Kipplauf Club
- Thread starter conor_90
- Start date
I...am a worm...
Anyone who recognizes that reference and who knows the history of my Brno Effect may smile now.
But, sadly, it's true. I have anticipated using the Effect on a deer this year, and spent a lot of time monkeying around with scope mounts and loads, doing a bunch of shooting and generally treating this as though it's a once-in-a-lifetime Yeti-hunt in Tibet rather than the annual back-40 deer hunt. I was damned well going to lauf the kipp out of a big buck with the Brno come hell or high water and was champing at the bit to do so. I carried it every day, all day for the first ten days of the rifle season; I spotted a ginormous buck on day one; it was distant, moving fast and visible for only about 2 seconds, but I was and am convinced it was one of the biggest-bodied bucks and wearing just about the biggest rack I had ever seen in person.
And so began my descent into madness. Saw lots of little bucks I didn't want to shoot and a couple of nicer ones, but I was fixated on Mr.Big. It was nice to have that momentary glimpse, kept me honest day in and day out. The Brno rested comfortably in the blind with me mornings and evenings, and I usually went for a short still-hunting stroll with it mid-day. It handles delightfully, shoots wonderfully, and I like looking at it. I was ready and willing to use the set-trigger feature, having spent much time all summer practicing with it. I actually did so once on a coyote that spent too much time in front of me stinking up my favourite field. The gun was blooded.
It's not the perfect hunting rifle, at least not for me. The angle of the stock combined with the slippery metal buttplate makes it want to slide downward a bit too much on my shoulder if I don't concentrate on my hold; the geometry is just not quite perfect for me, and might be fine for some people. And I am still not certain about the height of the scope rings; higher rings would allow easier access to the opening lever, and I am still trying to decide if the higher cheekweld would be an acceptable trade-off. Not complaints, just observations, which I have no problem accepting.
Yesterday, I left the house in darkness as usual, but also in pouring rain. At the last moment, I decided to grab another rifle better suited for aquatic use; just couldn't see taking a "nice" gun out into that. Yep, sure enough...later in the day, after the rain had stopped, I saw a buck I decided I'd better not pass up, even though it wasn't Mr.Big. Just didn't have it in me to continue on for another week hoping for the same big deer to show up; I like nice deer, but I am limited to one tag in my area and I insist upon meat in the freezer; if I don't see a buck I like by the end of the season, I won't hesitate to shoot a doe and won't feel guilty at all. When I took my deer to the meat cutter, he showed me a buck hanging up that was taken not far from my place and might be The One. The carcass was immense; mine was a nice big deer and that one dwarfed it, so...I dunno. What's done is done, no second-guessing required.
So, I'll post this pic in the kipplauf thread because I think that technically it qualifies. The Apex is a nice-shooting gun, completely weatherproof, and I like it very much...but the Brno still needs to take a proper game animal. Maybe next year.
Anyone who recognizes that reference and who knows the history of my Brno Effect may smile now.
But, sadly, it's true. I have anticipated using the Effect on a deer this year, and spent a lot of time monkeying around with scope mounts and loads, doing a bunch of shooting and generally treating this as though it's a once-in-a-lifetime Yeti-hunt in Tibet rather than the annual back-40 deer hunt. I was damned well going to lauf the kipp out of a big buck with the Brno come hell or high water and was champing at the bit to do so. I carried it every day, all day for the first ten days of the rifle season; I spotted a ginormous buck on day one; it was distant, moving fast and visible for only about 2 seconds, but I was and am convinced it was one of the biggest-bodied bucks and wearing just about the biggest rack I had ever seen in person.
And so began my descent into madness. Saw lots of little bucks I didn't want to shoot and a couple of nicer ones, but I was fixated on Mr.Big. It was nice to have that momentary glimpse, kept me honest day in and day out. The Brno rested comfortably in the blind with me mornings and evenings, and I usually went for a short still-hunting stroll with it mid-day. It handles delightfully, shoots wonderfully, and I like looking at it. I was ready and willing to use the set-trigger feature, having spent much time all summer practicing with it. I actually did so once on a coyote that spent too much time in front of me stinking up my favourite field. The gun was blooded.
It's not the perfect hunting rifle, at least not for me. The angle of the stock combined with the slippery metal buttplate makes it want to slide downward a bit too much on my shoulder if I don't concentrate on my hold; the geometry is just not quite perfect for me, and might be fine for some people. And I am still not certain about the height of the scope rings; higher rings would allow easier access to the opening lever, and I am still trying to decide if the higher cheekweld would be an acceptable trade-off. Not complaints, just observations, which I have no problem accepting.
