Schultz and Larsen Model differences

[Mike_E]

Hi all,

I've been over all the manufacturer webpages as well as the distributors, but I am struggling to see the main differences between the Classic, Victory and Ambassador apart from the stock shape. The Victory and Ambassador have different stock shapes and a rose wood stock tips, but other than that they are still grade 1 wood. the Ambassador is £1000 more than the classic....

Does anyone know if there are any fundamental differences to the actions/trigger/barrel/build quality between the models? I see the ambassador does not have the milled mounts in the action.

Looking online I'd rather have a grade 3 Classic over a stock Victory - but need to get out post lockdown and try some at the local dealer to check stock fit etc.

thanks
Mike

 

[375win]

Not the most transparent marketing. „ The Classic DL rifle has no compromise on quality or precision. It is characterized by having the same great features that all Schultz & Larsen rifles are known for, but with less detail.“ Quote from their website. Not sure what that tells me. Is this translated from Danish?
Anyway, I second your choice. They are very fine guns no matter which model you go for.

 

[J@son]

My advice would be to speak to Steve Beaty at Ivythorne (Somerset). He’s very friendly and super knowledgeable. He is also a UK distributor for S&L. I bought my latest rifle from him (S&L Classic synthetic stock .243) and cannot recommend him highly enough. He could not have been more helpful.

As far as I know the action on the Classic isn’t blued to match the barrel whereas it is on the Victory and Ambassador models. Not sure if the bolts are exactly the same either. The Victory and Ambassador models have a Monte Carlo stock... the Classic doesn’t if you buy one with a wooden stock although the synthetic stock does. I assume the barrels are identical... because they are interchangeable and designed to be swapped against the same action. That said you can also order non standard (e.g. fluted and octagonal profile) barrels. There also a model called the Legacy... which I think is the basis for the William Evans S&L rifle. You might want to talk to William Evans as their prices on their WE branded S&L rifle are surprisingly good. I saw a really nice gun (grade 3 stock I think) for £2200 in February. That’s a big saving on the list price and a lot less than most people gunshops are asking for the high end S&L own brand rifles. The only difference that I am aware of is that the William Evans guns don’t use the S&L scope mount lugs cut into the action (which I like but are hardly essential... just use regular scope mounts).

Sorry... I probably haven’t answered your question. But Steve at ivythorne will be able to.

I love my S&L. It’s a great bit of kit. I was blown away by its accuracy. I was hitting drawing pins at 100m at the range. Not bad for a hunting rifle!

 

[Donnachaidh]

Think the classic is a two piece bolt, whereas the victory etc. have a one piece bolt.

 

[Hanechdene]

The best person to discuss these with is the importer - Alan Rhone.

 

[Cottis]

The Legacy is a short action rifle chambered only for .222rem/.223rem and .300AAC.

I think the SL rifle that Evans deals with is based on the Ambassador but I might be wrong.

They are all wonderful rifles. I have a Legacy chambered in .222rem and it is silly good for the money really. A superb action, crisp trigger, awesome barrel and nice stock.

If you are not fussed too much about wood etc, I would get a classic and enjoy what are superb cut rifled barrels. Amongst the most accurate factory rifles out there.

If you do want nice wood, then really I would plump for the Victory myself. You would be surprised how nice Grade II can be on those rifles. I nearly got a higher grade but plumped for Grade 2 in the end as anything else just seems a bit overkill as I use it a few times a week usually, so expect it to get battered but to be fair, it has stood up quite well. A quick lick of BLO so my gun cabinet smells like a chip shop and it is good to go for another few months.

And here it is with my other vital kit ready for tomorrow

 

[J@son]

I think the SL rifle that Evans deals with is based on the Ambassador but I might be wrong

...actually I think you might be right!

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

I know the victory has a swept back bolt whereas the classic doesn't. Beyond that, who knows. All I know is that I love my Victory, it's superbly accurate, lovely to handle, beautiful to look at etc...
You're miles away from Steve Beaty but he is really worth giving a ring for a chat.
Keep your eye out for the odd secondhand one that comes up on guntrader. I got an absolute steal last year - Victory grade 2 for less than £1000. To my mind, still good value even if I get another barrel at some point.

 

[Mike_E]

thanks to all for the replies - looks like there is a lot of small detail mods here and there... coatings vs blueing, 1piece vs 2 piece bolt, more finishing off machining, reading up I think the trigger is different on the classic to the other 2 options as well.

Had not thought about the william evans offerings, looking online it appears a grade 3 WE is the same as a grade 1 S&L ambassador - looking at the grip radius they must be the same. A good option potentially. Will keep my eyes peeled for a 2nd hand one as well.

Will give Steve Beaty a call - opposite end of the country but I can always do a RFD transfer.

I'd be looking to have 2 barrels, a 6.5x55 and a 30-06.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Acmac25]

Hey Mike

I ordered my victory through callum Ferguson, he is in contact with Alan rhone who imports the rifles from s&l. He'll be able to answer most of your questions I'm sure and a gentleman to deal with. Might be worth a call.

Cheers

Ali

 

[Acmac25]

The Legacy is a short action rifle chambered only for .222rem/.223rem and .300AAC.

I think the SL rifle that Evans deals with is based on the Ambassador but I might be wrong.

