OK M98 experts, which is better? Husqvarna or BRNO?
- Thread starter rci2950
- Start date
Hmmm - I'm not particularly familiar with the earlier Brno's, but the later ZKK's had some really nice features such as the pop-up peep site and the set trigger. I have some of the earlier Huskies based upon the 1896 action and the FN action. I dont have much motivation for the 1600 series, they seem to be an attempt at cost saving over the Supreme actions...
A brno 21 could be called many things but clubby has never come to mind. You sure it was a 21 not a vz24? The 21 in my mind is one of the finest stocking rifles ever made. Its trim, light, with quality machining, and beautiful lines. I have owned a few, I still have a 6.5x57 round reciever and a 7x57 square bridge. Always looking for a 7x64!
Brad
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
There's something about wood and blued steel that tupperware and stainless just don't do for me...
Of the ones mentioned in this thread, Husqvarna, BSA and Parker-Hale are familiar to me, and they are all excellent choices.
Of the ones mentioned in this thread, Husqvarna, BSA and Parker-Hale are familiar to me, and they are all excellent choices.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
I see a lot of confusion on here about what is the "1600" vs the SM 98...
First off, HVA only got the '94/96 patent liscence, so they could not make a "real" '98.
They used the patented features of the '94/96, which means; the breeching system, incuding the barrel shank, the staggered magazine box, the claw extractor, the small front ring design and bolt head shape design.
They added a modified ejector/ bolt lock, slim bolt release lever, they moved the ejector slot so it won't cut the left lug in half, they added a third bolt lug, they streamlined the bolt shroud (3 years later, FN will follow the same shape for their Supreme line), they used a hinged floorplate, and a side thumb activated safety. The bolt was modified to better handle any escaping gas from a case failure. Then, they used forged modern alloyed steel for the receivers, instead of the low carbon almost pure forged and surface hardened steel used for both the '94/96 and '98 used from the 1800 up to these days of the '50s.
The '98 have a different breeching system, the Brno uses the "C" type, FN developped the "H" type around 1947-48.
Theoricaly, the '98 is supposed to handle free escaping gases better than the "1600", ut in practice, the "1600" proved to handle it very easily too, and it's much better than the '94/96 does.
So, wich is better between the Brno 22/22 and the "1600" ? Having used both for decades, I can say, none, but one may don't like the double set trigger used on the vast majority of the Brno.
First off, HVA only got the '94/96 patent liscence, so they could not make a "real" '98.
They used the patented features of the '94/96, which means; the breeching system, incuding the barrel shank, the staggered magazine box, the claw extractor, the small front ring design and bolt head shape design.
They added a modified ejector/ bolt lock, slim bolt release lever, they moved the ejector slot so it won't cut the left lug in half, they added a third bolt lug, they streamlined the bolt shroud (3 years later, FN will follow the same shape for their Supreme line), they used a hinged floorplate, and a side thumb activated safety. The bolt was modified to better handle any escaping gas from a case failure. Then, they used forged modern alloyed steel for the receivers, instead of the low carbon almost pure forged and surface hardened steel used for both the '94/96 and '98 used from the 1800 up to these days of the '50s.
The '98 have a different breeching system, the Brno uses the "C" type, FN developped the "H" type around 1947-48.
Theoricaly, the '98 is supposed to handle free escaping gases better than the "1600", ut in practice, the "1600" proved to handle it very easily too, and it's much better than the '94/96 does.
So, wich is better between the Brno 22/22 and the "1600" ? Having used both for decades, I can say, none, but one may don't like the double set trigger used on the vast majority of the Brno.
I really like a good Mauser '98 and I have had wonderful results with Huskies that used the FN actions. There was a time that I mostly pursued pre-64 model 70s but eventually I totally switched over to FN 98s except for one pre-64 in .300 H&H that I kept. I have never had a Husky that didn't shoot well and I have always found them to have a "slick" feel and good balance. The only issue is a comb shape to the stock that is not ideal for even a low mounted scope. I wish there was an affordable option for quality bottom metal with a hinged floor plate. The Bruno is a great rifle too but I have never owned one of my own. I would love to someday have a wonderful old full stock rifle in 6.5x55 or 7x57. Some of them were built so slim and would be a sweet rifle.
