Parker-Hale Safari .308 Norma Magnum
- Thread starter XRAYGUY
- Start date
Hi Rob; A picture would help, since these rifles evolved somewhat during the time P-H was marketing them.
For example, the very earliest versions were built on Military Mauser actions, with the thumb cutaway on the left receiver.
Later Parker-Hale used Commercial Mauser Actions, the most common being the Santa Barbara from Spain.
Some early models came with 22" barrels, later 24" was standard. A few had classic stocks rather than the MC comb stock with the cheekpiece.
These were usually M81's and are not marked as "Safari" or "Safari Deluxe" on the receiver. [I have 2 of these rarer models]
Is your serial number 4 or 5 Digits?....does it have the abbreviation "Mag" in front of the number? Does it have a modified Mauser safety, or a safety on the Right side
of the action that slides forward and back?
Many nuances with these rifles. Baribal on here is the resident expert on Mausers...he will give you the truthful goods on your rifle. Dave.
Wow.
Thanks Dave. It does have a serial number prefix with MAG and a safety that slides front to rear.
Many years ago I bought it for $200... along with three boxes of 70's vintage factory ammo... a beat-up Winchester 12ga and a Spanish double barrel 20ga... all with ammo too.
The rifle kicked like a mule and I ended up getting rid of the stock and replacing it with a thumbhole one from Richard's Microfit... and I gave the old stock to my stepdad.
I'll dig it out and take some pictures next week.
Should I be trying to weasel that stock back from my stepdad?? Haha!!
Thanks again, Dave!
Some of the early ones had too light of a contoured barrel and jugged chambers on firing. Some had bases silver soldered on the action and this lost the heat treatment and the locking lugs quickly set back. I saw a few in 7mm Rem Mag and .308 Norma Mag about 1969 or 70.
By what you are saying, You have a later version, built on the Santa Barbara action.
It should have a fully adjustable Parker-Hale trigger also.
As Guntech said, some of the earlier ones were "soft" in the lug area, and would set back with the factory ammo.
Yours is the later one, with bases that screw onto the receiver, so no worries there.
You made a pretty good deal if it is in decent shape. These rifles were not particularly heavy as they came from
the factory, so could dole out a fair bit of recoil. The original PH recoil pads tended to harden up over time, and
added to the problem.
These are not collector items in the configuration you have, so changing the stock would not be a negative factor.
That 70's vintage ammo is loaded to original Norma specs [3100 fps with that 180 DC bullet] and is usually quite
accurate. I had a few rounds, and I chronographed them in one of my M81's...3140 fps! The newer stuff is about 3050 fps.
I reload for all of mine, and really like this chambering. Dave.
All the soft ones I've run across we're the actions sold by Navy Arms as gunsmith parts. I believe they were never properly heat treated. I have a mid 60's Safari in 308 NM, never had an issue with it and I prefer it to any of my 300 WM's. FWIW - dan
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
At about 13, I started out with a Simpson-Sears sporterized Lee Enfield.
A couple of years later, I stepped up to a Parker Hale in 308NM and had quite a number of issue free successes with it. Following that I did have a model 70 Winchester in 300WM
that also served me well on a number of trips, no complaints but when I got the opportunity to pick up a Schultz & Larsen, I went back to the 308NM. The 308NM is also my favorite 30 cal magnum and this one I keep.
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pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
I have the same rifle Johnn, the Schultz&Larsen is a very nice rifle. Mine is also a 308 norma.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
With the Schultz & Larsen, comes my only 'attempt' at a collection. On an old copy of the Norma reloading manual I have, is pictured three cartridges that apparently were the result of co-operative efforts between Norma and Schultz & Larsen.
- The 7x61 S&H
- The 308 NM and,
- The 358 NM
It took me a while to get one in 358 NM but I finally did.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
A beautiful collection Johnn. They all look to be in top notch shape.With the Schultz & Larsen, comes my only 'attempt' at a collection. On an old copy of the Norma reloading manual I have, is pictured three cartridges that apparently were the result of co-operative efforts between Norma and Schultz & Larsen.
- The 7x61 S&H
- The 308 NM and,
- The 358 NM
It took me a while to get one in 358 NM but I finally did.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
They're all in very good shape. The 308 NM has seen use on a few of Moose, a Whitetail and the last was a Mule Deer on draw in Alberta.
A couple of years ago, the 7x61 S&H 'got the call' for an Antelope draw, again in Alberta.
The 358 NM is my 'go to' for Moose next season.
Here you go, fellas; my Parker-Hale .308 Norma Magnum... any further input would be greatly appreciated...
In the Richard's Microfit stock... Corlane's in Dawson Creek fitted and finished the stock.
These are all of the markings found under the barrel.
Is this the adjustable trigger? I'm quite satisfied with the break, but any idea of how to adjust this...?
It looks like the aluminum trigger housing has taken a bit of a beating.
Also... is there a resource that I might access to learn how to disassemble the bolt...?
Thanks again for all the help so far, gentlemen.
- Rob
In the Richard's Microfit stock... Corlane's in Dawson Creek fitted and finished the stock.
These are all of the markings found under the barrel.
Is this the adjustable trigger? I'm quite satisfied with the break, but any idea of how to adjust this...?
It looks like the aluminum trigger housing has taken a bit of a beating.
Also... is there a resource that I might access to learn how to disassemble the bolt...?
Thanks again for all the help so far, gentlemen.
- Rob
You're welcome. Here's a short clip on disassembling a Mauser bolt. Just ignore the bit about the safety.