They are all wonderful rifles. I have a Legacy chambered in .222rem and it is silly good for the money really. A superb action, crisp trigger, awesome barrel and nice stock.

If you are not fussed too much about wood etc, I would get a classic and enjoy what are superb cut rifled barrels. Amongst the most accurate factory rifles out there.

If you do want nice wood, then really I would plump for the Victory myself. You would be surprised how nice Grade II can be on those rifles. I nearly got a higher grade but plumped for Grade 2 in the end as anything else just seems a bit overkill as I use it a few times a week usually, so expect it to get battered but to be fair, it has stood up quite well. A quick lick of BLO so my gun cabinet smells like a chip shop and it is good to go for another few months.

And here it is with my other vital kit ready for tomorrow

That's a stunning little set up, love the idea of a short action s&l. If I didn't already have a tikka in .223 I think that's what I'd be going for.

Ali

 

[Cottis]

That's a stunning little set up, love the idea of a short action s&l. If I didn't already have a tikka in .223 I think that's what I'd be going for.

Ali

Yeah its comfortably my favourite rifle. The smaller and larger rifle rarely get used unless for something specific. The S&L is just my go to rifle. The first picture with the large scope on it was ages ago but that has changed for the better now and I have a 2.5-25x42 on it which the eye falls on to perfectly now in the proper mounts. The whole thing is pretty light and sooooo nice to shoot.

This was the five shot group when fine tuning the 53g Nosler Varmie load that I use in it. I pulled one

 

[Mike_E]

Hey Mike

I ordered my victory through callum Ferguson, he is in contact with Alan rhone who imports the rifles from s&l. He'll be able to answer most of your questions I'm sure and a gentleman to deal with. Might be worth a call.

Cheers

Ali

ahh that is good to know. Yes Callum is a top chap. thanks for the tip.

 

[Acmac25]

Yeah its comfortably my favourite rifle. The smaller and larger rifle rarely get used unless for something specific. The S&L is just my go to rifle. The first picture with the large scope on it was ages ago but that has changed for the better now and I have a 2.5-25x42 on it which the eye falls on to perfectly now in the proper mounts. The whole thing is pretty light and sooooo nice to shoot.

This was the five shot group when fine tuning the 53g Nosler Varmie load that I use in it. I pulled one

Thats a cracker. mine is in .270 and is with out doubt my favourite rifle. callum had told me that some of the s&l stocks need a wee bit of stock work just to get them fully floated, or that was the case with the rifle he had and the case with mine also, but it was a quick job for callum and he didn't charge me anything for it, the rifle will consistently cloverleaf with the 130gr gamekings, which is more than accurate enough for me.

Ali

 

[J@son]

looking online it appears a grade 3 WE is the same as a grade 1 S&L ambassador -

That sounds about right. I was in London recently so popped in to W/E just for a nose around. I was expecting eye-watering prices ...considering its next door neighbour is St James's Palace. I appreciate that c. £2300K is still a lot of money but it will buy you one hell of a rifle and struck me as a very good deal. I would have been tempted but I really wanted a synthetic stock. The guy (who was very helpful) in the gunroom looked willing to come down a bit on the price. I sort of got the impression that maybe the W/E S&L association might be coming to an end and they were looking to get rid of their stock. But maybe they are just keen to sell these fine looking rifles.

 

[Mike_E]

That sounds about right. I was in London recently so popped in to W/E just for a nose around. I was expecting eye-watering prices ...considering its next door neighbour is St James's Palace. I appreciate that c. £2300K is still a lot of money but it will buy you one hell of a rifle and struck me as a very good deal. I would have been tempted but I really wanted a synthetic stock. The guy (who was very helpful) in the gunroom looked willing to come down a bit on the price. I sort of got the impression that maybe the W/E S&L association might be coming to an end and they were looking to get rid of their stock. But maybe they are just keen to sell these fine looking rifles.

I thought it might be coming to an end as well - when you go to their website there is no info or page for rifles... only a few for sale in the gun room. They are £2800ish on guntrader, £2300 in store I assume? £2.3million might be asking a bit much though

 

[J@son]

Ooops! Yes... the ticket on the rifle said £2800 but the chap in the gun room immediately said it was available for less (I think he said £2300) and I got the distinct impression he would come down from this price to close the deal.

Not £2.3 million... to spend that sort of money requires a short walk up the road to Purdeys. In all seriousness, it really is worth visiting the Purdey shop and having a nose around the Long Room. The staff could not be friendlier and genuinely don't seem to mind if you are just there to have a look around and marvel at their exquisite guns. The staff were superfriendly towards me although it must have been blindingly obvious that I was only browsing and not spending. I saw the most remarkable rifle (£94,000 - although this did include the scope!) perfectly balanced and, despite its weight, deceptively easy to hold steady. I could never afford to own it but I am really pleased that a handful of people can do so - just so the craftsmanship, skill and wizardry which goes into making something this exceptional is carried forward and kept alive.

And for others who, like me, are not in the market for Purdey I would recommend S&L. Everyone who has one (regardless of the model) seems to really rate it.

 

[Wills]

Can someone show me a high grade wood stock on a schultz please.

 

[Dave Scott]

S&L Victory with Octagonal Barrel in 6.6x55 - Exhibition Grade.

 

[Mike_E]

Wow. Stunning.

Ambassador in a mere grade 5 (william evans branded rifle).