Schultz and Larsen - Wood Stock - Classic and Victory

[Keith Edmunds]

I've been researching S&L rifles and they appear excellent value - almost too good to be true. I seem to be getting conflicting info on bedding - do they have pillars? maybe resin pillars? It looks like they have a crude but functional bedding around the recoil lug too?

Is the stock shape the main difference between the Classic and the Victory?

All info gratefully received.

 

[Essexsussex]

Not the question you asked but worth a look at Zoli 1900 as well. Although they aren’t switch barrel they are totally underrated in the blue and wood category.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Not the question you asked but worth a look at Zoli 1900 as well. Although they aren’t switch barrel they are totally underrated in the blue and wood category.

I like the proper recoil lug on the Zoli 1900 I just looked at online. What price point are they?

 

[Cottis]

Yep. I have two S&L rifles. Legacy and a Classic. Both grade 2's and both have steel through the stock between the mating screws between action and bottom metal. Both also bedded. Much more bedding material in the Legacy but both go together without any loss of zero whatsoever and both rifles are insanely accurate. The bedding is certainly not neat but is very functional. The Legacy in particular is very old now and i have thousands of rounds through it. I love that rifle more than life itself.

Just taking the action off the stock and putting it back results in no loss of zero in any way. If you actually fully break down the action and barrel as in removing the barrel from the action, you sometimes get approx a 1/3-1/2" movement in point of impact relative to point of aim but often none at all. I always check the Legacy zero after full on strip down as I use it on very small targets at extended distances but the Classic i never bother as that is just a deer rifle and it will hit what I aim at out to 300yds which is the max I will ever shoot with it and even then very very rarely.

They are brilliant rifles. Hence why I bought another. I don't use the switch barrel system for changing chamberings, it is just a feature that comes with a great rifle as far as I am concerned. I use the feature to make cleaning easier. You have instant access to the chamber once stripped fully. Will do some pictures in a mo as I need to get a rifle out as shortly going out to get laughed at by the deer again.

 

[Cottis]

This is the Classic

PXL_20260110_121853280 by Cottis, on Flickr

PXL_20260110_122217040.MP by Cottis, on Flickr

PXL_20260110_121933594 by Cottis, on Flickr

 

[Essexsussex]

I like the proper recoil lug on the Zoli 1900 I just looked at online. What price point are they?

Can be found sub-1k new sometimes. Think they are supposed to be a lot more but haven’t really taken off in the uk. It’s the old husqvarna 1900 action with a different safety. Great action design.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

This is the Classic

PXL_20260110_121853280 by Cottis, on Flickr

PXL_20260110_122217040.MP by Cottis, on Flickr

PXL_20260110_121933594 by Cottis, on Flickr

Brilliant, thank you.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

@Cottis , any preference in handling/cheek weld between the Classis and Legacy? I think I actually prefer the more 'in-line' shape of the Classic.

 

[John Gryphon]

Wouldn't it be good if all firearm manufacturers issued a blurb like this.

https://www.varidecicognani.it/upload/armeriacicognani/files/AZ1900_ZOLI_inglese.pdf#:~:text=OWNER'S%20MANUAL,have%20purchased%20has%20been%20designed

 

[Navarone]

I’ve recently purchased a left hand DL classic in 6.5 x 55, it’s a lovely thing the engineering is superb. Compared to the ubiquitous tikka (which I have shot in various guises) it’s a completely different ball game.

If you like wood and blue then for a factory rifle I don’t think you can get much better at the price they are…

Mine was also very cheap imo (650£) so I was chuffed.

Bought from Steve Beatty at Ivythorn Sporting in Somerset who is well worth a call, he will answer all your questions on them and has great knowledge having sold the brand for years.

No idea what grade wood mine is but it’s pretty nice and if refinished would come up lovely I think.

 

[Kiwiguy]

Since @Cottis has covered the bedding etc so well there really isn't anything that I can add.

My wife and I own five S&L rifles being one Classic DL, one Legacy and three Victory rifles.

The differences between the Classic and the Victory extend beyond the stock design. The bolt handle on the Classic is dovetailed into the bolt body and is a straight profile. The Victory bolt handle appears to be integral, if it is welded on it has been extremely well done.
The Victory bolt is curved downward and rearward.
The two different model bolts are not interchangeable and the barreled actions will not fit in the other model's stock.
The inside of the Victory action has been polished to a high lustre finish where the Classic appears to be blued.
Both actions are very slick but I find the Victory to be slightly smoother.
The S&L cut rifled barrels are totally interchangeable between the two models.

The S&L rifles are very good value in my opinion and I believe that they are the only factory rifle supplied with cut rifled barrels.

