tad under 3150fps.

Here's the group. Centre one is the first shot, cold bore.

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The real test will be at 100, 200 and 300m - but I'm hopeful.

150gn Sierra TMKs will be following, if I ever manage to find some.

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Originally Posted by sportco62

It has a military safety on the rear of the bolt too. Looks like a Parker-Hale / Santa Barbara post WW2 action in a modern stock Should shoot fine but will be heavy to carry.

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I have not weighed it but feels much the same as my Interarms Mk X in 7x57mm with 21in barrel and DPT can. This one has a full 24in barrel and a looong Gunworks suppressor- but has a nice balance. But your correct, not the lightest of rifles in the hills.

Id be happy with a first group like that

Nice,Those lee whackamoke loaders make bloody good ammunition

Dead deer with that group.

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Nice,Those lee whackamoke loaders make bloody good ammunition

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They do but actually I was using the Lee hand press and a old set of Lyman Rifleman dies that came to me for zip with a bent decapping shaft and broken size button. $30 and a couple of weeks waiting to get the new bits from Reloaders, a good clean and a polish, freed the lock rings up and put a lead shot under the grub screws and they are like new. Love old stuff that works.

Here's the handpress at the clubhouse table with Lee 44-40 dies installed.

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