New member from Australia; main interest is BSA rifles

[Blue Flyer]

Hi all, new introduction as requested. I am an experienced shooter (both target and field) from the eastern (right hand) side of Australia. I have a particular interest in the early BSA centrefire sporters known as the Hunter and Royal series with the mauser type action. I don't know why I like them, I just do. I am lucky enough to have a choice of shooting locations and prey - foxes, pigs, goats, rabbits and hares and the odd deer. I use a range of calibres from 222 to 308, and most of them are BSA. That said my field class rifle is a fast twist 223 Ruger 77. So I'm not too fussy on what I use as long as I'm out there somewhere "taking a rifle for a walk".

My main reason for joining this forum is to discuss/discover more of the history of the BSA rifles.

Regards, Blue Flyer

 

[takbok]

Welcome,

Rory

 

[Uncle Norm]

Welcome. I have John Knibbs' book 'The Golden Century', which is a detailed history of BSA, with lots of information on the models you favour.
You can always send me queries by PM and I will do my best to look the information up. I am not a BSA expert by any stretch of the imagination. I do own an original BSA .22 Hornet though.

 

[Neoublie1]

Welcome.

 

[bigeck]

Welcome to the site.

 

[deerwarden]

Hi all, new introduction as requested. I am an experienced shooter (both target and field) from the eastern (right hand) side of Australia. I have a particular interest in the early BSA centrefire sporters known as the Hunter and Royal series with the mauser type action. I don't know why I like them, I just do. I am lucky enough to have a choice of shooting locations and prey - foxes, pigs, goats, rabbits and hares and the odd deer. I use a range of calibres from 222 to 308, and most of them are BSA. That said my field class rifle is a fast twist 223 Ruger 77. So I'm not too fussy on what I use as long as I'm out there somewhere "taking a rifle for a walk".

My main reason for joining this forum is to discuss/discover more of the history of the BSA rifles.

Regards, Blue Flyer

I have a lovely Beeza Hunter in 7x57, only issue was the aluminium trigger guard, I made one out of steel and it works a treat. BSA produced some great air rifles as well, and I have 3 BSA Airsporters, one of which is a mint MK 1 in mint condition. My best mate has a lovely little BSA in 222 that has taken lots of deer as he was a pro ranger here in the U.K. BSA was a prolific producer of guns for many years, and lots of information available on the internet, kind regards deerwarden.

 

[Blue Flyer]

Deerwarden, does your 7x57 have "HUNTER" stamped on the left hand side of the receiver?

 

[ballkeeper]

welcome to the site.

 

[John Gryphon]

Ad on UG`s today.

Calibre/Item: 243W
Make: BSA
Model: Viscount Hunter
Action: Bolt repeater
Scope/Sights: Nikko Stirling 4x40
Condition: Good
Price: $550
Advertised: 20/11/2017
Comment: BSA Viscount Hunter in 243W with a Nikko Stirling 4x40 scope. Has muzzle break built into barrel giving very little reco...

[TD="align: left"]Cowboy Guns & Gear 54-56 Kendal St Cowra NSW[/TD]

Calibre/Item: 243W

 

[scrumbag]

Welcome from another CRF fan!

 

[JAYB]

Welcome to the site,

John

 

[Scotty1980]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Blue Flyer]

johngryphon, you may be a bad influence. That Viscount Featherweight is now winging its way to my brother.

 

[bullet chucker]

Welcome to the site.

BC..

 

[Pedro]

Welcome!

 

[John Gryphon]

johngryphon, you may be a bad influence. That Viscount Featherweight is now winging its way to my brother.

You are welcome and a small payback required is a pic of the rifle with taken game.

 

[John Gryphon]

and another on UG`s


Calibre/Item: 243W
Make: BSA
Model: Monarch
Action: Bolt repeater
Scope/Sights: 3-9x40 Tasco
Condition: Good
Price: $495
Advertised: 29/11/2017
Comment: A nice example of a quality British made rifle in good working order. Quality scope mounts and plenty of life in it....
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[Laurie]

Deerwarden, does your 7x57 have "HUNTER" stamped on the left hand side of the receiver?

Again, welcome to SD. I also have a 7X57 Hunter from the first run of medium action rifles. On the basis of its serial number, it's mid-run which would likely make it 1956 using Knibbs' lists of production dates. It doesn't have a model name anywhere on it.

 

[Blue Flyer]

Johngryphon, I think you may be an enabler....
I will get a photo of the aforementioned Viscount, but it may be a month or two. I was away on a shooting trip on the weekend with my brother and father (over 70 and still going strong). We were mainly spotlighting (with 22-250's) but our daytime walking around rifles were two 243's and a 308 - all Featherweight Viscounts. There is something about using a rifle older than me that adds to these trips (as well as no phone reception).
It turns out I know that Monarch. It is in very good condition and is a fine action, but later than I am interested in. It is a 2nd Pattern with the Remington 700 mounts - late '60s early '70s. It will make a good rifle for someone for not much money.
Laurie, if it doesn't have Hunter on the side I would call it a Royal Viscount, but I don't know if that was what BSA would have called it. You should be able to date it off the letter codes on the Birmingham Proof mark (looks like crossed swords on the LHS of the barrel). The letter at 9 o'clock denotes the year (I think '56 was G). If it is early I am guessing it has a three-digit number ie 5Bxxx. My brother has one in 308 - walnut stock with cheek comb and schnabel forend and no muzzle brake. A fine rifle by any standard and I would assume you like yours.