Beretta BRX1

[Richard308]

Beretta shotguns deserve a better comparison than a Tikka surely! Sako I can see it…

A Baikal or maybe a lanber would be the Tikka I guess?

And to be fair the brx1 is more like a benelli m4 for its innovations

 

[gixer1]

No the reason I said silver pigeon is

1) they are utterly bomb proof - a bit like the Tikka and Sako’s, and for many are the default option

2) they are all from the same stable

3) the Tikka’s are the Basic Silver Pigeons - the Sako’s the higher end side plated versions etc

The Baikal rifles are the Baikal shotguns. The Bergara’s are the Lanbers.

Hmmm…still thinking the tikka’s are a bit rough to look at usually and made with recycled takeaway cutlery…the silver pigeons are usually nicely put together and solid feeling.

 

[Mr. Gain]

I saw today that Haenel have also announced a straight-pull scheduled to arrive early next year.

Jaeger NXT – C.G. Haenel

The JAEGER NXT straight pull bolt action rifle offers much more of everything: more speed when cocking and repeating, more robustness in daily use, more safety and more good feeling when hunting.

www.cg-haenel.de

None of the innovation, versatility or reversibility of the Beretta, but a fair-looking rifle and interesting because it's the first I've seen to pitch itself as "green" - i.e. with a bore designed specifically for non-lead projectiles. There's some blurb about using laminate to avoid plastic and save trees as well, and the plastic bits are bio-resin composite, or some such, but TBH I was expecting Blaser to be first out of the gate with dedicated non-lead barrels.

 

[Steff]

I saw today that Haenel have also announced a straight-pull scheduled to arrive early next year.

Jaeger NXT – C.G. Haenel

The JAEGER NXT straight pull bolt action rifle offers much more of everything: more speed when cocking and repeating, more robustness in daily use, more safety and more good feeling when hunting.

www.cg-haenel.de

None of the innovation, versatility or reversibility of the Beretta, but a fair-looking rifle and interesting because it's the first I've seen to pitch itself as "green" - i.e. with a bore designed specifically for non-lead projectiles. There's some blurb about using laminate to avoid plastic and save trees as well, and the plastic bits are bio-resin composite, or some such, but TBH I was expecting Blaser to be first out of the gate with dedicated non-lead barrels.

I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Sabatti were the first to market barrels especially designed for lead free bullets. Have a search for MRR (Multi Radial Rifeling).

As for avoiding plastic, saving trees and using bio-resin - Is Greta gonna buy one?

 

[vpk999]

The bit that puzzles me is " where do all the old rifles go to die "? As soon as a new rifle comes on the market, everyone wants one. The stumbling block for me is what do you do with your old rifle of the same calibre, assuming you are trading in a " like for like ". There seems to be next to no second hand market, as everybody wants the new one and considers every second hand rifle to have a " shot out " barrel. Most of us laugh when we see a rifle advertised with a round count of only " 80 shots ". Given that I can fire 100 rounds a day at the range, I certainly don't believe it. If we were like the US and could have 20 rifles in the cabinet, it would be fine. In Blighty it's very difficult to justify 2 rifles of the same calibre and 10 different calibres become expensive and not practical.

 

[Mr. Gain]

I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Sabatti were the first to market barrels especially designed for lead free bullets. Have a search for MRR (Multi Radial Rifeling).

As for avoiding plastic, saving trees and using bio-resin - Is Greta gonna buy one?

No disappointment! I'm always happy to learn something... But... to split hairs... Sabatti's MMR wasn't designed with non-lead in mind, they just found that it gave all-round performance and adjusted their marketing accordingly. I'm not speaking against Sabatti here. I regard them as a fine company that is undeservedly obscure.
As for Greta, great idea! Haenel should present her with a personalized NXT and gift her a hunting trip with a conservation-focussed Swedish outfitter (i.e. pretty much anyone). She could cycle or sail there. Perfect!

 

[Heym SR20]

The bit that puzzles me is " where do all the old rifles go to die "? As soon as a new rifle comes on the market, everyone wants one. The stumbling block for me is what do you do with your old rifle of the same calibre, assuming you are trading in a " like for like ". There seems to be next to no second hand market, as everybody wants the new one and considers every second hand rifle to have a " shot out " barrel. Most of us laugh when we see a rifle advertised with a round count of only " 80 shots ". Given that I can fire 100 rounds a day at the range, I certainly don't believe it. If we were like the US and could have 20 rifles in the cabinet, it would be fine. In Blighty it's very difficult to justify 2 rifles of the same calibre and 10 different calibres become expensive and not practical.simply go for scrap. The better ones will end up in auctions where they will be sold for small amounts and then be sold into places like the US or other parts of the world as sporting rifles and shotguns a pallet load at a time.