As it so happens I also own a Carl Gustaf Model 9000 rifle in 22-250 that I bought new in 1979. These were designed and originally made from 1967 to 1969 by Husqvarna as their model 1900. Carl Gustaf took over the production in 1969 and they were made until around 1980.
Unfortunately I don't know when Zoli bought the rights to make them.
The bolt on the 1900 is two lug but the bolt handle throw is 80°.
My Carl Gustaf has a very smooth action and is beautifully made but the S&Ls are slightly smoother.

The Zoli 1900 are available here in NZ but they haven't sold well.

 

[ejg]

When I visited S&L a few years ago we were shown the bedding process. They did epoxy bed around the steel pillars as well using a dummy action
The stocks we make for S&L also have steel the steel pillars and we use our bedding compound for a full action length bedding in the E-Tac stock.
edi

 

[Cottis]

@Cottis , any preference in handling/cheek weld between the Classis and Legacy? I think I actually prefer the more 'in-line' shape of the Classic.

@Kiwiguy might be better placed to comment on handling and cheek weld position between the Classic and Victory. I only have the Classic. My other rifle is the Legacy which is smaller framed, short actioned rifle available in .222rem, .222rem or .300AAC

The Legacy is just lovely in every way and I cannot think of anything I would change other than having the option of a 2 stage trigger (which I think is available only on the Vitctory line).

The Classic I feel is a more utilitarian rifle that comes with a lovely action, solid trigger and of course those amazing barrels.

The Classic is the only rifle I own where I use a comb riser (Beartooth riser neoprene kit thing) but that is more a result of using both a large objective lens scope and a 34mm tube. Which means you eyeline needs to be higher to fall correctly on the ocular of the scope. I did shoot it for a year or so without and it was fine but for really being able to shoot it accurately and with absolute comfort out to further distances, the cheek riser helped. So something to bear in mind if you intend to use a large/higher scope on it.

It is hard to fault them. The stocks are, I would say, plain but functional in their design and it would be nice if the Classic came with the option of a 2 stage trigger but otherwise i really like them. Metal magazines, single stack which I prefer, 3 way safety and bolt lock, solid and easy to anticipate hunting triggers, very deep lustre on the finish and I really like the slide and lock mounts. Not cheap but very very repeatable and never damaged a scope despite moving glass around many many times over the years.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Many thanks for all info.

 

[Kiwiguy]

@Cottis , any preference in handling/cheek weld between the Classis and Legacy? I think I actually prefer the more 'in-line' shape of the Classic.

Hi Keith,
The Classic DL which belongs to my wife and one of my Victory rifles are both chambered for 22-250 and are both fitted with 1" tube Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 x 44mm scopes. My rifle has Warne steel two piece bases and Burris Signature Zee medium rings. My wife's Classic DL has the S&L slide and lock rings.
When I shoulder either rifle with my eyes closed and then open them the cross hairs are in perfect position.

Personally, I am a sucker for wooden stocks with a check piece and a palm swell. However I would be more than happy to use my wife's Classic DL as the stock on it is very similar to the stock on my S&L Legacy. For me they just feel right!

When I shouldered the Carl Gustaf 47 years ago it just fitted perfectly and it wasn't until I shouldered a Victory 37 years later that I had that same perfect fit feeling.

Those Scandinavians know how to make stocks IMO.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Hi Keith,
The Classic DL which belongs to my wife and one of my Victory rifles are both chambered for 22-250 and are both fitted with 1" tube Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 x 44mm scopes. My rifle has Warne steel two piece bases and Burris Signature Zee medium rings. My wife's Classic DL has the S&L slide and lock rings.
When I shoulder either rifle with my eyes closed and then open them the cross hairs are in perfect position.

Personally, I am a sucker for wooden stocks with a check piece and a palm swell. However I would be more than happy to use my wife's Classic DL as the stock on it is very similar to the stock on my S&L Legacy. For me they just feel right!

When I shouldered the Carl Gustaf 47 years ago it just fitted perfectly and it wasn't until I shouldered a Victory 37 years later that I had that same perfect fit feeling.

Those Scandinavians know how to make stocks IMO.

Great info thanks. I was looking at a Sako 90 Hunter but the S&L has the option of upgrading the walnut and might be a better long term purchase.

To be completely honest, I've got a Rigby Highland Stalker on my realistic wish-list, albeit a few years down the road. However, after looking closely at the barrel, bolt and wood grade options of an S&L it might be better to realise my dream earlier.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Are the pillars actually steel or aluminium?

 

[Nimrod1960]

I have an older model S&L on par with the legacy.
Accurate as anything, solid metal everywhere. 24”fluted barrel a bit long with mod for woodland and its not light but I love it. Its just classy! In .243 it loves Sako SP and I have now switched to 80g Hornady CX, took a decent Sika hind with the round last year no problem.

 

[Kiwiguy]

Are the pillars actually steel or aluminium?

Mine are definitely steel.

 

[Nimrod1960]

Are the pillars actually steel or aluminium?

Non of this new fangled Aluminium stuff on a S&L