BRNO ZH-300 Series - Best Multi-Cal Hunting Rifle Set?

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

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Hey Folks,

I'm on the hunt for a multi-generational piece that'll cover most hunting applications - deer, bear, pheasant, duck, grouse - without totally breaking the bank and I think I've landed on the BRNO ZH-300 series of rifles/shotguns. I know I need a set with at least two barrels, one being an O/U 12g with the other as a rifle cal over a 12g, but I'm not familiar with the European hunting cals. I'm leaning towards the ZH-308 with 8x57 JRS over 12g for the hunting barrel - any thoughts?

Also, anyone happen to own one of these or have a line on where I might find one?

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Intersurplus has quite a few. Finding a multi barrel set may be challenging though.

I have owned several of these over the years. They are cool but don’t really do anything “well”. What I mean by that is the rifle barrels, at least on mine, shot ok but don’t expect an MOA rifle. Also 2 of the 3 I owned the rifle barrel wasn’t regulated well with the shotgun barrel. One I owned regulated perfectly, shouldn’t have sold that one.

Also while they say the barrels should be interchangeable, I have bought barrels and the always required fitting by a gunsmith.
 
There is a nice three barrel set in 12/12 12/7*57 an 12/22hp for sale at a store Ontario. I believe 1200 was the ask. PM if interested.
 
Iam interested in finding a 7x57/7x57 ( or maybe a different caliber) barrel set for mine if anyone has info about one please give me a pm
 
turbo250 said:
Intersurplus has quite a few. Finding a multi barrel set may be challenging though.

I have owned several of these over the years. They are cool but don’t really do anything “well”. What I mean by that is the rifle barrels, at least on mine, shot ok but don’t expect an MOA rifle. Also 2 of the 3 I owned the rifle barrel wasn’t regulated well with the shotgun barrel. One I owned regulated perfectly, shouldn’t have sold that one.

Also while they say the barrels should be interchangeable, I have bought barrels and the always required fitting by a gunsmith.
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I don't typically hunt with an MOA rifle anyways, so I'm okay with "minute of deer" within 100m. What's most important to me is to have a set that'll be long-lived and capable of filling almost any role, even if it does require some gunsmith fitting of new barrels. I can't seem to find a better option.
 
I looked up and down for one in 8x57 IRS to match my single shot and never found one in Canada. All I ever see are 7x57 r and 22 hp on intersurplus.

Disappointed to hear they are sometimes poorly regulated
 
conor_90 said:
I looked up and down for one in 8x57 IRS to match my single shot and never found one in Canada. All I ever see are 7x57 r and 22 hp on intersurplus.

Disappointed to hear they are sometimes poorly regulated
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I haven’t seen an 8mm either, but I’d honestly be fine with the 7mm. Not sure how much difference there really is..?
 
Not much, I just wanted to use the same components in 2 rifles

Never seen a double rifle or barrel of one either.
 
SeamusMac said:
I haven’t seen an 8mm either, but I’d honestly be fine with the 7mm. Not sure how much difference there really is..?
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There's enough difference between 7x57 and 8x57 to warrant owning both! ;). Some of my Norma and S&B factory loaded ammo is pushing 196 gr projectiles in excess of 2800 ft lbs of muzzle energy. 7x57 does not have quite that much authority.
 
The Kurgan said:
There's enough difference between 7x57 and 8x57 to warrant owning both! ;). Some of my Norma and S&B factory loaded ammo is pushing 196 gr projectiles in excess of 2800 ft lbs of muzzle energy. 7x57 does not have quite that much authority.
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I believe the combo guns are using 7x57R, and 8x57R. Both being downloaded to not overpower the break open action. I have a BRNO 305 7x57R over 12 gauge. Took it Caribou hunting, never shot at any Caribou, but did harvest 4 grouse and 1 ptarmagan with the 12 gauge
 
I guess the 7x57 and 8x57 Rimmed variants are often similar to the softer factory 7mm Mauser and 8mm Mauser loads, which makes sense. Those older Brno combination guns are a whole lot of value, especially if found in a more desirable centerfire rifle chamberings with good bores.
 
I have one in 12 / 12 and 12 / 7x57. Never use the 12 ga. barrels but I do use the combo every year to harvest my deer. It's very handy to be able to carry one gun and hunt both big game and birds at the same time. Great for packing on the horse or in the truck. I find the LOP a bit short but other than that it shoots both barrels where you point them. Off the bench I can shoot 3 shots into 1 1/2" consistantly @ 100 yds.
I have a second combo in a Tikka. 12ga. over 222. This is my truck gun after hunting season. Great combo for keeping all the pests at bay.
 
I have one to, 7x57r over 12 and 12 over 12 they are great imo, but you won’t be shooting waterfowl with steel shot in them, all 3 shotgun barrels are full choke and I couldn’t find anyone to modify them to accept steel shots!
I really like mine for walking around in the bush looking for moose when there is also chances of running into grouse!
 
I’ve got a ZH 305 in 5.6x52r (22 Savage HP) over 12 ga. This is the one that is cheap to find. This one doesn’t sell as well as it takes .228 diameter projectiles. Brass is easy enough to make though as you simply neck down 25-35 brass. Worked great for me. My gun shoots one MOA with the right loads and cool barrels. The 12 gauge is regulated well with birdshot but I haven’t found a slug that regulates well… I haven’t really tried many though. Most of these European combos used the classic brenneke slug. Mine is a modified choke but I have tried steel shot in it. They are heavy guns but the action is super strong which is why they can put the rifle barrel on top unlike a lot of other combos where the rifle is on the bottom.

