Well Kids after much anticipation the Brno's showed up today!
Shooters choice did an excellent job of packaging them. Trevor and the other folks there are a delight to deal with and are always happy to help, even on the third call back.
Starting with the 8x57. She is gorgeous!
The bluing I would say 98% very deep on the floorplate still. It could not have been packed more than once or twice. Bluing is still perfect on the bolt stop and the bolt handle.
There are very slight marks from where a scope mount was set on the bridges but that is it for marks metal wise. The wood has a few small marks but what do you expect for a 56 year old rifle! It was built the same year as my 7x57.
It feels much lighter than my other 21H being as they look to have the same barrel contour just one is a larger cal. It wieghs 6 1/2 lbs!
The double set trigger is fantastic, the rear one is quite stiff to pull back and clicks into a detent when fully back. It is well over 10lbs to pull it. I tried to see if it would go off by just pulling the rear trigger but there is no way.
You had better be ready for the rifle to let rip when you touch the front trigger beacause it only take 1lb 8 oz to break the sear!
It should prove very useful on the range. As well, just pulling the front trigger isn't all that bad for a hunting situation where you don't have time. It is much like a standard military type pull but cleaner than a milsurp.
The ZG 9,3 has been packed a bit more, the bolt stop bluing is slightly faded and there are some handling marks onthe wood but over all still very nice. Thankfully the wrist is thicker for a good grip on the still sharp checkering. Bluing is still perfect on the bolt handle, I think it just went for one trip and had some bumps and got put away. There is a three leaf sight but the ranges say 50 (m?), 75 and 100. I would have thought there would be a 200 but I guess it was designed for the close work and precision close work too. Front sight has a plunger button in front of it to remove the sight in a heartbeat. Very cool!
The scope is a bit clunky looking to me compared to the VXIII on my 275 but I will give it an honest try. Optics are bright and the German post reticle is very heavy, not lending to the long range shots at gophers at all.
Eye relief isn't super long, hope I don't get kissed!
The butt pad seems to have been added but the length of pull is within a quarter inch of the 21H.
I am really excited to try this 9,3 out. Considering it came with two boxes of Norma loaded 232gr Oryx's ($120ish) and the scope w/origonal leather covers ($300ish) I think I did really well. It is exactly what I planned on building from the get go aside from the chambering might have been a 9,3x57 or 9,3x64. To buy and violate another ZG47 would have been $7-800, another barrel up to or over $500 and then a scope and the ammo it would have broke the bank for sure! Smithy fees in there too, it could have run me several hundred dollars more.
I will see if I can get a picture of the fleet this weekend to put up.
Can anyone tell me if the Talley QD mounts have a lug for the rear bridge groove to lock them from slipping under recoil? They (Talley) haven't answered my email.
Noel
