Budget European express/combo/singleshot rifles

dgradinaru

dgradinaru

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I'm in the market for a European budget express, single shot, or combo gun and have been looking around for something 3000$ and under. As this will be my first time buying such a type of rifle, I need some advice, opinions, and facts to get my homework finished before committing to a purchase.

I have come across the New CZ BRNO express rifles available in 8x57JRS, 30R Blaser, and 9.3x74R. Does anyone know if they have reached North American shores or they will have to be special order? Does anyone have one they can share some insight on them? I'm really attracted to the stock design and new improved design compared to their old design.

https://www.czub.cz/en/produkty/kulovnice/brno-rifles/brno-express.html


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I also saw that Merkel has a budget brand Haenel Jaeger which produces the model 9 single shot which is similar to the Merkel k3 except that its very plain, which is okay for me.

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Prophet River has a FAIR k500 deluxe single shot in 7x65R, which I have also been considering. Its fair priced and looks like quality is pretty good. I have found very little information on the brand and model of this rifle, anyone know anything about it?

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Last but not least, Trade Ex Canada has Verney Carron rifles in 8x57JRS/12guage, and in 9.3x74r readily available to order.

https://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/verney-carron-sagittaire-xs-double-rifle-8x57-jrs


For cartridges I'm set on 8x57JRS and 7x65R. I Don't need a 9.3x74r as I have a Ruger #1 in that chambering.

Any opinions, information, and guidance is welcomed.
 
Since you already have a 9.3x74 then I'd go the 7x65 route. Gives you more bullet selection, flatter shooting, longer range.
 
There is the FAIR combi deluxe sold by Bilozir guns here in Canada.Also my Canadian tire has a nice Brno K 1 in 308 for 700, I ve been looking at that one myself for a while.
 
A Brno at Canadian tire? Odd indeed.

Blaser makes a nice single shot stalking rifle also. Probably worth checking out. Not sure about price range for that though.
 
I own many of the BRNO rifles including some nice older 500 series. The old style is generally heavy as all BRNOs were. They work very very well though. They had fixed bbls (the doubles). They are very accurate. AS always I am a believer in the rimmed rounds for these rifles as the extraction is more positive. My 500s include 9.3 x74 and .375HH. I particularly like the set double triggers on these.

I also have a new "800" series in 8x57R. I bought it from the previous importer to Canada (who had to special order it). I do not think he does that anymore with the advent of IRG type "dealers" and the fact that no one really is a designated importer much anymore.

The new design is more boxlike and the receiver is not an expensive machined piece as the 500 series. The front of one bbl of a double has a cone set screw design that one can adjust for point of impact. The bbls are not joined throughout the length as in the 500 series. It has a nice long LOP which I like. Euro guns tend to have longer LOP I notice.

It does shoot well once you get it set up the way you want it. Double set trigger still. I prefer the double triggers as that is how they were built for decades. You want the choice of a bbl. I also find a single trigger tends to have a few more issues. Just my experience.

I also have a "new" BRNO Effect in 30-06 single bbl. It is the same new construction as the 800, but it is a very good strong rifle. It can shoot moa or less but not in sustained fire.

I have a BRNO K1 (they are not by BRNO or CZ but another company that bought the patterns from CZ) in 7x57R and it is like the Effect but not quite as good quality. The front sling swivel tightness can affect the accuracy. It can be finicky for accuracy with a short bbl like that, but I did make it shoot well by isolating the swivel (techniques from the HR break action crowd). I would not call it "not vey good quality". I bought it new from P&D before they stopped being able to get them. For the $650 odd dollars I thought it was a fine rifle.

Going back to compare to an old half stocked BRNO 100 series I have in 30-06, they are better machined, and the action is more of a solid machined piece of steel and the hanger for the fore-end just works better. That rifle is better that the Effect in steel and wood quality. It can shoot like a laser. It cost me about $200 about 10 years ago. They are wonderful single shot rifles. I wish it was a a rimmed round.

To summarize, the "new" BRNO series have a different manufacturing process for the "box" receiver, non-joined bbls, adjustable at the end bbl in the double series but they work well and are borderline reasonably priced. They can shoot very well but take some work to load for them. They extract well and have not broken down on me yet.

The old series are wonderful examples of fine, old Czech machining, but heavy and strong, fused bbls on the doubles with load development being your regulator, and they keep working. They are among my keeper rifles and have proven themselves over and over again, some in dangerous game situations. I trust them.

I did write a comment about these in the past here, maybe with pictures (through photobucket LOL).
I like all the BRNO/ CZ line ups- so I am prejudiced.

I have also shot the FAIR singles, and they are great rifles as well. Stay with the rimmed rounds for less heartache as the extractor may just slip over a rebated or conventional rim of a 30-06. The 9.3x74R is the best round ever for these type of rifles in my mind. It can kill at 250-300 m but you do not want to do that everyday with a break action.

Also, crimp your rounds as you do not want the bullet in the off bbl sliding forward bit by bit till the thing jams on you.
 
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Hitzy said:
Since you already have a 9.3x74 then I'd go the 7x65 route. Gives you more bullet selection, flatter shooting, longer range.
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Its not so much of needing a flatter shooting cartridge as I have many bolt guns in flat shooting platforms. Its more of Want over need. 7x65R and 8x57JRS are the cartridges I'm interested in. Both capable of being good 300 yard guns.

Does anyone know who a good CZ distributor to order from:confused:
 
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medvedqc said:
i was thinking a budget express rifle coming from Europe will be a Baikal ...
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I'm thinking that the $1500 Zoli 12 over 7x57R would be pretty much perfect. $1500 for a stackbarrel anything is a pretty good deal.

TradeEx also has a Blaser 95 in 12 over 308 for just a tick over the OP's $3K limit.
 
If you can find a CZ/BRNO 500 series combo, pick it up, there solid and very accurate!
I have 500 series in 308/12ga, the metal work is very tightly fitted, the wood is OK, checkering sucks for the money spent on this firearm. The open rear sight needs a redisign for sure, but a scope mount is a must, and only add $100 to the cost of the package.
The CZ 300 series I also like as the wood is much better on these in general, solid design and proven with thousands sold allover the world.
Good luck on your search!
Dale Z
 
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