Most are scrapped. A few of the good ones end up in auctions and are bought up by overseas dealers for not a lot and then exported by the pallet load. And a few that are handed in will be stripped for parts and actions.

 

[gixer1]

The bit that puzzles me is " where do all the old rifles go to die "? As soon as a new rifle comes on the market, everyone wants one. The stumbling block for me is what do you do with your old rifle of the same calibre, assuming you are trading in a " like for like ". There seems to be next to no second hand market, as everybody wants the new one and considers every second hand rifle to have a " shot out " barrel. Most of us laugh when we see a rifle advertised with a round count of only " 80 shots ". Given that I can fire 100 rounds a day at the range, I certainly don't believe it. If we were like the US and could have 20 rifles in the cabinet, it would be fine. In Blighty it's very difficult to justify 2 rifles of the same calibre and 10 different calibres become expensive and not practical.

I don’t laugh…try and find a range near the northeast of Scotland that anyone can use…

I stored my rifles and shotguns for 3 years while away, not a shot fired through any in that time and I have a rifle in a chambering that I seldom use…lucky if it see’s 20 rounds a year. I also no longer do much fixing so my 243win sees very little use…there are plenty of reasons why round count could be genuinely low.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Heym SR20]

I don’t laugh…try and find a range near the northeast of Scotland that anyone can use…

I stored my rifles and shotguns for 3 years while away, not a shot fired through any in that time and I have a rifle in a chambering that I seldom use…lucky if it see’s 20 rounds a year. I also no longer do much fixing so my 243win sees very little use…there are plenty of reasons why round count could be genuinely low.

Regards,
Gixer

Agreed, a large number of stalking rifles are used once or twice a year for the annual trip to the Highlands. A few shots on the target, one shot on a deer. A clean and then away it goes.

Until I got my own permissions the above was pretty much me. Indeed for me in the last couple of years

With my two stalking rifkes I think I have fired less than a dozen shots. One at a fox. Three or four on the basis I have gone for several outings and seen feck all. Now I wonder if can hit that little white rock / mark on a tree etc just to check I can still shoot and once at a Sika Buck. And just a few a targets to check zero.

My 223 has had perhaps 100 rounds through it on the range at gongs and also testing the new stock etc.

Rifles don’t really wear out. They die for two reasons - They go out of fashion or they are neglected.

In Germany nobody wants their grandfathers doubles, combinations or drillings. The really clean ones are on dealers shelves - probably over priced. Most are given away. All the younger hunters want Blasers.

Same with old British boxlocks - nobody wants them.

 

[20-250]

Most of us laugh when we see a rifle advertised with a round count of only " 80 shots ". Given that I can fire 100 rounds a day at the range, I certainly don't believe it.

What is this 'range' of which you speak?
We don't all enjoy knocking holes through bits of paper.
I for one have had custom rifles built, developed a load then lost all interest in the cartridge, the rifle or lost the desire or opportunity to shoot what the rifle was intended for so have moved the rifle on with low round count to be replaced with something else.

 

[vpk999]

What is this 'range' of which you speak?
We don't all enjoy knocking holes through bits of paper.
I for one have had custom rifles built, developed a load then lost all interest in the cartridge, the rifle or lost the desire or opportunity to shoot what the rifle was intended for so have moved the rifle on with low round count to be replaced with something else.

I don't enjoy knocking holes in bits of paper either. I shoot paper at a 100 yard range when doing load development or when checking my zero. I shoot steel plates at 2 of the ranges that I am a member of. I shoot out to around 1000 yards to practice and try to read the wind. Elevation is usually pretty easy once you know the speed of your bullet, but a constantly changing wind makes it far more difficult. I would never try to shoot a deer much past 200 yards, but knowing how to shoot at extended ranges is skill that's good to learn. Try the 2km range at Eskdalemuir, if you fancy the drive North.

 

[20-250]

I think you’re missing my point. Some people sell rifles which haven’t done much work, whether you believe it or not.

 

[Founders]

I have had a good read of these. Seems that price in Europe will be a bit under €1,600 and launch calibres of 6.5cm, 308, 30-06 and 300 win mag.

They have focused on good handling, pointability and quick repeat shots. Not so much UK style but the Europeans hunt like that and in many countries do a lot of running boar / moose type targets to train for such. Go to Germany and there are public rifle ranges and clubs with ranges everywhere - think sporting clays in UK, instead think sporting rifle ranges.