How about sort of the best of both worlds?
A Scandinavian Mauser 98 rifle:
The TAP66, this one a 30-06 built on a Brno VZ24 receiver.
Made by Tampereen Asepaia in Tampere, Finland 1966-67.
Nicer than any of the Husqvarna or Sako rifles built on the FN98 action (and I have owned plenty of those).
A Scandinavian Mauser 98 rifle:
The TAP66, this one a 30-06 built on a Brno VZ24 receiver.
Made by Tampereen Asepaia in Tampere, Finland 1966-67.
Nicer than any of the Husqvarna or Sako rifles built on the FN98 action (and I have owned plenty of those).
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These might fit... I'll check later, have one on a PH and a few FN98 here to try it out on.
https://www.tradeexcanada.com/conte...ial-m98-engraved-trigger-guard-assembly-blued
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I've had a few Brno 21 /22 rifles, and like them a lot. I have only owned one Husqvarna 1640 featherweight, and it was excellent.
Features in favour of the Brno rifles are the integral scope bases, bolt stop & extractor system, rugged and good looking sights and precision stock inletting. Overall build quality is consistently excellent. Their flaws are a fixed floor plate, double set triggers and a safety that does not lock the bolt and pivots up towards the scope. Bolt itself is good if the round knob, but causes scope fit issues if butterknife version. Limited to metric cartridges if that matters.
Features in favour of the 1640 is good overall design for scope use, (stock, safety and bolt handle) and made in more common chamberings. Sights are very basic, floor plate is aluminum, stock inletting begs for glass bedding. many crack at the tang if bedding is not taken care of. Trigger has been mentioned already.
For a good value as - is I suggest the Husqvarna. For a rifle that could be truly excellent with a new bolt shroud/safety and trigger and perhaps bolt handle, the Brno is better, but more $$$.
Mods I would do on a Husqvarna: pillar bed and trigger job. = $300
Mods I would do on a Brno 21/22: bolt handle replaced with Oberndorf style, bolt shroud/safety replaced with Recknagel M70 style, trigger replaced with Recknagel single trigger = $800-$1,000
Features in favour of the Brno rifles are the integral scope bases, bolt stop & extractor system, rugged and good looking sights and precision stock inletting. Overall build quality is consistently excellent. Their flaws are a fixed floor plate, double set triggers and a safety that does not lock the bolt and pivots up towards the scope. Bolt itself is good if the round knob, but causes scope fit issues if butterknife version. Limited to metric cartridges if that matters.
Features in favour of the 1640 is good overall design for scope use, (stock, safety and bolt handle) and made in more common chamberings. Sights are very basic, floor plate is aluminum, stock inletting begs for glass bedding. many crack at the tang if bedding is not taken care of. Trigger has been mentioned already.
For a good value as - is I suggest the Husqvarna. For a rifle that could be truly excellent with a new bolt shroud/safety and trigger and perhaps bolt handle, the Brno is better, but more $$$.
Mods I would do on a Husqvarna: pillar bed and trigger job. = $300
Mods I would do on a Brno 21/22: bolt handle replaced with Oberndorf style, bolt shroud/safety replaced with Recknagel M70 style, trigger replaced with Recknagel single trigger = $800-$1,000
Thanks for the link. I have an alloy, hinged assembly on one Husky (FN'98) that works fine and the alloy works on that rifle since its bedded in a McMillan Edge lightweight stock. I will message TradeEx about the hole spacing on the ones you linked.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Just bought a spare M98 commerical bolt (complete) from Tradeex... will serve as a nice upgrade on my Brno 21. When in doubt, check Tradeex... they always have what I need. Great people too.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
It's rare that I promote an EE link, and I am a BIG fan of Brno model 21's, but this Husky is a real steal!!
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1963474-Husqvarna-Lightweight-in-30-06
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1963474-Husqvarna-Lightweight-in-30-06
