Schultz and Larsen - Final Answer

[SimonDodsworth]

So, I had the phone call I'd been waiting for yesterday; Lincs Police are finally granting my 6.5x55 variation. I had to jump through the hoops but got some good jumping practice on the way. My rifle choice has been up and down and round and round whilst waiting. However, I've put my money on a Schultz and Larsen Classic DL as I'm a sucker for a piece of timber and a classic look. Everything about it screams quality and I hope it will shoot as well as it feels. I'm having a Minox 3-15x56 scope and a Hardy moderator on it. Fingers crossed I've put together a stalking platform that will outlast me.

 

[J@son]

I have an S&L Classic with a synthetic stock. And I love it.

I was a bit concerned about the bedding on the S&L wooden stocks. Considering the extraordinary attention to detail that S&L put into every other part of the production process, the bedding on the wooden stocks looked uncharateristically slap dash. I'm not the first to flag this issue - although I've only hear a few reports of actual problems on this front.

Not an issue for me with my synthetc stock. And if the bedding on your gun needs to be adjusted further down the line, it's not a huge issue to fix. The wooden stocks certainly look lovely but I would just worry about scratching it and getting it wet etc etc. I don't need more things to add to my neurosis!

The rifle itself is exceptional - as I believe all the S&L models are. Mine is flawlessly accurate.

The S&G scope mount system works exceptionally well. It isn't advertised as a "return to zero" - but in my experience (though I would not take it for granted), in practice it's pretty damn close.

I'd recommend buying a VFG cleaning set (available from Alan Rhone). I use this and it really suits me/my gun.

Best of luck with your new gun - I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed mine. I think S&L are underated gems and don't understand why more people don't rave about them. You can see pictures of mine (if you are interested!) on my Write Ups.

 

[SimonDodsworth]

I have an S&L Classic with a synthetic stock. And I love it.

I was a bit concerned about the bedding on the S&L wooden stocks. Considering the extraordinary attention to detail that S&L put into every other part of the production process, the bedding on the wooden stocks looked uncharateristically slap dash. I'm not the first to flag this issue - although I've only hear a few reports of actual problems on this front.

Not an issue for me with my synthetc stock. And if the bedding on your gun needs to be adjusted further down the line, it's not a huge issue to fix. The wooden stocks certainly look lovely but I would just worry about scratching it and getting it wet etc etc. I don't need more things to add to my neurosis!

The rifle itself is exceptional - as I believe all the S&L models are. Mine is flawlessly accurate.

The S&G scope mount system works exceptionally well. It isn't advertised as a "return to zero" - but in my experience (though I would not take it for granted), in practice it's pretty damn close.

I'd recommend buying a VFG cleaning set (available from Alan Rhone). I use this and it really suits me/my gun.

Best of luck with your new gun - I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed mine. I think S&L are underated gems and don't understand why more people don't rave about them. You can see pictures of mine (if you are interested!) on my Write Ups.

Thanks for the pointers Jason. I love a piece of wood and enjoy maintaining it. My .223 is synth and is a vermin tool so gets abused but the S&L will be strictly for stalking. I'll look out for bedding issues. I'll look up that cleaning kit

 

[cjm1066]

It's easy to get a lot of conflicting advice.

It's probably worth visting Alan Rhone who may let you choose the wood, and the upgraded wood can be very nice.

Check were the bolt handle is welded to the bolt, I have seen pin holes in the weld.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Sounds very nice although I’ll never get over the requirement - I accept that’s what it is - to attach a can to a classic stalking rifle.

K

 

[Donkey Basher]

If you pay out for the 5 round magazine, which is about £200 I gather, make sure it works before you leave the shop… I saw first hand how they don’t work a couple of weekends back. The owner was far from happy - the lifter in the magazine was being pushed forward with the round & then jamming the whole lot up. From looking at it the bends in the lips on the top of the magazine were too high & weren't retaining the lifter within the magazine but allowing it to ride over the front & out.

 

[SimonDodsworth]

If you pay out for the 5 round magazine, which is about £200 I gather, make sure it works before you leave the shop… I saw first hand how they don’t work a couple of weekends back. The owner was far from happy - the lifter in the magazine was being pushed forward with the round & then jamming the whole lot up. From looking at it the bends in the lips on the top of the magazine were too high & weren't retaining the lifter within the magazine but allowing it to ride over the front & out.

Thanks. I’m happy with 3

 

[SimonDodsworth]

It's easy to get a lot of conflicting advice.