At this price they will sell truck loads of these. Whilst we might all want to shoot a Blaser F6, Kreighoff, or Holland and Holland in reality we use Silver Pigeons.

Most younger European hunters would love a Blaser or Merkel straight pull, but still use a turnbolt or grandpas old combination, double or drilling. The Blaser’s are out of their price point. The BRX1 gives them all the Modern functionality but at a blue collar price.

Calibre choice

6.5 cm for smaller game, and low recoil, and for the long range gong basher

308 in a 20” barrel - the do it all, find ammo anywhere all round for the guy who just wants it go bang and for it to deal with pretty much anything.

30-06 in a 22” barrel - for the older generation who like the long cartridge and the extra horse power and velocity to give a bit longer point blank range, because having to find your reading glasses so you can read off the range and then read the numbers on the twiddly turrets is far too much of a faff and the buck has no buggered off

And 300 win mag - for either the older generation in the mountains who really wants high velocity and a getting on for 300m point blank range, or the ability to shoot 200 plus ggrain bullets at really big animals, or for the nimrod who needs a magnum to shoot roe deer at 50m because …..you know the type.

Looking at pictures of the stock and foreend, it really doesn’t look a huge job to inlet a piece of wood or laminate - no more than a semi auto shotgun, so if Berreta don’t do a wood or laminate version, the after market quickly will.

Looks like the barrels have a picattiny rail as an integral part of the barrel. Not pretty, but really functional and gives huge options for sighting options. Barrels are all screw threaded so no issue adding a moderator. As for open sights - well there are now moderators that include a foresight, and there are any number of peepsite options for rails.

I can see one of these possibly forming part of my armoury. At the price its the sort of gun I would buy, leave with hunting friends in Germany and use down there, now that we have a lot more faff taking guns into Europe. Or to have it as a rough weather gun, and something versatile so that given its ambidextrous nature (I am left handed) both I and friends who I take out stalking can both use it.

Great write up and points to think about

 

[ColinBr]

Just been sent a link and they are cheaper than expected over here.
£1235. Now thats seriously tempting!

 

[Richard308]

Where’s that?

 

[ColinBr]

Beretta Centerfire rifles

Welcome to McAvoy Guns - Your online shooting superstore!

www.mcavoyguns.co.uk

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

The bit that puzzles me is " where do all the old rifles go to die "? As soon as a new rifle comes on the market, everyone wants one. The stumbling block for me is what do you do with your old rifle of the same calibre, assuming you are trading in a " like for like ". There seems to be next to no second hand market, as everybody wants the new one and considers every second hand rifle to have a " shot out " barrel. Most of us laugh when we see a rifle advertised with a round count of only " 80 shots ". Given that I can fire 100 rounds a day at the range, I certainly don't believe it. If we were like the US and could have 20 rifles in the cabinet, it would be fine. In Blighty it's very difficult to justify 2 rifles of the same calibre and 10 different calibres become expensive and not practical.

Some which end up in dealers as second-hand rifles will go towards the semi-custom projects that people put together. This has been the Remingtons previously, now seems to be T3s and who knows what it will be next, but it's taking a solid base action and making it something special out of it.

I have two T3s that are like that, in both the action is about the only 'factory' part.

My third T3 was bought with the advice from the previous owner 'it'll probably need rebarrelling' which I was more than happy to do, however when I stuck a few rounds through it and worked up a load it shoots sub 1/2" groups at 100m still, hence I'm holding off rebarrelling for a moment (maybe not too long as it's a magnum that I'm running hot). It's not going to compete with my other rifles in accuracy but it's more than sufficient for stalking.

People who like to get the newest toy just make it possible for others to tinker and spec something out exactly as they want it!


Ben

 

[sanibel686]

Cantilever rails have always been a big worry for me in terms of confidence of holding zero when you are out knocking against trees, pub urinals, ice-cream vans etc. Any thoughts on this rail guys?

 

[pbear94]

Beretta Centerfire rifles

Welcome to McAvoy Guns - Your online shooting superstore!

www.mcavoyguns.co.uk

Thats cheap. Worth a punt at that price. Be interesting to see what other caliber follow.

 

[Heym SR20]

Cantilever rails have always been a big worry for me in terms of confidence of holding zero when you are out knocking against trees, pub urinals, ice-cream vans etc. Any thoughts on this rail guys?

Many break action guns have claw mounts where the front mount is on the objective bell of the scope and the rear mount is in front of the turrets. I have one like this and have had no issue with holding zero.

With the BRX1 the rail is integral with the barrel. And the Blaser system also works well.

I suppose technically there is more leverage in the event of a fall, but if you have a fall with enough force to do damage it will damage regardless of whether its canter-levered or not.