BSA bolt rifles

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Luthier 1

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Anyone else here have an interest in older BSA bolt rifles? I've had a few over the years, and they all shot extremely well. My 7X57 from the 1950s is still the most accurate centrefire I own, and the one piece that is likely to stay here 'til I'm humus.

Many modern shooters seem to confuse them with some of the less desirable Parker Hales, but there are lots of differences.

Although I've been fond of them for about 40 years I have yet to find one of the short action models which were apparently chambered in .22 Hornet and .222. I have had later Monarchs and Majestics in .222, but have yet to see one of the short actioned ealier 'Hunter' series.

Imperial Featherweights in 30-06 seem to be pretty common in Canada but the rest of the early stuff considerably harder to find.
 
Almost bought a CF2 in 222 from Tradex, but the beech stock was just too hideous...
Keep an eye there, they get some in from Europe from time to time.
 
Will do, thanks. I built a .338 on a CF2 magnum action years ago. Liked that action, but not as much as the older versions. I bought that action as a separate piece without barrel or stock. Fitted a Douglas tube in .338 and put the barreled action into a synth. stock to use as a foul weather rifle for moose. It shot where it looked, and in that synth. stock was surprisingly comfortable to shoot, but it lacked the old world charm of the early Hunters and Royals, not to mention the Brnos from the 50s.
 
I have one given to me from my grandpa. I'm not sure what model it is, but it's chambered in 7x57. I tried it with the ammo I got from him and had a few misfires so I kind of lost faith in it and haven't touched it since. I actually had it out of the safe last night and was thinking of having it checked out by a smith but it doesn't seem like something I want to spend a bunch of money on. It has more sentimental value than anything, but I should put it to work or pass it on.
 
I agree they're sweet rifles. Over the years I've had a number of pre-'64 Mod. 70s, mod. 54s, Rem 700s, a Kimber and a number of other highly regarded bolt rifles, but none of them put the old BSA Hunter in the shade for accuracy, reliability, fit and finish or appearance. For me they are suitable companions in the gun safe for the old Brno 21s, 22s and hornets.
Accurate information on them is tough to find. US authors seem to have little first hand knowledge of 'em and seldom present verifiable info about model changes.
I'm trying to figure out if the company did actually make a miniature action for the Hornet and 222, as several authors have claimed, or if those were just med. actions with the mag box blanked off short.
 
Luthier 1

I have the BSA Hunter you talked about , in .222 Rem. A fantastic rifle , with an integral muzzle brake .
It looks like a short K-98 action , with integral scope bases . Well made & finished .
From my records of Dec.- 2015 , I shot a 5 shot group into a 2" circle @ 300 yds. I used reloads with
Hornady 50 gr. V-max bullets & 21 gr. of IMR 4198 . Can't do that all the time , but close.
Across the road from my house I shot a coyote in the neck @ 200 yds. ( where it is zeroed at) . Did a good
job.
 
Im have a bsa cf2 in .308 my dad left me
Good accuracy but the stock need work i will for sure pass to my son in the future !
 
I've got a few of the CF-2 models with "mannlicher" stocks (243 and 22-250). I have a heavy barrel 243 as well as a standard in 308 that I'm looking for a stock and bits for.
I've had 2 of the early 222's, one a Hunter and the other a Monarch I believe.
All are/were well made.
 
Cooey 43

Can you please tell me how long that action is from the barrel to the end of the tang? I'd heard they put those vented barrels on the 222 and even the Hornet, which is a little puzzling, but you've confirmed it for me. Sounds like pretty much the same configuration as the Imperial Featherweights. Left side of the receiver on those is milled thinner to save weight. Bolt shroud is rounded vertically and the cocking piece is a flat blade on the early jobs. I would love to find one of those.
My first Beezer rifle was a Majestic in .222. Uglier stock, but it shot like a house on fire. I stupidly loaned that to a neighbouring farmer who was having trouble with wolves slaughtering his sheep. He left the rifle standing muzzle-up in a leaky shed and when I repossessed it a few months later the bore was badly pitted. Some folks should stick to slingshots!
 
Bustercluck;
If you get bored of harbouring that poor old Beezer please keep me in mind. Mine is the old version with schnabel forend and rounded bolt shroud. I converted it to 7X57 Ackley Improved years ago, and it compares favourably with the .280 Rem. with good hand loads. I would like a stock one as well.

The older CIL, Imperial loads for 7X57 were hotter than the majority of modern commercial offerings. I stil have a couple of boxes of 139 gr. Imperial on the shelf, rated at about 2,850 if I remember correctly, and those chronographed within about 20 fps of that data on the box, in spite of being at least 40 yrs old.

It's a very good round, but to get the best out of it you need to hand load. A lot of the modern fuel is downloaded in deference to older, low-pressure actions.
 
Kevan;
The 7X57 is a wonderful all 'round cartridge, overlooked for some reason by the majority of N.American shooters. You'll find that a number of knowledgeable, experience gunsmiths build themselves a 7X57 or it's offspring the .257 Roberts and there are good reasons for that.

My Beezer has been in 7X57 Ackley Improved for years and it's the most versatile tool in my safe. My deer load is 139 gr. at a modest 2,500 fps, although the rig will put them out at around 3,000. No point spoiling venison with high velocities, and you can only kill a whitetail so dead. It's rare to get a shot over 200 yards here, so there's no need pushing it faster. For moose a 160 gr. Partition at 2,800 is very effective, shoots flatter than the 30 cal rounds and is still easy on a geriatric shoulder.

Good luck with your hunt for a 7X57. I've just scored a 1950 Brno in that cartridge, and it's the first I've seen for sale in quite a while. For me the old Brnos and old BSAs are birds of a feather.
 
Luthier
My BSA , Hunter in .222 has a flat cocking piece also. The barrel measures ; from the muzzle 23 5/16" to
the front of the receiver . Overall barrel length would be that , plus the threads inside the receiver .
A person ( Bryan K. ) @ one of the 3 Clubs I belong to , also had one of these for sale lately . Not sure if he sold it ?
If you want me to track him down to see , then PM me & I will do that . His ( mine too) was in excellent original shape.
 
A buddy of mine has one I might be interested in but cant find a model number anywhere on it other than a C in front of the serial number, is there a special place to look for some model designation or some way to identify them. His is in 7x57
 
gunrunner100 said:
I've got a few of the CF-2 models with "mannlicher" stocks (243 and 22-250). I have a heavy barrel 243 as well as a standard in 308 that I'm looking for a stock and bits for.
I've had 2 of the early 222's, one a Hunter and the other a Monarch I believe.
All are/were well made.
Click to expand...

If you are ever done with that CF-2 Stutzen in .243Win I want it. I have the carbine in that calibre and it's a very good thing but I just fancy the Stutzen.
 
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