Stutzen Rifles

I personally am not a fan of short barrelled rifles, and these include most Stutzens. I am 6ft with long arms and just find them too short and also loud.

The original Steyr Mannlichers I really like - the ones with forward bolt handle and proper steel rotary magazine. Many are full stocked carbines, but i prefer the half stock full length ones.
 
Are 7mm-08 easier to find on the shelf than the 7x57?

I am not afraid of reloading but am relatively new to it. Have worked up an SST load for the 243 with some help from members here.

The reason I specifically asked about these calibres is that I currently have an empty 308 slot but have seen a nice SM 7x57 for sale.Poor timing really but it set me thinking?...

Do people think the 7x57 in a short Stutzen format will do the business once we are all pushed to non toxic?

there are usually loads of .243 Stutzens on gun trader but I shied away from those because it seems shortening the barrels reduces mv in that calibre and had a slot for .308 when I found a bargain in a shop. I have seen a lot in 7x57 and I think that would be a great calibre but haven’t used it myself. But I assume if loads of our continental cousins bought them in that calibre it must work.

when I finally splash out on some active digital earplugs I would use the stutzen more. Maybe when I have more stalking at shorter ranges in woodland. Aas most on my shots at present are out to 200 yd over clearfell so I rarely use the stutzen with a 1.25-4x24 scope now.

im with PM regarding reloading. If you can get the result you need with shop bought why bother reloading If it isn’t recreation for you. I have a small cottage and no garage/ workshop so lack space to have it all set up.
 
I personally am not a fan of short barrelled rifles, and these include most Stutzens. I am 6ft with long arms and just find them too short and also loud.

The original Steyr Mannlichers I really like - the ones with forward bolt handle and proper steel rotary magazine. Many are full stocked carbines, but i prefer the half stock full length ones.
You mean like this one? It's a mannlicher schoenauer GK in 7x57. The barrel length is 52 cms/20.5 inches.
20684600_10155994405653488_252452124_o.webp

I love this rifle, but it had a fixed 2,5 scope and finding a New one that Suits the mounts and bolt lift has not Been easy. It carries a 6x now.

If it was legal I'd prefer to use this rifle with iron sights for woodland stalking exclusively, but in Italy a rifle has to have an optic on it to be stalking legal. So in the End i might just go back to the old but functional 2.5 x. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble had i realized that from The get go, lol.
 
This one in Sunday best,
View attachment 183623
Ready for the dirty work ;)
View attachment 183624
That is pretty cool! You are changing the stock for rougher vs easier use, right?

How did you find a synthetic half length stock that fits your Stutzen length barrel if i may ask?

And aren't you worried about potential losing accuracy when changing stocks, or do you Just go to The range and reconfirm the zero after each stock change?

Really Cool idea though :)
 
That is pretty cool! You are changing the stock for rougher vs easier use, right?

How did you find a synthetic half length stock that fits your Stutzen length barrel if i may ask?

And aren't you worried about potential losing accuracy when changing stocks, or do you Just go to The range and reconfirm the zero after each stock change?

Really Cool idea though :)
I was quite surprised at the change in point of impact when removing the stutzen forend, I checked and it shot perfectly in line vertically but at 100yds it was 6” low! It never changed POI over the years, winter or summer, other than when changing between bullet weights.
I found the off-road stock and forend through Garlands, when it’s soaking wet I don’t have to worry :)
 
I was quite surprised at the change in point of impact when removing the stutzen forend, I checked and it shot perfectly in line vertically but at 100yds it was 6” low! It never changed POI over the years, winter or summer, other than when changing between bullet weights.
I found the off-road stock and forend through Garlands, when it’s soaking wet I don’t have to worry :)
Yep, it's a Very nifty alternative to buying a second half stock rifle instead.
Of course it requires a usable stock to be gettable, but if it is then it's cool.

