Parker Hale - Sporter or Safari?

[waynewjw]

Apologies to Toxster, I guess I kinda highjacked your thread. But hope the info. that I've been getting from other members has helped you out.

Still trying to find out who the heck made the receiver?? That appears to be a mystery.

 

[8x57]

The crossed swords have a U on left side and B on right side and 3 on the bottom. The U tells me 1970, right?

Not quite Wayne the chart indicates 1969. I know only a year out, and all that indicates is when it was actually sent for proof rather than when it was made. The same marks could also indicate 93 ?

I think you will be struggling to find who actually made the receiver and when as Parker Hale would have ground/ polished these markings off the receiver at the first stage of building your rifle. They had a habit of buying job lots of actions whenever and wherever they came up. Nothing wrong with that as they produced good sound rifles normally fitted with their own barrels which had a good reputation. Looks like you had a good buy there mate, a real sleeper.

 

[Toxster]

Apologies to Toxster, I guess I kinda highjacked your thread. But hope the info. that I've been getting from other members has helped you out...

No worries, it's been good seeing the thread develop. I bought a Tikka M65 in the end, however I'm now looking at Parker Hales as a 300-800 yard Target Rifle (with occasional forays into the 1000yd arena). It's been strongly suggested I get a Mauser action. Is there a way to identify this action?

 

[bewsher500]

It's been strongly suggested I get a Mauser action. Is there a way to identify this action?

numerous copies but fundamentals of the 98 design were:
- two lug bolt
- cock on opening
-controlled feed with independent ejector claw/spring assembly that runs down the port side of the bolt
this stays static as bolt rotates
- bolt has gas shield built in usually
- some have bolt safety (flag,3 position etc)

 

[enfieldspares]

It's been strongly suggested I get a Mauser action. Is there a way to identify this action?

I'd suddenly got hit by a thought about getting closer to who made it...or at least who or when it was made. Remove the bolt and look down the barrel from the rear of the receiver. Can you see an H or a C section. German and I believe other military Mauser (and made by other military factories) have a C section. That is the raceways (the two bits where the bolt lugs slide along) are not machined all the way through but are "blind".

I forget which is the one that is. Whereas later made actions are machined all the way through as it is quicker and so cheaper. These will have an H section. There will be BETTER explanations of what to look for elsewhere on the internet regarding this C or H and explained better than I have.

 

[Toxster]

Very tempted by this, any thoughts?

http://www.gunstar.co.uk/parker-hale-308-rifles-for-sale-in-staffordshire/rifles/649956

 

[enfieldspares]

God! That is cheap if it isn't shot out! Two magazines AND the target sight! But...that's because it probably isn't "in fashion". Like anything chambered in 270 Winchester.

It is an Model M86 and they were RETAIL at £ 786 with the two magazines in the 1990s. The front mounting for the bipod is correct for the weapon. Mind you you'll need to be strong! Weight was listed as 11 lbs 8 ozs. Barrel length of 28".

 

[8x57]

+1 Suspiciously cheap. It's a good bet that the barrel has been shot out.
Isn't the handstop the wrong way round?

 

[bewsher500]

front block looks right
isnt the rear block to put pressure on the sling depending on which design is used?

 

[8x57]

Wouldn't the moulded rubber pad normally rest against the shooting glove and the single point sling be positioned in front of that so as to ride over the top of the glove?

The bi-pod adaptor (PH or versa-pod) is mounted too far forward to take a shooting sling so can only be used to mount the bipod and/or a carrying sling.

 

[ian 243]

hi i had a parkerhale safari in 308 shot 5 rounds kick like a B sold it

 

[glen13]

About the parker hale with 2 mags from Leek shooting supplies, pristine, hardly used, 1:10 twist barrel, i bought it!

 

[Toxster]

I knew that would happen.....not bovvered though as I needed it to happen to stop me from buying off the internet.

Let us know how you get on and if you're down at Bisley it'd be cool to meet up and see how it goes.

 

[glen13]

Hi Toxter, i went to see it and was delighted with the condition, a bit of a trek, how could i say no to such a fine rifle. One of the mags looks unused and the p-h bipod that came with it has very little ware. I`m really looking forward to working up some loads. The trigger will need some adjustment as it`s a bit heavy for me but all in all i`m chuffed.