BSA Rifles

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corney

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I searched this and nothing came up so if its been beat to death forgive me.

I have a chance to buy a BSA 30-06 that appears to be in good shape for my Dad's 65th birthday. The price seems fair and I have never been around a BSA or known anyone that has had one.

Any thing good or bad about them.

I already have Tikkas, Rems and savages so I already have a opinion on those guns.
 
There are at least three distinctly different models of the BSA bolt action that I'm aware of. There may be more. First was the sporterized Enfields, some referred to as the Model C2 Sporter., then the Majestic models with Mauser style extractors, then the Monarch which resembles a Majestic but does not have the Mauser style extractor, and CF2 push feeds. I've owned the first two, the best in my opinion is the Mauser extractor style Majestic.
 
I actually own a BSA 30-06, which was passed onto me through my father. I've taken it out a bunch of times, and have never had a problem with it. It shoots quite well, and even has a muzzle brake built into the end of it to help with recoil management.

Looking on it, I can't find a model number or name. Just BSA 30/06, BNP, and Birmingham Small Arms Company - England.

If it's in good shape, and the price is right, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Check my last - I believe it's a variant of the BSA 'Majestic' series.
 
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Mike Webb said:
BSA mausers are good rifles, like most English guns.
Check the tang out well for cracks.
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I'm sorry I don't know what the tang is?

Thanks for the replies. The ironic part if they are enfields modified I borrowed my Dads sporterized 303 about 15 years ago and I haven't given it back. Now I'm looking at buying him a replacement.
 
The tang is the part of the stock right behind the action. You should unbolt the barreled action from the stock to get a proper look.
 
think P-19, my P-19 carries a BSA marking, upon disassembly some parts are marked Remington others winchester. This stems from building them from parts from various companies. Its an army gun.
Any good? The local gunsmith tells me if I ever decide to part with it he wants first dibbs. Weighs a ton built like a tank.
 
My uncle owns a later-model push-feed in .30-06, vintage about 1972. Very solid, well-built and accurate rifle. Pretty, too.
It is no lightweight; I'm guessing about 8.5 lbs scoped but balances very well. Last year I watched him shoot a deer through the heart, facing right at him at a hundred yards, offhand. He doesn't practice shooting much so I give the rifle some of the credit.
 
zebra26 said:
think P-19, my P-19 carries a BSA marking, upon disassembly some parts are marked Remington others winchester. This stems from building them from parts from various companies. Its an army gun.
Any good? The local gunsmith tells me if I ever decide to part with it he wants first dibbs. Weighs a ton built like a tank.
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WTF is a P19? There were P14 and M17 rifles, and 1919 Brownings and BARs. I don't recall any P19's though. - dan
 
dan belisle said:
Different type of Enfield. Think P14, not SMLE. - dan
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I stand corrected. When I think Enfield I think SMLE.

As someone mentioned this is a beautiful looking gun. I didn't notice if it was heavy or not. I will check the tang out as well now that I know what it is.
 
I have owned all three models. They're all very decent rifles. They made other rifles besides bolt actions by the way. Their Martini actions are great as well. So are their air rifles/pistols.

The Enfield based rifles are put together from parts. They most probably started life as complete rifles in as new condition. The one I had in 30-06 had original serial numbers on the barrel and receiver and a very nice BSA crest rolled onto the top of the receiver ring. The actions were d&t and extensively modified.

The CF 1 and CF 2 were different in bolt and trigger design. Feel free to correct this if wrong guys but from what I understand, the receivers were built in Yugoslavia. There was a now defunct mail order company in the US that also carried the same actions and called them J-9. They were available in different lengths as well.

As mentioned above, watch for tang cracks on CF1 and CF2 models. They actually start to crack at the front receiver lug screw and it carries back to the tang. When this happens, the rifle doesn't shoot well. It's an easy fix though and cheap. A bit of Gorilla Glue will cure it. Glass bedding is even a better fix. The reason for the cracks is a bone dry stock. BSA used a glued in, tapered wooden dowel pin, instead of a metal cross bolt. Cheaper, easier and attractive as well. When the rifle dries out and the glue crystalises, the dowel lets loose on one side or even falls out.

Other than this minor glitch, your father would be pleased to own such a fine rifle.
 
I'm pretty sure the Herter's J9 was a Danish made Schultz & Larsen action...which was also used by Weatherby for his first rifle using the large case.....378 and 460...
 
Rembo said:
I'm pretty sure the Herter's J9 was a Danish made Schultz & Larsen action...which was also used by Weatherby for his first rifle using the large case.....378 and 460...
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The Herters J9 was made in Yugoslavia by Zestava. It is basicly the same as the Interarms Mark X

The Herters U9 was a push-feed BSA action.

BTW None of the BSA sporters built in the '50's through the '70's were Mauser actions but rather what BSA referred to as an "Improved Mauser Type" just as the Winchester Model 70 is a "Mauser Type"
 
I have a BSA "hunter" with the mauser style extractor in 7x57. It is beautifully made and super slick. I would definatly reccomend one.
 
I have a couple of BSA P-17s.They are a good deal for someone wanting a P-17 for a project rifle,most of the work is already done. P-17s were made with parts being fully interchangable,and between the wars they were rebuilt using W,E, and R, parts as they came to hand. So finding one with all the same lettered parts is very rare.
 
Here is the heavy BSA they talk about. A couple of years ago I bought it for a grandson. The two grandsons have shot four deer with it, all one shot kills.
It is too heavy for my liking and I told the grandson that it would be OK with me if he wanted me to sell it for him and get him another, lighter rifle. I was answered with a, "No way, I like it."
It is accurate with a smooth action with quite a good trigger. I bedded it and sighted it in when he first got it and I don't think they have touched the scope setting since.
P1020396.jpg
 
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