My mannlicher s would probably be pretty difficult to find a bad weather half stock for , for example.
However as production technology improves we might one day be able to have proper custom stocks done for even our older and rifles on demand. I'm thinking about 3d printing production forms and similar.
For Now I'll just have to be patient, and use my more rugged half stock for the rainy days and rugged terrain i guess but i quite like your solution :).



Ps. Six inches over a 100 yrds is a lot! Can that all be down to Simply barrel harmonics changing? I don't know, I'm honestly asking here 😄
 
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You mean like this one? It's a mannlicher schoenauer GK in 7x57. The barrel length is 52 cms/20.5 inches.
View attachment 183621

I love this rifle, but it had a fixed 2,5 scope and finding a New one that Suits the mounts and bolt lift has not Been easy. It carries a 6x now.

If it was legal I'd prefer to use this rifle with iron sights for woodland stalking exclusively, but in Italy a rifle has to have an optic on it to be stalking legal. So in the End i might just go back to the old but functional 2.5 x. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble had i realized that from The get go, lol.
Yes - really like these. Prefer the longer barreled ones though. Sadly they never made them with a left handed action, although there is I believe somebody who is now making a left handed one.
 
Yes - really like these. Prefer the longer barreled ones though. Sadly they never made them with a left handed action, although there is I believe somebody who is now making a left handed one.

Left handed Mannlicher Schoenauer? Are you sure?
I've Never heard about them, but that of course doesn't mean they do not exist. 👍
I have heard of guy who does newly crafted spare sparts for the MS's , but I think that is all he does, not whole rifles as such.

@Heym SR20 : how is supposed to go about making these? Does he buy up old mannlicher schoenauers and convert them to left handers?
It Sounds like a quite difficult operation.

After all they stopped making the classic style mannlicher schoenauers pre the 1972 model, as it was already becoming to cost/man hour consuming for them to Craft these sorts of rifles back then.

If you'd like I can keep an eye open for you here in Italy. I've seen a couple of seemingly well conditioned MS half stocks on the market about 2 years ago.👍

Take care lads! :)

Claus
 
I've Never heard about them, but that of course doesn't mean they do not exist. 👍
I have heard of guy who does newly crafted spare sparts for the MS's , but I think that is all he does, not whole rifles as such.

@Heym SR20 : how is supposed to go about making these? Does he buy up old mannlicher schoenauers and convert them to left handers?
It Sounds like a quite difficult operation.

After all they stopped making the classic style mannlicher schoenauers pre the 1972 model, as it was already becoming to cost/man hour consuming for them to Craft these sorts of rifles back then.

If you'd like I can keep an eye open for you here in Italy. I've seen a couple of seemingly well conditioned MS half stocks on the market about 2 years ago.👍

Take care lads! :)

Claus
Thanks, yes I think the chap making spare parts has also made actions. With CNC milling the labour cost does go down, albeit cost of machinery is a lot higher.

There are plenty of MS still in Scotland - they were popular stalking rifles and I know were plenty of then are.
 
Thanks, yes I think the chap making spare parts has also made actions. With CNC milling the labour cost does go down, albeit cost of machinery is a lot higher.

There are plenty of MS still in Scotland - they were popular stalking rifles and I know were plenty of then are.
Alright Heym, it seems you've got this One well figured out then ;D

What i really wish someone with a cnc machine would start producing for the MS, are modern (but classic looking and stylish) , mounts for the split bridge design of the MS's that doesn't cost 500 euro to acquire and another 500 to have mounted by an expert gunsmith.

I remember a MS owner mentioning such a system already existing for Non split bridge designs, but not yet for the split bridges.
Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the person or product at current.
I do love these rifles in terms of craftsmanship, feel, look and smooth operation. They're elegant yet functional beings.👍❤️
 
Looks like he makes all of the spare parts including barrels, stocks and actions - and also brand new assembled finished rifles. No mention of a left hand action though.

 
Looks like he makes all of the spare parts including barrels, stocks and actions - and also brand new assembled finished rifles. No mention of a left hand action though.

Hey Wild boar hunter,

Yep, that's the guy i was thinking about 👍
 
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