Sometimes just when you have given up a gem turns up. Recently I stumbled upon a gem, a 1963 GK Mannlicher in 8x68. I was buying it sight unseen, the owner sent copious photos, plus some photos of some groups he shot.
A leap of faith and I bought it. The previous owner generously supplied 60 brand new RWS cases which are hellishly expensive here.
The rifle came with a Kahles Helia 39 S1 with a #4 reticle with factory fitted AKAH Claw mounts. The scope does not have a windage turret, as was quite common then.
I stripped the rifle down to find that the rear takedown screw located under the trigger guard was quite loose! Needless to say I fixed that.
So far, I have had good results with N560 and RL19 powder using RWS 181gr Conepoint and Dual core projectiles. The best 3 shot group measured 1.009". I have also tried some Hornady 170 grain RNs but they would not shoot very well at all which is disappointing as I acquired 500 cheap! I may persist with them as they were intended for a close range feral pig load.
I cannot post pics yet as the photos I have need to be resized but an SD member has seen the photos, haven't you G ?
Now I am not recoil shy but this Mannlicher with its plastic butt plate hurts over the bench. The bare rifle weighs 7.5 pounds and not much more with the scope mounted.
Shooting offhand the recoil is fine and about what I expected but load testing on a bench after 10 or so shots rattles the teeth.
Regards.
Mike.
A leap of faith and I bought it. The previous owner generously supplied 60 brand new RWS cases which are hellishly expensive here.
The rifle came with a Kahles Helia 39 S1 with a #4 reticle with factory fitted AKAH Claw mounts. The scope does not have a windage turret, as was quite common then.
I stripped the rifle down to find that the rear takedown screw located under the trigger guard was quite loose! Needless to say I fixed that.
So far, I have had good results with N560 and RL19 powder using RWS 181gr Conepoint and Dual core projectiles. The best 3 shot group measured 1.009". I have also tried some Hornady 170 grain RNs but they would not shoot very well at all which is disappointing as I acquired 500 cheap! I may persist with them as they were intended for a close range feral pig load.
I cannot post pics yet as the photos I have need to be resized but an SD member has seen the photos, haven't you G ?
Now I am not recoil shy but this Mannlicher with its plastic butt plate hurts over the bench. The bare rifle weighs 7.5 pounds and not much more with the scope mounted.
Shooting offhand the recoil is fine and about what I expected but load testing on a bench after 10 or so shots rattles the teeth.
Regards.
Mike.
