Steyr Half Stock Classic - Gutted

ths84

Well-Known Member
2014-04-23 09.06.04.jpg2014-04-23 09.06.47.jpg

I thought I would share this as I have never seen this happen before. Was out with my mate and his 308 Steyr zeroing last night, on the last shot he noticed a hell of a kick and the bullet was way off. Looking down with the torch we spotted this and a hairline fracture on the other side as well, you will even notice the scope has slid forward.

Ammo used was factory Sako.

Gutting thing is this rifle was purchased Jan 2013 last year and has had less than 80 shots through it!
 
That looks pretty serious and hard to believe it was done by just firing ammo.
It seems you were zeroing in the dark, are you sure he didn't fall on it without you noticing ?
 
This could be a result of excessive recoil....broken stock through the hand, 'scope left forward as the action recoils back, so I'd first suspect the ammunition.

Is it factory from a dealer who has this from the wholesalere/importer or "factory" as in something that has come out of an auction or from someone's cabinet that has given up that calibre? Whatever I would keep any fired cases, unfired ammunition and, if you think it useful, have it looked at and shot by the Proof House for a report on it. If you intend to make a claim for replacement stock.

I'd also as a matter of commonsense have the rifle checked by a COMPETENT gunsmith to see if the chamber has become enlarged and/or headspace affected. That means someone that knows what they are about...such as Norman Clarke...not a "back bedroom RFD"!

It may also be that the stock had a repaired crack through the hand when it was purchased. Again that would fail and, possibly, create the inertia enough to have the action recoil back from the 'scope. For it is THAT which has happened. The action has gone back not the 'scope forward. With just a normal pressure round.

Is the rifle secondhand? If so you may be able to check the auction house sites here in UK to see if it was obtained through them and catalogued as having a crack through the hand.

I am sorry for the mishap. But at least only your composure was hurt. But I would urge that you MUST get the rifle checked out, as noted above, before firing it again if you do re-stock it.
 
Rifle was brand new and also the ammo was purchased from the RFD, stock is immaculate so no knocks, trips or falls on to it as its only been out the cabinet about 4 times in 12 months as he was a bit of a pansy and didn't want to scratch it haha.
 
Worth checking ammunition. I have purchased Sako before only to find it was not Sako in the box but home loads. Turns out some guy had traded in his rifle and remaining ammunition. Rifle was given a good going over but the ammunition was put straight on the shelf to be resold.
Also get it checked over by a good gunsmith !
 
This could be a result of excessive recoil....broken stock through the hand, 'scope left forward as the action recoils back, so I'd first suspect the ammunition.

Is it factory from a dealer who has this from the wholesalere/importer or "factory" as in something that has come out of an auction or from someone's cabinet that has given up that calibre? Whatever I would keep any fired cases, unfired ammunition and, if you think it useful, have it looked at and shot by the Proof House for a report on it. If you intend to make a claim for replacement stock.

I'd also as a matter of commonsense have the rifle checked by a COMPETENT gunsmith to see if the chamber has become enlarged and/or headspace affected. That means someone that knows what they are about...such as Norman Clarke...not a "back bedroom RFD"!

It may also be that the stock had a repaired crack through the hand when it was purchased. Again that would fail and, possibly, create the inertia enough to have the action recoil back from the 'scope. For it is THAT which has happened. The action has gone back not the 'scope forward. With just a normal pressure round.

Is the rifle secondhand? If so you may be able to check the auction house sites here in UK to see if it was obtained through them and catalogued as having a crack through the hand.

I am sorry for the mishap. But at least only your composure was hurt. But I would urge that you MUST get the rifle checked out, as noted above, before firing it again if you do re-stock it.

+1 This happened to a Browning Grade 6 I had previously I was told it was a known problem with a well figured stock Avalon Guns sorted it out for me and sold it as well.
 
One of the challenges with modern CNC production and desire for beautiful wood, is that very few stocks are laid out properly so that the grain runs through the hand of the stock. From the pictures it looks as if the grain is running at an angle to the hand and a break is almost inevitable in the place where this has gone. If you look at older big game rifle with lots of recoil they have very dense and not particularly pretty wood, but the grain is correct to withstand the recoil.

i would take it straight back to dealer and get a new stock under warranty. Nothing to do with driver error, more one of CNC machine operator error for not cutting the stock correctly.
 
