Do any of our members have any of the modern Steyr Mannlicher Luxus rifles and if so are they still as good as the old ones were with the bolt that feels like it's running on silk and how have these rifles stood up to the punishment of hunting in Africa please?
I've had 2 in the dark and distant past and loved them to bits but wonder how the modern versions compare in bolt movement and reliability..... As you know, my rifles tend to get a fair bit of stick.
I hadn't planned on buying any more rifles but the deer and boar shooting here is soooooo good, I can't resist it and of course, the odd trip to Africa for pleasure (well alright, maybe a bit of business as well) is still a possibility for me.
I'd quite like a little underlever in 30.06 but don't see then here in the shops but the Luxus is available in left hand action so that'd probably be my other alternative.
I wont hesitate to buy one more but as you know im a gun whore and remember to let me tell you the story about my buff hunt with my new .3 75 from sabi.
Luan
Posts: 261 | Location: Lydenburg | Registered: 19 January 2007
Thanks buddy..... I haven't priced the Mannlichers here yet but will make a point of doing so...... I thought about having Sabi build me one but firstly don't know if they could fine me a LH action and secondly, reckon getting my others in is going to be a big enough drama let alone adding to it.
I'll look forward to hearing about the buff and the Sabi .375 when I'm sharing a campfire and a drink or three with you.
Originally posted by Ongwe: How is the gun ownership situation in Portugal?
I'm still looking into it but from what I've been able to find out, it's not too bad but my problem at the moment is that I need to get a hunter's licence and at the moment, it appears I have to write a bit of an exam but the problem is that it's in Portuguese!
We're trying to find a way over that now though.
Hunting here is very popular/common though so I'm sure there's a way over that problem.
Originally posted by shakari: Do any of our members have any of the modern Steyr Mannlicher Luxus rifles and if so are they still as good as the old ones were with the bolt that feels like it's running on silk and how have these rifles stood up to the punishment of hunting in Africa please?
I have a few steyr scout rifles and they use the same action as the modern "mannlicher"...
They are simply not the same beast as the original Mannlicher-Schoenauer system.
Easier to mount a scope? Hell yes. But I wouldn't say as smooth and a lot of plastic has found its way into the action/magazine.
That being said, they are very accurate, great triggers, the 'classic' versions certainly look good, and you can get them with decent open sights.
Comes down to a time preference thing, if they are avaliable in Portugal it would surely be a less Euro and time expensive route than to source a rifle from outside the country that would require much $$$ and patience.
Posts: 270 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: 19 August 2009
Yup that tends to be my thoughts as well but I wonder if I'll miss that silky smooth bolt the old ones used to have..... I guess I'll have to go down to the agent and take a proper look at them.
I'm 99% sure they do have reciprocal agreements because it's part of the EUSSR but I must admit, I hadn't thought of taking an exam in another EU country..... so thanks for a bloody good idea.
I emailed the national hunting association today and will see what they come back with.
Just had a MAJOR disappointment in finding the Luxus is the only model they offer in left hand action & having spent time looking at the website, I've decided the Luxus is just toooo fugly for me to own.
Can anyone suggest any other make that offers more traditional/better looking rifles in LH action or failing that, European suppliers that could find me a decent, accurate, underlever 30-06 with box magazine?
For more traditional rifle I believe the Heym SR 21 is available in left handed actions.
There is also the Antonio Zoli 1900. Basically the same action as the Husqvarna/Garl Gustaf 1900 that is no longer made, Zoli bought the machinery from the swedes and they have a solid reputation.
Neither should be hard to get within the EU, Frankonia and Alljagd are two large german distributors who you should easily be able to buy from.
As for an underlever 30-06, the Browning BLR is available through browing dealers across europe and should be easy to order from any Browning dealer.
Just a few ideas,
--Derek
It's not the caliber of the rifle that matters - It's the caliber of the man behind it.
Can anyone suggest any other make that offers more traditional/better looking rifles in LH action or failing that, European suppliers that could find me a decent, accurate, underlever 30-06 with box magazine?
I own a Merkel KR-1 bolt action - they have lefty bolts, and I have found the the gun is the equal in every way to the Blaser rifles (compared to my old mans R93), In fit, finish, accuracy, and trigger.
They have varying grades of fancyness... I have the plain-jane premium model in .270, it's a lot of gun for the money. IMHO - but exrta barrels and such aren't as readily avaliable as the R93/R8 system.
.