It's probably worth visting Alan Rhone who may let you choose the wood, and the upgraded wood can be very nice.

Check were the bolt handle is welded to the bolt, I have seen pin holes in the weld.

I’m over budget already but am happy with the wood on the rifle, for now at least. I’ll check the bolt weld when I pick it up. Thanks

 

[Klenchblaize]

I’m over budget already but am happy with the wood on the rifle, for now at least.

And we’ve not even looked at scope rings & mounts!

K

 

[SimonDodsworth]

And we’ve not even looked at scope rings & mounts!

K

I’ve gone with the S and L ones

 

[Klenchblaize]

I’ve gone with the S and L ones

K

 

[Cottis]

I’ve gone with the S and L ones

Which is the right choice. The slide and lock ring system that S&L do is very very good. High quality steel, low profile and nice dimensions but most importantly, they work and never budge.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Which is the right choice. The slide and lock ring system that S&L do is very very good. High quality steel, low profile and nice dimensions but most importantly, they work and never budge.

A valid observation but given S&L also list Ziegler as an alternative I see no reason not suggest something infinitely more soft on the eye than these agriculturally contoured and assembled monstrosities that have more in common with a vehicle parking clamp than the aesthetic S&L are clearly attempting to capture in their range of otherwise classically presented rifles:

K

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

A valid observation but given S&L also list Ziegler as an alternative I see no reason not suggest something infinitely more soft on the eye than these agriculturally contoured and assembled monstrosities that have more in common with a vehicle parking clamp than the aesthetic S&L are clearly attempting to capture in their range of otherwise classically presented rifles:

Or the OP could do it properly with a picatinny and Spuhr…

 

[Cranborne]

I had a Classic DL in .30-06 which I shouldn't have sold. I didn't experience any issues with bedding. I've seriously considered buying another, but the wait for a variation put me off. Good luck; can't fault your choice of calibre either.

 

[kripton]

I have an S&L Classic with a synthetic stock. And I love it.

I was a bit concerned about the bedding on the S&L wooden stocks. Considering the extraordinary attention to detail that S&L put into every other part of the production process, the bedding on the wooden stocks looked uncharateristically slap dash. I'm not the first to flag this issue - although I've only hear a few reports of actual problems on this front.

Not an issue for me with my synthetc stock. And if the bedding on your gun needs to be adjusted further down the line, it's not a huge issue to fix. The wooden stocks certainly look lovely but I would just worry about scratching it and getting it wet etc etc. I don't need more things to add to my neurosis!

The rifle itself is exceptional - as I believe all the S&L models are. Mine is flawlessly accurate.

The S&G scope mount system works exceptionally well. It isn't advertised as a "return to zero" - but in my experience (though I would not take it for granted), in practice it's pretty damn close.

I'd recommend buying a VFG cleaning set (available from Alan Rhone). I use this and it really suits me/my gun.

Best of luck with your new gun - I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed mine. I think S&L are underated gems and don't understand why more people don't rave about them. You can see pictures of mine (if you are interested!) on my Write Ups.

I agree that the bedding looks slapdash - Having said this mine with the original bedding was extremely accurate although later I did restock the rifle (.308) to fit me better. Should you go down this route, Alan Rhone can supply the bedding blocks which take the place of the bedding pillars more usually found in wooden stocks.
Good luck with the new gun - you will not be disappointed with an S&L.

 

[WSSX]

I have a .308 S&L Victory in wood, it's beautifully put together and shoots very well. Use the S&L rings, too - they slot straight on the receiver and make for a strong, neat and tidy setup. Why bugger about with anything else? Certainly don't look bad to my eye.

Don't put a bloody rail on it

 

[kripton]

I have a .308 S&L Victory in wood, it's beautifully put together and shoots very well. Use the S&L rings, too - they slot straight on the receiver and make for a strong, neat and tidy setup. Why bugger about with anything else? Certainly don't look bad to my eye.

Don't put a bloody rail on it

Yes the S&L "slide and lock" rings are the way to go.

 

[Woodsy]

Good choice. I have the classic in 7mm08 and love it. No bedding issues at all. The wooden stock has a few bumps and scratches now as I am not precious with it, but I think it only adds character and is to be expected on a rifle which gets plenty of use. Three round mag means four shots if required which is plenty for stalking. You’ll soon know you have made a good decision I am sure.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Don't put a bloody rail on it

But if you must they do offer one!

K