School me on Husqvarna Rifles

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sharp21

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I am in the market for my first real rifle, to do my first real hunting here in Alberta.
I'd like to get a solid 4 or 5 shot 30-06 with a wood stock & have spent a lot of time looking at the various offerings: Savage 114, Howa 1500, Weatherby Vanguard, m77 mkII, Win700, etc, etc... Obviously I am trying to balance quality with budget.
Im new to this site, but a few of the posts Ive read had guys recommending a used Husky from Trade-Ex over a new entry level rifle.
Looking on that site they have basically 2 models in 30-06:
Husqvarna 1600 series & Husqvarna Commercial FN98.
What are the pros & cons of these models & what makes them a desirable gun?
Ive come across reference to the Mauser 98 action in a few places, but am not sure if either of these rifles are equipped with that.
Of those two models, which is the better value?
S.
 
I'll tell you what I think but I'm not 100% sure, so wait for others to confirm.

They both have mauser actions. This means they have controlled round feed and a large claw extractor. Both of these features are considered desirable.

The 98 is called a "large ring mauser". This refers to the actual diameter of the receiver. There is more steel there so they normally come as a larger caliber, say 8x57 versus 6.5x55. These are the ones to choose if you are building an african caliber custom rifle. I don't know too much about the 1600 but I googled around and there is info out there.

Obviously you are looking at models with the turned down bolt handle and receiver drilled for scope mounting?

Finally, do some research here and elsewhere. Then call Tradex with any questions you have. Confirm with them that you are getting what you want. I have a nice Husky 98 or I would be calling them too.
 
The 1600 is Husqvarnas own attempt at building a mauser style action, rather than buying them from FN. It has a few better features, such as a tang safety, and hinged floorplate, and already D+T'd for a scope. The FN models are fixed floorplate - this would be limiting for many folks.
If you're into the retro market, consider a used Parker Hale, they have comparable features, and can be had for less than the Husky's from Tradex.
 
Parker Hale... That was going to be my next question!
Is the action the same?
To be honest I am not sure of the difference between hinged & fixed floorplate...
Also, while I am posting about things I don't know, what is the difference between controlled feed & push feed?
S.
 
Fixed floor plate does not mean a solid floor plate, like an A class Remington 700, which just has no quick release of the magazine.
The old Mausers, said to have a fixed floor plate, means you release a catch and the floor plate and magazine springs come out the bottom. For quick unloading, what's the big deal, whether the floor piece hinges, or comes out in one piece?
 
whether you buy a 1600 or a FN98 pattern Husqvarna, budget $50-100 for a trigger job or trigger replacement. Also, many have stock issues, like cracks and oil soaking.

I've bought 3 from tradeex over the last few years, and all were good rifles, but all had direct sear triggers (militarty mauser trigger with the two stage humps ground off), which can be fixed or changed out. The 1600's are similar.

Many of the FN98's were drilled and tapped by untrained monkeys. The 1600's were d/t'ed properly.

For the most part, the stock design is for open sights, and the comb too low for easy scope use.

If you are relatively new to this, I think you are better off starting with a used 700, 70, or 77, in no particular order. All kinds of them used for the $450-500 range.
 
Husqvarnas have a side safety, not a tang safety. The 1600 action is similar to a Mauser 98 in that it has a third safety locking lug and cocks on opening.

Most Mauser type actions have a hinged magazine floorplate, but sporting versions often have a button release for quick unloading. The military ones require a punch or bullet point to release the floorplate, so they have to be unloaded by cycling each round through the action. Any of the Mauser 96-based rifles (including the Stigas) Tradex offers will likely have the military-style floorplate release.

On a controlled feed action, the rim of the case slides up under the extractor as soon as it clears the magazine. On a push feed action, the extractor does not grab on to the case rim until the round is chambered and the bolt is all the way forward.

The advantage of controlled feed is that the rifle cannot double feed i.e.- if you short stroke the bolt, it won't leave a round partially chambered while picking up another one from the magazine, tying up the rifle. Once the extractor picks up a round, another round won't be fed until the round is either chambered or ejected.

Controlled feed isn't something that is necessary unless you are hunting dangerous game, but, all things being equal, I prefer it because it seems like a more refined design to me.

I would be surprised if the FN-actioned Huskies don't have a button floorplate release, as they are built on a commercial action. Does anyone own one of these rifles, and, if so, what sort of floorplate does it have?

Parker-Hales are built on a Spanish Santa Barbara large ring Mauser action. They are a decent serviceable rifle, but they have ugly stocks. Unless you actually like roll-over cheekpieces, squared off forends, and white line spacers, I would choose the Husqvarna.
 
I have a 1953 Husquvarna 270 that I like.

It came to me correctly drilled for scope mounts with the low profile scope-friendly safety.

It does have the Husquvarna characterictic small tang crack though. This was an early import to Canada, not one of the current import of older hunting rifles from Sweden.
 
