In that now famous African Hunter magazine article about things learned about rifles from the Zimbabwe PH test, the statement was made that Interarms rifles work great if bedded so the floor plate stays in place, but that their barrels are "soft" and wear out quickly.

I've never heard the "soft barrel" part anywhere else. Is this true?

I have a beautiful older Mark X .375 H&H that I bought for a song that I dearly love. It shoots wonderful groups and handles like a dream (better than my FN in the same caliber). If the "soft barrel" thing is true, then I will retire the gun from screw-around-at-the-range-with-the-kids use and reserve it for serious hunting only (since I already know what loads it likes).

Thanks

I read it there as well. I've heard comments in the past. Might have started in the same place.

I have several MKx barreled actions. Several have 1000s of rounds through them. Accuracy is just about where it was new. I'd be happy to buy one again.

quote:

I've never heard the "soft barrel" part anywhere else. Is this true?

if the remark was not qualified by stating the Rc of the "so called" soft barrels I'd believe it's just more internet

More likely what is soft is the brains of those that make these unjustified remarks.

I am in agreement with the previous posters. These barrels were hammer forged and of the several that I still own, one is a .270 with over 1k rounds through it with no loss of accuracy. The possibilities of abuse, crown damage, improper cleaning etc. could be the reason the owner speculated the barrel was soft when it ceased to group.

I hope they aren't soft, I picked up a new take-off Zastava barrel in 30-06 off Ebay for one of my Mauser projects. It's 22" and has a very light sporter conture. Mated with a B&C stock, it should make a nice lightweight rifle. I've heard Zastava barrels are fairly accurate.

These were German Bohler steel barrels and not "soft". Rediculous original statement.

I've never seen a Mk X that wouldn't shoot, and I've shot a bunch of them. I have some old ones with a lot of shots through them as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Thumpper470:
These were German Bohler steel barrels and not "soft". Rediculous original statement.

Thumper470, there are barrels on Mx Zestava actions, and then there are other barrels threded into Zestava MkX actions. The barrels in the Whitworth rifles are German Bohler Hammer forged steel, and are absolutely very good barrels, and I have never had one or seen one that would not shoot well. HOWEVER, the Interarms Alaskan, and smaller rifles not marked Whitworth, are American barrels fitted here in the states, and are not German barrels. Many of those I've seen that were less then perfect! All Zestava actions are not barreled by the same folks, I can't prove it, but I believe the current barreled actions, and rifles be imported by Daily are Zestava made barrels, and I have no idea of the quality!

There seems to be a bad habit in the shooting community, and that is calling anything with a Zestava MkX action a "WHITEWORTH"! If it isn't marked Whitworth, Mannchester, England, then it isn't a Whitworth! The barrels on Whitworth are German Bohler steel fitted in Mannchester!

Mac - I'd like to know more about these guns and am curious what the source of your information is.

I have 2 in .375 H&H one marked Manchester but not Whitworth and another marked with both Manchester and Interarms. What do you make of that?

I'm no expert on barrels, but I'm happy with these. Both shoot well and have seen lots of use but are still in great condition.

My source of information is owning and buying and selling many Whitworth rifles over the years from antique muzzleloaders to the Zestava actioned Whitworth African Express rifles, imported into the USA by Interarms, as well as talking to importers, and dealers, and reading many writeings on Whitworth rifles in general.

At the end of the availability of the Zestava actions, because of the wars in that part of the world, it is believed, by most collectors, that Interarms bought the left over stock from Whitworth, to finish out the last of their left over parts. This is why you will find Whitworth marked actions on some of the Interarms hunter, and Alaskan rifles. Many of these rifles are called Whitworth rifles, when they are not. These are simelar to the Springfield 1903s that were put together from left over parts, when the Gov sold out all their parts supply, for the springfield rifle.

The key to what you have lies in the Proof marks on the action and barrels. The actions bought from Whitworth may have been already proofed, but it is not likely, because they would have to be barreled first.

The Whitworth Safari Express was only chambered for 375 H&H, and 458 Win Mag. Was made by Whitworth Rifle Co Ltd, Mannchester, England . The Interarms Mark X, the Interarms Mark X cavalier, the Interarms Mark X Viscount, and the Interarms Mark X Alaskan, all were made by Zavodi Crvena Zastava, Belgrade, Yugoslavia One reference for the above paragraph is: Gun Trader's Guide 13th adition, by Paul Wahl page 192

I've owned 9 Interarms Mark Xs from 223 to 375, all very accurate, don't know how soft they are though.

Sounds like it can be hard to know exactly what you have. A manual that came with my Manchester marked rifle shows addresses for Interarms in both Manchester and Alexandria, VA so I never assumed that either of these is a real Whitworth. I don't have the guns in hand to check the proof marks, but the manual says the gun was proofed to "exacting Continental requirements", implying that it was assembled and proofed in europe. Can you tell from the proof marks where the gun was assembled or proofed? Was Interarms putting American made barrels on Zasatava receivers and proofing them in europe?