Yesterday, I left the house in darkness as usual, but also in pouring rain. At the last moment, I decided to grab another rifle better suited for aquatic use; just couldn't see taking a "nice" gun out into that. Yep, sure enough...later in the day, after the rain had stopped, I saw a buck I decided I'd better not pass up, even though it wasn't Mr.Big. Just didn't have it in me to continue on for another week hoping for the same big deer to show up; I like nice deer, but I am limited to one tag in my area and I insist upon meat in the freezer; if I don't see a buck I like by the end of the season, I won't hesitate to shoot a doe and won't feel guilty at all. When I took my deer to the meat cutter, he showed me a buck hanging up that was taken not far from my place and might be The One. The carcass was immense; mine was a nice big deer and that one dwarfed it, so...I dunno. What's done is done, no second-guessing required.
So, I'll post this pic in the kipplauf thread because I think that technically it qualifies. The Apex is a nice-shooting gun, completely weatherproof, and I like it very much...but the Brno still needs to take a proper game animal. Maybe next year.
Last edited:
It's a CVA Apex, which was that maker's attempt at getting a piece of the TC Encore market segment; a break-open single-shot exposed-hammer rifle that offered easily interchangeable barrels. A stainless/synthetic kipplauf; seems a bit oxymoronic, but it fits the definition otherwise, so...?
I've gotta say, I was heavily into the Encore system at one point, with only one receiver but about a dozen barrels, and I think the Apex is generally superior. The handling is far better IMHO , and I find the ergonomics, balance and overall appearance much better as well. The trigger is exceptionally crisp and light and it has a very effective recoil pad. I have barrels in .300WM and .50-cal muzzleloader, and both are shooters.
I don't think they made these for more than a few years, and they don't come up for sale that often. I bought it mainly for the centerfire barrel...I like single shots in general, and the idea of a stainless one for bad weather was enticing. I'd likely snap up a few extra barrels if they ever show up, but I've come to think of the easy take-down feature and compact portability of guns like this as being their main benefit. The problem with multi-caliber rifles for me is that they always seem to be in the wrong caliber at any given time. I leave the .300 barrel on this gun all the time; the muzzleloader barrel shoots at least as well as my go-to Knight KRB7 (which is blued) but I am getting lazy and will likely never go muzzleloader hunting in the rain again, so the blued gun is fine for me. The stainless Apex barrel is scoped, sighted-in and ready to go if I change that plan.
The Apex weighs in at about 8.5 pounds, scoped as shown with a 7x56 1-inch tubed Minox; no featherweight, but still not as porky as a Ruger #1. The gun came with the high scope mount shown, which allowed me to use the big-objective scope easily; kind of a waste, since there is no operating lever on the top of the tang that requires access. The gun opens by pulling upwards on the spur at the rear of the trigger guard. Lower rings would allow a much lower-mounted scope (with a smaller objective lens), but even as shown the stock allows for an excellent snug cheekweld. The hammer is threaded for the ambidextrous offset hammer spurs on each side, so there are no clearance problems with any scope.
Overall, a very nice, practical and versatile gun that I'm happy to have and use.
That's impressive; I would want iron sights, as well as a clean muzzle without those ridiculous threads...and is it just me or does that cocking/safety lever seem outlandishly bulky and massive on this graceful wand? Details...details...
But...imagine what a piece of art that could be in walnut and blue...
But...imagine what a piece of art that could be in walnut and blue...
The "petite" in 17 hmr through 5.6x50r magnum is quite a looker
I wish they had more info on their "kippblock" system. Looks like a tilting block with a massive dolls head
The lack of a full length picture of their non ti Kipp is a bit of a tease...
Love the round block action and how "simple" they look. I'm guessing the size of the co cking lever is "normal" for ease of use and the gun itself is simply much slimmer than the "lower end" options by blaser et al.
May need to impersonate a hapsburg count and ask them some questions
I wish they had more info on their "kippblock" system. Looks like a tilting block with a massive dolls head
The lack of a full length picture of their non ti Kipp is a bit of a tease...
Love the round block action and how "simple" they look. I'm guessing the size of the co cking lever is "normal" for ease of use and the gun itself is simply much slimmer than the "lower end" options by blaser et al.
May need to impersonate a hapsburg count and ask them some questions
Attachments
Last edited:
- Location
- Steel Town
John;
I have a proper Kozap mount and rings (1 inch and 30mm) I can give you. PM me later.
I have a proper Kozap mount and rings (1 inch and 30mm) I can give you. PM me later.
Never shot or owned a FAIR, they seem like very well made guns from the ones I've handled at gunshows. The gun nerd in me loves the tilting block, but they can surely take what is dished out in terms of pressure. The extra round held in the action is kind of fun too
I think CatintheHat was singing their praises earlier in the thread, and he certainly knows a thing or two about hunting with a single shot.
I think CatintheHat was singing their praises earlier in the thread, and he certainly knows a thing or two about hunting with a single shot.