I'd suggest you check one out "in the flesh", look it over, handle it, some people are fans of these guns others are not. Some are very "clunky" while others(featherweights) can be very trim and great handling......So unless you are really smitten by older commercial Mauser actions, you may be better served by other used or new guns, such as the rem. 700 or Win. 70. The Rugers have a similar action and nice wood stocks esp. the Ruger International.
 
Appreciate the replies, definitely some food for thought...
And thanks for clearing up my questions
I dont really want to get into much repair work right off the bat, as I wont know what to look for, although Im sure my LGS could help me out.
Basically Im looking for a good shooting, dependable gun that I wont mind banging up a bit & that wont break the bank!
S.
 
My FN based Husky in 8X57 has the military style floorplate - given the amount of work/time required to release it, I'd classify it as "very fixed".
My 96 action based 8x57 has the same style of floorplate. As above, not easily releasable in the field - you have to cycle the rounds out of the action.
Both these rifles were from Tradex, both had minor issues - poorly done D+T's, poorly bedded, cracked stocks, etc. There is a reason why people let go of these rifles in Sweden....
 
sharp21, another option for you would be to buy a Remington 798 if you want a CRF action...mauser action

And they are fairly cheap right now., $550

They are a little rough to start but work in well, have adjustable triggers, good metallurgy, good stocks, side safety, nice bluing, hinged floorplate and are quite accurate from what I have read.

Just scope it and go shooting.

I believe they come in .270 and 30.06
 
sharp21 said:
Appreciate the replies, definitely some food for thought...
And thanks for clearing up my questions
I dont really want to get into much repair work right off the bat, as I wont know what to look for, although Im sure my LGS could help me out.
Basically Im looking for a good shooting, dependable gun that I wont mind banging up a bit & that wont break the bank!
S.
Click to expand...

Search the equipment exchange forum for Mauser. I've been looking for the same thing lately and bought one a fellow gun nut there. Very happy with it. In my search I found a few more that are sporters that still available, reasonably priced and are solid shooter. Look perhaps at the .270 mauser in the forum as the ammo is readily available as well. Good luck.
 
I own a husqvarna 1600 from trade ex in 6.5x55. Trigger is the best factory trigger i've laid my hand on, it's a heavy pull, but crisp with no creep, perfect for hunting IMO. Trade ex describes the rifles they sell very well, and offer one month return - shipping I believe it is. If it doesn't fit you right, or your unhappy, send it back. Buy one without cracked stock and you wont' have to fix it.
 
1bigrn said:
Has anyone seen a Husquvarna in .308. I believe it is a model made somewhere around the 1970's. I cant seem to find much info on it.
It has a tang safety, hooded front sight, nice checkered stock.
Any idea what the value of a good .308 Husquvarna rifle.
Click to expand...

I have a Husqvarna in .308 with the full-length Mannlicher stock. It is the 1600 Mauser-type action. A 1970s vintage rifle would be the push feed 1900 action. Either of these would have a side safety mounted just behind the bolt handle on the right side of the receiver rather than a tang safety.

My rifle cost me a little under $600 in VG condition. It has a few normal stock dings, a recoil pad, and a crack at the stock wrist that has been repaired with the addition of a recoil bolt.
 
The FN98's have the push button release on the floor plate. The 1600's have a hinged floor plate. The 1600's are drilled and tapped, whereas the FN98's are not factory drilled and tapped. One has to expect to do some stock work (Fixing tang cracks) on either the 1600's or the FN98's, as these stocks all come from an area with higher humidity than Alberta, and have subsequently dried out to a certain extent. Bedding the actions are another good idea with these rifles. Having said that, IMHO, these rifles are of a far higher quality than any Rem 700, 710, Ruger, Winchester made today. (Yes, I have owned Remingtons, Rugers and one Browning. I don't own them anymore!) I own a number of Husqvarna rifles and have found them all to be extremely accurate with hand loads. It may cost a few extra bucks to bring a Tradex Husky up to snuff, but once you do, you have a quality rifle that should easily last a life time.
 
If you have the money and abosulutely want a wooden stock, I'd get a new or recent Winchester model 70. A great looking rifle with al the latest features. If money is tight forget the wood stock and go for a Marlin XL7.
 
Husky

I've owned 4 husky 1640 actions, really for the $ you can buy them for, it's the best built gun you can get. The workmanship really is very good compared to what you get today. They are all blued/wood and a little on the heavy side compared to some of the newer stuff, the lightweight versions can be quite handy packages and alot of them you don't mind adding a few more dings and knocks too. I havent had one yet that won't shoot 1.5" at 100y with anything I stick in it. Only my 7x57 is a little tempermental with the slow twist barrel. The '06's, 6.5's and 270's just fling everyting into the bullseye. Good value for the money I think
 
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