I have owned and sold a Antoni Zoli combo in 12/7x57r. It worked well and was much lighter. When I picked up my first German drilling, I didn’t need the Zoli anymore. Don’t overlook them though for a pretty good priced combo gun that is a little lighter to carry.

The cream is still going to be the German or Austrian combos though. They have been perfecting this style of gun for over 120 years.

In regards to calibers, I’d go with the 7x65R over the 7x57r. About 200fps and pretty easy to find components in Canada. I took my whitetail with my Sauer drilling in 16x16 over 7x65R this year. It is almost a ballistic twin to the 280 Remington vs the 7x57 being the twin to the 7mm-08.

Bottom line, by the BRNO ZH 300 gun! For $500 bucks for the 5.6x52R how could you go wrong. When the surplus of these guns fry up people will be looking for these well built beauties. It’s a perfect all round coyote gun with the 22HP on top and 12 ga with buckshot on the bottom!

Once you go down the road of European combo guns and drillings…. You are in trouble;)

Have fun. You only live once.
 
The Kurgan said:
I guess the 7x57 and 8x57 Rimmed variants are often similar to the softer factory 7mm Mauser and 8mm Mauser loads, which makes sense. Those older Brno combination guns are a whole lot of value, especially if found in a more desirable centerfire rifle chamberings with good bores.
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rimmed were a little less hot to protect of course the action of those combination even double rifle ... even the 9.3x74r as a way less pressure than the hot 9.3x62 luckily the brass is longer so they can add some powder with no risks. the worst in break in action for the caliber was the 7x65r and 30r if your action was weak you knew it fast ...

other than that yes the brno have a very good value and for a reason great action.
 
DGY said:
I have one to, 7x57r over 12 and 12 over 12 they are great imo, but you won’t be shooting waterfowl with steel shot in them, all 3 shotgun barrels are full choke and I couldn’t find anyone to modify them to accept steel shots!
I really like mine for walking around in the bush looking for moose when there is also chances of running into grouse!
Click to expand...

in the old days nobody cared about steel. there is a chance you can find a subtsitute to the steel for your brno. check with the shotgun area of the forum some may chime in to help you.
 
fuzzy39 said:
I’ve got a ZH 305 in 5.6x52r (22 Savage HP) over 12 ga. This is the one that is cheap to find. This one doesn’t sell as well as it takes .228 diameter projectiles. Brass is easy enough to make though as you simply neck down 25-35 brass. Worked great for me. My gun shoots one MOA with the right loads and cool barrels. The 12 gauge is regulated well with birdshot but I haven’t found a slug that regulates well… I haven’t really tried many though. Most of these European combos used the classic brenneke slug. Mine is a modified choke but I have tried steel shot in it. They are heavy guns but the action is super strong which is why they can put the rifle barrel on top unlike a lot of other combos where the rifle is on the bottom.

I have owned and sold a Antoni Zoli combo in 12/7x57r. It worked well and was much lighter. When I picked up my first German drilling, I didn’t need the Zoli anymore. Don’t overlook them though for a pretty good priced combo gun that is a little lighter to carry.

The cream is still going to be the German or Austrian combos though. They have been perfecting this style of gun for over 120 years.

In regards to calibers, I’d go with the 7x65R over the 7x57r. About 200fps and pretty easy to find components in Canada. I took my whitetail with my Sauer drilling in 16x16 over 7x65R this year. It is almost a ballistic twin to the 280 Remington vs the 7x57 being the twin to the 7mm-08.

Bottom line, by the BRNO ZH 300 gun! For $500 bucks for the 5.6x52R how could you go wrong. When the surplus of these guns fry up people will be looking for these well built beauties. It’s a perfect all round coyote gun with the 22HP on top and 12 ga with buckshot on the bottom!

Once you go down the road of European combo guns and drillings…. You are in trouble;)

Have fun. You only live once.
Click to expand...

Seeing a 12/7x57R Zoli went for $887 - not bad! I really do want the option to have 2x 12g barrels for bird hunting though and those drilling rifles are are a bit north of what I'd like to be spending. Still VERY cool.

Found a Marocchi 12g/7x65R for $1400, but again, wanting those double 12's.

medvedqc said:
in the old days nobody cared about steel. there is a chance you can find a subtsitute to the steel for your brno. check with the shotgun area of the forum some may chime in to help you.
Click to expand...

Bismuth maybe..? IIRC the waterfowl regs specify “no lead”. Probably not gonna be used for that very often anyways.
 
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The Marocchi 512 is traced back to the Valmet 412. I have a Velmet 412 with a set of 9.3x74r/9.3x74r barells, 30-06/30-06, 12/12 and 12/5.6x52R. The match perfectly with no Gunsmithing. Apparently the old Valmet and then Tikka barrels will fit the Marrochi but not sure. The marocchi has an aluminum receiver vs the steel of the Valmet so it’s cheaper. I picked it up mainly for the double rifle abilities but found the shotgun barrels to point and swing quite nice.
 
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