Varberger, Lakelander, Kongsberg

[Rob]

re: Varberger/Lakelander/Kongsberg rifles. I have owned three.

Lakelander 6.5 x 55 Carbine. Made in Sweden, late 70's. Free-floated 19.5 in. barrel with iron sights that line up immediately upon shouldering the rifle. Front sight hood bolts on. All steel fully adjustable rear open sight. Rotary magazine. Blind magazine. Bolt has 6 locking lugs. Sako-type extractor. Very smooth bolt travel. Low rise bolt handle. Trigger breaks cleanly at 3 lb. On the right side of the receiver are a very positive, smooth and silent safety that locks both trigger and bolt, a bolt release button and a release that ejects cartridges from the magazine. Aside from the blind magazine, the stock is very similar to the Tikka M55/M65, including palm swell, style of checkering, the semi-matte finish, and similar variety of walnut. Probably the same contractor. With the steel Talley bases it weighs 7 lb. on my scale. Front and rear receiver rings are the same height. Very well thought out and very well machined.

 

[Buckmastr]

Nice rifle. I have the same one in 7mag
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1750295-Tradex-Lakelander-TAP-375-7mm-Rem-Mag

 

[huntingfamily]

Now that's a recoil pad! Nice rifle too.

 

[Buckmastr]

The front sight hood is quite large as well.

 

[conor_90]

Nice gun, is the bolt bent like that from the factory?

What is the approximate degree of the bolt throw?

 

[Rob]

 

[Rob]

The front sight hood is quite large as well.

I like the way the front sight hood bolts on from each side. Hard to loose.

 

[cosmic]

Whats the slotted rod ahead of the bolt handle cut-out do?

 

[Rob]

Whats the slotted rod ahead of the bolt handle cut-out do?

Push-button bolt release. I have never done it, but I assume the slot is for screwdriver disassembly, to remove the spring.

 

[Rob]

https://www.reliablegun.com/en/used...rrel-wsights-walnut-stock-very-good-condition

 

[conor_90]

Does the lever on the magazine unload it like a MS

 

[Rob]

Does the lever on the magazine unload it like a MS

yes

 

[joey.45]

Is this the same rotary mag used on the mossberg rm7?

 

[conor_90]

yes

Okay now I want one

All three models are the same action?

 

[Rob]

Okay now I want one

All three models are the same action?

No, not really. There were three manufacturers, three countries involved, several models by each builder and there are also nine-lug bolts, 6-lug bolts and even three-lug bolts on the various models. Check out the history of the different manufacturers and models here: https://www.gunboards.com/threads/lakelander-6-5x55.1223188/

They aren't all that hard to find...several of the retailers on gunnutz have them advertised for sale right now...some minty, some a bit rough.

 

[Rob]

Is this the same rotary mag used on the mossberg rm7?

No idea...I don't know the Mossberg.

 

[vmax204]

I've got the same rifle with a heavy target barrel and audio director installed. The stock is a target stock with the wide fore end and has a stipple finish rather than checkering. I replaced the plastic trigger guard with a metal one and installed a Pachmayr recoil pad. It's a wonderful smooth action with a very nice adjustable trigger I have set at 1.5 lbs. I have no idea how many rounds were fired before I bought the rifle but I have fired 1135 rounds since owning and the barrel is just starting to show signs of wear. Hopefully I'll get another 1000 before having to replace the barrel. I am very fond of European rifles and this is one of my favorites.

 

[Rob]

Is this the same rotary mag used on the mossberg rm7?

Seems to be the same mag.

I put more info on Varberger/Lakelander/Kongsberg over at gunboards. https://www.gunboards.com/threads/lakelander-6-5x55.1223188/

 

[Rob]

Is this the same rotary mag used on the mossberg rm7?

Not the same, but similar. I would guess they were made by the same contractor.
https://www.gunboards.com/threads/lakelander-6-5x55.1223188/page-3#post-11078948

 

[vmax204]

Lakelander 375. 6.5x55