Posts: 270 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: 19 August 2009
I have many rifles, from many different manufacturers.
But, the only one I would use for hunting is one with a traditional bolt design.
i.e the bolt locking lugs are at the front.
I just do not seem to get into all those fancy designs where they have half the action moving with the bolt - as in the Mauser S66, straight pull of the Blaser, or the ball bearing rear locking on the Mannlichers.
Some good suggestions here folks and I thank you all for them.
I've had a Blaser R93 and although liked it for the years I owned it, I'd never have another one and will either go for a traditional turn bolt design or possibly an underlever......... the only reason I rather fancy an underlever is that I've never owned one and it'd be fun to give one a go for a while. I also like short, fast handling firearms and they'd fit the bill in that regard as well.
The old Steyr Luxus had a terribly designed Magazine release system that would eject the Magazine at random due to the release leaver being positioned in a high used area of the stock.
Posts: 5886 | Location: Sydney,Australia | Registered: 03 July 2005
If you mean the one with the plastic rotary magazine, I'd heard others say the mag was a problem but I had one for donkey's years and eventually shot it out but never had a single problem with the mag....... and wasn't that bolt oh so good..... it used to feel like it was running on silk.
I hunt here in the United States with a Steyr SBS chambered in 6.5x55. It came with the cheap synthetic stock. I purchased a replacement hardwood stock through CDNN for about $60.00 years ago.
The rifle has a staggered detchable magazine. The plastic one. I have never had one break, and I am clumsy. I think the luxus models are almost as ugly as the scandanavian market sig pistols. Just awful. However, I think that you would hard pressed to find a better out of the box rifle than the modern Steyr.
Posts: 831 | Location: Virginia | Registered: 28 January 2005
My first rifle was a Steyr Mannlicher model M Professional in 270win with the double set triggers.I had issues with the trigger,trigger guard,magazine,bolt not staying closed,and the cast extractor.
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002
If you want a short quick handling rifle thats good for a lefty maybe a Heym SR-30 Keiler would suit you. Its a straight pull action, but more traditionally styled than the Blasers. The Keiler is the short version designed for driven boar hunts. Its available with straight comb or bavarian hogback style stocks. And it comes in a left handed version.
I have a right handed SR30 standard in 6.5x55 and I love it. Solid, no plastic parts anywhere, accurate, and fast handling.
The idea of a Sako Finnwolf as mentioned by Sott also sounds excellent, but they are hard to find. Otherwise maybe a Browning BLR would work, an underlever action with a clip, and available in 30-06. They are available in Europe so any Browning dealer should be able to get you one.
It's not the caliber of the rifle that matters - It's the caliber of the man behind it.
I guess I need to admit to a possible change of heart. I'd been planning to but myself a short, fast handling, good quality rifle for hunting in my new home here in Portugal but since I took my first Iberian red deer last week here and here I'm beginning to think it'd be more fun to use a well set up plain, basic K98 Mauser and put up with the bolt on the wrong side.
Haven't contacted him yet buddy...... I first need to sort out my PT permits AND now decide if I should go for a K98 or spend more and get a lefty....... but I'd be wasting his time if I don't get the permits sorted out first.
As for an underlever 30-06, the Browning BLR is available through browing dealers across europe
The BLR in .30-06 is not the same action as in the .308 Winchester based cartridges in BLR. It is the long action -- the same as for the .300 WM. The bolt is longer and heavier and not as fast as the short action.
I handled one in .300 WM at a dealer's and it is definitely not the same rifle as the short, 20" barreled .308 Win, which is one of the favorites for whitetail hunting here in our part of the world in thick woods, which would be similar to parts of Europe where driven hunts take place, I would think.
I too shoot from the left side and like lever guns but not the long action BLRs. Also, I've returned to RH bolts after giving LHs a try!
I don't remember now but was the Model M the one with the plastic rotary magazine?
If so, I had one in 30.06 for years and loved it to bits but sadly it eventually got shot out and was replaced with something else.
Yes that is the one.I liked it because it was different and did what it was designed to do-that is be a sniper rifle.It had the flat sniper bolt handle and there was no need for it to function fast and very reliably.I think the steel they used for it was very good because the bore seemed resistant to wear.My father was impressed by looking at the bore also.He would say that the steel on it seemed better than the one on his Remington-not that we know anything about steel.I wonder if it was the so called Krupp German steel.Not a rifle for Africa,IMO.
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002
