Blaser, Shultz & Larsen, Beretta, Sako or ???

[Tris88]

So, I’m off to the shooting show in Feb looking for a new rifle. Whilst I know we all have guns we prefer I’m after a tool that works and will last. When and if the barrel starts to die, I’d like it to be easily replaced.

I’d also like if possible to swap scopes without loosing too much zero, ideally none. So that I can use it as my stalking rifle then swap to foxes as required. Hence the blaser has made the list.

I do like a bit of wood on a gun but will likely end up synthetic.

It will be used 50-300 yards at deer and foxes.

Any thoughts and experiences welcome.

 

[Ronin]

Swap barrels ,,nice wood or synthetic option

Schultz Larsen

Tikka would be the other choice

You could look at Sauer too

Blaser work but

 

[404Shooter]

Try to keep an open mind and shoulder as many rifles as you can before you make your choice. It’s about how it feels and performs in your hands rather than how it looks, although I do think the S&L range are things of engineering beauty!

 

[willie_gunn]

Let me think......

"a tool that works and will last"

"When and if the barrel starts to die, I’d like it to be easily replaced"

"I’d also like if possible to swap scopes without loosing too much zero, ideally none"

"I do like a bit of wood on a gun but will likely end up synthetic."

Sounds like you've described the benefits of the Blaser already.

 

[doric_prince]

Might not be on your horizon, however if you choose to buy a second barrel on a blaser platform (at least the r93s are like this) and switch 1 scope between the 2, making use of turret clicks to reset between them without re zeroing; be aware that you might have to re adjust the blaser saddle mount fitting between the 2 barrels (spacing isn’t uniform) which won’t hold a zero using the above method. Speaking from recent experience, which meant a whole second set of mounts and a scope was needed for each barrel. Of course you could get round this with using a picitinany rail And 1 scope. Worth knowing this upfront when selecting mounts / platform.

 

[dave 67]

Schultz and Larsen the scope is attached to the receiver not the barrel, so when you swap to a different caliber you don’t need to swap scopes.
Also you can buy dedicated scope rings that attach to the receiver or fit a picatinny rail, you also don’t need different bolt heads for standard caliber only needing a new bolt for magnum calibre cartridges.

 

[topscots1]

Sauer 404 scope stays in the reciever and the barrel is changed. Won’t get a better rifle, I have had Sako,tikka,blaser, custom built rifles.
I now have two sauer 404s. I only need one and have the stock and bolt for the other in the classifieds. Although I’m thinking of keeping it as my NV set up.

 

[Overlay]

I love the Blaser mainly because you can switch calibre's and also from day to night vision in seconds so easily without losing any zero, they are well built and very very accurate, if only they done a 22 hornet

There Is no hoi poloi they just work exceptionally well, for me nothing not to like about the Blaser

i have the 22 hornet in Anschutz and weihrach which either have a fixed day or a night sight attached, they are both exceptionally accurate as well, the world Is your oyster, hard part is choosing what suits you and your shooting

 

[Cottis]

S&L slide and lock scope mounts are superb. I mean a properly good design that repeats and you can have the mounts sat back a touch for winter use when added layers means eye relief on ocular increases. It is a very well thought, practical and repeatable system.

They are also very good rifles with better barrels than the mass produced hammer forged stuff that comes out of Isny. Don't get me wrong, I also have a Mauser which has a barrel of the same origin as Blaser and it shoots well but it is not in the same class as rthe S&L barrel.

Like Blaser, it is a piece of cake to replace the barrel if/when it is needed. The triggers are awesome, metal magazines that work well and the finish is superb.

You also don't have to own a Blaser which is a nice fringe benefit. They come in Synth now but I have a upgraded wood on mine and use it for lamping and all sorts. I don't nanny it but it holds up fine. They are glass bedded and easy to strip when wet. A quick wipe down with BLO once a year gets it looking minty fresh again.

You will not regret an S&L

 

[Tris88]

S&L slide and lock scope mounts are superb. I mean a properly good design that repeats and you can have the mounts sat back a touch for winter use when added layers means eye relief on ocular increases. It is a very well thought, practical and repeatable system.

They are also very good rifles with better barrels than the mass produced hammer forged stuff that comes out of Isny. Don't get me wrong, I also have a Mauser which has a barrel of the same origin as Blaser and it shoots well but it is not in the same class as rthe S&L barrel.

Like Blaser, it is a piece of cake to replace the barrel if/when it is needed. The triggers are awesome, metal magazines that work well and the finish is superb.

You also don't have to own a Blaser which is a nice fringe benefit. They come in Synth now but I have a upgraded wood on mine and use it for lamping and all sorts. I don't nanny it but it holds up fine. They are glass bedded and easy to strip when wet. A quick wipe down with BLO once a year gets it looking minty fresh again.

You will not regret an S&L

Do you find the S&L slide and lock mounts hold zero when swapping scopes, whilst it’s not a deal breaker it would be nice not have to worry about test shots if I need pick up the rifle and head out in the dark after foxes.

 

[Heym SR20]

Look carefully at lots of rifles and there are many many different price points. Don’t get overly concerned re easy change barrels as most barrels in stalking rifles will outlast most stalkers if you look after it. Different matter if you shoot 200 rounds each week on the range.

Return to zero is matter of the type of mounts and how well they and the rifle are put together. It’s all about tolerances.

