Does anyone living in the US own or have evidence of the existence, in the US, of a Model 72 magnum action (the S model) Mannlicher-Schoenauer? These rifles were made between 1973 and 1975 and are a half breed creature similar to the Steyr-Mannlicher but NOT the same. They have the same spiral pattern on the barrels, but have multiple front locking lugs and a rotating magazine similar to that in a Savage M 99. Magazine does not detach, and there are no plastic parts. The calibers should be only the magnums .257 WBY, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Mag, .375 H&H, .458, 8x68mm, 9.3x64mm, and the like. I am trying to determine just how rare this rifle is within the USA. (No, I do not own one.)

Yes, there was one called Model S (Schwer). It had a spare 4 round rotary magazine made of Makrolon in right of butt stock. It had beefed-up action with front lugs to withstand the gas pressure of magnum cartridges. All these Steyr rifles made years ago where expensive and consequently you don't see one every day. I would assume heavy caliber pieces are more rare than 7x57, .308,.... I never heard of S or T made in 1970s with rotary metal magazine, but some .458s were so equipped in 1950s and these big cannons are very rare.

There is a 458 Win Mag, just as you describe at a gunstore in Ft Worth. It is the MS, not the SM.
The rifle Paolo describes is the SM type.

MS in .458Win made between 1956 and late 60s is a rare piece.

The model 72 was a transitional rifle, using some features of the original Mannlicher-Schoenauers, and some features of the later Steyr-Mannlichers.

The magazine was a steel, non-detacheable rotary type, similar to the original M-S rifles. The bolt was a push-feed with an odd rotating safety on the shroud.

While usually found in the L amd M sizes, it was also made in the S and ST sizes for magnum cartridges.

I don't believe there are too many examples of the magnum rifles in the US. At the time, many folks felt the same way about the "new" push-feed mannilichers as they did about the post-64 model 70's.

quote:

Originally posted by KurtC:

The magazine was a steel, non-detacheable rotary type, similar to the original M-S rifles. The bolt was a push-feed with an odd rotating safety on the shroud.


I don't believe there are too many examples of the magnum rifles in the US. At the time, many folks felt the same way about the "new" push-feed mannilichers as they did about the post-64 model 70's.

Even the true MS the rotary magazine is removable, but not for loading, simply for cleaning. All true MS rifles are CRF, and can be unloaded quickly by pressing a checkered button inside the ejection port. Pressing this button releases all ammo in the magazine into your hand, from the top. The MS rifles were available in magnum chamberings, with 458 Win Mag the largest, but the 375H&H, and 9.3X64 were common as well. I would like to have one today chambered for 9.3X64!

The Mannlicher Shoenauer rifles were my favorites, and still are, but I have never even considered one of the PF Steyr Mannlichers.

quote:

Originally posted by KurtC:

The magazine was a steel, non-detacheable rotary type, similar to the original M-S rifles. The bolt was a push-feed with an odd rotating safety on the shroud.


I don't believe there are too many examples of the magnum rifles in the US. At the time, many folks felt the same way about the "new" push-feed mannilichers as they did about the post-64 model 70's.

Even the true MS the rotary magazine is removable, but not for loading, simply for cleaning. All true MS rifles are CRF, and can be unloaded quickly by pressing a checkered button inside the ejection port. Pressing this button releases all ammo in the magazine into your hand, from the top. The MS rifles were available in magnum chamberings, with 458 Win Mag the largest, but the 375H&H, and 9.3X64 were common as well. I would like to have one today chambered for 9.3X64!

The Mannlicher Shoenauer rifles were my favorit

Okay, everyone is right so far, except that I don't think anyone except KurtC is familiar with the M-72. The magnum action true Mannlicher-Schoenauer is a primo variation of the Basic Model MC of 1956, and was made in six magnum calibers, and yes, all "true" M-S magnums, and the rest too, have removable "for cleaning only" steel rotary magazines. The makrolon magazine is detachable and the hallmark of the Steyr-Mannlicher Sporter Models, there were 9 or 10 chamberings there, depending on your source, but these are all the "plastic" Mannlichers. The M-72 is all steel, and has a peculiar rotating safety at the rear of the bolt. The only reports of the S magnum model M 72 seem to come from Europe.

Geee! Yes, I'd love to find a 9.3x64mm true Mannlicher-Schoenauer magnum rifle too. These original M-S magnums from the 50s and 60s are uncommon and really draw a premium, sadly many dealers are asking the same premium for a S or S/T model Steyr-Mannlicher which is much more common and less desireable. The one thing a S-M Model S does have going for it is accuracy. The one I was shooting this afternoon is the most accurate maggie I have ever fired, half inch 100 yard groups,(.300 H&H) and it has that plastic magazine in the buttstock Paolo is speaking about. Yes, a .458 M-S is a cannon, and a .458 S-M is even fatter.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

Sierra 2

My very first centrefire rifle was a M72 carbine in .270 win. I still have this rifle although I couldn't live with the short barrel and had it replaced with a 24" model, stock shortened etc.

You are not 100% correct with your description - the mag rotor is plastic on the M72. Mine broke at one stage and I had to replace it. The frame of the mag is some kind of cast material - not sure if its metalic or not - could well be some kind of synthetic.

Also the M72 is controlled feed not push feed. Can supply photos of these points if you like.

Cheers.

GG