One of the challenges with modern CNC production and desire for beautiful wood, is that very few stocks are laid out properly so that the grain runs through the hand of the stock. From the pictures it looks as if the grain is running at an angle to the hand and a break is almost inevitable in the place where this has gone. If you look at older big game rifle with lots of recoil they have very dense and not particularly pretty wood, but the grain is correct to withstand the recoil.

i would take it straight back to dealer and get a new stock under warranty. Nothing to do with driver error, more one of CNC machine operator error for not cutting the stock correctly.

Agree entirely with this view.
 
Well just had a brief chat with the RFD, was informed that wooden stocks are not covered under warranty as we could have dropped it in a bag and caused the damage but not left a mark on the stock.

But credit to him he said send some photos through and he will take a look all though Im not holding my breath as its a case of our word saying we didn't do x y and z...
 
sounds like he,s already decided not warranty and u could have dropped it that statement speaks volume,s . with this .maybe you,d be better contacting steyr or the importer,s direct they may have had others split this way if it,s a manufacturing problem as after the crack theres a clearly visible black line along the grain??good luck
 
Have a look at Jerry Fisher - showscorrect grain layout for a strong stock. Note how the grain runs throught the grip of the rifle. Its partly helped by the flowing shape of the classic stocked rifle. Many European style stocks with quite a vertical almost need a piece of wood with an s shape to the grain.

A manufacturer not prepared to cover stocks under warranty is a poor show. A rifle should be able to withstand general every day use. That stock can be repaired and have a pin put down into the hand, but thats not the point - it should have been made correctly in the first place.
 
Well just had a brief chat with the RFD, was informed that wooden stocks are not covered under warranty as we could have dropped it in a bag and caused the damage but not left a mark on the stock.

But credit to him he said send some photos through and he will take a look all though Im not holding my breath as its a case of our word saying we didn't do x y and z...

Consumer rights also list "fit for purpose" which is looked upon from the average user's expectations not gun smiths etc. The average person would expect to get many years use from such a product and a small claims I'm sure would rule in the consumer s favour without cost ir losses to yourself. See Citizens Advise on fit for purpose etc - it's a free service. Im sure a politely worded letter highlighting this and your surprised dissapointment in an established brand would be aknowledged in a positive manner. Best of luck with it all.
 
Another reason all my stuff rifles scopes the lot is insured seperately from the house this sort of occurrence would be covered £21 / month
norma
 
Well just had a brief chat with the RFD, was informed that wooden stocks are not covered under warranty as we could have dropped it in a bag and caused the damage but not left a mark on the stock.

But credit to him he said send some photos through and he will take a look all though Im not holding my breath as its a case of our word saying we didn't do x y and z...

The dealer cannot arbitrarily decide what is or isn't covered by warranty, there is a thing called the "Sale Of Goods Act".

I would stick it to him and threaten the small claims court, they contract is between you and the dealer, not you and Steyr or you and the importer (The Sportsman in this case).
 
Contact Steyr directly, from their website. I bet they will make good on it.
I have seen .375 H&H split stocks which were too tight on the side, and one which was of Circassian Walnut and split on the marbling, but not a .308 Win. I would shoot any more of that ammunition.

That Steyr action is proofed at 90,000 PSI, but wood is wood. Mannlicher used to use very straight grain on their rifles, rather plain looking, but would hold zero forever.
 
The dealer cannot arbitrarily decide what is or isn't covered by warranty, there is a thing called the "Sale Of Goods Act".

I would stick it to him and threaten the small claims court, they contract is between you and the dealer, not you and Steyr or you and the importer (The Sportsman in this case).
You beat me to it, you are absolutely correct, this is the course of action i would take, in fact i have taken, the trading standards assisted with a phone call and the gunshop changed their stance.
Cheers
Richard
 
Another reason all my stuff rifles scopes the lot is insured seperately from the house this sort of occurrence would be covered £21 / month
norma
One of those things I'm always going to look into and never do. Do you insure with a specialist company,or just regular high st. one? Andrew.
 
Bluefin sporting insurance
i know it's not cheap but I don't smoke and rarely drink ,my shooting clothing is also covered upto £500 .
if it was all stolen I very much doubt I could afford to replace over 20 years of equipment scopes ,mods ,rifles ,shot guns ,binos all covered for accidental damage too while at home and out in the field .
norma
 
Bluefin sporting insurance
i know it's not cheap but I don't smoke and rarely drink ,my shooting clothing is also covered upto £500 .
if it was all stolen I very much doubt I could afford to replace over 20 years of equipment scopes ,mods ,rifles ,shot guns ,binos all covered for accidental damage too while at home and out in the field .
norma
Thanks for your reply Norma308. I'll look into it this time,it's amazing when you total the value of all your gear. Andrew.
 
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