And its your definition of return to zero that matters. Most swing off, or quick detach rail type mounts are close enough that you will be more than adequate for most stalking purposes - but even the best, it still pays to a test shot or two, especially if you are going out to longer ranges.

Key with any rifle is fit. If a rifle fits and is comfortable you will shoot well. In the field you often have time to adjust and fidget. Most of us can shoot well enough with any rifle if we take time. But that buck of a lifetime pops out looks at you and gives you a couple of seconds is where rifle fit counts.

And when trying a rifle get down on the floor and try it prone. Many rifles feel good standing, but if most shots are from prone this becomes important.

And really think carefully about what you want to use the rifle for. Are you wanting a do it all rifle that can do everything from an overseas trip on wild boar, antelope, to all UK deer from woodlands to open hill. Are you fit and strong and quite happy running over mountains with lots of weight, or does every gram of weight matter.

Or are you much more inclined to more stationary style shooting targets / gongs and the occasional fox or long range deer.

Style of rifle / optics / sights combination / fit and how you like it should be first, Calibre and cartridge second, and brand third.

 

[Howzat]

S+ L Tried a few this is the best yet for me

 

[andychas]

All the rifles mentioned are of course worthy, difficult to get a bad rifle there tbh. Personally speaking, much as I love the charm of steel and wood on my Schultz with its undoubted craftsmanship and accuracy, blasers fit me better and I enjoy them more. Ive never used the switch barrel on the S&L so can’t comment there but the blaser engineering, mount and barrel change is excellent IMO. Whilst it’s true that changing mounts to different barrels may require the mount adjusting, Ive not had to do that on my thermal, mounts on the 223 and 6xc with a minor adjustment in zero which is 100% repeatable, to me it makes sense that the scope is attached to the barrel, not the receiver. As said above, try and handle a few, ideally shoot them and see which fits and appeals.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I used to have a Sauer Outback in ..243 which was a great rifle but fancied a change in calibre.

Went to a Blaser demo day and absolutely loved the Professional Success but was put off getting one in 7mm-08.

Tried a Sauer 404 XTC at the same demo day and just didn’t feel it fitted me or felt as natural as the Blaser which I was quite surprised at.

I opted for a semi- custom Tikka 7mm-08 (SD classifieds) which is fantastically accurate and lovely to use but I will be opting for a Blaser Pro Success in .270 as soon as I can get the Tikka sold or traded in.

 

[Cottis]

Do you find the S&L slide and lock mounts hold zero when swapping scopes, whilst it’s not a deal breaker it would be nice not have to worry about test shots if I need pick up the rifle and head out in the dark after foxes.

I don't swap scopes on that rifle. I did remove the mounts and scope together once when giving the entire action a proper clean and light oil and when it was put back together (which also included removing the barrel and then putting it back and also screwing the whole action back in to the stock) the rifle shot within half an inch of its orginal zero.

If you were not removing the barrel and not removing the action from the stock, I would have every faith in those mounts returning to zero each time. If the scope is off good quality and the screws are gradually tightened up a little at a time until everything is bedded down so that all contact points of the tube enjoy the same amount of torque, then it should shoot bang on each time. It is hard to explain without showing a picture of the mount slide system but it can literally only go back to the same place each time. There can be no forward/back or lateral movement at all.

 

[Tazz]

Sauer 404 scope stays in the reciever and the barrel is changed. Won’t get a better rifle, I have had Sako,tikka,blaser, custom built rifles.
I now have two sauer 404s. I only need one and have the stock and bolt for the other in the classifieds. Although I’m thinking of keeping it as my NV set up.

Second vote for Sauer 404, I also have two both synthetic thumb holes one in 270 and the other in 300wm. Great accuracy, simple barrel swaps, simple full breakdown with built in tool plus 4 option weight trigger again simple to adjust

 

[topscots1]

Second vote for Sauer 404, I also have two both synthetic thumb holes one in 270 and the other in 300wm. Great accuracy, simple barrel swaps, simple full breakdown with built in tool plus 4 option weight trigger again simple to adjust

I have one synthetic thumbhole in the Prym1 camo. And another standard synthetic. I’m about to set up the thumbhole as a stalking rifle with both my 7mm rem mag and 223 barrels. I’ll then zero the 223 barrel and my nightvision on the standard barrel. I was trying to use it as dedicated NV but miss the 223 for Roe. I’m hoping the difference in point of impact won’t be massive between barrels. Record the clicks and use one scope for both.

 

[Tris88]

I have one synthetic thumbhole in the Prym1 camo. And another standard synthetic. I’m about to set up the thumbhole as a stalking rifle with both my 7mm rem mag and 223 barrels. I’ll then zero the 223 barrel and my nightvision on the standard barrel. I was trying to use it as dedicated NV but miss the 223 for Roe. I’m hoping the difference in point of impact won’t be massive between barrels. Record the clicks and use one scope for both.

I’m not so worried about strikes for barrel changes, more scopes. I’m happy to shoot foxes with my deer rifle.

I notice the 404 has even more expensive mounting points than the blaser. I’m guessing these are very reliable to keep zero for that price.

 

[Mr. Gain]

My experience with the S&L and S&L mounts us that return to zero is perfect. Groups shot with multiple scope and barrel removals/refitting were scarcely bigger than ones produced in a single unbroken string. There was no difference in POI.

 

[Uncas]

I have owned over 40+rifles in a lifetime, some very expensive.
Quality build, value for money, S&L every time.